Roxy, Northampton, Pennsylvania —
Cinemas like this one in Northampton, Pennsylvania, were once a town's main attraction, offering some much needed reprise during the Depression of the 1920s and 1930s. But now, while many of them are still open, they are glittering shadows of their former selves, all the limelight taken by multiplex cinemas and home television sets.
Photographer Stefanie Klavens documented these architectural gems across America in two projects, "Historic Theaters" and "Vanishing Drive-Ins." Her work continues to be shown at exhibitions across America, the next being at the 555 Gallery in Boston. But her inspiration comes from the past.
"I've always had an interest in the visual culture of mid-20th century America," says Klavens.
"This project stemmed out of that, and from experiments I was doing with night photography. I have a soft spot for the Roxy in Northampton. This photo really defines the essence of the pristine small town American life of a bygone, more innocent era."
Crest, Sacramento, California —
This building originally opened as the Empress Theater in 1912, and was later renamed The Hippodrome. According to the cinema's website, when the Hippodrome's marquee fell and killed a bystander, it closed and later remodeled and opened up in the late 1940s as the glitzy Crest Theater. "On the west coast I see more free-standing structures that, just by their exterior appearance, shape, and abundance of neon, clearly state 'Movie Theater,'" said Klavens.
"To quote renowned theater architect S. Charles Lee: 'The show starts on the sidewalk.'"
North Park, Buffalo, New York —
"A theater should lift the 'common man' out of his daily routine and place him in a setting so grandiose, so richly detailed, that he should think it the most natural thing in the world to watch his dreams come to life on the silver screen," said the North Park's original owner Michael Shea according to the theater's website. This experience is a far cry from most modern cinemas, says Klavens.
"They do not have the same power of escape into fantasy as the opulent décor of the movie palaces of the past," she explains.
"Going to the cinema at a historic theater and sitting in auditorium always adds so much to the experience."
Fine Arts, Los Angeles, California —
When it first opened in 1937, this theater showed "That Girl From Paris" and "Black Legion." The glittering exterior of theaters like these inspired Klavens' project -- "I love standing outside at dusk and watching the light change," she says.
"As daylight fades and the electric street lights and neon marquees become more prominent it totally changes the scene, and I enjoy the shifting light and shooting just at the 'magic hour.'
"I'm also fascinated by the many decorative details in the interiors, and how different it was in that era, compared to the approach to the design of public spaces today."
Sands, Brush, Colorado —
"Best popcorn in Morgan County!!" brags the Sands Theater's Facebook page. A Colorado historical site, this movie theater opened in 1916. Klavens' project started in the late 1990s, but it was a while before she started pursuing it properly -- "It began as a theater here, a theater there, as I was photographing a lot of different subject matter that relates to the mid-20th century built environment," she explained.
"As I became curious about the theaters and began to learn more about the subject matter, I became fascinated and it became the focus my work."
Senator, Baltimore, Maryland —
Built in 1939, this historic cinema is still very much alive, showing the latest films such as "Inside Out" and "Ant Man" in an altogether more vintage setting. The Senator was the first cinema Klavens photographed and this photo marks the beginning of an eye-opening project.
"I went to the movies there when I was in high school, so of course when I was experimenting with night photography this is where I went," she said.
"In my high school days, I didn't know much about the art deco period, I just knew that The Senator was from an earlier time period, and that I liked it because of that."
Tampa, Tampa, Florida —
Built in 1926 by prolific architect John Eberson, this theater is still a cultural hotspot showing new movies and old classics. While the exteriors of these palatial theaters are spectacular, the interiors have their own charms.
State, Los Angeles, California —
This extravagant theater still offers tours of its 2,200-seat auditorium and six-storey lobby built between 1911 and 1931. A lot has changed in then in the world of cinema -- not only the technology, but our viewing habits.
"I don't think the bland multiplex of today serve the same function as the center of our community," says Klavens.
"In the heyday of the movie palace, the local theater was the hub of the community, and often the economic anchor to the business district, be it a bustling city center downtown, or a small town."
Circle, Dickson, Pennsylvania —
Klavens project, called "Vanishing Drive-Ins," is a series of 16 photographs. They document some of the last remaining theaters that allow movie lovers to enjoy a film screening from the comfort of their vehicle. But why is it important to photograph these places, and why now? "I think they serve as a collective memory of our social history," she says.
"They also serve as an important record of the architecture and design of past decades."
Silver Moon, Lakeland, Florida —
This drive-in theater opened in 1948 when admission was 35￠ per person and vendors roamed among the cars, selling food. "At the beginning of this project it was a lot harder to find these remote cinemas," explained Klavens.
"There was of word-of-mouth, newspaper articles someone might share with me, as well as listings from professional trade organizations for historic theaters and information from the Theater Historical Society of America, an organization of theaters lovers that I am a member of."
Fiesta, Carlsbad, New Mexico —
Opened in 1990, this outdoor screen is popular for its food just as much as its films. Google + users are a big fan of their chili fries. 
Palace Lockport, New York —
Built in 1925, this theater reportedly cost about $300 to build. Today the venue regularly hosts live performances and promotes art education. "Some of these architectural treasures have been saved, finding new life as performing-arts centers, but most have been lost forever," explains Klavens in her artist's statement.
"These early theaters represent a unique architectural resource that is rapidly vanishing from the nation's landscape. In fact, in 2001, the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the single-screen historic theater atop its Most Endangered Historic Places list."
Palace, Los Angeles, California —
Built in 1911, the alluring interior of this theater -- and many others -- inspired Klavens to create this project. "I studied at Boston's school of the Museum of Fine Arts and explored lots of mediums, including photography, she explained.
"I was working in a variety of mediums, but the lure of photography pulled me in."
Fox, Trinidad, Colorado —
This single-screen movie theater opened in 1908 with the stage play "The Bondman.""These lavish theaters offered moviegoers an escape from hard times into a world of illusion during the Depression," according to Klavens' artist statement.
"But as the post-World War II boom fed migration to sprawling suburbs, many downtown palaces fell into disrepair or closed," she said.
"Multiplexes later presented stiff competition for single-screen theaters by offering a choice of films at one convenient location. The downtown theater, with only one auditorium and screen, could no longer compete."
Somerville, Somerville, Massachusetts —
This theater, built in 1914, was designed primarily for stage performances, opera and films, which were relatively new at the time. Now it shows the very latest film releases and special film series, including classics such as Boogie Nights and Jaws.
What are these old school cinemas like when the films are over? "It's very contemplative," says Klavens.
"I work with long exposures in the theaters interiors -- I don't add any lights -- and sometimes it is quite dark, and details come out that are not even visible to me."
Hollywood, Arbutus, Maryland —
Klavens has been touched by the public's sentimental reaction to her photographs. "People are quite moved, and often want to tell me about something that has survived in their home town, or tell me about a place they went as a kid that is no longer there," she said."The pictures really do spark an emotional reaction in viewers."
Klavens' next project will be photographing the late 1950s and early 1960s motels of the beachfront community of Wildwood New Jersey.
Watch this space.