Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace

Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace is a captivating documentary film released in 2019, narrating the fascinating history of the iconic movie palaces of the United States. The movie includes engrossing interviews with historians, architects, preservationists, and theater owners, each bringing important insights into the legendary culture of movie palaces. The narrative is beautifully woven by renowned personalities such as Richard L. Fosbrink, Bob Boin, and Jerald Gray.

Director April Wright has elegantly presented this documentary, carefully mirroring the grandeur and glamour of the once prevalent movie theaters. It ventures into an era where a night at the movies was a significant event, a sensory feast where films were presented in grandiose edifices resplendent with culture, history, and architecture.

Richard L. Fosbrink, one of the principal figures in the movie, is the Executive Director of the Theatre Historical Society of America. Fosbrink's penetrating understanding of the architecture, development, and cultural significance of the movie palaces of America brings a profound depth to the narrative. He helps to illuminate the marked architectural styles and symbols carried by these palaces, reflecting the high point of luxuriousness and opulence of the early 20th century in America.

Bob Boin, architect and preservation consultant, another potent figure in the movie, provides insights into the technical aspects of these structures. Boin presents the intricate details, skillful craftsmanship, and architectural marvels of these palaces. His experience in the field helps to understand the metamorphosis of these structures over time, from ornate theaters of the Vaudeville age to the advanced cinemas of today.

Jerald Gray, an enthusiastic movie palace preservationist, adds a compelling humanitarian touch to the narrative. Gray's narrative brings us closer to the communities attached to these theaters. He adds layer upon layer to the perception of movie palaces, not just as architectural marvels, but as social centers and hubs of community life that foster a profound sense of belonging and collective identity.

The documentary makes an engaging use of archival photos, vintage footage, and contemporary interviews to paint an authentic picture of the era. It meticulously explains the evolution of movie culture in America. It depicts how movie theaters were once the center of fashion, society, and entertainment, describing their significance in American life, from the days when silent films were the rage, through the bloom of talkies, up to the dawning of the multiplex culture.

It also ventures into the darker times when television's advent threatened the existence of these colossal elements. The decline of the downtowns and the rise of suburban culture also played their part in the dwindling fortune of the movie palaces.

However, rather than just focusing on the downfall, the documentary also highlights the efforts and endeavors made by various groups and individuals for the preservation and renovation of these opulent structures. It shows how these groups' passion, commitment, and relentless work have led to the revival of many of these architectural wonders. They have managed not only to restore their physical structures but have reinvented them as performing arts centers, special-purpose cinemas, and community centers, ensuring that the grandeur lives on.

The movie astutely juxtaposes the spectacular grandeur of the movie palaces against the stripped-down, utilitarian aesthetics of contemporary multiplexes. It prompts viewers to ask whether we have lost more than just architectural beauty in the shift towards functional efficiency.

Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace is a nostalgic journey down the memory lane of American cinematic history, highlighting the legacy of the opulent movie palaces. It eloquently speaks to the significance of preservation and the interplay of architecture, cinema, and society. It offers a deeply moving experience for cinephiles, architects, historians, and anyone fascinated by America's rich cultural and architectural heritage.

Through this movie, we are not just understanding the history but admiring the facets of these movie palaces that carry forward the societal aspects, architectural brilliance, and cultural diversities. Their story functions as a mirror reflecting American popular culture, societal changes, and architectural evolution. Packed with beautiful imagery, arresting insights, and effusive passion, Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace celebrates the glory, grandeur, and enduring allure of America's historic cinemas.