Customer Reviews

Twin Cities Picture Show: A Century of Moviegoing

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Picked this up on a whim at a local book store; after reading this gem I certainly don't regret the purchase! Author Dave Kenney has pieced together what amounts to a relatively-unknown story of the moving picture show in Minnesota's metro area.

Using a collection of periodical clippings and other material that had, until recently, been stowed away in the back rooms of the Minnesota Historical Society, the author constructs a surprisingly detailed time line of the cities' theatre history from the advent of commercial film itself in the 1890s, right on up to the turn of the 21st century. From the downtown palaces of the 1920s, to the stadium seating of today's megaplexes, Kenney not only chronicles the rise and fall of several cinematic eras, but also gives a glimpse into the lives of the people who brought them to life. One especially appreciated aspect of the book are the dozens of "Feature Presentation" insets that provide a full profile of notable theatres around the metro, such as the Uptown, the Riverview, the two Shuberts, or even such oddities like the short-lived Jerry Lewis Cinema. The social effects of the movie business, and other associated Hollywood glamor, on Twin Citians is touched on throughout each decade.

Kenney paints a genuinely interesting historical picture with lively prose and a more casual narrative method. The book generally has a good flow to it as a result. The only shortfall, in my opinion, is that some sections are slightly disjointed. It's very apparent that the author used salvaged media clippings as his primary source when one historical anecdote will stop quite suddenly, and another completely unrelated story will follow; Kenney simply didn't have enough information to fill the gaps. One example is a reprinted 1923 letter from the St. Paul Society for Prevention of Cruelty detailing the objection to the use of animals as a promotional tactic. No intro, no follow-up, just the reprinted letter, out of the blue - followed immediately after by a detailed story of racism issues in certain St. Paul theatres. Random inserts like this, though they seldom occur, are a bit jarring, to say the least!

"Picture Show" has helped me to see my hometown's theatrical variety in a new light. I have an irresistible impulse to seek out the theatres he highlit and buy a ticket to their current offerings - more as an excuse to examine their amenities and absorb their history. I highly recommend this title to all movie buffs - especially if you're a native Twin Citian!