Renovation of Oriental Theater marks return of classic movie palace to Milwaukee

 

It offers a cinematic experience unlike any other in the area.  The Oriental Theater is the cornerstone of Milwaukee's theater and film history.   The historic crown jewel on the east side reopened recently after a 6-week renovation and reclaims its place as one of the few remaining movie palaces left in the Midwest.

On CBS 58 Sunday Morning, Emily Thornton toured the 91-year old theater with Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece a film historian and author of the forthcoming book Optical Vacuum: Spectatorship and Modernized American Theater Architecture, for a discussion on how theater design affects moviegoers’ behavior and perception of the films they watch.

Click here for a link to purchase Szczepaniak-Gillece's book, Optical Vacuum: Spectatorship and Modernized American Theater Architecture.