The movie house is an integral part of the physical and cultural American landscape. From the modest nickelodeons of the early twentieth century to the audacious palaces of the 1920s to the mighty megaplexes of today, changes in theatre design over the last 100 years coincide with America’s understanding of entertainment and how it is delivered. A comprehensive look at the movie houses of one large American city can reveal much about motion picture exhibition in the country as a whole. This book covering the city of Baltimore offers such revelations, as well as fascinating details on a local level.

Part I is a narrative history of the motion picture exhibition business and the moviegoing experience in Baltimore from 1895 to the present. Part II lists theatres alphabetically and describes them in sumptuous detail. Appendices offer a list of the theatres by street address; a roster of the architects; some comments on theatre architecture in general; and a discussion of theatre personnel. A bibliography completes the work.