Enchanted Evenings: Movie Palaces of the Art Deco Era |
The Saenger Theatre, New Orleans, LA |
Left, above and below: The California Theatre, San Bernadino, CA; note the mural below. |
Left and above: The Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL |
The Civic Theatre, Akron, OH |
The movie theatres of the 1920's were built on a scale unequaled either before or since. Individual houses sprang up all across America, and major chains grew even larger...Orpheum, Paramount, Fox, Loew's State and others, tried to out do one another in capacity and grandeur. Going to the theatre was a social event and enjoying the awe-inspiring ambiance of the movie palaces, as they were often called, was as much a part of the evening as the entertainment. It was in the architectural age of Art Deco and most of the theatres reflected the era. Beginning in the 1950's-1960's, some of these elegant movie theatres began to fall into disrepair, mimicking the downtown areas they occupied. Sadly, many have been demolished and many others converted to other uses. However, the 1980's-1990's saw a deepening appreciation of these grand old buildings and millions of dollars have been spent since then, restoring them to their former magnificence. These Grand Dames still inspire awe. And they still know how to put on a show. Let's go to the movies! -- Nancy |
The Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO |
The Landmark Theatre, Syracuse, NY |
The Paramount Theatre, Aurora, IL |
The Grand Theatre, Macon, GA The Paramount Theatre, Austin, TX |
The State Theatre, Sandusky, OH |
The Saenger Theatre is located in my hometown of New Orleans, LA. I have wonderful memories of attending movies in this magnificent theatre. One of the things for which it is most famous is its ceiling of twinkling stars and moving clouds, giving the audience the feeling of being in an outdoor theater. |
The Coronado Theatre, Rockford, IL |
The Community Arts Theatre, Williamsport, PA |
Music: Time in a Bottle Whispers - Home Friday's Journal |
The Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, AZ |
Saenger Theatre |