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Theatre Historical Society of America

Bagley, Mary. The Front Row: Missouri's Grand Theatres. [to order this title] St. Louis, MO: Gateway Publishing, 1984.

Balaban, David. The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban & Katz. [to order this title] Arcadia Publishing, 2006. A pictorial history of the numerous B&K theatres in Chicago, featuring some of the most sumputous movie palaces ever built. With a Foreword by THSA founding member Joseph DuciBella.

Balk, Alfred, ed. Movie Palace Masterpiece: Saving Syracuse's Loew's State/Landmark Theater . [to order this title] Syracuse NY: Syracuse University Press, 1999. An 80-page celebration of this magnificent movie palace. Includes 16 color plates.

Beauvert, Thierry. Opera Houses of the World. [to order this title] Vendome Press, 1996. A large format 277-page book featuring stunning color photographs and stories of some of the world's most celebrated opera houses, both historic and contemporary.

Bergan, Ronald. The Great Theatres of London: An Illustrated Companion [to order this title] Trafalger Square, 1997. Beautiful color photos and brief histories of many of the major legitimate theatres of London.

Berlingari, Frank, and H. Anthony Reilly III. Golden Gate Theatre. San Francisco: Golden Gate Theatre, 1980.

Besse, Kirk J. Showhouses: Twin Cities Style. [to order this title] Victoria Publications, Ltd., 1995.

Bowers, Q. David. Nickelodeon Theatres and Their Music. [to order this title--hardbound]. [to order this title--paperbound]. 2nd edition. Vestal, N.Y.: Vestal Press, 1996. Perhaps the finest volume written on early nickelodeon theatres. Hundreds of wonderful photographs.

Casto, Marilyn Dee. Actors, Audiences & Historic Theatres of Kentucky. [to order this title] University Press of Kentucky, 2000. A detailed social and cultural history of theatre buildings and theatre life in Kentucky.

Doyle, Michael V. Boxoffice Open: Michigan's Small Town Movie Theatres. [to order this title] Authorhouse, 2007. An exploration of theatres and moviegoing in towns throughout Michgan from the 1930s to 1960s.

Doyle, Michael V. Michigan Movie Theatres: A Pictorial History. [to order this title] Boreal Press, 2003. An examination of Michigan’s premier theatres and exhibitors, from the movie palace of the 1920s to the multiplex of today.

Durham, Weldon B. Liberty Theatres of the United States Army, 1917-1919. [to order this title] Jefferson, North Carolina, McFarland & Company, 2006. A detailed examination of the War Department to create and operate 42 Liberty Theatres to provide "uplifting" entertainment for World War I troops. Appendices provide locations, dates, expense reports and attendence.

Dyal, Donald H. Movie Theater Architecture: A Bibliography. Monticello, Il.: Vance Bibliographies, 1981.

Eyles, Allen. ABC: The First Name in Entertainment. [to order this title] One in a series of British cinema circuit histories.

Eyles, Allen. Gaumont British Cinemas. [to order this title] British Film Institute, 1996. One in a series of British cinema circuit histories.

Eyles, Allen. The Granada Theatres. [to order this title] British Film Institute, 1999. One in a series of British cinema circuit histories.

Eyles, Allen and Keith Skone. London's West End Cinemas. [to order this title] Sutton, Surrey, England: Keystone Publications, 1991. Comprehensive, illustrated histories of cinemas in the West End from 1907 through 1990.

Eyles, Allen. Odeon Cinemas: Oscar Deutch Entertains Our Nation. [to order this title] British Film Institute, 2001. A lavishly-illustrated history of the beginnings of the UK Odeon circuit.

Eyles, Allen. Odeon Cinemas 2: From J. Arthur Rank to the Multiplex. [to order this title] British Film Institute, 2005. The second volume on the Odeon circuit, continues from WWII to the present.

Eyles, Allen. Old Cinemas. [to order this title]. Shire Publications, 2002. An illustrated 32-page album of historic cinemas in Britain.

Fountain, Nigel. Lost Empires: The Phenomenon of Theatres Past, Present & Future. [to order this title]. Cassells Illustrated (London), 2006. A exploration of the numerous music halls and vaudeville houses that thrived during the golden years of the British Empire.

Francisco, Charles. The Radio City Music Hall: An Affectionate History of the World's Greatest Theatre. [to order this title] New York: E.P. Dutton, 1979. "The Showplace of the Nation" in wonderful pictures and fond reminiscences.

Freeman, Robert E. Scene II: Re-Using Old Movie Theaters. Providence, R.I.: Author, 1977.

Frick, John W., with Carlton Ward, eds. Directory of Historic American Theatres. [to order this title] League of Historic American Theatres. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press,1987. A comprehensive listing of 886 theatres in the U.S. built prior to 1915.

Frick, John W. New York's First Theatrical Center: The Rialto at Union Square. [to order this title] (Theatre and Dramatic Studies No. 26), UMI Research Press, 1985. 209 pages.

Galbraith, Stuart. Motor City Marquees: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Reference to Motion Picture Theaters in the Detroit Area, 1906-1922. [to order this title] Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, 1994. An exhaustively researched book documenting Detroit theatres in the first two decades of the last century.

Gladson, Gene. Indianapolis Theatres from A to Z. [to order this title] Indianapolis, In.: Gladson Publications, 1976.

Glazer, Irvin R. Philadelphia Theaters: A Pictorial Architectural History. [to order this title] Athenaeum of Philadelphia. New York: Dover, 1994. An easily readable, illustrated volume on the great theatres, past and present, in Philadelphia.

Gomery, Douglas Shared Pleasures: A History of Movie Presentation in the United States. [to order this title] Madison, Wisc.: University of Wisconsin Press, 1992. Probably the most comprehensive history of the theatre exhibition business yet written. Includes numerous illustrations.

Gregersen, Charles E., Joan W. Saltzstein and Susan Wolfson. Dankmar Adler: His Theatres and Auditoriums. [to order this title] Swallow Press, 1990.

Gray, Richard. Cinemas in Britain. [to order this title] Lund Humphries, 1996. This excellent work celebrates 100 years of British cinemas.

Hardin, Terri. Theatres and Opera Houses. [to order this title] Todtri Productions, Ltd., 2000. 80 pages.

Hark, Ina-Rae. Exhibition: The Film Reader. [to order this title] Routledge, 2001. 208 pages. This excellent book examines different aspects in the evolution of movie exhibition venues and practices.

Hasbrook, Stacey. Grand Old Texas Theatres. [to order this title] Republic of Texas Press, 2002. 284 pages.

Hauser, Michael and Marianne Weldon. Detroit's Downtown Movie Palaces. [to order this title] Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. A fascinating look at the marvelous grand theatres of Detroit. Mr. Hauser is an authority on Detroit theatres and the vice-president of THSA.

Hauss, Allen. South Jersey Movie Houses. [to order this title] Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Illustrated history of Southern New Jersey theatres, from neighborhood houses to the grand movie palaces.

THSA 2007 OUTSTANDING BOOK AWARD
Headley, Robert K. Motion Picture Exhibition in Baltimore: An Illustrated History and Directory of Theaters, 1895-2004. [to order this title] Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2006. An outstanding and thorough work, with a narrative history of motion picture exhibition and the moviegoing experience in Baltimore, plus a list of theaters with sumptuously-detailed descriptions.

Headley, Robert K. Motion Picture Exhibition in Washington, D.C.: An Illustrated History of Parlors, Palaces and Multiplexes in the Metropolitan Area, 1894-1997. [to order this title] Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 1999. The definitive history of theatres in the Nation's Capitol. A monumental work, with numerous photographs and information on all known Washington area theatres.

Heathcoate, Edwin. Cinema Builders [to order this title] Academy Editions, 2001. 224 pages.

Henderson, Mary C. The City and the Theater: The History of New York Playhouses - A 250 Year Journey from Bowling Green to Times Square. [to order this title] Back Stage Books, 2004. Originally published in 1974, this thoroughly researched and revised 300-page book is the definitive history of the development of New York theatres.

Henderson, Mary C. The New Amsterdam: Biography of a Broadway Theatre. [to order this title] New York: Roundtable Press, Hyperion, 1997. A lavishly-illustrated, "coffee-table" book on this sparkling restored gem among all the theatres in New York. Excellent history and photographs.

Herbst, Judith Katherine. The Keswick Theatre. [to order this title] Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2004. A comprehensive pictorial history of this 1928 Philadelphia theatre.

Holt, Marion Peter. Magical Places: The Story of Spartanburg's Theatres and their Entertainments. [to order this title] Spartanburg, SC: Hub City Writer's Project, 2004. An illustrated 115 page history of the heyday of live theatres and moviehouses in this Southern town.

Jones, Janna. The Southern Movie Palace: Rise, Fall and Resurrection. [to order this title] Florida: University Press of Florida, 2003. A scholarly treatment of historic preservation efforts for the grand picture palaces of the South, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Biloxi, Durham, Memphis and Tampa. 291 pages.

Kaldor, Andras. Great Opera Houses of the World: Masterpieces of Architecture. [to order this title] Antique Collectors Club, 2002. An illustraed exploration of the unique design and decoration of outstanding opera houses around the world.

Kaufmann, Preston J. Fox - The Last Word: The Story of the World's Finest Theatre. [to order this title] Pasadena, Cal.: Showcase Publications, 1979. The definitive book on San Francisco's long lamented lost treasure; 372 pages with hundreds of photos and illustrations. A very scarce and very expensive book, but a "must" - if you can find (and afford) a copy!

THSA 2008 OUTSTANDING BOOK AWARD
Kenney, Dave. Twin Cities Picture Show. [to order this title] Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2007. Filled with photos of the dazzling marquees and great theaters of yesterday and today, this highly readable account offers rich histories of some of the grandest theaters ever constructed.

Kilburn, Mike. London's Theatres. [to order this title] New Holland Publishers (London), Ltd., 2006. This visually stunning celebration of London's theatres is perfect for travelers or anyone interested in British theatres, history or architecture. It features more than 50 of the best- known theatres in Central London today.

Kinerk, Michael and Dennis Wilhelm. Popcorn Palaces: The Art Deco Movie Theatre Paintings of Davis Cone [to order this title] Harry N. Abrams, 2001. The authors, both THS members, present an array of Davis' incredible artistic creations, along with excellent background on America's historic theatre treasures.

THSA 2006 OUTSTANDING BOOK AWARD
King, Donald C. The Theaters of Boston: A Stage and Screen History [to order this title] McFarland, 2005. The posthumous masterwork of longtime THS member Don King, the book covers Boston theatres from the 18th century to the present. 278 pages with 117 illustrations.

Lindsay, John C. Palaces of the Night: Canada's Grand Theatres [to order this title] BPR Publishers, 1999. Another excellent work by Lindsay celebrating some of Canada's finest theatres.

Lindsay, John C. Turn Out the Stars Before Leaving: The Story of Canada's Theatres [to order this title] Erin, Ont., Canada: Boston Mills Press, 1983. A comprehensive illustrated historical survey of Canadian theatres.

Margolies, John and Emily Gwathmey. Ticket to Paradise: American Movie Theatres and How We Had Fun. [to order this title] Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1991. A celebration of movie-going in pictures. Another "must" for any theatre enthusiast!

Marisco, Jim and Alan Woods, Eds. The Ohio Theatre: 1928-1978. [to order this title] Columbus, Ohio: Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, 1978. A large, well-done volume on one of Thomas Lamb's masterpieces, built in 1928 as Loew's Ohio and saved from demolition in 1969 and beautifully restored.

McKeon, Elizabeth and Linda Everett. Cinema Under the Stars: America's Love Affair with Drive-In Movie Theaters. [to order this title] Cumberland House, 1998. A loving tribute to the golden age of outdoor cinema. With interesting photos and related information.

THSA 2005 OUTSTANDING BOOK AWARD
Melnick, Ross and Andreas Fuchs. Cinema Treasures: A New Look at Classic Movie Theatres. [to order this title] Motorbooks International, 2004. An excellent exploration of American theatres, profusely illustrated and beautifully designed. A great addition to your library!

Morrison, A. Craig, and Lucy Pope Wheeler, eds. Nickelodeon to Movie Palace: Ten Twentieth Century Theatres 1910-1931. Washington, D.C.: Historic American Buildings Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1978.

THSA 2007 OUTSTANDING BOOK AWARD
Morrison, A. Craig. Theaters. [to order this title] New York: W.W.Norton, 2006. A monumental compendium of theatre types and architectural styles, with descriptions and illustrations. An outstanding sourcebook on historic theatres.

Morrison, William F. Broadway Theatres: History and Architecture. [to order this title] New York: Dover Publications, 1999. A photographic stroll through 74 New York theatres, from the 5th Avenue (1873) to the RKO Roxy (1932). Over 200 archival photographs. Another great book from Dover.

Naylor, David. American Picture Palaces: The Architecture of Fantasy. [to order this title--hardbound] [to order this title--paperbound] New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1981. Excellent work showcasing some of the finest examples of movie palace design.

Naylor, David. Great American Movies Theaters. A National Trust Guide, Great American Places Series. [to order this title] Washington, D.C.: The Preservation Press, 1985. Probably the most concise, comprehensive guide to surviving theatres across the U.S. Now more than 20 years old, out of print and outdated, but still worthwhile to try to get a used copy.

Naylor, David, and Joan Dillon. American Theaters: Performance Halls of the Nineteenth Century. [to order this title] Preservation Press. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1997. A recent book with interesting history and beautiful photos of some of the country's notable early opera houses and theatres.

Pildas, Ave and Lucinda Smith. Movie Palaces: Survivors of an Elegant Era. [to order this title] New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., 1980. A pictorial history with more than 180 color photographs of exteriors, interiors, and wonderful architectural details.

Putnam, Michael. Silent Screens: The Decline and Transformation of the American Movie Theater. [to order this title] Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2000. A unique, haunting book with more than 80 starkly beautiful duotones and halftones of closed, converted or derelict theatres, with essays on moviegoing by Peter Bogdanovich and others.

Russell, Hilary. Double Take: The Story of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres. [to order this title] Toronto, Canada: Dundurn Press, Ltd., 1989. The definitive history of two of North America's most interesting theatres -- Toronto's "double-decker" Elgin and Winter Garden -- and the story of their restoration. Includes numerous photographs.

Sanders, Don and Susan. The American Drive-In Movie Theatre. [to order this title]. Osceola, Wisc.: Motorbooks International, 1997. A beautifully illustrated book celebrating America's love affair with the drive-in. A must for any DI fan!

Sanders, Don and Susan. Drive-In Movie Memories. [to order this title]. Carriage House Publishing, 2000. Subtitled "Popcorn and Romance under the Stars," it's another wonderful book from the Sanders, with more photos sure to bring back your own DI memories!

Schiecke, Konrad. Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois, 1883-1960. [to order this title] McFarland & Company, 2006. A richly-illustrated book with descriptions of nearly 3,000 historic movie houses. A fascinating history of cinema viewing in Illinois.

Schroeder, Richard. Lone Star Picture Shows. [to order this title]. Texas A&M University Press, 2001. A comprehensive exploration of historic Texas theatres.

Segrave, Kerry. Drive-In Theaters: A History from Their Inception in 1933. Hardbound: [to order this title] Paperbound: [to order this title] Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, orig. publ. 1992. Probably the most comprehensive history of the drive-in theatre yet written. With appendices, reference notes, bibliography and index.

Semmes, Clovis E. The Regal Theater and Black Culture. [to order this title] Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. For more than 40 years, Chicago's Regal Theater (1928-1968) was the cornerstone of the city's black entertainment. It was the largest and most architecturally splendid black theatrical venue, and the only one constructed specifically for blacks by whites in an all-black community. This throughly-researched 300-page work reveals its fascinating history and significance.

Sexton, R.W. and B.F. Betts. American Theatres of Today. [to order this title] New York: Architectural Book Publishing Co., vol. 1, 1927; vol. 2, 1930. Reprinted by Vestal, N.Y.: Vestal Press, 1977. The classic work on theatres in the U.S., first published when movie palaces were still being built. The original two-volume edition is extremely scarce and very expensive; the later single-volume reprint is also out of print, hard to find and expensive.

Sharp, Dennis. The Picture Palace - and other Buildings for the Movies. [to order this title] New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1969. A book with excellent photos and historical information mainly on British cinemas.

Silverman, Stephen M. The Last Remaining Seats: Movie Palaces of Tinseltown. [to order this title - paperbound]; [to order this title - hardbound] Los Angeles: Princeton Architectural Press, 1999; [to order this title - paperbound] Reprinted: Santa Monica, CA: Hennessey & Ingalls, 2004. A beautifully done, superbly illustrated "tour" of the incomparable theatres of Los Angeles.

Smith, Eric Ledell. African American Theater Buildings: An Illustrated Historical Directory, 1900-1955. [to order this title] Jefferson, North Carolina, McFarland & Company, 2003. A comprehensive study of more than 2,000 theatres run by or for African Americans in the U.S., giving name, location, dates, architect, type, capacity and more.

Stoddard, Richard. Theatre and Cinema Architecture: A Guide to Information Sources. Performing Arts Information Guide Series, Vol. 5. [to order this title] Detroit: Gale Research, 1978. One of the finest reference sources available for the wealth of material on historic theatres to be found in periodicals.

Stone, Susannah Harris. The Oakland Paramount. [to order this title] Berkeley, Cal.: Lancaster Miller, 1983. A small but excellent book full of color photos of this Art Deco masterpiece by architect Timothy Pflueger; with sections on the theatre's restoration and operation.

Stones, Barbara. America Goes to the Movies: 100 Years of Motion Picture Exhibition. [to order this title] North Hollywood, Cal.: National Association of Theatre Owners, 1993. A fascinating illustrated history of motion picture exhibition, with many photos never before published. Another "must!"

Tillmany, Jack and Jennifer Dowling. Theatres of Oakland. [to order this title] Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Excellent pictorial history of the many and diverse theatres of Oakland, California. Mr. Tillmany has an extensive background in Bay area theatre operation.

Tillmany, Jack. Theatres of San Francisco. [to order this title] Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2005. A well-written rich pictorial history of San Francisco theatres with many rare and fascinating photographs from the author's collection.

Valentine, Maggie. The Show Starts on the Sidewalk: An Architectural History of the Movie Theatre, Starring S. Charles Lee. [to order this title] New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1994. A fascinating history of the evolution of theatre design, with numerous examples by one of the finest architects of the "golden age."

Valerio, Joseph M., and Daniel Friedman. Movie Palaces: Renaissance and Reuse. [to order this title] New York: Academy for Educational Development, Educational Facilities Laboratories, 1982. A small book which describes then current efforts (circa 1982) to revitalize some of America's aging movie palaces.

Van Hoogstraten, Nicholas. Lost Broadway Theatres. [to order this title] 2nd edition. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1997. An incomparable visual exploration of more than fifty theatres around Times Square built since 1888, now gone.

Waller, Gregory, ed. Moviegoing in America: A Sourcebook in the History of Film Exhibition. [to order this title] Blackwell Publishers, 2001. A 350-page exploration of the evolution of film exhibition from the days of the nickelodeon to the dominance of the multiplex. A must for a better understanding of America's favorite pastime.

THSA 2008 OUTSTANDING BOOK AWARD
Welling, David. Cinema Houston. [to order this title] University of Texas Press, 2007. A celebration of a century of theatres in Texas's largest city, it re-creates the moviegoing experience using more than two hundred historical photographs, newspaper clippings and advertisements, and traces the history from early vaudeville and nickelodeons to the downtown "palaces," neighborhood houses and, finally, today's multiplexes.

Wertheim, Arthur. Vaudeville Wars: How the Keith-Albee and Orpheum Circuits Controlled the Big-Time and Its Performers.. [to order this title] Palgrave MacMillan, 2006. A comprehensive 360-page history of how the Keith-Albee and Orpheum vaudeville circuits, with their chains of luxurious theatres, controlled the big time entertainment of the era. It also details their merger and evolution into RKO movie theatres.

Widen, Larry and Judi Anderson. Milwaukee Movie Palaces. [to order this title] Milwaukee, Wisc.: Milwaukee County Historical Society, 1986. A excellently researched study of more than 160 of the city's theatres, illustrated with 200 black and white photos.

Wilinsky, Barbara. Sure Seaters: The Emergence of Art House Cinema. [to order this title] University of Minnesota Press, 2001. A small but scholarly book on the rise of the post-war independent "art houses."

Workman, Thelma. The Best in Kansas: A History of the Brown Grand Theatre and its Restoration. Concordia, Kans.: Brown Grand Opera House, 1980.

Zietz, Karyl Lynn. The National Trust Guide to Great Opera Houses in America. [to order this title] Preservation Press. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.

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