This book explores the potential of U.S. movie theaters as an important national asset. Each of the 4,000 movie palaces constructed during Hollywood's Golden Age, as well as the countless smaller theaters modeled after the grander showcases, has a role to play in the life of today's cities. The first section of the book explores the social and economic history of the movie palace and the significance of the building phenomenon. Subjects such as the development of moving pictures, the marketing of them to the public, and the architectural style of movie palaces are examined. The leading theater architects are identified, and the decline of the large downtown theaters following World War II is discussed. The second part of the book consists of case studies, drawn from projects nationwide, which reflect the programming options for theater renaissance. Motivations for movie palace reuse are summarized into three situations: (1) a user needs a facility; (2) a facility needs a user; or (3) a city needs a redevelopment anchor. The third section of the book, which profiles the lessons of the second, includes planning guidelines for theater economic feasibility studies, organizational structures, program environments, and adaptive reuse and operating costs. Four areas of theater function are explored: audience, performance, technology, and management. The book concludes with an annotated 76-item list of resources (publications, audiovisual presentations, and organizations) helpful to those contemplating movie palace redevelopment. Many sources listed lead to further information in the form of newsletters, bibliographies, and other organizational publications. The book is abundantly illustrated with black and white photographs and architectural drawings. (GEA)