One pioneer that stands out

In the film industry

Was Marcus Loew

(1870-1927)

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At his death at the age

Of 57

He had overseen the merger

Of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

An entertainment empire

Worth $75 million

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Loew who was raised

In the slums

Of Eastern Manhattan

Was able  

To accomplish this feat

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Another founder

Of the film industry

Was Adolph Zukor

Of Paramount Pictures

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On November 4th, 1904

Loew began the People’s

Vaudeville – a penny arcade

In New York City

That attracted immigrants

To the novelty

Of moving pictures

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As these “peep shows” developed

Patrons became bored

Of seeing the same shows

Over and over again

Thus, the idea of “Nickelodeons”

Was born

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These brought improvements

To the shows

Projecting machines

Screens, benches

And the leasing

Of additional space

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From then onward

All patrons were charged

A nickel to attend a show

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Within three years

There were thousands

Of “Nickelodeons”

In major cities of the country

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The first picture actually shown

In the United States

Was on April 23, 1896

At the Koster and Bial’s Music Hall

In New York

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