Motion picture theatres from the silent era. Copyright © 1999-2025 by Carl Bennett and the Silent Era Company. All Rights Reserved.

This section documents motion picture theatres active in the silent era. To begin with, we principally focused on theatres operating as first-run houses in the top three markets of three western United States in 1925. There is more to come in the way of information on second-run houses in those markets, and on theaters located elsewhere in those states. Additional states and cities will be added as time permits, beginning with the most densely-populated markets, and other theatres in smaller cities as information comes in.

THIS SECTION IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT.
But you can help.

The information here focuses on motion picture theatres that were built and were in operation in the silent era. Each entry will, ideally, list the original theatre name, the original street address, the city of location, the original number of seats, photographs (from the silent era) of the theatre, plus additional information (when available) such as the original owners (individual or theatre chain), the theatre architect, notations of the type of musical accompaniment, theatre staff (in the silent era), whether the theatre building still exists, whether the theatre is still operating, other names for the theatre throughout the years, etc.

While there were thousands upon thousands of silent era theatres and not all of them can be documented, we would like to save as much information as possible for future reference. This is such a large undertaking that it will be impossible for individuals to gather enough information to be of value. If you have data on silent era theatres, especially photographs of theatres from the silent era, please consider contacting us.

Yes, I have information on silent era theatres!

Books of theatre-related interest:
The Chicago Movies Palaces of Balaban and Katz by David Balaban
Cinema Treasures: A New Look at Classic Movies Theaters by Ross Melnick and Andreas Fuchs
Cinemental Journeys: An Uncommon Road Trip to Classic Movie Theaters by Mike and Vicki Walker
Cleveland’s Playhouse Square by Patricia M. Mote
Detroit’s Downtown Movies Palaces by Michael Hauser and Marianne Weldon
Exhibition: The Film Reader edited by Ina Rae Hark
Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois: 1883-1960 by Konrad Schiecke
The Last Remaining Seats: Movie Palaces of Tinseltown by Robert Berger and Anne Conser
Motion Picture Exhibition in Baltimore: An Illustrated History and Directory of Theaters, 1895-2004 by Robert K. Headley
Moviegoing in America: A Sourcebook in the History of Film Exhibition edited by Gregory Walker
Movie Palaces: Survivors of an Elegant Era by Ave Pildas
Palaces of the Night: Canada’s Grand Theatres by John C. Lindsay
Philadelphia Theaters: A Pictorial Architectural History by Irvin R. Glazer
Shared Pleasures: A History of Movie Presentation in the United States by Douglas Gomery
Silent Screens: The Decline and Transformation of the American Movie Theater by Michael Putnam
Silver Screens: A Pictorial History of Milwaukee’s Movie Theaters by Larry Widen and Judi Anderson
South Jersey Movie Houses by Allen F. Hauss
Stepping Out in Cincinnati: Queen City Entertainment 1900-1960 by Allen J. Singer
Theatres by Craig Morrison
Theatres of Oakland by Jack Tillmany and Jennifer Dowling
Theatres of San Francisco by Jack Tillmany
Theatres of the San Francisco Peninsula by Jack Tillmany and Gary Lee Parks

These websites also document motion picture theatres active in the silent era, and detail more than a single theatre. Many of them contain far more information than we have been able to post here. Most, like the Silent Era website, are labors of love. We encourage you to visit these websites, and perhaps become involved in the restoration of a silent era theatre in your city.