When you think of "movie history" you probably think of bombshells like Marilyn Monroe, silly old-school special effects and legendary parties. We here at Kidzworld think popcorn, projectors and cup holders. Go figure.
Movie Theater History - The Sounds of Silence
An art form was born when Louis Lumiere released his film of a train arriving at a station (this was obviously before the invention of the plot). From then on, people from all over the world crammed into cinemas to watch short silent movies often accompanied by a piano. It wouldn't be until the 1920s that film technology would allow movies to have sound.
Movie Theater History - Buttering Up the Audience
The first dedicated "picture house" was built in New Orleans in 1896. However, theater-goers were going to have to wait a while for anything good to watch - Hollywood's first full-length film, The Squaw Man, wasn't released until 1913. Popcorn was first served in movie theaters in 1912, so it was actually in theaters before full-length films.
Movie Theater History - A Price to Pay
- In 1907 you could watch a film at a Nickelodeon theater for five cents. In fact, that's why it's called a "Nickel"odeon.
- During the 1920s, movies cost about 27 cents.
- During the swinging '60s, it cost a little less than $1 to catch a flick.
- In the '80s, it cost about $4.00 to go to a movie.
- In the 2000s it cost around $10 to go to a film.
- In 2020, it now costs between $11 -$17.
Movie Theater History - Did U Know?
- While the first air-conditioned movie theater was built way back in 1922, the first cup holders didn't make it into cinemas until AMC Theaters introduced them in 1981.
- The first shopping mall multiplex was built in 1963. It had two screens and sat 700 people.
- New Jersey was home to the very first drive-in theater, which was built in 1933. The drive-in peaked in popularity in the '50s and '60s but there are now less than 1000 of them left in North America.
