Author: Eric Grundhauser / Source: Atlas Obscura
The heyday of the classic movie palace might feel like the distant past, but in cities and towns across the U.S., vintage marquees can still be found clinging to the sides of buildings. Some are in use at surviving theaters, while others sit abandoned or ignored, waiting to be restored.
Recently we asked Atlas Obscura readers to send us pictures of their favorite historic marquees, and we received an incredible selection of beautiful neon-and-bulb landmarks.Many of the marquees our readers sent in are still in use at working historic cinema or theater spaces, though some have clearly fallen into disrepair. But no matter what state they’re in today, the lavish designs of classic marquees remain as charming as ever.
Scroll through below to see some of our favorite reader-submitted marquees!
Arlene Schnitzer Hall
“We saw Bob Marley play there in the 1970s. It has a beautiful marquee and marvelous art deco interior, complete with enormous chandeliers.” — Ann Taguchi, Beaverton, Oregon
The Will Rogers Theatre
“My father-in-law Dan is 77, and as a little boy, he would frequent the theater with his Uncle Dewey. It has been in disrepair for a very long time though there have been several efforts to restore it.” — Bethanny Charleston, Illinois
ART Theater
“The ART theater became a cooperative while I was a graduate student. I was always proud to see a movie in the theater I owned (a fraction of).
” — Brion Woroch, New Jersey
Twin City Drive-In
“The sign is one of the most direct forms of advertising you will see. You might say it is to-the-point, or blunt, which is appropriate for its location in Blountville. Directness is generally a characteristic for the Southern Appalachian cultural region. The marquee only says, ‘NOW SHOWING,’ with a big, lighted arrow. Nothing else to identify it.” — Casey Brown, Asheville, North Carolina
The Mayan Theater
“The marquee at the Mayan is my favorite because it’s so bright and beautiful. It’s impressive any time of day, but my favorite is going into a movie while the sun’s still up and coming out in the dark to the Mayan’s grandly lit marquee. It always seems to transport me back in time every time I see it. The inside is also a feast for the eyes, amazingly decorated with Mayan figures and faces. It was built in 1930 and was set to be demolished in 1984. But a quick acting, quick thinking group of concerned citizens (The Friends of the Mayan) worked tirelessly for 90 days to ensure its spot on the Historic Landmark List. It has since been renovated and is a gem of a theater on South Broadway in Denver today! It’s a great spot for indie flicks that I can’t seem to find playing anywhere else, as well as old classics. I have so many memories there and plan to keep going almost every weekend! ” — Christine Watson, Denver, Colorado
Bluebird Theater
“It’s a beautiful example of a neon marquee on a street known for its vintage neon signs. I’ve seen many great concerts here, and the feeling of walking under this spectacular marquee as you enter the doors is truly special.” — Corky Scholl, Denver, Colorado
The Iowa Theater
“The Iowa’s marquee is the quintessential small town sign. Situated in the center of town, the brightly lit marquee faces the town’s beautiful City Hall, and can be seen from around the entire square. My wife and I traveled four hours simply to visit and photograph this theater. It is truly a remarkable place.” — David Leonhardt, Robbinsdale, Minnesota
Fargo Theatre
Submitted by Gary Ball-Kilbourne, Fargo, North Dakota
The Palace Theatre
“Recently restored, this double exposure was taken on one of DTLA’s now annual ‘Night on Broadway’ events where downtown opens up its historic theaters to the public.” — Haley Stoessl, Los Angeles, California
The Oaks Theater
“This beautiful, nearly 100-year-old theater is still in operation. My sister owns it and has preserved it. Now hosting movies, live acts, and bingo/trivia games. It is a community asset.” — Janet Burkardt, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Naro Cinema
“Many locals in Norfolk, Virginia have a family tradition of seeing a double feature of It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story during the holidays. The Naro Cinema is an independent art-house theater which shows a mix of indies, oldies, and foreign movies. They have also been showing Rocky Horror live continuously on Saturday nights since 1978.” — Jeff Frith, Norfolk, Virginia
The Rialto Theatre
“Original marquee since 1942.” — Jennifer Love Raleigh, North Carolina
Castro Theatre
“So many movies, so many different titles, so many opportunities.” — Jim R. Feliciano, San Francisco, California
Apollo Theater
“The Apollo started out life as Apollo Hall in 1883 as a community civic center, opera hall, and vaudeville stage. In 1930 it was purchased and converted into a movie house by Miles Fox, father of world-famous organist Virgil Fox (a Princeton native), who used the hall to practice in. Movie actor Richard Widmark (another Princeton native) worked there for a short time. It’s a wonderful, quaint hometown theater that I spent many a happy year in, lost in fantasy land.” — John Purvis, Princeton, Illinois
Chicago Theatre
“I love that this is a vertical marquee.” — Joseph Kerski, Broomfield, Colorado
The Rheem Theater
“Somehow even after several closings, this theater has managed to reopen, with community support, in our small town of Moraga, nestled in the East Bay hills in the San Francisco Bay Area. This theater has special nostalgia for our family, we had our daughter’s bat mitzvah reception here. The theme was movies and we rented a red carpet for our guests to walk. They even put her name up on the marquee.” — Justine Weinberg, Moraga, California
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