Northwest Picture Show
@nwpictureshow.bsky.social
Northwest Picture Show looks at silent film exhibition in the Pacific Northwest from the 1860s to present, emphasizing the inside story of the early motion picture trade through the lens of those working in the business. Visit us at: www.nwpictureshow.com
It’s Dec. 26, 1912, in Seattle, WA, and if you feel like extending the Christmas season, head over to the Melbourne Theatre on 2nd Avenue. Many local venues have arranged special holiday programs, and the Melbourne is anchoring theirs with “The Star of Bethlehem,” a three-reel Thanhouser feature.
December 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
It’s Dec. 26, 1912, in Seattle, WA, and if you feel like extending the Christmas season, head over to the Melbourne Theatre on 2nd Avenue. Many local venues have arranged special holiday programs, and the Melbourne is anchoring theirs with “The Star of Bethlehem,” a three-reel Thanhouser feature.
Merry Christmas from Northwest Picture Show.
December 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Merry Christmas from Northwest Picture Show.
On Dec. 24, 1907, 20-year-old Roscoe Arbuckle begins a 3-week stand as a member of Posty’s Oriental Burlesquers, a variety troupe appearing at the Lyric Theatre near Seattle’s Pioneer Square. The engagement allows Arbuckle to showcase his developing comedic talents as well as his singing voice.
December 24, 2025 at 9:44 PM
On Dec. 24, 1907, 20-year-old Roscoe Arbuckle begins a 3-week stand as a member of Posty’s Oriental Burlesquers, a variety troupe appearing at the Lyric Theatre near Seattle’s Pioneer Square. The engagement allows Arbuckle to showcase his developing comedic talents as well as his singing voice.
William Harbeck was Seattle's most prominent cameraman. But in 1912, while in Europe, he decided to travel back to America. On the RMS Titanic. And dying at sea was the START of his troubles.
Seattle’s mysterious movie maker…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
Seattle’s mysterious movie maker…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
December 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
William Harbeck was Seattle's most prominent cameraman. But in 1912, while in Europe, he decided to travel back to America. On the RMS Titanic. And dying at sea was the START of his troubles.
Seattle’s mysterious movie maker…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
Seattle’s mysterious movie maker…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
On Dec. 23, 1912, Fred Karno’s London Comedians begin a weeklong stage engagement at Seattle’s Empress Theatre. The show features comic sensation Charlie Chaplin, who's less than a year away from making the jump to the movies.
(Photo: Chaplin with a Karno advertising poster in Spokane, April 1912.)
(Photo: Chaplin with a Karno advertising poster in Spokane, April 1912.)
December 23, 2025 at 3:23 PM
On Dec. 23, 1912, Fred Karno’s London Comedians begin a weeklong stage engagement at Seattle’s Empress Theatre. The show features comic sensation Charlie Chaplin, who's less than a year away from making the jump to the movies.
(Photo: Chaplin with a Karno advertising poster in Spokane, April 1912.)
(Photo: Chaplin with a Karno advertising poster in Spokane, April 1912.)
It’s Dec. 19, 1917, in Tacoma, WA, and if you’re heading to the Pantages Theatre for some vaudeville, you’re also seeing latest episode of the Vitagraph serial “The Fighting Trail,” starring William Duncan and Carol Holloway. (Who? Don’t ask me – I had to look them up.)
December 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
It’s Dec. 19, 1917, in Tacoma, WA, and if you’re heading to the Pantages Theatre for some vaudeville, you’re also seeing latest episode of the Vitagraph serial “The Fighting Trail,” starring William Duncan and Carol Holloway. (Who? Don’t ask me – I had to look them up.)
Fire Safety Tip #1: Don’t Tell the Audience There’s a Fire – Northwest Picture Show
nwpictureshow.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
On Friday, Dec. 19th, the Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver (1011 Main Street) begins its second week of Christmas programming with the classic films “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas.”
Ticket information and showtimes can be found at www.kigginstheatre.com
#kigginstheatre
Ticket information and showtimes can be found at www.kigginstheatre.com
#kigginstheatre
December 18, 2025 at 2:42 AM
On Friday, Dec. 19th, the Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver (1011 Main Street) begins its second week of Christmas programming with the classic films “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas.”
Ticket information and showtimes can be found at www.kigginstheatre.com
#kigginstheatre
Ticket information and showtimes can be found at www.kigginstheatre.com
#kigginstheatre
The first sound film?
This guy's peering into a kinetophone machine circa 1895, complete with “earbuds” to hear the accompanying sound. A similar unit turned up in Olympia, WA, in June of that year.
Sound meets vision…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
This guy's peering into a kinetophone machine circa 1895, complete with “earbuds” to hear the accompanying sound. A similar unit turned up in Olympia, WA, in June of that year.
Sound meets vision…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
December 17, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The first sound film?
This guy's peering into a kinetophone machine circa 1895, complete with “earbuds” to hear the accompanying sound. A similar unit turned up in Olympia, WA, in June of that year.
Sound meets vision…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
This guy's peering into a kinetophone machine circa 1895, complete with “earbuds” to hear the accompanying sound. A similar unit turned up in Olympia, WA, in June of that year.
Sound meets vision…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
For the 55th year running, the Grand Illusion is screening “It’s a Wonderful Life,” this time at Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave, Seattle). Shows run from Thurs., Dec. 18, through the 24th.
Admission by donation. Visit grandillusioncinema.org for showtimes.
#grandillusioncinema, #nwfilmforum
Admission by donation. Visit grandillusioncinema.org for showtimes.
#grandillusioncinema, #nwfilmforum
December 16, 2025 at 6:41 PM
For the 55th year running, the Grand Illusion is screening “It’s a Wonderful Life,” this time at Northwest Film Forum (1515 12th Ave, Seattle). Shows run from Thurs., Dec. 18, through the 24th.
Admission by donation. Visit grandillusioncinema.org for showtimes.
#grandillusioncinema, #nwfilmforum
Admission by donation. Visit grandillusioncinema.org for showtimes.
#grandillusioncinema, #nwfilmforum
The Beck Theatre in Bellingham, later known as the American, opened 123 years ago today.
www.historylink.org/File/5114
www.historylink.org/File/5114
Beck Theater in Bellingham opens on December 13, 1902.
On December 13, 1902, the Beck Theater in Bellingham, located at 1310 Dock Street (now Cornwall), opens for business with the comic opera Foxy Quiller. The theater, built by Jacob Beck (1856-1915), s
www.historylink.org
December 13, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The Beck Theatre in Bellingham, later known as the American, opened 123 years ago today.
www.historylink.org/File/5114
www.historylink.org/File/5114
It’s Dec. 12, 1929, in Cashmere, WA, and if you’re heading to the Royal Theatre…too bad, it’s closed. But TOMORROW, the venue will open with "On Trial,” an all-taking feature starring Pauline Frederick, which plays with a cartoon, a pair of short comedies and the latest Fox Movietone newsreel.
December 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
It’s Dec. 12, 1929, in Cashmere, WA, and if you’re heading to the Royal Theatre…too bad, it’s closed. But TOMORROW, the venue will open with "On Trial,” an all-taking feature starring Pauline Frederick, which plays with a cartoon, a pair of short comedies and the latest Fox Movietone newsreel.
On December 11, 1913, the American Manufacturing Company (also known as "the Flying A") released "His First Case," a western drama penned by Seattle journalist J. Willis Sayre.
nwpictureshow.com/his-first-sc...
nwpictureshow.com/his-first-sc...
His First Screen Credit – Northwest Picture Show
nwpictureshow.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
On December 11, 1913, the American Manufacturing Company (also known as "the Flying A") released "His First Case," a western drama penned by Seattle journalist J. Willis Sayre.
nwpictureshow.com/his-first-sc...
nwpictureshow.com/his-first-sc...
Tacoma…the new Hollywood.
It's true - Tacoma had an actual movie studio in the mid-1920s. But they had to fight to get their pictures distributed, and that’s where the outfit ran into problems.
What could have been…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
It's true - Tacoma had an actual movie studio in the mid-1920s. But they had to fight to get their pictures distributed, and that’s where the outfit ran into problems.
What could have been…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
December 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Tacoma…the new Hollywood.
It's true - Tacoma had an actual movie studio in the mid-1920s. But they had to fight to get their pictures distributed, and that’s where the outfit ran into problems.
What could have been…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
It's true - Tacoma had an actual movie studio in the mid-1920s. But they had to fight to get their pictures distributed, and that’s where the outfit ran into problems.
What could have been…now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
Beginning Friday, Dec. 12th, the Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver (1011 Main Street) begins two weeks of Christmas film programming with “Elf” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (Friday through Thursday), plus “Annie” on Friday and Saturday only. Visit www.kigginstheatre.com for details.
#kigginstheatre
#kigginstheatre
December 9, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Beginning Friday, Dec. 12th, the Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver (1011 Main Street) begins two weeks of Christmas film programming with “Elf” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (Friday through Thursday), plus “Annie” on Friday and Saturday only. Visit www.kigginstheatre.com for details.
#kigginstheatre
#kigginstheatre
On Monday, Dec. 8th, the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, BC (601 Smithe Street) will show the 1926 Douglas Fairbanks swashbuckler “The Black Pirate.” One of his best, the picture was shot using an early Technicolor process, making it a technical marvel. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
#OrpheumVancouver
#OrpheumVancouver
December 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
On Monday, Dec. 8th, the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, BC (601 Smithe Street) will show the 1926 Douglas Fairbanks swashbuckler “The Black Pirate.” One of his best, the picture was shot using an early Technicolor process, making it a technical marvel. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
#OrpheumVancouver
#OrpheumVancouver
It’s Dec. 5, 1925, in Anacortes, WA, and the Empire Theatre is showing the horse-racing feature "Kentucky Pride.” It's a small, sentimental film that's better known today as an early release from director John Ford, who would go on to make some of the most iconic westerns in cinema history.
December 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
It’s Dec. 5, 1925, in Anacortes, WA, and the Empire Theatre is showing the horse-racing feature "Kentucky Pride.” It's a small, sentimental film that's better known today as an early release from director John Ford, who would go on to make some of the most iconic westerns in cinema history.
Early movie theatres contracted with the exchanges who provided new films. When there was a dispute, arbitration allowed things to be settled efficiently. Sometimes.
Get a glimpse at the unseemly side of movie exhibition...now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
Get a glimpse at the unseemly side of movie exhibition...now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
20. Judge and Jury: I Fought the Exchange and the Exchange Won – Northwest Picture Show
nwpictureshow.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Early movie theatres contracted with the exchanges who provided new films. When there was a dispute, arbitration allowed things to be settled efficiently. Sometimes.
Get a glimpse at the unseemly side of movie exhibition...now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
Get a glimpse at the unseemly side of movie exhibition...now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
Movietone sound film debuts at the Seattle Blue Mouse Theatre on December 2, 1927.
www.historylink.org/File/2484
www.historylink.org/File/2484
Sound-on-film motion picture technology debuts in Seattle at the Blue
On December 2, 1927, sound-on-film motion picture technology debuts in Seattle at the Blue Mouse Theater, located at 1421 5th Avenue. Fox Movietone News shows the departure of Col. Charles Lindbergh
www.historylink.org
December 2, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Movietone sound film debuts at the Seattle Blue Mouse Theatre on December 2, 1927.
www.historylink.org/File/2484
www.historylink.org/File/2484
On Wed., Dec. 3rd, the SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave. N.) will show the 1955 thriller “The Night of the Hunter,” starring Robert Mitchum, with support from former silent star Lillian Gish. Look, I've seen "The Wind"...maybe don't mess with this lady.
The show begins at 6 p.m. #siff
The show begins at 6 p.m. #siff
November 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
On Wed., Dec. 3rd, the SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave. N.) will show the 1955 thriller “The Night of the Hunter,” starring Robert Mitchum, with support from former silent star Lillian Gish. Look, I've seen "The Wind"...maybe don't mess with this lady.
The show begins at 6 p.m. #siff
The show begins at 6 p.m. #siff
It’s Nov. 28, 1914, in Centralia, WA, and the Ideal Theatre is all about the war in Europe. The bill includes a newsreel with glimpses of British and German troops, "Let Us Have Peace,” a drama in which two families are impacted by the hostilities, and the comedy “When the Wives Join the Regiment.”
November 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It’s Nov. 28, 1914, in Centralia, WA, and the Ideal Theatre is all about the war in Europe. The bill includes a newsreel with glimpses of British and German troops, "Let Us Have Peace,” a drama in which two families are impacted by the hostilities, and the comedy “When the Wives Join the Regiment.”
Happy Thanksgiving from Northwest Picture Show.
Also, don’t get a live turkey like Harold. Just stick with a Butterball™ – you’ll be fine.
Also, don’t get a live turkey like Harold. Just stick with a Butterball™ – you’ll be fine.
November 27, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Happy Thanksgiving from Northwest Picture Show.
Also, don’t get a live turkey like Harold. Just stick with a Butterball™ – you’ll be fine.
Also, don’t get a live turkey like Harold. Just stick with a Butterball™ – you’ll be fine.
In 1964 a small theatre in West Seattle experimented with a novel idea: showing silent films with organ accompaniment. Would it work? Well, the venue was filled - and stayed filled for the next decade.
Old becomes new...now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
Old becomes new...now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
November 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM
In 1964 a small theatre in West Seattle experimented with a novel idea: showing silent films with organ accompaniment. Would it work? Well, the venue was filled - and stayed filled for the next decade.
Old becomes new...now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...
Old becomes new...now playing, at Northwest Picture Show.
nwpictureshow.com/portfolio/ch...