CRTOS is dedicated to theatre organ preservation and promotion of this uniquely American instrument. We sponsor theatre organ concerts, silent films screenings, music workshops and theatre organ restoration projects in Oregon and Southern Washington.
Upcoming Shows
- November 30th, 2024 – 7:00 pm
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)
Saturday November 30th, 2024 – 7:00 pm
The Hollywood Theatre
4122 North East Sandy
Portland, OR 97212Hollywood organist Dean Lemire will be performing his original score on our mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ.
This was the very first “Dracula” film…and still reigns as the epic “grand-daddy”of all horror films. Starring Max Schreck as Count Orlok, a vampire who preys on the wife of his estate agent and brings the plague to their town.
While there have been countless remakes by filmmakers, trying to improve and capitalize on the success of NOSFERATU, none has really ever hit the mark…compared to the original (which, by the way, has no blood and gore anywhere in the film). This iconic original stands alone….and one of those “you must see” films.
We will also be screening a very rare 1929 silent short, filmed in Portland!
“It’s not just a great horror movie. It’s a poem of horror, a symphony of dread, a film so rapt, mysterious and weirdly lovely it haunts the mind long after it’s over.” Michael Wilmington – Chicago Tribune
“It doesn’t scare us, but it haunts us. It shows not that vampires can jump out of shadows, but that evil can grow there, nourished on death.”Roger Ebert – Chicago Sun-Times
“One of the best and most beautiful horror classics. It is visually stunning, has great acting, and is one of the creepiest movies you’ll ever see, even today.”CinemaSiren
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer 97%
Popcorn Meter 85% (85,000+ ratings)Director: F.W. Murnau
Run time: 104 mins
Format: DigitalPurchase tickets at: https://hollywoodtheatre.org/show/nosferatu-1922/
Pipe Organ Pictures Series
Each of these films presented as they were meant to be experienced – with live organ accompaniment! Every film in this series is complemented by an original score, created and performed live by a professional musician.
The Hollywood organ is dedicated to the memory of Beverly Ruth Nelson and is the result of a partnership between the Hollywood Theatre and the nonprofit Columbia River Theatre Organ Society. It is the only such instrument in a public theatre in Portland.
Tickets are $12.00 at the door of the Hollywood Theatre.
About Our Instruments
The Hollywood Theatre
While previous events at the Hollywood have featured live organ accompaniment, the organ sound itself was digital, powered by large speakers backstage. Now, the sound will once again come from real pipes. The Columbia River Theatre Organ Society has spent thousands of volunteer hours meticulously refurbishing the theater organ, tracking down vintage organ parts and pipes, restoring the original Hollywood organ chamber, and installing electrical lines, wind lines, and a mammoth 15hp organ blower in the basement. Ours is the only pipe organ in a public theatre in Portland.
The Hollywood is located at: 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97212, two blocks from the Hollywood MAX station.
Donations for the ongoing maintenance and expansion of this instrument can be made using the Donate button below.
Cleveland High School
The Kimball pipe organ in the 1100 seat auditorium is maintained by CRTOS. The core of the instrument was originally from the Columbia theater in Longview, Washington. In 1936, it was moved to Benson high school in Portland where it resided until it was moved to Cleveland in 1990. The organ was enlarged and improved there and is one of the best sounding organs of its type in the Pacific northwest.
Disaster struck in 2016 when a steam pipe burst and over one half of the pipe wind chests and other wood components in the north (main) chamber were damaged beyond repair. The damaged items have been temporarily substituted with digital equivalents. Restoring the instrument to its original sound will cost thousands of dollars. If you would like to assist with this project, please make a tax deductible donation to the Columbia River Theatre Organ Society.
Cleveland High School is located at: 3400 SE 26th Ave., Portland, OR 97202
Donations for the maintenance and repair of this instrument can be made using the Donate button below.
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