008 Birth of the Multiplex Pt. 2

Picking up where we left off with Part 1 of the Birth of the Multiplex (so listen to that one first for the full timeline), we explore in more detail the evolution of the multiplex.  After the success of Stanley Durwood's Parkway Twin in the early 1960's, he kept innovating and improving the theatrical experience.  As his competitors caught on to this theatrical improvement and the multiplex environment spread, we see the downfall in quality of the actual theatrical experience.  Cinder block walls, poor audio, dim projection and the quick construction of multiplexes were in direct contrast to the motion picture palaces of the teens and 20's.  

Theatrical technology would eventually catch up and multiplexes would start using xenon bulbs, platter projection systems and Dolby noise reduction just in time for the birth of the blockbuster films of the mid to late 1970's.  Eventually, Lucasfilm's THX and Sony's Dynamic Digital Sound (DDS) would compete with each other (to the benefit of the audience) to not only improve audio but show off what a great sound system could do in a theatrical setting.  

The multiplex was and is a business idea that just made sense.  In 1971, the United States had roughly 14,000 movie screens.  By 2015, the United States had a total of 40,547 screens. 

Picking up where we left off with Part 1 of the Birth of the Multiplex (so listen to that one first for the full timeline), we explore in more detail the evolution of the multiplex.  After the success of Stanley Durwood’s Parkway Twin in the early 1960’s, he kept innovating and improving the theatrical experience.  As his competitors caught on to this theatrical improvement and the multiplex environment spread, we see the downfall in quality of the actual theatrical experience.  Cinder block walls, poor audio, dim projection and the quick construction of multiplexes were in direct contrast to the motion picture palaces of the teens and 20’s.

Theatrical technology would eventually catch up and multiplexes would start using xenon bulbs, platter projection systems and Dolby noise reduction just in time for the birth of the blockbuster films of the mid to late 1970’s.  Eventually, Lucasfilm’s THX and Sony’s Dynamic Digital Sound (DDS) would compete with each other (to the benefit of the audience) to not only improve audio but show off what a great sound system could do in a theatrical setting.

The multiplex was and is a business idea that just made sense.  In 1971, the United States had roughly 14,000 movie screens.  By 2015, the United States had a total of 40,547 screens.