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
- April 19th, 2025 – 2:00pm
The Circus (1928)
Saturday April 19th, 2025 – 2:00 pm
The Hollywood Theatre
4122 North East Sandy
Portland, OR 97212Hollywood organist Dean Lemire will be performing his original score on the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.
In the last film he made during the silent era, Charlie Chaplin revels in the art of “The Circus”, paying tribute to the acrobats and pantomimists who inspired his virtuoso pratfalls. This gag-packed comedy ranks among Chaplin’s finest, thanks to some of the most outlandish set pieces of the director-performer’s career.
Truly one of the greats.“THE CIRCUS may be the film that most definitively silences critics who claim that Charlie Chaplin’s movies aren’t cinematic.” – Christian Blauvelt, Slant Magazine
“Innovative and timelessly hilarious.” – Aaron Hillis, Village Voice
“THE CIRCUS is a magnificent film — a mental tonic and a good hour’s physical exercise. No one should miss it.” – Celia Simpson, The Spectator
Rotten Tomatoes review:
Tomatometer: 97%
Popcornmeter: 94% (5,000+ ratings)Director: Charlie Chaplin
Run time: 85 mins
Purchase Tickets at https://hollywoodtheatre.org/show/the-circus/
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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