Historic Hood River
Last Picture Show
Notes
We don’t have many images from this era, so we’ll have to settle for this slightly blurry view. I’m not sure of the exact year, though the automobiles hint at late 40’s to early 50’s.
The closing of this theater left just the Rialto within city limits. The owners of this theater were hoping residents would enjoy the newfangled “Drive In” up at Windmaster Corner. The Trail Drive-In made it into this century, though just barely. The last film I saw there was “The Matrix”. I can’t say a drive-in was the ideal way to view a film, but it did have other benefits. Please share your recollections of the Trail or other drive-ins!
I’d also like to hear some reminiscences about “The Pastime.” I know it had quite a reputation.
Next time you’re enjoying a latte in the plaza west of the First National Bank building think about all the cultural history of that tiny spot.
Dale Nicol
The care sure looks like a 1951 Hudson Hornet….one of the fastest cars on the road at the time.
Charlott
Prior to this being the Trail it was the Cascadian. I don’t think this theatre was even open at this time, just the signs stating to go to the drive in. I remember it as being a very narrow theatre. It had to be in the 50’s when this photo was taken. I know my father took me to a movie there……….
As to the "Pastime" we were never allowed to say walk to The Paris Fair on that side of the street because of it. You never knew when a "drunk" would come falling out of there. I do remember sneaking up that side of the street as curiosity made me. Wanted to see if I could see what was in there.
Steve r
Parking meters …. 10 cents per hour ?
I spy a pumpkin I think ?
Buzz
My dad bought a new Hudson Hornet that looked like this one. We used to make special trips to Newport from Siletz so we could go 100mph across the Yaquina Bay Bridge. That was the only place the road was straight and smooth enough to go that fast. The generation that grew up during the depression and won WW II in four years weren’t big on political correctness. I wonder if our generation was the last where the girls were willing to hide in the trunk so we could sneak them into the Trail Drive In. One of the nicer things my dad called the Drive In was the Passion Pit. Don’t think he ever went to a movie, but he generally knew where us kids were headed.
nels
Came home to a missing sofa. Seems it made a trip to the drive in in the back of my son’s pickup, complete with popcorn and sodas and blankets. Back the pickup into a spot and have the best of both worlds. Lots of talking evidently. Probably the event was better than the movie .
lee
I remember the Rialto and Cascadian went to both of them. The Pastime was still operating in 1963 as I was home on leave and walked in there and Dale Smith was running it he said Lee good to see you I gotta ask are you 21 I said yessir you want to see my ID nope was his reply your word is good enough for me. It had been called the Electric Kitchen prior to the Pastime. I do have two tokens with that name on them. I heard several stories from Jim Crapper and Dick Woody whom spent some time behind the bar.
Judy
Took my boys to the Trail Drive-In Now that marquee is out at the W.A.M.M. Museum. I also remember the Rialto……kinda dumpy…..
Bill Seaton
In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, I spent many Saturday afternoons in the Cascadian Theater. It showed lots of cowboy pictures, I remember seeing Roy Rogers, Gabby Hayes, Gene Autry, Johnny Mack Brown, Jimmy Wakely, Hopalong Cassidy, Lash LaRue, Wild Bill Elliott, and the Scarlet Avenger.
Arlen Sheldrake
"The Devil’s Den" per grandma Della Sheirbon, WCTU member and long time Odell and Hood River resident and "personal lecturer". (and no, it did no good, I did not get the promised $100 if I got out of high school without tasting the devil’s brew)
Tami S
Oh! I’ve seen a few movies not at the Trail Drive In, but at the indoor theater at that Windmaster Corner location in the 90s. Such a charming theater with a friendly, down-home vibe that I especially enjoyed being from out of town. The employees there were so nice. I seem to remember a lot of wood paneling in the theater itself that gave it a warm, comfortable feel. I was really disappointed when it was bought out then closed.
Martha Henson
I actually have a copy of a program from March of the same year it reopened in the 50s sometime. Maybe someone could help us figure out what year that was?
Karen McCredie Hoke
I worked there selling tickets in both the Rialto and the drive-in 1958 – 1959