THE SNACK THEATERS TRIED TO BAN
TAKE A BREAK
How Popcorn Took Over the Movies
It’s hard to imagine a movie theater lobby without the smell of popcorn, but for decades, many theater owners wanted nothing to do with it. Early in the film business, movie theaters tried to emulate the classier feel of live theater, complete with decorative interiors and expensive carpeting. A buttery snack that left crumbs everywhere didn’t exactly fit that image. Popcorn itself was popular long before theaters came around. By the late 1800s, people were eating it at fairs, sporting events, and other public gatherings. Charles Cretors’ steam- powered popcorn machine, patented in 1893, made the snack easy to sell on the go. So, when movie theaters became popular in the early 1900s, popcorn vendors were ready. They just had to stand outside the theater doors. Theater owners quickly discovered that people were perfectly willing to sneak in snacks purchased from street vendors, even if the theaters themselves refused to sell them. Unfortunately for those owners, the popcorn still ended up on the carpets
Refreshing Gazpacho
they were trying so hard to protect. Theaters also complained about the noise. During the silent film era, constant crunching and rustling weren’t exactly helping the viewing experience.
Everything changed once theater owners realized how much money they were leaving on the table. By the late 1920s and early 1930s, some discovered they could sell popcorn for much more than what it cost to make. Then came the Great Depression. Movies remained one of the few
• 2 lbs tomatoes, quartered • 2 Persian cucumbers, peeled and chopped • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped • 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 1/2 cup water Ingredients Directions 1. In a food processor or blender, combine tomatoes, cucumbers, red bell pepper, garlic, vinegar, and water. 2. Blend until smooth, then add olive oil and blend again. 3. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. 4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 5. Add baguette pieces, face down, and toast until golden and crisp, about 1–2 minutes. 6. Remove from pan and let cool. 7. Divide soup into even servings and top with basil, olive oil, cucumbers, or tomatoes as desired. Serve with the toasted bread for dipping and enjoy! • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste • 1 small baguette, quartered • 6 cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 tbsp thinly sliced basil
affordable forms of entertainment, and popcorn was cheap enough that customers could afford a bag with their ticket.
At first, theaters allowed popcorn vendors to rent lobby space. Before long, though, many owners cut out the middleman and bought their own popcorn machines. That decision helped reshape the movie theater business. By the late 1940s, popcorn had become so tied to the moviegoing experience that most theaters sold it, and audiences fully expected it to be part of the night. Decades later, popcorn is still the treat most associated with the movies, and it continues to be a huge moneymaker for owners. That’s not bad for a snack that theaters once tried to keep outside.
Civtrial.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator