John Hamrick

Hamrick lived in Seattle, Washington and eventually assembled a string of theaters that included the Rex Theatre, which he was in charge of as early as 1913.

Fitzherbert Leather, an architect from London, designed the "garden style arts and crafts" building and it was built by Henry Sanstrom for $20,000.

[11] Hamrick took over the Globe Theater, built in 1912, at 11th and Washington Streets in downtown Portland, remodeling it and reopening it as the Blue Mouse on November 28, 1921.

Hamrick was one of those representing the motion picture industry in speaking out against the luxury, occupational and business tax measures during a six-hour meeting.

Frank Newman, owner of 50 theaters in Oregon, Washington, and Montana, said the tax would close "most of the showhouses in the state" and said the businesses were not taking in enough money to cover expenses.

[16] Decorative carvings and paintings adorn the beams, lighting fixtures are made of hammered metal, and tiled steps lead to a sunken living room.

[16] The house was said to evoke the Spanish Renaissance design motifs of his Music Box Theatre with "wrought iron balconies and gates, round stair tower," stenciled beams, heraldic shields, and castone fireplace.

It was built by 1942 and featured in California Pictorial Magazine's Spring edition showing "photographs of it by Maynard L. Parker, with interiors by decorator R.D.

The text read: "the entire effect of the house is light, high-spirited, gay and cheerful, a faithful reflection of the mood of the desert resort."