Movie palaces are large, ornate theaters built between the 1910s and 1950s. They have highly decorated exteriors and interiors, often with plush carpets, plaster mouldings, and elaborate lighting. Some of the most iconic movie palaces are Art Deco or atmospheric, with complex stylized designs and special effects. Many have been preserved by conservation organizations, and some communities have worked to save them. Modern cinemas often offer more than just movies, with staged entertainment and classic film showings.
The term “movie palace” can be used generally to refer to a movie theater, a structure in which films are shown on the big screen, but most people use it specifically to refer to large movie theaters built between the 1910s and the 1950s. Thanks to the efforts of conservation organizations, numerous examples of movie palaces have survived to be enjoyed today, and such theaters often emphasize their historic value to patrons. For modern moviegoers, seeing a show in a movie palace can be a real treat, especially in a well-maintained building, as it can feel like a trip back in time.
Several characteristics characterize a cinema building, distinguishing it from a more ordinary cinema. As the name suggests, movie palaces are like palaces, with highly decorated exteriors and elaborate interiors. Many are faced with intricate stone carvings and can have highly ornamental facades that are like works of art in and of themselves. Inside, a movie palace is usually decorated with plush carpets, plaster mouldings, colorful painted designs, and elaborate lighting, as well as typical movie posters, and some movie palaces retain proscenium arches, complete with a curtain that rises when the show is about to start.
Some of the most iconic movie palaces are the Art Deco movie palaces created in the 1930s when design became highly stylized and every feature of every structure was beautifully decorated. Such theaters often have complex stylized painted designs and it is not uncommon for each screen to have a different theme, allowing people to watch films in the Egyptian Hall or Old West Theatre. Other movie palaces are more generally classified as “atmospheric,” referring to the architect’s efforts to create an atmosphere.
Atmospheric movie palaces are big on luxury, especially those built during the Depression, and feature a range of architectural styles that place them beyond an Art Deco classification. The aim was to create a space for people to escape to, allowing them to enter fantasy worlds, which meant that the theater would be decorated with elaborate ornamentation, imaginatively painted scenes and a variety of effects. An atmospheric movie palace might, for example, have a ceiling fitted with special lights that look like stars, or have a screening room designed to make people feel as though they are on an outdoor terrace in a fabulous tropical venue.
As the classic movie palace has been overtaken by the more utilitarian cinema, many people have recognized the value of movie palaces and some communities have worked hard to save theirs. In some cases, cities have even bought historic cinema buildings to prevent them from being demolished, offering the structures at low cost to people or companies who want to restore them. In other cases, conservation organizations step in to make the movie palaces look their best and to keep them functional.
Many modern cinemas don’t just show movies, to ensure that the community has a chance to enjoy theater whenever possible. Some are designed to host staged entertainment, for example, while others have promotional nights with events such as directors’ panels, movie dinners, or tableside drink service during the movie. Many also feature classic films on a regular basis, sometimes at a discount to ensure the house is full.
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