100 Years as Ogden's Movie Palace
Peery’s Egyptian Theater
Written By Catherine Tarbet-Webb, feature writer for My Local Utah
In the heart of Ogden, Utah, an architectural gem has captured the hearts of locals and visitors for nearly a century. Peery’s Egyptian Theater. Its name reflects the theater’s Egyptian Revival architectural style and pays homage to the prominent Peery family, who played a pivotal role in its infancy. Peery’s Egyptian Theater was built after the blazing departure of the Arlington Hotel in 1923 and, incidentally, the location of the Peerys’ first Ogden home. Brothers Harman and Louis Peery dreamed of building a grand spectacle, a Movie Palace.
The architectural firm of Hodgson & McClenahan was hired for the undertaking. Hodgson was well known for many Wasatch Front landmarks, such as the U.S. Forest Service Building, Ogden Municipal Building, Ogden High School, and the Ben Lomond Hotel, now known as the Bigelow. Construction took ten months, and the Egyptian opened on July 3, 1924. The 1,200-seat theater was built for $250,000. The auditorium was designed to represent an Egyptian temple court with a dome ceiling representing the desert sky. The overall result of the architecture made it feel like going to a movie was an affair to remember instead of just catching a show.
The first feature shown at the new theater was Zane Grey’s “Wanderer of the Wasteland.” A natural color silent film accompanied by the Egyptian’s famous pipe organ, the Mighty Wurlitzer. A 2-manual, 11-rank Wurlitzer pipe organ (opus 833). One of the most remarkable features of Peery’s Egyptian Theater is its stunning architecture. The exterior is embellished with intricate hieroglyphic designs, massive columns, and a marquee that has been a fixture of Ogden’s skyline for generations. Inside, patrons are enchanted with the theater’s opulent Egyptian-themed décor, with a ceiling adorned with golden stars that shimmer like the night sky.
The first talking picture was “In Old Arizona,” shown in 1929. This relegated the role of the house pipe organ, which was only used occasionally during intermissions and other live programs. In 1960, the organ was removed altogether. In 1953, two new and important events for the theater occurred. The 3-D movie “It Came from Outer Space” was shown, the first of that type for the Egyptian, and then “The Robe,” a CinemaScope film, debuted. The format of CinemaScope, of more than two-to-one ratio in width versus height, necessitated the removal of two of the inner columns. A four-channel high-fidelity system was also installed to accommodate the increasing significance of stereophonic sound in movies. The remodeling in 1961 was met with mixed reactions. Many of the details of the original theater were painted over or removed—pink curtains paired with pink auditorium walls were opted for neutrality. A new screen was installed, broader and more significant. Seating was also reconfigured, reducing capacity from 1,200 to 850 to increase patrons’ legroom and comfort. A reconditioning of the seats also occurred, further updating the standards. It was however added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. In the following years, lacking the presence and funding needed for first-run movies, the theater progressed to a second-run theater shortly before it was closed in 1984 due to a health code violation.
Many thought that the glory days of the Egyptian Theater were over and that there was no future for a classic, single-screen theater in Ogden. The theater was threatened with demolition as it sat boarded up and unused. Rumors flourished until the theater was finally purchased in the eleventh hour for the original 1924 construction price of $250,000. Facilitated by the Weber County Heritage Foundation, the building was handed over to the Egyptian Theater Foundation, which was created to promote the refurbishment of the classic showhouse. First, Ogden City, then Weber County, owned the building. Over the decades, the theater evolved to accommodate various forms of entertainment, including live theatrical productions, concerts, and special events. It has featured renowned artists and performers, from classic movie stars to contemporary musicians, gracing its stage.
Peery’s Egyptian Theater has played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of Ogden, providing a space for creativity and expression. A complete restoration was accomplished with the partnership of Weber County, Ogden City, Weber State University, the Egyptian Theater Foundation, and the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce. Significant donations and contributions from Dr. Louis S. and Jan Peery, the George S. and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation, and the Utah State Legislature were received among hundreds of other smaller gifts. The adjoining David Eccles Conference Center and the Weber County government office in a renovated department store were built and completed during this period.
The Egyptian Theater reopened on January 17, 1997, being rescued from its dilapidated self. It was expanded from a movie house to that of a community theater/performing arts center. In 2004, a Wurlitzer pipe organ was reinstalled, achieving the historic atmosphere of the theater. In 2020, Peery’s Egyptian Theater was significantly upgraded through a generous donation from the Dr. Ezekiel R. & Edna Wattis Dumke Foundation. The gift was explicitly for state-of-the-art LED lighting. It has given the whole stage, alcoves, and friezes a facelift. The new lighting allows for spotlighting while dancers and actors move about the stage. It would no longer take hours to reset lights for different events; it would just be a switch of settings. The heat upon the entertainers was enormous; they were baking and now, just bathed in beautiful light. In 2021, new theater seats were added with funding from the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement. They went to work, ensuring we, the audience, were seated in style and replacing the well-worn fabric and disintegrating foam of years gone by while keeping the wooden seatbacks and ornate metal end caps and mechanisms.
As its centennial anniversary approaches, Peery’s Egyptian Theater continues to shine as a beacon of creativity and cultural significance in Ogden. Its rich history, dedicated owners, and commitment to the arts make it a cherished institution, and its future promises to be just as captivating as its past. Here’s to another century of unforgettable performances and memories at Peery’s Egyptian Theater, 100 years as Ogden’s Movie Palace is a remarkable feat. They have several events that the community can attend throughout the year in celebration, starting with a fundraising Gala and concert by Marie Osmond on January 26th, 2024.
With its rich history, dedication to the arts, and commitment to preserving the Peery family legacy, Peery’s Egyptian Theater remains a cherished institution in Ogden, offering audiences a glimpse into the past and a gateway to the world of entertainment, culture, and artistic expression. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of architecture and philanthropy to shape and enrich a community for generations to come.