Pantages Theatre

Rogue Theatre
Grants Pass, OR
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Downtown Grants Pass wouldn't look quite the same without the towering neon sign and colorful Art Deco facade of the Rogue Theatre. It's one of those theaters that still gives the impression that something special is about to begin the moment you walk through the doors.

The Rogue opened in 1938 as the city's newest movie theater and entertained local audiences for more than 60 years before first-run movies came to an end. Rather than letting the building fade away, the community gave it a second act, transforming it into a nonprofit performing arts center that continues to host concerts, plays, and special events.

The theater's beautifully preserved exterior remains one of the highlights of downtown, and the glowing vertical marquee still catches the eye just as it did decades ago. It's always nice to see a classic theater that's still bringing people together.

UPDATE: The Rogue Theatre continues to operate as a performing arts venue, and its restored neon marquee remains one of downtown Grants Pass' best-known landmarks. 07-26

Roseway Theatre (Gone)
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Jeff Raber

For generations, the Roseway Theatre welcomed moviegoers with its classic marquee along Sandy Boulevard. It was one of those neighborhood theaters that seemed untouched by time, still showing first-run movies in a single-screen auditorium long after most old theaters had been divided into multiplexes.

Opening in 1924, the Roseway entertained Portland audiences for nearly a century and even recovered from a major fire in the 1950s. Careful updates over the years kept the theater modern while preserving the charm that made it such a neighborhood favorite.

Sadly, a devastating fire destroyed the Roseway in 2022, bringing an end to one of Portland's last classic movie houses.

UPDATE: The Roseway Theatre was destroyed by fire in 2022, and the historic building has since been demolished. 07-26

Laurelhurst Theatre
Portland, OR
Photo courtesy Jeff Raber

The neon blade sign at the Laurelhurst Theatre has been drawing moviegoers to the corner of Burnside and 28th for generations. It's one of Portland's classic neighborhood theaters, and thankfully it still looks right at home along the street.

The Laurelhurst opened in 1923 as a single-screen movie house before eventually expanding into four screens. While it was once famous as a bargain second-run theater, these days you'll find a mix of first-run releases, independent films, classics, and special screenings. Grab some pizza, a locally brewed beer, and settle in for a movie.

Best of all, the beautiful Art Deco marquee continues to light up the neighborhood, making the Laurelhurst one of Portland's most recognizable theater landmarks.

UPDATE: The Laurelhurst Theatre remains open as an independent neighborhood cinema, with its classic neon sign still glowing over East Burnside. 07-26

Metro Theatre
Vancouver B.C.
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Bright colors and a classic Art Deco facade make the Metro Theatre easy to spot along Marine Drive. It may have started life as a neighborhood movie theater, but this old landmark has been entertaining Vancouver audiences in one form or another for more than 90 years. 03-06

The building opened in 1932 as the Marpole Theatre before closing in the 1950s. Rather than letting it disappear, a local theater society rescued the vacant building and transformed it into a home for community productions. Since then, countless plays, musicals, and local performers have taken the stage.

The Metro is no longer showing movies, but its colorful exterior and vintage marquee still make it a standout along the roadside. It's always good to see an old theater that's found a new audience.

UPDATE: The Metro Theatre continues to operate as a live community theater, with its colorful Art Deco facade and vintage marquee still welcoming visitors. 07-26

Capitol Theatre
Olympia, WA
Photo courtesy Gorb70

A glowing vertical sign is enough to tell you that something special is waiting down the block. The Capitol Theatre has been welcoming audiences in downtown Olympia since 1924, and it still looks every bit like the grand movie palace it was meant to be. 03-07

Originally built for vaudeville and silent movies, the Capitol has entertained generations of theatergoers while surviving changing tastes, earthquakes, and the passing decades. Today it's home to the Olympia Film Society, where everything from classic films to independent features and live concerts keeps the old theater as busy as ever.

One of the nicest improvements came in 2008, when an oversized marquee from the 1940s was removed and replaced with a beautiful vertical neon sign inspired by the theater's original design. It fits the building perfectly and once again gives the Capitol the kind of skyline presence that every classic theater deserves.

UPDATE: The Capitol Theatre remains open as the home of the Olympia Film Society, and its restored vertical neon sign continues to light up downtown Olympia. 07-26