Ross Ragland Theatre
218 N. 7th Street,
Klamath Falls,
OR
97601
218 N. 7th Street,
Klamath Falls,
OR
97601
1 person
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Ross Ragland Theater (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Mann Theatres
Architects: William Bernard David
Functions: Live Theater, Movies (Classic)
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Esquire Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
541.884.8574
Manager:
541.884.8574
Nearby Theaters
The Esquire Theatre was opened on November 30, 1940 with Gary Cooper in “The Westerner”. This 790 seat community theatre was saved from the wrecking ball in 1989 by three kindly old men. The Ross Ragland Theatre was named after one of those great men in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Klamath Falls used to have several vaudeville houses.
Contributed by
Paul Warshauer
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
Here is a photo of another theater called the Rainbow in Klamath Falls. The date is 1941:
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This 1944 photo shows a partially hidden marquee which appears to say “Street” as part of the thater’s name:
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My guess on that last name is either plain “TREE” or “THE TREE” or maybe “PINE TREE” as clearly there isn’t another letter after “TREE” (so it can’t be “STREET”), because there is a dividing band above the “T” and whatever letter (if it is one) or decorative object is above the “T”; and also because up and down the right side of the sign there are little triangular tree symbols, like Christmass trees. Klamath Falls was after all logging country.
You may be right on that, upon further review.
Here is a photo of the Esquire, circa 1948:
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Was Ross Ragland any relation to Rags Ragland, the vaudeville and burlesque comic and clown of the 1930s and 1940s?
Here is a 1984 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ygwhk6v
A few 2011 photos can be seen here and here.
This was George M. Mann theatre when it opened in 1940. William David, of San Francisco, was credited as the architect. The interiors were by Miguel Santocono, “noted decorator,” who worked on the murals for three months, according to newspaper accounts.
I’m curious too and wonder if Ross is related to film comic Rags Ragland?
The actual opening date is November 30, 1940 with Gary Cooper in “The Westerner”, along with a performance by Matty Malneck and his Orchestra, A subject: “Fly Fishing” (not sure if its part of either a sportsreel or a Grantland Rice Sportlight, not sure yet), A cartoon: Max Fletcher’s Gabby in “The Constable”, and a newsreel.