Jim Rankin was a prolific and well-respected author on topics directly and indirectly related to theatre architecture and cinema history, and his many articles have been published in a number of scholarly journals. Restoration experts often called upon him over the years for consultation, and his rich output of both written and verbal contributions are often the only remaining histories of specific architectural legacies, including many that would otherwise have long been forgotten.
On Jim Rankin
by James Searles
Jim and I worked together for years on theater history. Jim’s the only person that I ever met that could write a 50-page article on the history of theater drapes. He submitted numerous articles to Theatre Historical Society of America, Cinema Treasures and Filmmakers.
Jim impacted and changed the city. He was the Curator for the Restoration of the Pabst Theater. Without Jim’s help the Pabst would not have gotten on the National Historic Landmark. Jim also was the Curator for the restoration of the Oriental Theatre.
Editors note: Find more photos in: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSmpid=39874824&GRid=17420656&
