Customer Reviews

Lone Star Picture Shows (Sam Rayburn Series on Rural Life, sponsored by Texas A&M University-Commerce)

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To attract movie-goers during the "golden age" of movie theaters throughout the early decades of the 20th century, the movie theater industry in Texas built many of their theaters as palatial buildings complete with smoking rooms, nurseries, and even "love seats" for couples. When money was tight during the years of the Great Depression Texas movie house operators lured audiences with free dishes and accepted canned goods in lieu of money for tickets. Then came the great and novel draw of "air conditioning" to lure theater patrons during the scorching Texas summers. All of this and more is ably showcased in Lone Star Picture Shows, Richard Schroeder's meticulously researched, splendidly written, and wonderfully illustrated history. Highly recommended reading for students of American popular culture, as well as nostalgic movie buffs.

This photo book is for a select audience due to its limited subject matter. If, however, you are interested in old movie theaters in Texas from days long, long gone by, this book should satisfy you. I liked it.