Boston's Downtown Movie Palaces

Since the late 1800s, Boston has been a trendsetter in the development of the movie business. It was here that many of the earliest public showings of moving images took place and the name nickelodeon first appeared on a storefront theater. In 1896, B.F. Keith added film to his Washington Street theater, then throughout his national chain of vaudeville houses. In 1914, Boston's Modern became the country's first theater with an installed sound projection system. Several years later, the city had its first movie palace: Marcus Loew's Orpheum. A magnet for theater architects, Boston became a center for elegant movie houses, including the Metropolitan, Keith Memorial, and Paramount. Thanks to civic leaders and academic institutions, many of Boston's theaters have been preserved and restored and are alive and well today.

Through compelling images and fascinating stories, Arthur Singer and Ron Goodman take the reader through decades of Boston moviegoing, bringing back memories of double features, kiddie shows, newsreels, world premieres, and the luxury and sheer enjoyment of "going out to the movies." Singer is a veteran broadcaster and author. Goodman is a writer, published photographer, and college teacher. Both were raised and educated in Greater Boston and are current residents.