Part 1 of 2 ...

Have you ever wondered when movie theaters started selling popcorn and candy?  It all started back in the late 1800s when street vendors sold popcorn at events like carnivals and fairs.  Then during the early 1900s, those vendors started selling their popcorn outside of movie theaters.  Some vendors even sold popcorn and peanuts in the theater aisles.  The 1920s brought the sophisticated, fancy theaters in which owners were not happy about the idea of messy popcorn and candy wrappers all over their floor.  But with vendors selling snacks outside the theater, movie-goers flocked outside to buy snacks and brought them back inside the theater.

When the Great Depression hit, theater owners looked for new ways to gain revenue.  Some theaters installed candy dispensers, and others leased space in the lobby for popcorn vendors and even split profits with the vendors.  Theater owners soon realized how popular the popcorn was and began selling it themselves.  They sold it for 10 cents a bag and would still make a profit (OK guys, don't ask Craig to sell it for 10 cents a bag, he probably won't do it).

During the 1930s is when theaters started seeing candy counters.  However, theater owners started out offering homemade bonbons, chocolates, and candy apples.  In time, candy counters expanded with Jujubes, Jujyfruits, Baby Ruths, Raisinets, and Milk Duds - which were popular during that time.

Popcorn became the staple of the theater concession stand during World War II since sugar was rationed and candy was not being produced as before.  The War Production Board gave the approval for popcorn because of its health benefits and popularity.

Hunter Pellettieri, Jill.  "Make It a Large for a Quarter More?" Slate.com.  26 June 2007.

Read next week as we see what happens to movie theaters and concession stands during the 1940s when the almighty television makes its debut.

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