Directory of Theaters and Cinemas Resources

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Structures designed for viewing dramas, operas and other spectacles either on stage or on screen or both. Theatres were open-air in ancient Greece and Rome, but usually covered in Europe from the 16th century. An intermediate form was partially covered.

Subcategories

• Ancient Theaters
• Balaban and Katz
• Elizabethan Theaters

Resources in This Category

• American Picture Palaces

  http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PALACE/home.html
  Illustrated history by the University of Virginia of the extravagant buildings that sprang up in the inter-war years to house the movies. Includes socio-economic background, guide to Art Deco.

• Berkeley Playhouse, Berkeley, California

  http://www.berkeleyplayhouse.org/
  Redwood building designed by architect Julia Morgan in 1908 as the St. John's Presbyterian Church. Brief description, photographs, plan.

• Cinema Treasures

  http://www.cinematreasures.org/
  Dedicated to saving classic movie theaters in the US. News, database, photographs, virtual tours and message boards. Also aims, founders, sponsors and volunteer staff of the web-site.

• Drive In Theater

  http://www.driveintheater.com/
  The American phenomenon which began in the 1930s: open-air cinemas, viewed from automobiles. An illustrated history and list of theaters both operating and closed.

• Grand Vision Foundation

  http://www.grandvision.org/
  A non-profit organization to preserve and promote the Warner Grand Theater, an Art Deco movie palace in San Pedro, California. Includes a history of the theater, which opened in 1931.

• Kilduff's Movie Theatre Survey

  http://www.kilduffs.com/
  A survey of movie theatres in Maryland built between 1900 and 1950. Photographs, building dates and descriptions.

• Movie House History: Classic Theaters of Kansas

  http://moviehousehistory.tripod.com/
  Paul Salley lists theaters, opera houses and drive-in theaters in Kansas, with some history. Banners.

• Paramount Theatre, Oakland, California

  http://www.paramounttheatre.com/
  The official site offers photographs and a history (with source) of this extraordinary Art Deco theater. The 1930s movie palace was designed by San Francisco architect Timothy Pflueger.

• Redford Theatre

  http://redfordtheatre.com/
  This 1928 cinema in Detroit was designed with a Japanese motif. Includes an illustrated history and details of its restoration by the Motor City Theatre Organ Society.

• Saenger Theatres

  http://www.saengeramusements.com/
  A study of the former Saenger organization and its theaters, mainly in the US. A list, with illustrated histories of selected theaters, some now gone.

• Scottish Surviving Cinemas and Theatres

  http://www.survivingcinemas.org.uk/
  Historical archive of all surviving cinema buildings in Scotland and news on cinemas under threat of closure or demolition. A database with photographs and historical information on over 900 cinemas.

• The Cerrito Theater

  http://cerritotheater.org/
  El Cerrito's historic theater with its Art Deco interior and murals is one of California's hidden treasures. History, photographs and progress on its restoration.

• The Cinema Theatre Association

  http://www.cinema-theatre.org.uk/
  Promotes the study of old cinemas in the UK. Archives, publications, events, links.

• The Michigan Theater

  http://www.michtheater.org/
  Constructed in 1927 in Ann Arbour, Michigan, to the design of Detroit architect Maurice Finkel as a vaudeville and movie palace. The official site includes an illustrated history.

• The Rex Cinema, Berkhamsted

  http://www.therexberkhamsted.com/
  This Art Deco cinema in the UK, designed by David Nye in 1936, has been restored and re-opened. Includes photographs.

• Theaters

  http://www.greatbuildings.com/types/types/theater.html
  Great Buildings Online provides photographs, details and bibliographies for a number of significant theaters of all periods across the world.

• Theatre Historical Society of America

  http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/
  Nonprofit educational organization dedicated to documenting and celebrating historic theatres of all types in the United States.

• Theatre Royal, York, UK

  http://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/
  The official site includes a brief history of the theater built in 1744 and re-modelled in the 19th century.

• Theatron

  http://www.theatron.org/
  Features interactive walkthroughs of 3D models of present and past theatres, including those of ancient Greece and Rome. Requires Cosmo Player VRML Plug-in, Flash and Quicktime.

Related Categories

• Home > Arts > Movies > Theaters
• Home > Arts > Music > Instruments > Keyboard > Organ > Theatre Organs
• Home > Arts > Performing Arts > Theatre > History
• Home > Business > Construction and Maintenance > Building Types > Theaters

 

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