Historic Hood River
Decision Time
12-7-2015
Notes
Here’s the Rialto Theater lobby. Not sure if they had popcorn in those days. Do you go to the right and sit in the balcony, or stay left and sit in the main theater?
“The Affairs of Anatol” was a 1921 Cecil B. DeMille film which starred Gloria Swanson and Wallace Reid.
A reminder: we have “Historic Hood River” calendars for sale down at the museum. They’re just $15, and a great way to show your support for all the good work done at the museum while decorating your wall with some of our favorite historic images.
Kenn
A ramp rather than stairs to the balcony, I had only seen this once before, is it rare?
LMH
The Glacier. October 20, 1921, Image 10
A portion of theatre ad for The Rialto
…Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson and ten other real stars in the greatest all star cast ever assembled, "The Affairs of Anatol." Also an extra added attraction, Alice Andrews Ham, former Hood River girl, in songs. Mrs. Ham has just finished a successful engagement at The Madison, Detroit’s finest theatre. Children 20c, Adults 50c, Loges 65c. Also two reel comedy, "Robinson’s Trouseau." ……. Vera Kolstad on the Mighty Voiced Rialto Wurlitzer.
Arthur
The theater in the town where I grew up had a ramp just like this.
nels
Shamefully, in the late 40’s and 50’s the Negro people had to sit in one section of the balcony. (And there was a black school separate from the other schools until high school.) In a town about the size of HR.
Charlott
I don’t recall ever seeing any black people in Hood River during those years.
Arlen Sheldrake
I agree Charlott…..I believe there was a black family out in the valley but none in HR that I remember. A black section in the balcony……I would remember that if it was true as it was a real shocker when I hit Texas in 1960. .
nels
Sorry Arlen, clarification…in another midwestern town the same size as Hood River. That was the ‘custom in the mid 50’s.
Arlen Sheldrake
Thanks Nels. In many ways, we that grew up in HR were very unaware of the outside world such as what you mention. One of my first rude awakenings was AF basic training and trying to answer the question of whether I was a Yankee or Conf.; I was clueless but it was a BIG deal to my fellow barracks grunts. .