What you did not know about movie theatres and probably don’t care to know.
Within 5 years, the mechanical engineer, Willis Carrier, founder of now Carrier Global, installed 300 units in theaters across the country. Carrier’s innovative technology can be credited for the term “summer blockbuster” because without the A/C there would have been no one in the theaters.
For many, the theater is where they experienced comfort cooling / air conditioning for the first time.
Early movie theaters began as vaudeville palaces. The Lincoln Theatre. Opened in 1916 as a vaudeville theatre. It had a 20ft x 24ft stage, 18 sets of lines and two dressing rooms. By 1921 it was operated as an African-American movie & vaudeville theatre, operated by the Bijou Amusement Company. It went over to screening adult movies as the Texas Art Cinema in its final days. It closed in 1971. It was taken over by McLendon Theatres and reopened as the Majestic Theatre on June 23, 1972 with Gene Hackman in “The French Connection”.
It was demolished in 1977 and the site became a parking lot for the Houston Chronicle.
The Isis Theater was the first small silent movie theater in Houston located at 1012 Prairie in between Main Street and Fannin Street, diagonally across from the Rice Hotel.
The Metropolitan Theater, pictured here in 1935, was one of the grandest movie houses built in downtown Houston and was located at 1018 Main St.
Early on in movie theatre history snacks and drinks were not allowed in the theater. Even before the talkies the theaters went for strict silence in the audience.
“talkies,” or films with dialogue, debuted in 1927 with “The Jazz Singer,” the very first full-length film to include synchronized dialogue (per Britannica). By the 1930s, according to Kodak, silent films were a thing of the past. With dialogue now a part of Hollywood, movie theaters began to ease on their snack ban. Vendors initially sold the traditional cinema fare to movie-goers as they entered before theaters picked up on selling popcorn themselves
River Oaks Theatre 2009 W. Gray Street, Houston, TX 77019 Wait! Is it a theater, theatre, cinema or what?
A movie theater might also be referred to as a movie house, film house, film theater, cinema or picture house. In the US, theater has long been the preferred spelling, while in the UK, Australia, Canada and elsewhere it is theatre.
However, some US theaters opt to use the British spelling in their own names, a practice supported by the National Association of Theatre Owners, while apart from Anglophone North America most English-speaking countries use the term cinema /ˈsɪnɪmə/, alternatively spelled and pronounced kinema /ˈkɪnɪmə/.
The Kirby Theatre at 911 Main St. opened in August 1927.
You ever notice in the old theatres there is always a single light bulb left on during the movie? It is called a ghost bulb or light. The ghost light has many reasons. It is said that every theater has a ghost. The ghost light provides light at night for any spirits to be able to see and even “perform” or dance on the stage. It sounds spooky or creepy, but many have stories to share about it, and sightings of these spirits have allegedly happened. The more logical reason as to why we light this at night is because it’s there in case someone is in the theater working late.
The Fulton Theater at 3310 Fulton St is shown in this photo.
Movie theatres make most of their profit from concessions. According to a recent report, the cost of a movie ticket in the United States has seen an increase over the years. In 2022, the average ticket price reached 10.53 U.S. dollars, Studios take the lion’s share of a flick’s revenue — somewhere between 80% and 100% — for the first two weeks of release. Theaters take more of a cut after those two weeks but it’s not their prime source of revenue. Concessions are. They constitute around 85% of the profits for a theater. Everything from popcorn and soda to candy is marked hundreds of percent. In the case of popcorn specifically, that markup is in the area of 1,275%.
Insiders hint. Do not buy popcorn if you are an early arriver. Many theaters will pop several garbage bags full to fet a start on the work day. Your fresh popcorn just might be 20 hours old.
Davis Mountains
Wonder what the theme of The Oscars is tonight…
I figure Altuve will play a couple more trips and retire as arguably the most beloved Houston sports icon of all time.
Altuve had a replay-worthy catch in Left field in yesterday’s game.
Gearhead porn. V-12 Honda CBX
Malone’s Sunday Strip.
I like Z as toast.
This is amazing; minimizing the danger zone during demolition and quite the consideration for one’s fellow man. Dust and noise is contained within the building envelope by demolition floor by floor starting under the roof.
Everything is reduced in size during demo, so no oversize trucks needed to remove – just lots of trips. Probably not the cheapest way to do something; unless all the concrete was going to immediate recycling.
If that doomsday scenario did ever come true and London or New York found themselves in Putin’s crosshairs, exactly how would Russia attack? What would we do to defend ourselves? And what advice would we, the public, be given should a nuke land on Western soil? Read our DEEP DIVE to find out…
Step by step, how Russia could unleash hell on the West
USES the scroll wheel
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14421247/DEEP-DIVE-Putin-nuke-WW3.html
The American media is sure to begin broadcasting an endless parade of Palestinians sitting in the rubble begging for food & medicine since the 250 aid trucks have stopped pouring into Gaza from Israel. They have come 7 days a week, 52 weeks per year since October 7th, 2023. When you see this theatrical fraud, remember to go here and, if you want, refresh others about the true Gaza food supplies.
Imshin on X is dedicated to reposting Palestinian social media videos to X in order to add some reality to what is happening.
Well I took half of one of my muscle relaxants so I could get some sleep last night, which worked. I just got back from mass, and I wish I had taken the other half before I left this morning. Even my Latin teacher said it look like I was in pain during the service. Anyway I’m home now, took the other half of my pill, and that means I may be sacking out here in a bit. It sucks to get old.
bondo and kash laid a big egg on the Epstein files release being covered up by the fib.
jfk. Same thing.
is bondo destined to become the next Jeff sessions? I will recuse myself and take a nap in my office until I get fired.
what was it the dizzy Crawford cowboy dunce once said?
’fool me once shame on me, fool me twice, won’t get fooled again.’
bonecrusher
I know a guy that can make you one of these
Huge arms shipments on their way to Israel Secretary of State Rubio signed an order defining the upcoming arms deal with Israel as one that arises from an emergency involving US security interests – which means that the administration is thus skipping the cumbersome approval procedures in Congress. So what’s on the way? 35,500 MK-84 and BLU-110 heavy bombs, not specifying how many of each type. MK-84 is a heavy bomb weighing close to a ton (these are the bombs that Biden delayed at the time) and BLU-110 is a slightly more advanced version of it, with improved ability to… Read more »
I took a nap on my table yesterday and left my hearing aids in my shirt pocket. Wife did laundry today. Hearing aids go in the shop tomorrow.
Been dyin for chili. Found a can of HEB chili in the pantry. It’s only about 1% better than Wolf. Not recommended.
Eating canned chili.
Out of the pan.
With not-quite-stale saltines.
Must be a bachelor.
You can’t despise the American news media enough. The media breathlessly accused Trump of “setting up” Zelenskyy and being “disrespectful” to our ally over his perceived ingratitude. Turns out, Biden had his own issues with Zelenskyy’s lack of gratitude back in 2022.According to an NBC News report from October 2022, Biden lost his temper with Zelenskyy months earlier in a phone call when Zelenskyy asked for even more aid.“It’s become routine since Russia invaded Ukraine: President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak by phone whenever the U.S. announces a new package of military assistance for Kyiv,” the report began. “But… Read more »
I’ve read at least three reviews of this movie and each one couldn’t praise it enough. Fehlbaum’s September 5 is a claustrophobic newsroom thriller. The film compresses the 22-hour-long ordeal into a taut, gripping 94 minutes. It not only chronicles an early terrorist milestone, but also explores with skill and subtlety the strengths and failures of broadcast journalism, the still evolving ethics of TV news, and the beginning of a new, harsher era of mass media. and, The film opens in ABC’s control room in Munich’s media village with a sense of fatigue. The head of ABC sports, Roone Arledge, (Peter Sarsgaard,… Read more »
😉
Meanwhile, I bring you this story to assure you our streets are once again safe from wicked debauchery. The accurately named Soon Bang is now in custody. DENVILLE, NJ — The owner of a Morris County-based massage parlor was slammed with prostitution charges last week, authorities said.Soon Y. Bang, 63, of Fairview, the owner of Oasis Spa at 3108 Route 10 West, was arrested and accused of promoting prostitution at the business and profiting from the sex acts performed there, officials said.Yushun Li, 67, of Flushing, New York, an employee at the parlor, was also arrested and accused of engaging… Read more »
There are a couple of smart guys out there who have stated they believe Zelensky preplanned the whole debacle at the White House. Perhaps, but he couldn’t have known how Trump and Vance would react. He only had half the script. I’m not sure what he thinks will happen now. Does Zelensky actually think the US is going to come crawling back after this drama ? He met with the UK’s Keir Starmer and got a check for a tiny fraction of what we pay. This is a very good, brief description of Zelensky’s position or trap, depending on your… Read more »
We have clear, blue skies, but it’s 23 here and topping out at 33. We’ll be in the mid-50s by Tuesday.
My grandson is in the first grade in a small town public school. I wish he didn’t have to go there, but I’m not convinced private schools are any better these days. Texas middle schoolers passed around a shared needle and participated in mass tattooing sessions in classrooms while their oblivious teachers carried on with their lessons, leaving parents outraged — and worried this week. The youngsters reportedly used temporary ink to carve one another’s bodies with the shared needle Tuesday, officials said, igniting concerns that they may have also injected themselves with disease. “How is it that these kids are getting… Read more »
Kinda’ quiet here this morning and what a fine morning it is, stared off on the cool side but warming up fast. I just put a beef roast in the Crock Pot and I am now fixing breakfast. My wife is having her coffee out on the front porch and gabbing on the phone.
SO! Mornin’ Gang
Next year Texas will be 190 years old and the United States of America will be 250 years old. There will be lots of celebrating going on.
Texas
Happy Independence Day, Texans.
God bless Texas.
Well, I managed to attend the prayer workshop and only almost fell asleep once, during the very quiet guided meditation part. Came home and crashed for a few hours. Just finished eating and now we’re watching episode one of the current season of Reacher with Hubby. Still dang tahrred, but if I slept much longer I’d have another sleepless night. I was helping the speaker at his book table during a break, and shared a story with him about another book that he’d mentioned to an attendee: Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic. Cracked him up and he liked the story… Read more »
My favorite:
The Texas Legislature is in session and the Universities are running scared.
A&M System bans Trannie Shows from its 11 campuses.
“I did not ask for place or position, and was entirely without influence or the acquaintance of persons of influence, but was resolved to perform my part in a struggle threatening the very existence of the nation. I performed a conscientious duty, without asking promotion or command, and without a revengeful feeling toward any section or individual. Notwithstanding this, throughout the war, and from my candidacy for my present office in 1868 to the close of the last Presidential campaign, I have been the subject of abuse and slander scarcely ever equaled in political history, which to-day I feel that… Read more »
Here’s a blast from the past theatre pic fer all you hoser out there in hoserland.
Started out at sunup with a chilly 55 that has made it to 75. Seems to be a good start for outdoors stuff with high clouds and light breezes. And now to read the Chron for more info on items the TV folk had on last night at 10. Please, no disasters today.
To save money on groceries I tried using the smaller cart.
Didn’t work.
I saw Star Wars at a German drive in when it came out, dubbed in German of course. After 3 Parkbraus who cared what language they spoke.
I went to a drive in theater (Autokino) in Kaiserlautern Germany (1970s). Tuesday nights were set aside for Americans. The. movie was still German language but the concession fare was geared towards Americans. Corn is considered cattle feed so popcorn was a rare treat on Tuesday.
So once again Texas house republicant’s have no power in the Texas house.
oh give me a home
cuz I’ll never own my home
and property tax are due all day
where seldom is heard
an encouraging word
and the state wants to take your home away
tax tax me away
where republicant’s are sad sacks all day
they get eee-lect-ted
then can’t do a thing
as useless as dried up
Texas springs
The Thunderbird Drive-In out on Clay Road was the site of a lot of questionable activities when I was a kid. We would go in a pickup, park it backwards, set up lawn chairs in the bed and have a cooler with beer under a tarp. We had to buy one round of soft drinks to get the cups for the beer. There were always sheriff deputies snooping around. Tuesday nights in the summer was $2 carload night, but 6 people was the limit. One time a friend borrowed this old 1950s Buick sedan and I think we had 6… Read more »
But Wife 1.0 and I did have some inspired sweaty nights at the Starlite Drive-in in Brenham on 290.
I believe the Thunderbird Drive-in was closed by the time I got a car. Not sure.
I was living in Bellville by then anyway.
the speech starts about the 0:40 mark.
how many are John Candy in this group?:)
Elizabeth Fauxcahontas Warren, Chris Dodd and Barney Franks did not let a crisis go to waste back in the economic meltdown of 2008-2009. Amidst the panic and hysteria, with Obama’s assistance, they managed to get the Dodd/Frank bill passed that created one of the worst government agencies ever – the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. Warren, of course, was appointed to run it as a stepping stone into the US Senate. It’s a useless agency and it has long been argued it is unconstitutional. Now we can get rid of it ! Hallelujah…hallelujah ! The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Trump-appointed leadership plans… Read more »
For the record I was never seen at Red Bluff Drive-In.
Squawk, great O.C. Piece. And Texpat mentioned one of my favorite movies “Hatari” with John Wayne and Elsa Martinelli. Yes she was HOT! Washing the baby elephant.
It’s Saturday AND the first day of March! I can’t wait for those 98 degree days! NO, really, it beats the HELL out of 14! Yes we had 14 one morning and I couldn’t pee until about noon. 😀
Mornin’ Gang
SQK
I enjoyed the theater piece.
I was glad to see that one Houston theater was left out. Because – over the years – I have been working on a piece about one of my favorite theaters for the blog.
One of these days I’m going to finish it.
This Wall Street Journal column on Kash Patel is a good example of how the creation of journalism departments on college campuses in America ruined the profession. Traditionally, young men started out as stringers, couriers or errand boys in newsrooms. If they had talent they eventually worked their way into a reporting job. It was an apprentice based education run by real reporters, not hyper-educated, overly credentialed academics. The editorial board of WSJ and its reporting staff are two very different beasts. The reporters are often as biased as any schmuck from the NYT down the street. He was planning… Read more »
98% of its gross income is from the federal government ?!?!! I wonder how much we have doled out to these people since WWII ? If they’re such a great consulting firm, why is our federal government in such a mess ? The venerable Washington, D.C., area firm works on projects across the U.S. government. It operates a website visitors use to reserve campsites at national parks. It is modernizing healthcare records for veterans, beefing up technology at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and rolling out a suite of artificial-intelligence and cybersecurity tools across the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. A memo… Read more »
All the many times I have traveled overseas the first thing I craved coming out of the airport was a genuine American hamburger. You cannot buy one for love or money anywhere but the USA. Many nations try, but they just can’t get it right.
Up early after only a few hours’ sleep. I have this prayer workshop today, and I think that staying awake will be a real challenge.