Due to popular demand, this is a follow-up to the class offered last year.
American movie houses are some of the finest icons of a bygone age. We will continue to explore and examine movie houses throughout California, concentrating on theatres from the golden era of movies—1929 to 1950. We will look at theatres that were (and still are) architectural masterpieces, as well as small-town movie houses, and study their historical significance through vintage and recent photos that document this once-vibrant element of Americana. Theatres that are currently operating, as well as abandoned, converted and demolished houses, will also be discussed. This will be a highly interactive course where reminiscences and questions are encouraged as we study our shared past.