Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts
1225-31 Vandercook Way,
Longview,
WA
98632
1225-31 Vandercook Way,
Longview,
WA
98632
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The photos I mentioned previously (see Apr 8, 2014 post), are no longer there. However, they can still be found on the Internet Archive:
https://web.archive.org/web/20200301074009/https://cplinc.com/work/projects/columbia-theatre-performing-arts-renovation/
The 1936 remodel was probably the removal of two tiers of box seats on either side of the stage, impractical for the movies that had become the main programming. That space was covered by ornate screens backlit by subtle lighting.
The records of architect Day Walter Hilborn list a remodeling of the Columbia Theatre in Longview as a 1936 project. There’s no indication of how extensive the remodeling was.
Functions should also include: Movies (classic)
The Columbia was never a Moyer theater. The local owner sold to Sterling (SRO) after WWII. SRO sold it to the City of Longview in 1983. The city leases it to the nonprofit Columbia Theater Association for the Performing Arts.
At one time this was operated by Tom Moyer’s Luxury Theatres.
Back in the early 1990s, they had a special event to re-open this theater. I went with a friend. They did some live vaudeville acts, and then showed the 1925 silent file “The Phantom of the Opera” with Lon Chaney. The film was accompanied live by an organist and a few other instruments.
It’s a really beautiful theater. The company that was responsible for the renovation has a nice photo of the interior.
Here is a January 2009 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mt4jok
Theater is located at 1225-31 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. 98632-4001 and the phone number is 360-423-1011.