The Bijou opened as the Lakeside Theatre in what is now Lincoln City, Oregon on June 3, 1937. MGM's "Personal Property" with Jean Harlow and Robert Taylor ushered in a new era of entertainment for the central Oregon coast. William McKeviitt and family operated the 270 seat moviehouse initially on Thursday-Saturday evenings where coastal residents were swept away to movieland for only 35 cents. Kids were admitted for 10 cents!
    After the second world war, William's son Robert, returning from the service in 1946, took over operation of the theatre and by the early 1950's initiated the theatre's first major remodeling. Upstairs rooms were converted into offices, public lounges/restrooms, new projection booth and one of the first cry-rooms on the Oregon coast. In the ensuing years, many dating couples etched their names, still visible, on a remaining wall of the old ladies lounge ~ retro-grafitti!
    In the 60's the McKevitts gave the theatre's exterior a "hip" up-to-date exterior remodeling, covering the Art-Deco lobby glass brick with particle board, and a newly designed marquee with a vertical reader board flanked by bizarre wood "vents" above the Lakeside sign, so that passing auto traffic could see what the engagement was.
    The film "Sometimes a Great Notion" with paul Newman filmed on the Siletz River in 1971 turned out to be one of the Lakeside's best hits, filling the theatre twice daily for one week. in spite of good attendance, the McKevitts leased the theatre out in 1974, and after 42 years ownership, closed the theatre in 1979.
    Judy Mace, who one evening out with friends wanting to go to a show discovered there was no operating movie house, decided to purchase the theatre in December of 1981 and re-opened it.
    1982 saw the theatre's 2nd major remodel. Mace removed the original wooden floor, replacing it with concrete and the back half of the auditorium's seating (initially 75 then 18 seats) to build a new large lobby to house restrooms on the main floor, a deluxe candy counter and storage area. The lobby glass bricks were restored to their original thirties splendor and the theatre reopened with a newly designed marquee and name, "The Bijou".
    Judy Mace operated the theatre with her unique flair and continued improvements. By the mid-eighties, the theatre boasted a total of 176 new, more comfortable seats equipped with "Cy Young" cup holders in the armrests and more leg room than ever, new carpet and an excellent new surround stereo movie sound system. Movies continued to delight coastal patrons for a decade.
    When Mace decided to move on, the Bijou was sold to its present owners, Keith and Betsy Altomare, who began operation in March of 1996.
    After more than 60 years of operation, The Bijou is maintained by the Altomares in a tradition of great showmanship on the coast. For the first time the Bijou regularly offers first run films opening on the coast at the same time the films open nationally. Special programs are offered featuring children's matinees, Hollywood classics, musicals, art and on occasion foreign films. More showtimes than ever before and reasonable admission and concession prices make the Bijou (French for jewel) the gem of the Oregon coast.               © 1999 Bijou