During the Depression, theatre attendence began to decline and several of the grandest palaces went bankrupt. In order to attract patrons, promotional ploys such as free giveaways of housewares or money were introduced. Concession stands were constructed in the lobbies and sales from these accounted for 45% of the total profits.

As the old palaces fell into disuse, many were forced to close their doors. Smaller neighborhood theatres appeared which in some ways were miniature versions of the palaces. The outdoor marquees remained ornate and gaudy and were still lit by neon. But inside, all of the old amenities had disappeared. Gone were the smoking lounges and powder room attendents, the ornate decor and palatial auditoriums.

Sadly, today most of the old palaces have been demolished to make way for parking lots and shopping malls.

However in recent years there has been a renewal of interest in restoring some of the remaining ones. Two of these are the Art Deco style Paramount Theatre in Oakland, California and the Egyptian in Los Angeles. Restorations on a smaller scale are taking place all over the country.

Motion pictures are an endlessly fascinating and enduring art form and despite the lack of grandeur in today's multiplex cinemas, plus the invention of the VCR, cable TV and DVD, theatre attendence is good. Hopefully movies and movie theatres will remain with us for generations to come.

Information gathered from "Nickelodeon To Picture Palace".