A Cultural and Communal Icon
Movie theaters have been a part of American and world history nearly since the invention of the film camera. The movie craze took off in the 1920s, when decadent “movie palaces” were built for growing crowds. In some parts of the world these opulent theaters still remain, intact and not; refurbished or renovated; old or crumbling; still surviving or part of distant memory.
But how do we begin to understand the role of small-town and independent movie theaters in the U.S., and their place in our societies and communities?
Is it possible to understand why some of these historic icons have survived and thrived, and why others have been closed or demolished entirely?
Furthermore, can a local example of a small-town theater be studied and used in order to exemplify this phenomena?
Independent Theaters in Scholarship and the Legal System
Independent movie theaters have been only a small topic of conversation in both the academic world and the legal world. There is scholarship surrounding small-town film culture in the United States, and in places abroad such as Europe, but the examples are few and far between.
Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley’s book entitled Hollywood in the Neighborhood: Historical Case Studies of Local Moviegoing provides an excellent overview of real-life experiences of independent theaters in their respective communities in the United States. In addition, Cinema Beyond the City: Small-Town & Rural Film Culture in Europe, edited by Judith Thissen and Clemens Zimmerman, gives readers a glimpse into the same phenomena in Europe.
In addition, theater advocacy groups and organizations have sprung up over the years, such as the Independent Cinema Alliance (ICA). As stated on their website, “The ICA is a trade association dedicated to the empowerment of independent movie theater owners and operators in North America. Established by independents for independents, we are leading the charge to champion the importance of independent cinemas to a dynamic and vibrant motion picture industry.”
The ICA has written legal comments defending the status of independent theaters, exemplified in this 2018 document entitled “Comments of the Independent Cinema Alliance to the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division concerning the Paramount Consent Decrees,” in which they make the case for keeping the Paramount Consent Decrees in order to leave room for the little guys – the small-town theaters – in the world of film exhibition.
The Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, PA
Fondly considered the “grandest small-town theater in America,” the Majestic Theater resides in Gettysburg, PA, and adds to the town’s rich history regarding the Civil War and the Eisenhower presidency.
For this project, I will be using the Majestic Theater as a case study to show how independent theaters can impact their communities culturally, economically, and personally.
Many patrons, visitors, and fans consider the Majestic Theater to be a grand addition to the town, and they treasure its rich history since its opening way back in 1925. The video on the left will walk you through a bit of this history.
The timeline below will provide you with the context surrounding the Majestic in a series of brief historical events. Click the arrow on the right side of the timeline to begin.
Note: The newspaper articles in the timeline have been intentionally blurred due to copyright reasons.
