With Every Storm is a Port

Holding on to tradition and history is sometimes very difficult.
Many times we cling to history and tradition that is less than
exemplary of what should be protected or rewarded. Many times
egos take charge of effort and wisdom. Many times choices are
made that later need to be revised, due to lack of due diligence
or concern regarding unintended consequences. Many times pure
greed, avarice or just plain simple pragmatic resolutions too
often prevail.

The Port Theater however is one of Newport Beach's interesting
stories. It came to our beach town in 1950! During the very
pinnacle of Doris Day parking - came this elegant lady with the
very red carpet and the biggest Hollywood Blockbuster movies
from the great Film Companies of the age: MGM, 20th Century Fox,
Universal International.......this was big stuff for our little
beach town of 11,000 full-time inhabitants. We had the beautiful
Lido and Balboa Theaters to create a triumvirate for truly
"Cutting Edge Entertainment".

Then age takes it's toll. Edwards Cinema creates the Fashion
Island Megaplex and a list as long as your arm through the 70's
and 80's. Edwards then gets bought out by Regal....things change.
The old girl "Port Theatre" fell into a sad disarray. The carpet
turned faded and too dirty. The popcorn oil permeated the walls
and the curtains inside the theater. The once prized Loges.....
had too much sticky Coca Cola with too many burn marks from
cigarettes on the once elegant chairs..of red and oak. The fair
changed to odd ball art movies...it then closes. There was talk
.....that the once pride of Corona Del Mar would be torn down.
Replaced by some modern day mirrored high rise....supporting
another soon to be defunct Insurance Carrier.

We wrote, we cajoled, we begged....."Don't do it!" Someone
listened to the pleas. Someone said they would keep the
historic facade and still create a business building with
subterranean parking. It was all still sad...but better than
nothing. Then, as if by Divine Intervention....the word
came out. The business office idea was off the table and
"Total Restoration of the Port Theater" would be reality.

Fast forward to last week.....as the face of the Port Theater
was removed. We can look in now and see the projection booth.
The front of the building is gone....but her proud feathered
plume, announcing "The Port" with the Tri-Sail logo remains!
Thanks must go to the owner of the Port for making this historic
decision, along with the City of Newport Beach. These things
seldom happen without consensus and effort of a lot of people.
We are wishing the owner well, that the Newport Film Festival
will once again become part of the home - at the Port Theater.

We are waiting with great anticipation to see what the "full
restoration" will look like. We are grateful that a serious
attempt will be made to offer a notable regard for the history
and elegance of Newport Beach and its tradition! We cannot be
thankful enough that the Port was saved....and we look forward
to spending many evenings viewing both the new and the historic
films of Hollywood....at the New Port Theater!