The first theater in America devoted solely to movies opened in Los Angeles in 1902. It was found inside a circus tent, and a one-hour show cost about 10 cents.

Today, you can step back in time at several local independent theaters near our Cambridge apartments They include:

Capitol Theatre

Dating back to 1925, Capitol Theatre was Arlington's largest and grandest neighborhood theater. Originally, it occasionally presented vaudeville and novelty acts with the movies on screen. During the Great Depression, it also offered gift nights and other prize nights.

Today, the Capitol is known as "your home theatre." It features six auditoriums decorated in the style of the original theater. The very first screen still hangs in the first auditorium, and the historic lobby boasts a new seating area where you can enjoy some ice cream after the show.

Coolidge Corner Theatre

Coolidge Corner is the most successful independent nonprofit theater on the East Coast. It was built as a church in 1906. Since becoming a movie palace in 1933, it has never closed its doors to the public. The theater is where audiences once came to watch the stars of Hollywood's Golden Age on the big screen. The films starred Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, and Humphrey Bogart, among other stars still well known today.

Offerings now include documentaries and international film selections.

The Brattle

The Brattle began showing movies in 1953. It kicked things off with a screening of a German film. Now, it's where you can watch first-run movies, art-house films, the classics, and more. In addition, the theater also offers The Brattle Film podcast. From the comfort of home, you can join the hosts each month as they cover topics like the latest releases and festival programming.

After a movie at independent theaters near Cambridge, kick back at home with a book from a local independent bookstore. If you would like to call our apartments in Cambridge home, please contact us. We'll offer a tour so that you can see Luxe at Alewife firsthand.