nickelodeons
Coin-operated music machines
Nickelodeons were early movie theaters charging five cents admission—a nickel plus the Greek *odeon* (theater).
They flourished in the early 1900s before grander picture palaces emerged.
The term also applies to coin-operated player pianos or jukeboxes: The old nickelodeon in the corner played ragtime tunes.
The word now evokes nostalgic Americana.
Movies without soundtracks
- movie palacesOpulent vintage cinemas
- early cinemaMotion pictures' first decades
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
penny arcades · motion pictures · film reels · box office · matinee · pianists · accompaniment · kinetoscope
Animated drawings, often humorous
- SpongeBobAbsorbent animated sea creature
- RugratsSlang for small children
- slimeThick wet gunk
- game showsTelevised competitions with prizes
children's programming · animated series · Nick Jr · Nicktoons · Avatar · Viacom · broadcast · reruns
Activated by inserted currency
- player pianosSelf-operating keyboard instruments
- phonographsSound-reproducing disc machines
- saloonsPublic drinking houses
- music boxesMechanical containers producing melodies
cylinders · parlors · five cents · recordings · taverns · amusement · slots · cranks
silent films
Movies without soundtracks
- movie palacesOpulent vintage cinemas
- early cinemaMotion pictures' first decades
- projectionSomething that extends outward
vaudeville · penny arcades · motion pictures · film reels · box office · matinee · pianists · accompaniment · kinetoscope · flickering
cartoons
Animated drawings, often humorous
game shows · children's programming · animated series · Nick Jr · Nicktoons · Avatar · Viacom · broadcast · reruns
coin-operated
Activated by inserted currency
- player pianosSelf-operating keyboard instruments
- phonographsSound-reproducing disc machines
- saloonsPublic drinking houses
music boxes · cylinders · parlors · five cents · recordings · taverns · amusement · slots · cranks · discs
- entertainment historyvaudeville, silent films, talkies, Hollywood, movie palaces
- pastimeshobbies, amusement, puzzles, cards, crafting
- 20th Century HistoryWorld War I, WWI, Great Depression, Russian Revolution, Bolshevik Revolution
nickelodeonsmegaplexes
Very large movie theaters
cineplexes · streaming platforms · home theaters · drive-in theaters
nickelodeonsmovie palaces
Opulent vintage cinemas
picture palaces · opera houses · Radio City Music Hall · Broadway theaters · concert halls