The Golden Age of Indianapolis Theaters [Hardcover]

Opening a window on a storied past, longtime Indianapolis television journalist and lifelong theatergoer Howard Caldwell presents the story of the magnificent theaters of Indianapolis. Caldwell shares with us the pleasure these majestic spaces brought to thousands of Hoosiers during their glory dayswhen an outing to the theater was a special event and film was still a marvel of technology. He discusses the roles played by the greatest stars of the day and relates the origins of Indys famous theaters: the Murat, the Circle, the Indiana, the English, and the Lyric, to name a few. Caldwell points out which theaters featured burlesque shows and vaudeville routines, explores the traditions of regional and national theater productions, notes when the first motion pictures and talkies came to town, and highlights old time musical reviews and symphonic performances. Vividly illustrated with rare photos and anecdotes, The Golden Age of Indianapolis Theaters celebrates the city's rich theater tradition.

Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments

1. Birth of a Theater Buff
2. Theater One and What Happened Before
3. A War's Effect and Another Theater Is Born
4. Theater Count Briefly Jumps to Three
5. English's Opera House and Its Impact
6. The 1890s and Its Seeds of Change
7. Theater Enhancement and the Gentle Intrusion of Moving Pictures
8. English's and the Grand Lead the Growing Theater Parade
9. The Shuberts Come to Town as the Theater Competition Grows
10. City's First Movie Palace Enhances Respectability of Going to the Movies
11. The 1920s and the Birth of New Challenges
12. The Silent Film Era's Finale
13. Sound Moves in with a Vengeance
14. The 1930s and Its Challenges
15. The 1930s and Its Challenges II
16. The Rest of the 1930s Survivors
17. The 1940s, al“.