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Oriental Theatre interior. Wurlitzer console is visible in orchestra pit.
This "East Indian" playhouse was designed by architects Thomas and Mercier. The magnificent plaster work was designed by Adrian Voisin. The theatre opened on December 31, 1927 and seated 2,038. Opening organist was Glenn Shelley.
Oriental Theatre entrance facade, c.1941
Outstanding features of the structure were the huge dome in the auditorium, the intricate plaster detail everywhere in the building and the children's nursery in the basement under the lobby.
Photo by Dennis Hedberg, courtesy Ann Cauley 2004
Lounge
 Lobby stairs  Elephants! The theatre was an interesting essay in exotic Hindu style, inspired by the India Temple of Angkor Vat. The interior sported life-size models of Indian elephants and other bizarre statuary. |
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 Ornate decoration  Elaborate proscenium |
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The Oriental Wurlitzer was opus #1710, a Style 235 "Special." The original installation was supervised by Wurlitzer employee Harry E. Carruthers. It was a unique installation in that all of the speaking voices of the organ were in two adjacent chambers which spoke via a tone chute through the front part of the ceiling dome. The piano was in the right end of the orchestra pit. The console left the factory with a plain ivory finish; the unique textured plaster was applied in Portland. |
The "Special" designation was due to the Krumet replacing the standard Kinura, and an added Voix Celeste and English Horn.
| Dennis Hedberg performed extensive work on the instrument in the 1960's, raising pressures on all ranks and revoicing almost every pipe. His goal was to counteract problems created by the tone chute installation. Stop list modifications were also made including additional Tibia Mutations and couplers. A second blower was added and the console key contacts were adjusted to help speed the action to overcome the considerable time delay between the chambers and console. |
 Dennis Hedberg at the Oriental, c.1969 |
Revised stoplist information and chamber layoutIn 1967, Dennis Hedberg invited George Wright to give two concerts at the Oriental Theatre. Read reviews of the two concerts: May 21 and November 4.
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George was invited back in November 1969. In addition to concert numbers, he also accompanied a silent movie. The City of Portland operated the theatre for several months in 1967 and 1968 while the Civic Auditorium was being remodeled. In May 1968, the Oriental returned to operation as a first run movie house. Unfortunately, the theatre was never really viable as a movie house and it was eventually torn down to make way for a parking lot. An auction was held on February 17, 1970 to dispose of all the contents (light fixtures, etc). The theatre was photographed for inclusion in the Library of Congress list of America's most interesting buildings. |
Dennis Hedberg and partners removed the organ in late 1969. It formed the basis of the Portland Organ Grinder restaurant Wurlitzer. The restaurant is now closed and the instrument was broken up for parts.
The original Oriental Theatre console later controled the Wurlitzer at Uncle Milt's Pizza Co. in Vancouver, Washington.
Oriental Theatre, c.1930
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