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America's Great Movie Theaters

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 2 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #1656 in Entertainment, #41441 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Upscale Silver Screens

 

These silver screens are golden.
If your local mall movie theater has tacky, uncomfortable seats and is popular with loud teenagers, it may be time for a field trip to one of Village Roadshow's Gold Class Cinemas. The Burbank-based company hopes to reinvent the cinematic gold standard by constructing 50 upscale theaters nationwide that will feature valet parking, made-to-order meals that include sushi, and reclining armchairs complete with an embedded waiter service button. Each theater will have a 40-person limit. The tickets may cost an unprecedented $35-popcorn and sushi are extra-but they're gambling that enough movie goers will appreciate the perks.
With the rise of affordable high-tech home entertainment systems, digital downloads and DVD rentals-by-mail, theater owners are updating their theaters to lure in audiences hooked on plasma screens and iPhones.

Cinerama Theater-Seattle, Washington 

When Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen heard in the late '90s that the Seattle Cinerama was closing due to poor ticket sales, he immediately set out to save the childhood theater where he had first seen "2001: A Space Odyssey." And save it he did. Ultimately the billionaire decided he would not only buy the Cinerama Theater, but he also ordered a full interior and exterior renovation of the 808-seater, installing blue and green Italian mosaic tile, a richly patterned carpet and of course, state-of-the-art technology.

Cinerama Theater-Seattle,Washington

The Arclight Cinema-Hollywood, California 

With its reserved and ushered seating, doublewide arm rests, gourmet concessions (including freshly made caramel corn) and lack of cheesy advertisements, the ArcLight theater provides the most premier film-going experience in the country. Only six years old, the complex-which includes a 14-screen multiplex and a domed Cinerama theater-encourages guests to treat each other as they wanted to be treated, and rewards them with wide-ranging programming and unique filmmaker events.

Arclight Cinema-Hollywood

The Original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema- Austin, Texas 

Founded by Tim and Karrie League in 1997, the Alamo Drafthouse is the only theater so beloved by its patrons that there's a dedicated fan web site. Celebrated for its signature food and film series-including the famed nine-meal "Lord of the Rings" Trilogy Hobbit Feast, where patrons eat when Frodo eats-the original Alamo also shows an astounding variety of first-run, independent and classic films in its stadium-seating theaters.

Original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema- Austin, Texas

Ziegfeld Theater- New York, N.Y. 

Named for Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld, this razed-and-rebuilt theater is as luxurious as its namesake's lifestyle. Originally built at the corner of Sixth Ave. and 54th St. in 1929, the theater was torn down in 1966 and reconstructed several hundred feet away in 1969. The gilded single-screen theater, also the venue for many New York movie premiers, can now welcome nearly 1,200 moviegoers to relax in its red velvet-covered seats and enjoy both first-run flicks and beloved classics like "Blade Runner" and "Back to the Future."

Ziegfeld Theater- New York

The Music Box Theater- Chicago, Ill. 

Dubbed Chicago's "year-round film festival," this 800-seat movie palace is also the city's largest full-time theater space. Built in 1929 near Wrigley Field, the Music Box features a vintage ticket booth, ornamented sidewalls and an expansive dark blue ceiling sprinkled with twinkling stars and moving cloud formations-an "atmospheric" look designed to give the impression of sitting in an Italian palazzo. The independently owned theater even has its own ghost: The spirit of "Whitey," the Music Box's first owner, is said to protect his jewel of a theater.

Music Box Theater-Chicago

Grand Lake Theater- Oakland, Calif. 

Consisting of 2,800 colored bulbs, the Grand Lake Theater's illuminated rooftop sign makes it instantly recognizable. Originally constructed in 1926, the traditional, Art Deco-influenced movie palace has been updated for the modern era, but still boasts of a stunning crystal chandelier, a Mighty Wurlitzer organ hidden beneath the floor and a neon marquee that always features a liberal rant, courtesy of owner Allen Michaan.

Grand Lake Theater- Oakland, CA

Grauman's Chinese Theater- Hollywood, Calif. 

Still a prime locale for glitzy Hollywood premieres, the recently renovated theater (owned and operated by boutique chain Mann Theaters) is now equipped with state-of-the-art screens and sound technology, but still features the ultimate movie palace's original, Asian-inspired design, including the two original Heaven Dog statues imported from China to guard the front entrance.
This Art Deco favorite of native-son directors Barry Levinson and John Waters may have been built back in 1939, but it still features a very modern 40-foot curved screen and the ability to show both 35mm and 70mm films. No kids under the age of five are allowed inside.

Grauman's Chinese Theater-Hollywood

Castro Theatre- San Francisco, Calif. 

Designated a City of San Francisco registered landmark in 1977, the 86-year-old theater features a Mexican Cathedral exterior façade and combination Spanish, Oriental and Italian-influenced interior, and a multicultural slant to its film programming. More importantly, the single-screen theater is host to a number of film festivals and at the heart of active (and interactive) film community.

Castro Theatre- San Francisco

Tampa Theatre- Tampa, Fla. 

Like Chicago's Music Box Theater, Florida's contribution to the world of preserved movie palaces also features an atmospheric style, treating audience members to a painted night sky with exactly 99 stars on the ceiling above their heads. In operation since 1926, the Florida Mediterranean theater boasts a romantic courtyard with flowers and gargoyles where fans line up for the feature movies, concerts and live shows.

Tampa Theater-Tampa.Florida

Some Famous Stars of the "Silver Screen" of Years Gone By 

CHECK THEM OUT BELOW

Charleton Heston in "Ben Hur"

Robert Taylor and Greta Garbo in "Camille"

Gone With The Wind 

gone with wind

romantic kiss

Runtime: 0:44
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Vivien Leigh of "Gone With the Wind" Fame

Clark Gable

Arsenic and Old Lace With Cary Grant 

Arsenic and Old Lace trailer

1944. Director: Frank Capra starring Cary Grant, Josephine Hull, Jean Adair, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre and Priscilla Lane. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenic_and_Old_Lace_(film)

Runtime: 2:44
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Cary Grant

Movie Snack Signs 

Giant Dancing Snack People Signs

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Popcorn Snack Sign 

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Retro Popcorn Sign 

Retro Popcorn Rusted Tin Sign

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Movie Theater Candy 

Good & Plenty Theater Boxes 12 pk.

Good & Plenty Theater Boxes 12 pk.

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Goumet Popcorn Gift Set 

Gourmet Popcorn and Seasoning Gift Set

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Movie Thearter Popcorn 

Act II Popcorn, Movie Theatre Butter Pop 'N Serve Tub, 4.2-Ounce Packages in a Tub (Pack of 36

Act II Popcorn, Movie Theatre Butter Pop 'N Serve Tub, 4.2-Ounce Packages in a Tub (Pack of 36

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Popcorn Bags For Your Popcorn 

Popcorn Bags (8

Popcorn Bags (8") - 50 Count

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Butter Flavored Popcorn Topping 

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Movie Snacks 

Movie Time Theatre Candy Basket

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Popcorn Costume 

Movie Night Popcorn Adult

Movie Night Popcorn Adult

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Share Your Favorite Movies or Film Stars Here! 

Billco

Those old movie theatres were great. In Birmingham, Alabama the best one was the Alabama Theatre, known as the "Showcase of the South." The Melba and the Empire were two others.

Going to the movies was fun back then, something you planned a day around.

Posted August 03, 2008

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