Ross Ragland Theater

Originally the Esquire Theater, showing movies to Klamath Falls beginning in 1939. This was the fancy uptown theater and I saw most of my movies at the Tower in the suburbs. I wasn't able to find out when the Esquire closed, but I estimate sometime in the late '70s or early '80s. (My family had left town in 1962.) It was vacant and falling apart until it was bought by a non-profit in about 1988, which turned it into a performing arts theater after extensive restoration. It was returned to its former glory, as far as I remember it, and I have been inside once since moving back here.

I remember seeing Fantasia at the Esquire around 1957 with my little brothers. My mother had assumed it was the usual kids' Disney film - as had all the other parents. Most of us were dropped off there to see the film on our own while Mom had a couple of hours of peace. There was bedlam in the theater, as a hundred kids became bored to death after 15 minutes. My brothers spent their time throwing candy and popcorn at other kids, running up and down the aisles and me wanting to strangle them. Fantasia was animated, yes, but of little-to-no interest to young children. We were NOT impressed by elephants, Mickey and other creatures dancing and gesturing to classical music, with no discernible story line, for what seemed like hours on end.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasia_(1940_film)