While many recent episodes of Silent Generation have focused on decline, this episode explores how movie theaters have had multiple golden eras. Vaudeville theaters, nickelodeons, movie theaters, drive-ins, and multiplexes have each offered unique ways for moviegoers to enjoy films. Joseph and Nathan begin by discussing the history of movie theaters before examining four iconic movie palaces in Chicago: The Garrick Theater, The Chicago Theater, The Music Box, and the Ramova Theater. Amongst other things they discuss how movie studios used to bundle blockbusters and B-movies together in a now illegal practice called “block booking,” how the stars in the ceiling of The Music Box theater remind them of Grand Central Station, how modern movie theaters have an Art Deco-esque aesthetic that is called Decoplex, and how Alamo Drafthouse Cinema workers are unionizing. 

Links:

Downtown Chicago’s Historic Movie Theaters by Schiecke, Konrad

Avondale Time Machine posts about movie theaters in Avondale

All Extant Louis Sullivan Buildings in Chicago

The Last American Possession screening at the Music Box on July 24th 

CTA Bus Hit, Damaged Ramova Theatre Days After Building Earned Initial Landmark Status

Alamo Drafthouse Made Millions. Exhausted Workers Said Enough

Artwork:

The Music Box 

Recorded on 6/23/2023