Community Corner

Northfield Historical Society Publishes History of Northfield Cinema

Stop by the Northfield Historical Society 6–9 p.m. Thursday during Winter Walk and pick up your copy of the book and have the author sign it.

The (NHS) is pleased to announce the publication of the newest book in its Northfield History Series, Electric Theater: The Emergence of Cinema in Northfield, 1896-1917, by former NHS board member and Carleton professor Carol Donelan.

In the modern era of Netflix, YouTube, and iTunes, it's easy to forget the sensation of the original "moving pictures," when films could only be seen for a limited time at a properly-equipped theater and, once seen, could not be downloaded, ordered, or otherwise obtained for private viewing. Films were enjoyed in the moment, perhaps never to be seen again by the eyes that so raptly watched the stories unfold on the theater screen. A movie was not something to be owned and consumed in the privacy of the home; it was a visiting form of community entertainment that was enjoyed, marveled at, and then either remembered or forgotten. This was true of movie-going in Northfield and across the United States.

By welcoming the moving pictures fad in the early days of the technology, Northfielders have seen, participated in, and been affected by the evolution of film and movie theaters since the late 1800s. Donelan takes a close look at questions of ethics, entertainment value, and safety that were raised and solemnly evaluated by local governments (and individual townspeople, including one early Northfielder who suggested that some films shown in Northfield had a "tendency to lead young boys and girls straight to the devil").

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Multiple theaters opened and closed in the heart of downtown Northfield, beckoning locals and college students to step inside and experience the wonders of traveling exhibitions, early French films, and Italian super spectacles. At various times, Northfield's streets saw the comings and goings of the Star, the Gem, the Ware, the Lyric, and the Grand theaters as technology continued to expand and new entrepreneurs were caught under the spell of moving pictures. Electric Theater unfurls the history of these theaters and the magic within them, sprinkled with strange and fascinating stories that add special interest to the events of the time (including an unexpected case of anti-Norwegian prejudice).

Please stop by the Northfield Historical Society December 8, 6–9 p.m., during Winter Walk and pick up your copy of the book and have the author sign it. In addition, Susan Hvistendahl, author of the book (the second book in the Northfield History Series) will be on hand to sign copies of her book.

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