The Oriental Theatre | Milwaukee Film Historic Cinemas

Jessica says: The Oriental Theatre is a beloved staple of Milwaukee’s nightlife. In the 90’s, my friends and I would often go to their weekly midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Afterwards, we would walk over to Ma Fischer’s next door, back when they were open 24 hours. But I digress…

The Oriental is a gorgeous example of a “Movie Palace” from 1927. It’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website, “A movie palace was larger and grander than a typical movie theater of the period, featuring expansive lobbies, balconies, a stage with orchestra pit, and restrooms with lounges. Most notably, movie palaces had ornate and lavishly detailed interiors designed to make patrons feel as though they were in a unique setting such as an exotic and distant land. The Oriental Theatre is representative of this type of exotic movie palace.”

I highly recommend checking it out if you get the chance to.