In his Oscars battle cry Anora director Sean Baker called for cinemas to be saved as a ‘vital part of our culture’. Once on every high street, the local picture house/fleapit/movie theatre has buckled under pressure from VHS, malls, developers and streaming, their stories reflecting that of 20th and 21st century culture. But as physical media continues to be re-embraced and we return to that special communal theatrical experience post-Covid, the churches where we worship movies should have their moment in the spotlight.
In my new book, Silver Screens, I chose a hundred picture palaces with tales as compelling as any of the blockbusters they screen; architecturally magnificent, historical footnotes, famous haunts, world firsts and, more often than not, kept running by the passion of movie fans (Quentin Tarantino among them). Here’s 10 that are worth the price of the movie ticket alone, regardless of how good the show is…
The one to visit... for the Hollywood lore
The Chinese Theatre, LA
Probably the most recognisable cinema in the world, this 1928-built ‘atmospheric’ has been in almost as many movies as it’s shown. Four million fans a year visit for the Hollywood location on the Walk of Fame, famous footprints in the cement outside, film ephemera indoors and the state-of-the-art sound and projection. Iconic.
The one to visit... to feel like a king
The Circuit Playhouse, Memphis
This humble Overton Square theatre was a favourite of Elvis Presley, who used to enjoy nocturnal movie marathons with his so-called ‘Memphis Mafia’, flying in new reels from LA and sitting in row E (of course). The theatre has been reconfigured but EP’s seat now sits in the lobby for photos.
The one to visit... for the spicy popcorn
Cineteca Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico’s national film archive was nearly destroyed by a 1982 fire and this modern campus with a perforated floating canopy rose from the ashes. Boasting a diverse programme and vast film collection, the Cineteca caters to all tastes – not least in snacks. Have your popcorn with butter and jalapeno or your papas horneatas loaded with toppings with a kick before seeing something to challenge your palate.
The one to visit... if you don’t want to leave the car
Shankweiler’s Drive in, Pennsylvania
The oldest surviving drive-in in the States was once one of thousands dotting the country at the height of the fifties car boom, now it’s a delightful time capsule. With its retro snacks, jump-leads at the concession stand and stars above as well as on screen, Shankweiler’s has modern projection and old-fashioned charm.
The one to visit... for rock ‘n’ roll vibes
Olympic Studios, London
A who’s who of music legends have recorded in this 1906 building in Barnes; Hendrix, The Beatles, The Stones, Bowie, Zeppelin, The Who… Lennon’s Rolls-Royce used to be parked outside whether he was working or not, such was the creative lure of the place. Of course the sound system is exemplary – and there’s still a studio on site.
The one to visit... to see where it all started
The Eden Theatre, La Ciotat, France
The Lumiére Brothers invented their game-changing Cinématographe gadget and filmed many of their pioneering movies in La Ciotat in 1896, where a former music hall belonging to a family friend became their cinema. The dinky place still shows films and has a replica Cinématographe 130 years later.
The one to visit... in the Guinness World Records
Cinema Dei Piccoli, Rome
The smallest cinema in the world according to Guinness, this 1934 cutie in the gardens of the Eternal City’s Villa Borghese started as a kids cartoon venue and now offers a diverse daily programme. Movie nerds can take in works of art by Caravaggio or Bernini at the villa, and the seventh art under the Roman pines.
The one to visit... for bookworms
Giunti Odeon, Florence
A 15th century palazzo-turned-theatre-turned-cinema in the ‘cradle of the Renaissance’ now celebrates escapism on the page and screen. 25,000 books crowd the stalls area while classic films play during the day, new releases show in the evening. Flick through a tome before taking in a flick. Bellissimo!
The one to visit... if you’re evading the cops
The Texas Theatre, Dallas
This single-screener is the place where Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested in 1963 for the assassination of President John F Kennedy just three miles away. He’s not the only famous perp caught at the flicks, gangster John Dillinger was killed by FBI agents outside Chicago’s Biograph in 1934 after watching Manhattan Melodrama.
The one to visit... for instagram
Beta Cinema, Ho Chi Minh City
Though phones are discouraged in the theatre it’s understood you’d want to snap content in this pastel-hued beauty that looks like a Wes Anderson palette. Devised to evoke the architecture and colours of the city without resorting to cliche, the Beta is like walking into a film set before the titles roll.
Silver Screens by Jane Crowther (Pavilion) is out now in hardback. Buy a copy here.