Union-Theater

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The Union-Theater was a large cinema located on the Alexanderplatz in the German capital Berlin. Opened in 1909 it was the first of a chain of cinemas built by the German film magnate Paul Davidson. Equipped with an orchestra to accompany the action on screen, it provided a model for numerous subsequent film palaces across the German Empire.[1] In 1913 Davidson had it remodelled and expanded its capacity to 1,200 seats, at that time the largest in the country.[2] It hosted a number of premieres of new films, both German and foreign imports.

Like the rest of Davidson's cinemas, it was subsequently taken over by the large UFA concern.

References[edit]

  1. ^ The A to Z of German Cinema p.xxII
  2. ^ Elsaesser & Wedel p.61

Bibliography[edit]

  • Elsaesser, Thomas & Wedel, Michael. The BFI companion to German cinema. British Film Institute, 1999.
  • Hardt, Ursula. From Caligari to California: Erich Pommer's life in the International Film Wars. Berghahn Books, 1996.
  • Kreimeier, Klaus. The Ufa Story: A History of Germany's Greatest Film Company, 1918-1945. University of California Press, 1999.
  • Reimer, Robert C. & Reimer, Carol J. The A to Z of German Cinema. Scarecrow Press, 2010.