Maggie Valentine

I have been researching the history of my Utah town's small, historic theater (built in 1927) for the past year, and this book provided me with a wealth of information about the evolution of American movie theaters that has given more context to my research. I have no background in architecture other than a general interest and appreciation. I found the author's writing clear, accessible, and fascinating to read as a narrative history.

It was not dry, filled with jargon, or dumbed-down like some other theater/cinema history books I've come across.

I had no idea who S. Charles Lee was before I picked up this book, but don't be mislead to think this is strictly a biography. The author masterfully weaves Lee's personal and professional history into the history and social importance of movie theaters from 19th century penny arcades to modern multiplexes. Lee's high-quality work parallels the development of theater architecture over time and so it works very well to use his photos and architectural renderings as examples. There are a lot of really great historical images included in this book that make it worth purchasing even if you don't want to read about them.

My only complaint is that this book was published in 1994 and doesn't give any insight into the present-day concerns of movie theaters. That's not really a complaint so much as a request for a revised edition!… (plus d'informations)