Notes
After posting a roadside history sign yesterday I wondered what other signs we had in our collection. Here's a fine one advertising the Liberty Theater. We've got Mary Pickford in "How Could You Jean," Wallace Reid and Kathlyn Williams in "The Things We Love," and Jack Pickford in "The Spirit of '17." These new releases indicate this photo was taken in 1918.
My best guess is this is on 4th Street just below State Street. That looks like the Knights of Pythias Hall. The signs would be in the site of the old city hall, which is now the parking lot at Kaze restaurant.
The promise of "Foremost Stars in Superbly Directed Clean Motion Pictures" isn't helped by what appear to be actors in blackface.
Category: [Downtown Hood River]
Comments
The political correctness of actors in blackface has obviously evolved over the years. Makes me wonder what future generations will consider poliitically incorrect when looking back at our near stone age history and beliefs.
Buzz on 31st October 2018 @ 9:43am
A bit off subject, but hope all are aware of the coming Crag Rats talk at Troutdale ~
Kenn on 31st October 2018 @ 4:39pm
According to the Hood River Glacier the advertised films ran at the Liberty August 12 - 17, 1918 I'm guessing the photograph was taken between August 6 - August 13, 1918.
I think Mr. Kolstad signed a deal with Paramount in Portland on July 22 or 23, 1918 to display Paramount Pictures released through Artcraft. "How Could You Jean" (released 30 June 1918) could be considered first run, while "The Things We Love" (released 11 Feb 1918) and "The Spirit of '17" (released 26 Jan 1918) could be considered second or third run.
Dabbling around in the the history of Paramount Pictures, Mary Pickford Productions, Famous Players - Lasky Corporation and Artcraft is interesting in and of itself. Mary Pickford created Artcraft to distribute her movies in 1916, she then sold the company to Famous Players which then reduced it to a brand name status for Paramount. In the 1921 Artcraft was closed down because of a Federal monoply investigation.
LMH on 1st November 2018 @ 2:15pm