Tag: Academy Theater

History

Montavilla History Questions Answered:Academy Theater Part 2

Montavilla’s Academy Theater had been in business since 1948, when, in 1966, it faced a new challenge: the Eastgate Cinema opened at SE 82nd and Harrison, just a few blocks away.

The Eastgate, created by the future movie mogul, Tom Moyer (1919-2014), was bigger and more luxurious than the Academy. It also used the latest cinema technology. The Eastgate opened with a two-auditorium theater, then added another, single-screen building. Altogether, the complex could seat 2,200. The Academy seated a little over 600. The Eastgate closed in 2001. Today, the buildings are home to the Slavic Church Emmanuel.

A promotional poster announcing the grand opening of a theatre on Wednesday, October 26, with showtimes at 6:45 and 7:00. It highlights the availability of two complete auditoriums within one theatre.
Ad for the grand opening of the first Eastgate Theatre. Source: Oregon Journal, October 25, 1966

Despite the Eastgate competition, the Academy managed to stay in business for several years. It had one advantage: cheaper tickets. While the Eastgate screened first-run movies, the Academy showed cheaper second-run — and sometimes even third-run — films.

Jim Teeny found other ways to stay in business. He reduced screenings from daily to weekends. On Sundays, attendance was light, so he invented Portland’s first “dollar night” movies: for $1, you could see a double feature and cartoon, and drink unlimited amounts of free Boyd’s coffee. Another gambit was to book a lot of Clint Eastwood movies, which earned the Academy a reputation as the “Clint Eastwood house” of Portland.

A rugged man with a beard wearing a cape, standing in a western-themed environment
Clint Eastwood in The Man with No Name (1964). Source: Wikipedia

Jim stopped managing the Academy in 1972 and devoted himself exclusively to his fly-fishing business. The Teenys sold the Academy to Warren Stanley “Sam” Crawford, who continued to operate it as a movie theater until 1974. For a brief time, Crawford also used it as a concert venue.

Sometime after 1974, Crawford remodeled the building to produce a “penny-saver” newspaper called Nickel Ads. The auditorium was gutted and flattened to make space for the big six-unit printing press. According to Andrew Hessel, former manager of Nickel Ads, this advertising newspaper was successful, but it relocated in 2001.

Exterior of a storefront labeled 'NICKEL ADS' with stone facade and cars parked in front.
Nickel Ads occupied the Academy Theater building from about 1975 to about 2001. Photo courtesy of Heyward Stewart.

The Academy Theater was once again empty and available. In 2002, Ty DuPuis, owner of the Flying Pie Pizzeria, bought the vacated Nickel Ads building, with the idea of reviving the Academy as a theater-pub, a model that had saved many a neighborhood theater.

In 2004, DuPuis partnered with Heyward and Julie Stewart. Together they put a team of architects, contractors, builders, and designers.

Stephanie Brown, a Portland interior designer, helped restore the theater as closely as possible to its original Streamline Moderne style while also creating a theater that meets current standards of comfort, convenience, and safety. All this on a limited budget.

But restore it to what? It was unclear what parts of the original theater looked like. Portions of the entrance and lobby remained, but the auditorium was a mystery since it had been gutted and flattened to meet the Nickel Ads’ needs. Moreover, there were only a few old photographs to guide the restoration.

Interior of a large, empty warehouse space with exposed walls and a staircase in the background. There is a blue workbench in the foreground and construction materials scattered on the floor.
The auditorium before renovation. Photo courtesy of Academy Theater

The theater’s auditorium seated over 600 people, but this was considered too large for second-run moviegoers. The solution: divide it into three small theaters.

Interior of a movie theater featuring red curtains, black seating, and a large blank screen.
One of the three theaters in the remodeled Academy. Photo courtesy of Academy Theater

Fortunately, the original curved walls and round ceiling-well of the lobby remained and simply needed restoration.

Interior view of a lobby featuring a curved ceiling, teal walls, and a reception desk. There are two sets of double doors leading outside, along with decorative lighting and a carpeted floor.
The restored lobby. Photo by Julio Brown

Besides restoring the theater to its 1940s look, it was also upgraded to seismic standards.

Photos of the original Academy building guided the restoration of the exterior. The rock facing added by Nickel Ads was removed. The original marquee design was restored, down to the theater’s name in curvy letters.

A side-by-side comparison of two theater facades: the left shows an older design with a yellow section and stone accents, while the right features a modern blue design with the word 'Academy' displayed prominently.
Left: Academy Theater building as Nickel Ads. Right: The restored Academy Theater. Photos courtesy of Academy Theater

But what was the exterior color? There were no old color photos or accounts to guide the designer. The deep blue of the Streamline Moderne Greyhound bus terminals was an appropriate choice for both period and style.

Exterior view of a vintage Greyhound bus terminal, featuring a blue and white art deco design with a prominent Greyhound sign.
Blytheville, Arkansas Greyhound Bus Station, built in 1937. Source: Wikipedia

Not every detail of the original Academy design could be restored. The original curving pattern of the lights on the underside of the marquee could not be replicated with available materials. The ticket booth of the original Academy was not restored; it was too small to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The original front doors had round windows, but these would exceed the renovation budget.

Although not every detail of the original Academy could be replicated, the design was so successful that in 2008 it won a Preservation in Action Award from the Architectural Heritage Center/Bosco-Milligan Foundation. It was one of 15 projects chosen by a panel of judges as outstanding examples of historic preservation created during the previous 20 years.

On March 11, 2006, the restored Academy opened to a sold-out crowd. The line stretched around the block an hour before opening. Old film buffs could choose the 1947 film “Tycoon” starring John Wayne, Laraine Day, and Cedric Hardwicke, the same movie featured on the Academy’s opening night in 1948.

The resurrected Academy Theater has become a Montavilla icon and a community favorite. In 2013, when Hollywood decided it was go-digital or die, a crowdsourcing campaign raised nearly $49,000 to buy the new projectors. The Academy was able to remain in business.

Not only did the historic Academy survive, but it also helped, along with Ya Hala, Flying Pie, and Bipartisan Café, to revitalize Montavilla’s historic downtown.

A mural in progress on a white building wall featuring a large hand outline, with workers on a lift painting and a few people nearby. Several parked vehicles are visible in the foreground.
Olivia Knapp, “On the Other Hand,” mural creation on the west exterior wall of the Academy Theater Aug, 29 2015. Photo by Jacob Loeb

The Academy Theater received an upgrade in 2015, with a mural added to its west side. At that time, Seattle-based artist Olivia Knapp added a pen-and-ink style mural called “On the Other Hand” to the very wall that Jim Teeny helped to repaint every year.

A large black and white mural depicting an outstretched hand releasing a few drops of water, located on a white wall.
Olivia Knapp, “On the Other Hand,” mural on the west exterior wall of the Academy Theater Photo by Thomas Tilton

Acknowledgments:

For this article, I am grateful to the following people for the information they generously shared with me: Heyward Stewart, co-owner and manager of the Academy; Jim Teeny, son of the original owners of the Academy; Stephanie Brown, the interior designer who helped with the Academy restoration; and Andrew Hessel, a general manager of Nickel Ads.

If you want to know more:

On the remodeling, see an excellent article by Inara Verzemnieks, “Trickle up effect tips the momentum on Stark Street,” The Oregonian, April 6, 2006

For a time-lapse video of the creation of Olivia Knapp’s “Other Hand” on the west exterior wall of the Academy, go to http://www.oliviaknapp.com/other-hand/2015/9/16/olivia-knapp-mural-time-lapse-forest-for-the-trees-mural-project.

by

Patricia Sanders

Title image: Academy Theater marquee in its renovated state Photo by Jacob Loeb

Event: The Academy Theater will celebrate 20 years since reopening on March 11th, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Read Part 1

Montavilla History Questions Answered:Academy Theater Part 1

I think most would agree that the Academy Theater on SE Stark is one of Montavilla’s most outstanding historical buildings. When it opened in 1948, it could claim to be the most modern building on Montavilla’s main street. How it came to be and how it survived is a story with many twists and turns.…

by Patricia Sanders

This is part of Montavilla History Questions Answered, a series of history related articles. If you have questions about Montavilla’s past that you’d like answered, local historian Patricia Sanders will investigate your question. Please email your questions to history@montavilla.net and we may feature it alongside Patricia Sanders’ research in a future.

History

Montavilla History Questions Answered:Academy Theater Part 1

I think most would agree that the Academy Theater on SE Stark is one of Montavilla’s most outstanding historical buildings. When it opened in 1948, it could claim to be the most modern building on Montavilla’s main street. How it came to be and how it survived is a story with many twists and turns.

It began as the dreamchild of Fred Teeny (1914-1979) and his wife Lillian Mary Shaheen Teeney (1920-2009). Fred came from an entrepreneurial family—his father and brothers owned numerous businesses in Portland. This business orientation goes back to Fred’s father, Joseph Abraham Teeny (1885-1952), who had emigrated to the U.S. from Lebanon in 1906. Joseph soon opened a dry goods store on Foster Road, and his son Fred opened his own dry goods store in the 1930s at the southwest corner of Stark and SE 80th—now the location of the 2005 building where Tinker Tavern is today.

By the mid-1940s, Fred and Lillian started thinking about building a movie theater. They decided the opposite end of the block, where their dry goods store was located, would be a good location.

The timing must have seemed right. By this time, World War II had ended. Restrictions on non-war-related construction had been lifted. Movie theater attendance was rising, hitting a new box-office high in 1946. While Montavilla already had a movie theater—the Granada—but there wasn’t one on SE Stark, Montavilla’s main street.

Presumably, the Teenys wanted a modern building, not something with the old-fashioned exotic details of the Granada. But something with a little flash, something different from the early 20th-century buildings that dominated Stark Street. So, they hired Portland James William De Young (1885-1965), an architect known for keeping up with the new architectural trends. De Young had been in business in Portland for over 30 years, and he had designed several movie theaters. The Teenys must have liked De Young’s Gresham Theater–its striking winged cylinder above the marquee would reappear in the Academy design.

Sketch of a historical building with a large tower, people standing in front, and dramatic clouds overhead.
J. W. De Young’s Gresham Theater design. Source: Oregon Journal, December 15, 1935

For the Teenys, De Young designed not just a theater but a building complex. On either side of the theater, he planned spaces for stores, including one for a Fred Tenny shoe store.

Black and white image of a street view featuring various storefronts, including 'Montavilla Camera & Record Shop' and a cinema with a marquee displaying movie titles.
The Academy Theater and adjacent shops around 1948. The storefront on the left is yet unoccupied, but the others were occupied by the Montavilla Camera and Record Shop, Fred Teeny’s Montavilla Shoe Store, Fuller Wallpaper & Paint, and Gardner’s Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the Academy Theater

De Young’s plans were ready by September 1946, but construction was delayed until Fred Teeny could get a permit. His first permit was denied because the post-war U.S. government was prioritizing residential construction, but a few months later, Teeny got a permit, and his contractors, Knott, Rogers, and Dunbar, began construction.

When the theater was finished, it featured a single auditorium with a sloping floor and seats for six hundred. It also had air conditioning, a stylish lobby, and even a nursery for childcare. Behind the theater, there was a large parking lot.

The Teenys decided to name the Academy, so it would appear first in theater listings.

The grand opening took place on April 30, 1948.

A black-and-white photo of a large group of children and adults waiting in line outside a building, possibly a theater, with a marquee and ticket booth visible.
A crowd gathers for the Academy Theater’s grand opening. Note the ticket booth was then in the middle of the entrance. Photo courtesy of the Academy Theater

Initially, the Teenys did not manage the theater. They leased it to Al Myers (1909-1979), owner of Montavilla’s Granada Theatre. Al and his wife, Polly (1920-1996), managed both theaters until the late 1950s.

Like many neighborhood theaters, the Academy featured second-run movies. For opening night, it was the 1947 box-office hit, “Tycoon,” starring John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, and Loraine Day.

Movie poster for 'Tycoon' featuring John Wayne, showing a close-up of him with a serious expression.
Poster for “Tycoon” Photo source: Wikipedia
A woman stands with hands on hips and a scarf around her neck, while a man sits relaxed in a chair, both captured in a vintage black-and-white photo.
Managers Polly and Al Myers in the Academy lobby. Photo courtesy of the Academy Theater (donated by Polly Myers’ son, Vern Kjargaard)

Something special happened at the Academy in 1949. The May 28 edition of the Oregon Journal reported that movie star Janet Gaynor and her husband, fashion designer Gilbert Adrian, would be at the Academy for a screening of the 1937 movie “A Star is Born.” Gaynor starred in that movie and was nominated for an Academy Award. She did not win, but she had won the Academy’s best actress award for multiple movies in 1929.

Vintage movie poster for 'A Star is Born' featuring a man and woman in a romantic embrace against a colorful background, with actor names and production details.
Poster adverting the 1946 re-release of “A Star Is Born”. Source: Wikimedia

In 1958, Fred and Lillian Teeny took over the management of the Academy. At this time, they updated the theater by adding stereophonic sound and a wide, curved screen. They continued to manage the theater with help from their children, Sharon (1940-2014) and Jim (born 1945), until 1965.

A vintage advertisement announcing the grand re-opening of an establishment called 'Academy' located at 7818 SE Stark, highlighting new management and a new family policy, set for Wednesday evening.
Ad for the Academy’s “Grand Re-opening” in 1958. Source: Oregon Journal, January 20, 1958
A vintage black-and-white photo of a family consisting of a man holding a young boy, a woman with dark curly hair, and two children, one boy and one girl, all smiling at the camera.
The Teeny family, left to right: Sharon, Jim, Fred, and Lillian. Photo courtesy of Jim Teeny

In 1965, big-band leader Van Armitage (1917-1994) leased and managed the Academy for a brief time. But the theater did not do well, and Jim Teeny and his mother took over.

In 1966, a new problem arose. Montavilla’s first theater complex, Eastgate Cinema, opened just a few blocks away. Could the Academy survive?

To be continued in The Academy Theater Part 2.

by

Patricia Sanders

Title image: Academy Theater marquee in its renovated state Photo by Jacob Loeb, digitally edited to remove power-line

This is part of Montavilla History Questions Answered, a series of history related articles. If you have questions about Montavilla’s past that you’d like answered, local historian Patricia Sanders will investigate your question. Please email your questions to history@montavilla.net and we may feature it alongside Patricia Sanders’ research in a future.

Community, Event, Food and Drink

Montavilla’s 2025 Fall Crawl and Trick or Treat Events

Starting October 17th, visitors to select Montavilla businesses can pick up a “Fall Crawl Passport” card from participating locations and collect stickers with purchases to earn a raffle entry. Completed passports are due back at Arbor Hall on SE Stark Street or Replicant/Mudd Works Cafe by the close of the event on October 31st. During the sticker collecting and business visiting event, the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) will also host a Trick or Treat event on Sunday, October 26th. A printed map shows key participants, and the METBA site displays individual business hours for the candy giveaway.

METBA organized both events as part of its annual tradition to create a safe and fun celebration of Autumn. The idea of a Montavilla pub crawl grew in popularity in 2019 when Threshold opened the neighborhood’s second brewery in the historic SE Stark Street downtown area. The concept grew into a more formalized event as part of METBA’s Harvest Festival and now includes a variety of activities, including a week-long shopping event for a chance to win a prize. Additionally, bars, restaurants, and other participating businesses may offer special entertainment and discounts.

A decorated house at night with colorful green and red lights, featuring Halloween decorations, including skeletons, pumpkin lanterns, and a ghost figure.
Montavilla home decorated for Halloween

Burgerville at 8218 NE Glisan Street will offer a free coupon for a food item with purchase for passport holders. Kim’s Tae Kwon-Do at 9003 SE Stark Street will provide free classes for passport holders on Tuesday and Thursday during the event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Montavilla Brew Works at 7805 SE Stark Street will host a special beer release on Halloween, celebrating its three new fall/winter seasonal brews. NightOwl Custom Apparel will offer free stickers and treats for those visiting the shop at 7114 NE Glisan Street in costume. The Glisan Fred Meyers branch of OnPoint Community Credit Union, located at 6615 NE Glisan Street, will feature a prize wheel on October 31st and offer candy on all other passport dates.

For October 26th specific activities, Beanstalk Children’s Resale at 8021 SE Stark Street will have “trick-or-treat goodies for the kiddos” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. DolFUN Dynamics will host a free Halloween party from 2 to 3 p.m. for children twelve years old and younger at 9260 SE Stark Street, along with a discount of $50 off the first month of classes for new enrollments. Personal Beast at 8119 SE Stark Street is offering a 25% discount on select dog and cat bulk treats from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Although not included on the map, Threshold Brewing & Blending, Academy Theater, and Flying Pie Pizza will participate in the Trick or Treat event.

A spooky Halloween-themed display featuring a creepy clown figure with glowing yellow eyes, holding a large lollipop, surrounded by colorful banners and festive decorations.
2023 Nightmare on Taylor Street haunted walkthrough animated creature

Many more locations will participate. An extensive list is available on the METBA Fall Events website page at metba.org. People trying to win the raffle can receive two stickers per purchase of $5 or more from participating locations, and every five stickers counts towards a raffle entry to increase the chances of winning. For a scarier, yet family-friendly event, consider “Nightmare on Taylor St,” featuring The Madhouse of MonstaVilla at 7926 SE Taylor Street. That October 31st event is a haunted walkthrough hosted by a resident who creates an elaborate experience for the neighborhood. As with most years, Montavilla plans to have an active fall celebration throughout the last half of October. Look for these events and more through the neighborhood.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink

Montavilla Jazz Village Partner Events

The Montavilla Jazz Festival kicks off its 2025 performances on August 29th with ticketed events throughout the neighborhood and in various locations around Portland’s Eastside. However, the music celebration is not limited to indoor and outdoor music venues. The group worked with Montavilla businesses to create “Village Partner Events” in Montavilla’s Historic Downtown and along NE Glisan Street. People can visit those establishments all three weekend nights to take in Jazz without a festival ticket.

A storefront in Montavilla featuring a blue exterior with yellow trim, displaying signs for 'Red X' and 'Opening Soon'.
Exterior view of Montavilla Brew Works featuring a bright yellow wall with the words 'Fresh Beer' painted on it, white tents set up outside, and a nearby street sign for 76th Avenue.
Exterior view of Threshold Brewing & Blending, featuring the business name on a red wall and an 'open' sign in the window.

On Friday, August 29th, the Academy Theater will play Spike Lee’s 1990 movie “Mo’ Better Blues” at 4 p.m. Then Replicant Beer & Wine PDX will feature performances by Edad del Pavo at 6 p.m. and DJ Joe Ball at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 30th, Replicant Beer & Wine PDX will feature a Clackamas CC Duo at noon, with the Spy Mohr Trio on stage at 5:30 p.m. and DJ Papa Warrior at 7:30 p.m. Threshold Brewing & Blending will start hosting performances at 3 p.m. with Shiloh Rush. Then they feature Swingin’ Sounds Jam at 5 p.m. People can continue the fun by visiting Montavilla Brew Works at 6 p.m. to hear MHCC Hogan Street Combo, and then hop over to Vino Veritas Wine Bar and Bottle Shop for a 7 p.m. show from a PSU Student Combo.

Exterior view of the Academy Theater with illuminated marquee displaying current movies, including 'Gladiator 2', 'Wicked', and 'Moana 2'.

The Academy Theater will offer repeat showings of “Mo’ Better Blues” at 1 p.m. on the weekend and then on Sunday, August 31st, Replicant Beer & Wine PDX will host another Clackamas CC Duo at noon. Starting up again at 4 p.m. that evening, they will feature Thilo Kluth Trio, followed by DJ Sanjo at 6 p.m. Threshold Brewing & Blending has Eli Amundson performing at 1 and 3 p.m., followed by Swingin’ Sounds Jam at 5 p.m. Montavilla Brew Works will host the MHCC Kane Street Combo at 6 p.m. and at 7 p.m., a second PSU Student Combo will play at Vino Veritas Wine Bar and Bottle Shop.

Event organizers hope that anyone interested in enjoying the Montavilla Jazz Festival will have the opportunity to find a performance that suits their schedule and preferred venue. People should visit montavillajazz.org to view detailed information or to purchase tickets.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink

Montavilla Jazz Festival Starts Aug 30

The 11th annual Montavilla Jazz Festival (MJF) will begin at the end of August with a weekend full of music events in the neighborhood and locations across Portland’s Eastside. The three-day celebration of local artistry starts on Friday, August 30th, and runs through Sunday, September 1st, with free and ticketed events. Each year, MJF brings music fans of all ages to the neighborhood and expands the general appreciation for jazz.

The yearly late summer music programming spans outdoor locations such as Mt. Tabor Park and Montavilla’s SE 79th Avenue Street Plaza. Neighborhood businesses will also become venues during the festival, including BoneJax, Montavilla Brew Works, Vino Veritas, Beer Brats & Beats, Portland Metro Arts, Threshold Brewing & Blending, and Beer Bunker’s patio. The MJF website has a detailed list of event locations, times, and links to secure tickets or reservations when necessary. Area businesses Yaowarat, Vino Veritas, Threshold Brewing, and The Observatory will offer nightly food and drink specials and entertainment during the three-day event. The Academy Movie Theater will participate in the celebration through special showings of the 1958 film noir classic “Elevator to the Gallows,” featuring a jazz-rich score by Miles Davis. Beyond the Montavilla area, Strum, The 1905, and Alberta Rose Theatre will host additional MJF performances.

Thanks to Prosper Portland’s Scale Up Grant for summer 2024, MJF can offer more than twice the number of performances than the previous year. It is the only Portland festival focused on original music from the city’s jazz artists. Preferences will feature the rising stars and creative artists connected to Portland. The 29 events include free concerts, three student stages, and a return to Mt. Tabor Park’s Caldera Amphitheater for two free concerts on Friday, August 30th.

Lynn Darroch, photo by Brenda Moseley and provided courtesy MJF

For the second year, MJF honors the late Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish’s contribution to the city’s jazz community by presenting an award in his name. On August 31st, presenters will deliver this year’s Nick Fish Jazz Community Award to writer, broadcaster, and performer Lynn Darroch. The jazz radio host on KMH is also an author and recording artist with an in-depth perspective on the local musicians who shape the regional jazz sound.

With added free events and more Montavilla locations, this is an excellent year to explore Montavilla Jazz’s contribution to the music community and discover a new appreciation for a foundational style of American music. People interested in attending should look at the event schedule now to find out if they need reservations or tickets to particular shows. Everyone should plan for a busier weekend around event locations starting on August 30th and consider visiting local businesses with MJF specials for unique menu options.

by

Jacob Loeb

Main article image by Norm Eder provided courtesy MJF, featuring Todd Marston and the Integer Quintet

VENUES: 

Community, Entertainment, Event

Return of Montavilla Movie Nights

Starting this Wednesday, Montavilla Movie Nights return with free outdoor screenings in the Plaza at the corner of SE Stark Street and 79th Avenue. The monthly events began around dusk at 8 p.m., and people are encouraged to bring their own chair, blanket, or cushion.

The summertime event is organized by the Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA) and sponsored by Mr Plywood and Adventist Health. The three film series offers a new movie on the last Wednesday night of the month for July, August, and September. The July 26th event will feature the 1999 comedy Galaxy Quest. Then on August 30th, attendees can view the 1996 film Kingpin. The summer fun concludes with the 1979 movie Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, featuring the Ramones, on September 27th.

Event organizers encourage people to arrive early to order food and drink items from area businesses before finding a spot in the SE 79th Avenue Plaza. The Academy Theater across the street will sell concessions to Plaza viewers wanting the complete movie experience. Threshold Brewing & Blending will sell beer for people to enjoy while they watch. Montavilla Movie Nights is in its second season, and its continued popularity could bolster its return in subsequent years. As the sun sets on the last Wednesday of the month, consider heading to the Plaza for some free community-based entertainment. 

By

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the METBA board.

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Community

Classic Films Return to Academy Theater

This Friday, July 8th, the Academy Theater will bring back Revival Film Programming in addition to showing first-run movies. The owners of the iconic Montavilla second-run venue converted it to a first-run theater in February 2022. Now, they will screen two older titles per week alongside the latest Hollywood films.

The change earlier this year helped the theater stabilize its income after the pandemic hurt ticket sales. However, many patrons lamented the loss of classic films from the rotation of titles shown. This update will please a segment of the Academy Theater’s customers while continuing to serve the lucrative first-run movie audience.

Although the Academy Theater continued to show some classic titles since the switch in February, this marks a long-term investment in balancing the community’s old and new entertainment interests. Located at 7818 SE Stark Street, the inaugural updated programming will feature The Goonies (1985), Wet Hot American Summer (2001), Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), and Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022). Each movie will have two daily screenings on one of the location’s three screens. Keep an eye on the company’s Instagram account for future announcements regarding your favorite older film’s return to the big screen.

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Event

Academy Switches to First-Run Films

Next month, the Academy Theater at 7818 SE Stark Street will switch to showing first-run films after sixteen years as a second-run venue. Consequentially, the owners plan to raise ticket prices. The business partners feel this transition better positions the theater for post-pandemic success and stability.

The transition begins on March 4th with The Batman by Warner Bros. Pictures. On that night, tickets will cost $9 for adults and $6.50 for seniors or children. Food and beverage offerings will remain the same with beer, wine, and pizza from Flying Pie Pizzeria.

Owners Heyward Stewart, Julie Stewart, and Ty Dupuis moved to first-run films in response to market trends. Over the last few years, movies have increasingly transitioned to early in-home distribution, eating up the demand for second-run showings on the big screen. Recently, many studios have agreed to a 45-day theatrical release window for new films as a concession to theater operators. Although shorter than the old 90 windows, it offers movie houses the opportunity to present unique entertainment to patrons and draw people back into communal viewing.

Movie theaters suffered more than most businesses during the pandemic. They faced prolonged shutdowns and did not have alliterative revenue sources to lean on. After reopening, moviegoers were hesitant to return to the theaters while infection rates climbed. New online streaming options allowed people to stay home, further slowing the industry’s recovery. However, signs point to a turnaround industry-wide, with a strong rebound for theaters showing big-budget first-run films. The fate of second-run theaters is unknown, making the Academy’s shift necessary for the theater’s continued operation.

The Academy Theater opened in 1948, serving a welcomed role in the community until closing in the mid-1970s. After its resurrection in 2006, it quickly became an icon of Montavilla. Theaters need visitors, and the owners hope this change will bring people back. Keep an eye on the theater marquee for new first-run titles and consider spending an evening at the Academy. 

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Event

Academy Theater Opening July 16th

The Academy Theater will reopen to the public next month, 68 weeks after it closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The opening date appeared last week alongside a detailed accounting of the movie theater’s history. As the 1948 era move house prepares for the July 16th reopening, staff also ready for a busy summer season.

Located at 7818 SE Stark Street, The Academy Theater closed its doors in March 2020. After the last show on Friday the 13th, the staff locked up for a several-week-long intermission while the country tried to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, over a year later, the theater remained dark, even as other surrounding businesses reopened in phases.

After so much time shuttered, extensive work is needed to ready the business for an eager audience. Co-Owner, Heyward Stewart barely has time to prepare everything and has dedicated all his efforts towards that goal. “I am super busy at the moment trying to get things together for our reopening.” However, Stewart is excited that this day is finally approaching and what reopening could mean for the neighborhood. “[We] look forward to being a part of the revitalization of Montavilla.”

The Academy Theater is often seen as the symbolic heart of Montavilla and is an iconic representation of the Stark Street business district. Its reopening will signify the actual end of restrictions and the beginning of returning to normalcy for many. Keep an eye on the movie theater’s marquee for coming attractions and showtimes but regardless of what’s playing, consider a visit to make up for the lost time.

Review - Opinion

Making Sure the Last to Reopen, Can

Our Academy Theater has anchored Montavilla Town since its opening in 1948. It closed as a theater in the 1970s and operated as an office. 2006 saw its return to glory as a movie house. Modern issues have threatened the viability of the Academy Theater. Whether it was the conversion from film to digital or a electrical fire, the community has supported it. We all know how valuable it is, not just for the entertainment they provide, but also as an icon of our neighborhood.

So once again we need to show our continued support. Please consider buying a Gift card.

It may feel like Oregon is on the cusp of reopening, but some businesses will have to wait longer than others to serve patrons again. Places of mass gathering will not be opening quickly. Even when opened, people may be scared to go to the movies. Things will get better but if we want to enjoy the future as it was before, we will have to invest in it now.