Today, the multiplex is generally considered the place to go for a film viewing experience, not like decades ago when going to the movies was considered an event.

Back in what is considered the golden age of Hollywood – the 1930s and ’50s – movies were shown in theater “palaces” that would provide an opulent experience and vibe that added to seeing a motion picture.

The “palaces” of old were made to be atmospheric, and many had different designs that would make them unique. One of the more famous of these types of theaters would be Grauman’s Chinese Theatre which opened its doors in 1927 in Hollywood. The theatre is known for its architecture, and the cement casts of shoe and hand prints in front of the actual theater.

Though not as prominent as Grauman’s in Los Angeles, Sacramento also has its own form of these palaces from the past.

The city has two theaters dating back to the era of the event film. The Crest Theatre opened in 1949 at 1013 K St. and the Tower Theatre opened in 1938 at 2508 Land Park Drive, both have significant histories. Today however, these theaters have become independent film hotspots.

History aside, for most people, what really counts in this era of the multiplex is: Which of these two local theaters provides a better movie viewing experience?

Going to the Crest Theatre on Sacramento’s K Street Mall, one gets the feeling of stepping back in time with floor-to-ceiling gold painted carvings, and the elaborately constructed main lobby, elements that the palaces of old where patrons would dress up in their best clothes for the movie event experience would have.

However, once a moviegoer gets seated and gets a real good look at the surrounding environment and what the Crest Theatre actually has to offer, it could be hard for one to find a pleasurable movie watching experience.

The theater is inviting, with its big, bright marquee and its vintage interior and exterior. The main lobby holds true to the movie palace decor, looking like a theater of old with a few modern amenities such as central heat and air, and digital sound in the theaters. The concession stand provides the usual suspects – popcorn, candy, and drinks.

Moving beyond the main lobby and to the viewing portion of the theater, disappointment moves in quickly, and distaste for the era of old develops.

The Crest Theatre offers small screens, dirty floors and the seating was the worst thing in the whole experience. The chairs were dirty and damaged, and comfort was nowhere to be found. The chairs offered no support. After about an hour, the lack of comfort moved quickly into pain.

For those who simply want to enjoy a film, the Crest Theatre should be low on your list.

The Tower Theatre is a different story. It is not really all that much to look at, and the feeling of stepping back into a bygone era is quickly supplanted by a feeling of just going into an old building, with old fixtures and décor. What is different with the Tower is that this theater does provide a nice film-going experience.

The age of the Tower is instantly apparent, with faded paint, and worn carpet, but the age is not really a charm, just a fact. This fact is just fine with me, being that I was provided with a finer film experience when it came time to see the show.

Walking out of the lobby and into the theater, I found two elements that made the Tower just a bit better than the Crest. Screen size was dramatically different, with the Tower providing a bigger screen to be viewed. Seating is another area where the Tower excels, making the Crest greatly lacking in comparison.

Both theaters have seats that are uncomfortable, simply because the seats are old, but the Tower seems to have taken better care of the seats, and the Tower layout has a modern perk in its main theater – stadium-style seating. This was something I was not expecting, but it was nice to find. This type of seating makes for easier viewing for all moviegoers. This alone put it over the Crest.

The simple creature comforts count when it comes to having a good film-viewing experience. Being comfortable, having a big screen and the theater being clean make for a better time. The Crest markets the idea that it provides a pleasant experience in a vintage setting, but it is the Tower Theatre that actually provides a better film going experience, something that the Crest can only advertise as capable of doing.

Charles Glover can be reached at [email protected]