TheatreLinks

Related Theatre Websites

Miscellaneous Websites

The American Magic Lantern Theatre
http://www.magiclanternshows.com
THSA member Terry Borton writes, "We're a traveling company recreating the 1890s magic lantern shows that played in many of the theatres of that period. Our site includes a history of magic-lantern shows, written for The League of Historic American Theatres, and lots of links to magic-lantern related material."

American Memories: LC-HABS/HAER Catalog
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/hhhtml/hhhome.html
Another Bob Ashley wonder-find! This link will take you to the The Library of Congress's searchable database site "Built in America: Historic American Buildings Survey". Bring snacks, you might be here a very long time!

American Museum of Theatrical Design
http://www.amtd.org/
Joe Musil's masterwork, The American Museum of Theatrical Design (AMTD) is dedicated to the preservation of past and present themed and theatre architecture and allied craft.

American Picture Palaces
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PALACE/home.html
John Eberson called movie palaces "the most palatial homes of princes and crowned kings for and on behalf of His Excellency--the American Citizen." Yes, Papa John could be a bit grandiose in his speech, but thank goodness it carried over into his wonderful creations! This site is a beautiful tribute to all the glitz and glamour of our favorite form of American entertainment.

American Silent Film
http://www.bijou-dream.com/
Another wonderful site put together by Cezar Del Valle, dedicated to the "American Silent Film and the early days of movie exhibition."

Noah Kern's America's Stunning Theatres
http://www.pbase.com/affablebeef/theatres
Noah sent this site on to us. He is a working stage hand who travels with touring companies, and takes (very professional) photos of the historic theaters he visits. There are some beautiful shots in this collection. (He also credits Jim Rankin for helping him with the theater information.) Enjoy!

ATOS Puget Sound Chapter
http://www.pstos.org
Marquee editor Steve Levin writes: (this site)"goes beyond local news and business. There is a large and nicely indexed collection of theatre pictures, mostly of houses in Washington state, but extending to several adjoining states as well."

Balaban and Katz
http://www.balabanandkatzfoundation.com/
This site celebrates the history of the Balaban and Katz Theater Corporation. Everything you'd ever wanted to know -- and then some.

Battersby Ornamental
http://www.battersbyornamental.com/empire1.htm
http://www.battersbyornamental.com/mjstc.htm
A "professional stuccoist" (how many of THOSE are still around?), T.M. Battersby is proud of the restoration work his firm has done in historic theaters. He's included two pages on his commercial web page to showcase his work at the Empire and Majestic theaters. Many links to high resolution photos and well developed histories as well.

And some more...
http://www.battersbyornamental.com/pianta1.htm
http://www.battersbyornamental.com/pianta2.htm
http://www.battersbyornamental.com/pianta3.htm
http://www.battersbyornamental.com/pianta.htm
Additional theatre restoration photos from about 1900 - 1930 of Hannibal Pianta (San Antonio TX), the master modeler who produced all of the ornamentation for the Majestic, Empire, and Aztec Theatres, as well as a large volume of other work.

Big Screen Cinema Guide
http://www.bigscreen.com
A new URL. Has photos of Oriental, Downer theatres, and a few others on the site.

British Pathe
http://www.britishpathe.com
A truly amazing site: 3,500 hours of old newsreel footage can be viewed free of charge at this site! Also, some fun links and history information too.

Building The Majestic Theater for the movie, "The Majestic"
http://www.victorianferndale.org/chamber/parklot.htm
A 15-photo slide show type presentation shows the construction of the Majestic Theater fa‡ade for the movie of the same name.

CAPA Theaters (Chicago IL, Columbus OH, New Haven CT)
http://www.capa.com/index.html
A comprehensive site now with links for all CAPA theaters. The Columbus links will bring back a lot of wonderful memories for those who attended Conclave 2000.

CARTHALIA
http://www.andreas-praefcke.de/carthalia/index.html
Andreas Praefcke's postcard collection of theatres and concert halls worldwide is a wonder to behold! There are interiors, exteriors, vintage and modern cards from every country you can imagine. This is the most complete and comprehensive site we have ever run across!

Charles Cosler Theater Design
http://www.cosler.com/pr_historic.htm
Charles Cosler Theatre Design provides professional theatre and lighting design services to architects, theatre owners, and developers. Some photos and links to historic theater restoration photos.

Cinema Retro
http://www.cinemaretro.com
The name says it all. It’s a magazine dedicated to old films. The site also provides current movie news and links. Nicely done.

Cinema Tour
http://www.cinematour.com
An extensive site that will take you on tours of many theaters around the world.

Cinema Treasures - "The ultimate guide to classic movie theaters"
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/
Another of those wonderful informational sites where you can sit and surf for hours! It's fun to look up your favorite theaters to see what they have for them. You also may learn something.

Cinerama
http://cinerama.topcities.com/
Roland Lataille's site has an entire section of photographs & information about Cinerama theatres that were either built for the format, or converted from existing theatres.

Cinerama Adventure
http://www.cineramaadventure.com
This site features a "Real Player" link so you can actually hear Lowell Thomas's own voice reciting the opening lines from "This is Cinerama."

Dead Theatres Index Page
http://martinmc.home. mindspring.com/index.html
Martin McCaffery, a self described champion of decrepit theaters, has put together a very personal site that will keep visitors clicking away for hours. Tons of links. The site is updated regularly.

DeMille's Lost City
http://www.lostcitydemille.com
This site takes you through all the whys and wherefores of the creation of the Lost City and the efforts to reclaim this important piece of movie history. Thanks to Bob Ashley for recommending this site.

Empire State Theatre: Musical Instrument Museum
http://www.jrjunction.com/estmim
This organ society maintains the Syracuse RKO Keith's Wurlitzer and its museum in a permanent building on the New York State Fairgrounds. This site with lots of pictures details its activities.

Going to the Movies: A Century of Motion Picture Audiences in Northern New England
http://www.acadia.net/oldfilm/goingto.html
Many fine photos and interesting information. A perfect introduction for those not acquainted with the joys of the golden age of movie exhibition outside the big cities.

Golden Days of Burlesque Historical Society
http://www.burlesquehistory.com
There's not too much about the theatres here but certainly lots on what sustained many of them. A very entertaining history of burlesque!

Grosh Scenic Rentals
http://www.grosh.com
This company has been providing backdrops and theater curtains since 1932. Of particular interest to THSers will be the link to their curtain inventory! They have also thoughtfully provided a THS link on their website.

Hayles & Howe Ornamental Plasterers
http://www.hayles-and-howe.com/
This Baltimore, Maryland company has worked on some fine old theatres, both in the U.S. and England. There is a particularly lovely photo of their work on the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Historic Districts Council (New Yourk City)
http://www.hdc.org
This non-profit organization works to preserve and protect New York's many historic districts and its buildings, including theatres.

Hollywood Heritage (Hollywood CA)
http://www.hollywoodheritage.org/
"Preserving Hollywood's landmarks for over two decades." An active preservation group, with their own museum, which was visited during the 2005 THS Los Angeles Conclave.

Internet Broadway Database
http://www.ibdb.com/
The official source for Broadway information, statistics, dates, cast, crew and creative staff credits, roles and related facts.

Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
http://www.us.imdb.com/
Warning: Before entering this web site, pack your provisions, file a flight plan and tie a rope around your waist because you might possibly never be seen again! The links in this searchable data base of 130,000 movies and TV shows are phenomenal and include filmography and biographical links for every actor and production staff in every movie and TV series you could ever imagine. Think I'm kidding? Want to know the name of the person who is credited as "Baby Munchkin" in the Wizard of Oz AND what movies and TV shows she's done since? Or the last names of the 3 farm hands from that same movie? Just ask IMDb. Need a listing of ALL the "special guest stars" from the entire run of the Batman TV series? It's in there. Superlatives pale; you just have to see this for yourself.

The John Eberson Collection
http://www.upenn.edu/gsfa/archives/majorcollections/eberson.html
Nice one page biography and one photo. Includes early works and other personal information that die-hard "Ebersonians" may already know, but essential for the newcomer to the wonderful world of John Eberson.

The Kane/DuPage Regional Museum Association
http://www.kdrma.org
The museum organization to which THS belongs. Contains links to the other museums in the area.

Kilduff's Baltimore Theater Survey
http://www.kilduffs.com
The focus of this survey is to document the status of movie theatres in the Middle Atlantic region, ( Maryland, Delaware and Virginia ) during the period between 1900 and 1950, and the fate of those buildings to this day.

Landmark Theatres
http://www.landmarktheatres.com
This national chain of movie theatres has renovated many old theatres. This site includes profiles/histories of them. To find a theatre's page, click on the city from the list on the left side and then scroll down to find theatre's name and click on it.

Lily Popcorn
http://www.lilypopcorn.com
The place to buy REAL theater popcorn!

Main Street Theaters
http://homepage.mac.com/drkimble
Thanks to Chris Soldo for sending along his personal collection of photos of "Main Street movie theaters" from around the country for THS members to enjoy.

Meet Me At The Movies
http://www.ohs.org/exhibitions/movies/default.htm
Part of the Oregon Historical Society website, “Meet Me At The Movies” offers a tour and history of the Portland theaters from the turn of the century to the present. Many nice photos from the OHS Archives.

The Midnight Palace
http://www.midnightpalace.com/about.html
A great site for lovers of old movies. Started in 2006, the Palace strives to unite enthusiasts, experts and novices alike. You will read reviews on movies considered to be classics, as well as relatively unknown films that have long fallen between the cracks of obscurity. The site concentrates on movies from 1900 to 1955.

Movie House History - A Historical Look at the Theatres of Kansas
http://moviehousehistory.tripod.com/
Webmaster Paul Salley has put together quite a comprehensive site here!

Movie Pal
http://members.tripod.com/~movie_pal/
Searchable, chocked full of information, this is a movie lovers dream come true! Not as dense as the IMDb site, but makes up for it in heart, the webmaster is truly in love with the movies and it shows.

Movie Posters -- Chisholm Larsson Gallery
http://www.chisholm-poster.com/movie/index.html
A searchable index to their vast collection of movie posters, includes a photo of most posters.

MoviePoster (MoPo) Mailing List
http://www.filmfan.com/
"The MoPo Mailing List (was)... created for collectors of all kinds of movie memorabilia. If you collect posters (from one-sheets to six-sheets), lobby cards, inserts or any kind of movie-related collectible, the MoPo Mailing List is for you. Everyone is welcome - from beginner to expert. Best of all, there is never a charge to use the MoPo."

Musicals 101 - The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musical Theatre, TV and Film
http://www.musicals101.com
What a fun site! Pick a topic and enjoy it for hours. Click on "Broadway Theaters: Past & Present" for starters.

Muvico Theatre Chain
http://www.muvico.com
This chain's theatres are all relatively new but many are done with specific themes. Click on "Theatre Location" and then on each individual "Theatre Information" for pictures and virtual tours. Look at Memphis' train station, Davie Paradise's Egyptian (complete with a tiled Nile running with it), and Pompano's drive-in motifs.

New York Theatres & London Toronto, International
http://www.linkopp.com/members/clairsedore/index.html
If you don't mind the commercial advertising, there's a good collection of links, particularly of Canadian theatres. Unfortunately, no photos.

Northwest Theater Equipment
http://www.nteequip.com
All "booth bums" will want to click on the link "The good old days, a photo gallery" found on the home page. You will love looking through the many vintage photos. Sure to bring back lots of memories!

Olympia Film Society (Olympia WA)
http://www.olyfilm.org
Formed in 1980, the Olympia Film Society has been showing international, independent and classic films at the historic Capitol Theater since 1986. One recent black and white photo of the exterior.

Pizza & Pipes (Santa Clara & Redwood City CA)
http://www.pizzaandpipes.com/ index.htm
The name says it all, live organ concerts on selected nights while chomping on first rate pizza pie. What a concept!

Postcards from Old Kansas City (Kansas City MO)
http://www.kcpl.lib.mo.us/sc/post/theaters/theaters1.htm
Wonderful old postcards from the donated collection of local historian Mildred Kittell Ray. Each postcard is presented in thumbnail size; click on the card for an enlargement and Mrs. Ray's narrative. A GREAT site!

Preservation Photo Gallery
http://www.preservationdirectory.com/photodatabase.html
Enjoy many photos of historic theaters around the country.

Preserving Historic Theaters
http://www.lib.umd.edu/NTL/theaters.html
From the National Trust Library, this site offers a history of historic theaters, examples of restored theaters and where to go for help in restoring a theater. As interesting as it is informative.

Reel Diaries
http://www.reeldiaries.com/
Journey into the World of Movies and Film

The Reel Texas Print
http://www.reeltexastheaters.com
The “Reel Texas” print pays homage to the moving picture palaces from all across the Lone Star State.

Richard Unger's Favorite Movie Palaces
http://hometown.aol.com/decochaser/Portals.html
This is a personal site constructed by Mr. Unger to showcase not only his favorite theaters but his own talent as a theater organist as well. An audio link is your ticket to a private concert!

Rush Creek Gallery
http://www.rushcreekgallery.com/lfop/index.html
Howard Stein notified us of this site, containing his photos of small theaters, "On the American Road, NEEDLES TO NATCHEZ."

S. Charles Lee (theatre architect)
http://historicfresno.org/bio/lee.htm
Interesting biographical information on one of the theatre world's most prolific architects. Includes a link to information about Lee's Tower Theatre in Fresno.

Saenger Theatres
http://www.saengeramusements.com
The product of several Saenger enthusiasts, the site features links and information on this former theatre circuit of the South. It also contains links to web pages for those Saenger properties still in operation. A well done personal page.

San Diego Historical Society (San Diego CA)
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/collections/theaters/theaters.htm
What a wonderful site! Eleven histories about long ago theaters in San Diego, as well as over 50 photos to enjoy.

San Francisco Fox WurliTzer
http://www.atos.org/Pages/Journal/Fox-SF-organ/Fox-SF-organ.html
A vintage article from 1956, posted on the ATOS website, which will still strike a chord with organ lovers today! Be sure to click on the related article link at the very bottom, to see more photos (from the THS archives) of this great lost theatre.

San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation (San Francisco CA)
http://www.sfntf.org/
A site devoted to saving neighborhood theaters in San Francisco. Read the "history" of 36 theaters and see some historic photos too.

Save Our Theaters
http://saveourtheaters.com
Dedicated to the preservation of America’s disappearing movie theaters.

Scenic Collections Database
http://digital.lib.umn.edu/scenery/ index.html
A beautiful and unusual site from the University of Minnesota on the history of stage scenery.

Screen Trade Magazine
http://www.screentrademagazine.co.uk
Welcome to Screen Trade, Britain and Europe's premier exhibitor Journal.

Some Projectors of the 1940's
http://www.mindspring.com/~martinmc/projectors/proj.html
A great illustrated feature from a 1946 Showmen's Trade Review on five projectors: Brenkert BX-80, Century CC, DeVry 12000, Simplex E-7, Motiograph Model K.

J. Myer & Hildegarde Schine Memorial Site
http://www.schine.org/
Lovingly crafted by their grandson Tom Maxwell, this site celebrates the history of the Schine Theater chain as well as their later luxury hotel empire. Beautiful photographs, a touching narrative and an unforgettable couple!

Small Town Movie Theaters
http://rushcreekeditions.com/lfop/
Photos of many small town theater marquees, taken by Mr. Stein.

South Carolina Movie Theatres
http://www.scmovietheatres.com
THS member John Coles reports: “South Carolina had no great atmospheric theatres but the movie theatre history is alive and well in the hearts of many small town residents here.”

State of Florida Photographic Archive
http://www.dos.state.fl.us/fpc
This comprehensive site was suggested to us by Larry Bearden of the Zebulon Theatre in Cairo, GA. He says it has 103 photos of Florida theaters. This is another searchable database. Searches are under "theater" (not spelled "re").

Stinson Organ Company (Bellefontaine OH)
http://www.carousel.net/stinson/index.htm
Considering all the carousel enthusiasts among our members, you will probably enjoy this unique and entertaining site. Mr. Stinson still practices a time-honored craft by fashioning and decorating many of the components of his band organs by hand. He is a master craftsman and a really nice guy, too!

Super Cinema Site
http://www.scotland-heritage.com
CTA member Bruce Peter has assembled a wonderful site of photos of "theatres across the pond" on his personal web page. Definately worth a look!

Theatre Organs
http://www.theatreorgans.com/
This site has a search feature in its database on original installations and current installations.

Theatre Talks and Walking Tours by Cezar Del Valle, Theatre Historian
http://theatretalks.com
A great site put together by a THSA member. Many super links, updated regularly.

This is Cinerama
http://www.cinema-astoria.com/012apollocinerama04.html
Excellent overview with great poster reproductions.

Toy Theatre – History and Art
http://pollocks.trishymouse.net
Trish Lewis sent her site about Toy Theatre. Prepare to be enlightened!

The Vaudeville Theater
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/muldrew/vaudeville6.htm
An extensive site, one woman's tribute to the early entertainment houses. If the answer to your vaudeville related question isn't here, it just isn't! Now with much improved graphics and searchability.

Vaudeville Wars
http://www.vaudevillewars.com/
Arthur Wertheim sent us this site. His book is about: “How the Keith-Albee and Orpheum Circuits Controlled the Big Time and Its Performers”

Vermont’s Painted Theater Curtains
http://www.vmga.org/painted_theater/index.html
A project of the Vermont Museum &Gallery Alliance – Just another fascinating piece of theater history brought before your eyes.

Victorian Secrets of Washington D.C.
http://www.victoriansecrets.net
This site isn't much of a beauty pageant because it concentrates on buildings that are vacant, deteriorated, distressed, or just plain at risk because they are standing in the path of development. Look for John Eberson’s Deco Dreams section.

The Virtual Historic Theatres Site
http://mysite.verizon.net/bouler/index.html
Steven Bouler sent along this site. It consists of virtual reality reconstructions of historic theatres, and includes the Second Blackfriars of 1607 and Wren's Theatre Royal at Drury Lane of 1674. Very interesting site; take a look!

The Vitaphone Project
http://www.picking.com
Tom Jeffery writes: "There's lots of information on early Vitaphone talking pictures, and current efforts to catalog all Vitaphone talking shorts, locate the nitrate film and transfer to safety film base, locate missing 16 inch, 33 1/3 rpm recordings to flesh-out the sound for pictures, and finally make them available on film or VHS cassette."

Vitrolite Specialist
http://vitrolitespecialist.com
Tim Dunn's business is preserving and caring for Vitrolite, the glass tile in many Art Deco & Art Moderne buildings. His site is a virtual seminar on Vitrolite. The "Projects" page gives details on the restoration work he has done on theatres. The Gem Theatre in Kansas City is one of his projects.

Wagner Electric Sign Co.
http://www.wagnersign.com
Got a marquee you want spruced up or rebuilt? Wagner Electric Sign Company specializes in creating theatre marquees, indoor and outdoor signage for all types businesses and entertainment venues. Nice gallery of their work.

Related Theatre Organizations

American Theatre Organ Society
http://www.atos.org/
A large, long-established national organization-- with a great many local chapters--which has done so much to foster appreciation for America's historic theatres and theatre pipe organs. The site has much interesting information on the development of theatre organs.

Binghamton Theater Organ Society (Binghamton NY)
http://www.theatreorgans.com/btoc
Mike Roseboom sent along the Binghamton Theatre Organ Society's site, as part of www.theatreorgans.com. Thanks Mike.

Cinema and Theatre Historical Society (Victoria AUSTRALIA)
http://www.caths.org.au
An Australian group founded in 1989 with a great many programs, publications and activities -- meetings, collectors swapmeets, tours, conventions, theatre open day, theatre and film nights and more! Great links to the fine theatres down under.

Cinema Theatre Association (ENGLAND)
http://www.cinema-theatre.org.uk
Our sister organization in the UK now has its own attractive site with lots of interesting information! Be sure to visit and have a look.

The Frank Matcham Society
http://www.frankmatchamsociety.org.uk
This English society is dedicated to the theatres designed by Frank Matcham. The site has a bio of Matcham, pictures of his surviving theatres and information on the society.

League of Historic American Theatres
http://www.lhat.org
An active organization, founded in 1976, whose members work to save historic theatres, fix them up, take care of them and keep them operating throughout North America. The site features numerous photographs of member theatres.

New York Theatre Organ Society
http://www.nytos.org
The site is by member Dave Kopp. NYTOS owns the Ben Hall Memorial Organ, installed at the Lafayette Theatre, Suffern NY.

Volunteer Match
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
A very helpful searchable site that matches volunteers with available projects. There is no charge to list or to search.

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