Eia Ka Hula (Behold the Hula) performed at the Hilo Palace, Nov. 2010
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The venue features excellent natural acoustics and an original 1922 Robert Morton pipe organ , which has been restored and is currently in use for concerts and other events.
Bob Alder playing the historic Robert Morton organ at the Hilo Palace Theatre.
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The Robert Morton Organ Company of Van Nuys, CA, was the second largest producer of theatre organs, and the sound quality of their organs is generally accepted to be superior to the industry leader, Wurlitzer. The organ company closed in 1931, after the advent of sound in movies made theater organs obsolete, and few of these organs remain.
Artifacts from the Golden Age of Cinema
Marlee Matlin (Amanda) in the movie, What the Bleep Do We Know?
(Image by whatthebleep.com) Details DMCA
In 1927, Universal Pictures built the exotic Bagdad Theatre in Portland Oregon, which featured Middle Eastern de'cor, a stunning fountain, and usherettes clad in Arabian-style costume.
Nowadays the popular Bagdad Theater and Pub, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, features second run movies, "Two-dollar Tuesdays," and live, local comedy.
The Bagdad and its romantic interior with barreled arches, ornate wrought-iron fixtures, brilliant mosaics and painted Mediterranean designs was prominently featured in the 2004 sleeper hit What the Bleep Do We Know?
Celebrating 75 Years
The NARO Expanded Cinema in the historic Ghent area of Norfolk, VA, is one of the country's most active art house cinemas, seating 500. They offer films by prominent independent, foreign, and American filmmakers; film festivals; and stimulating discussion with guest experts including such notables as: author and trial Lawyer Vincent Bugliosi, Democracy Now! radio host Amy Goodman, and activist Cindy Sheehan.
On Sunday mornings the NARO offers an innovative bagel brunch, with an advance screening, critique and conversation.
Colley Theater opening, Feb. 24, 1936. (note car at right)
(Image by Tench Phillips, NARO Expanded Cinema) Details DMCA
The NARO opened its doors three quarters of a century ago, on Feb. 24, 1936, as The Colley Theatre. It was "built for what was at the time the substantial amount of $75,000" according to current co-owner, Tench Phillips.
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