Questions and Answers (Q&A) Forgotten Chicago Forum
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Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
murphman
()
Date: March 20, 2013 05:01AM
Went to the Will Rogers many times. Mostly Disney type movies in the early seventies but graduated to 'Jaws' and 'Saturday night fever' later on. Was way out of my neighborhood. Lived in lakeview, where most theaters were going out like the Belmont, Century, Parkway. The Music Box was considered a dump, now it is gladly still open. The Commodore was also well past its prime when I was there. The Nortown was a beauty until sadly divided then razed. The Davis was okay for a midnight movie. A friend of mine was shot and killed outside of there in the late eighties, haven't been there since. Wonder why? Also would love to see a daytime pic of the old norshore if anyone has one. Plenty of night shots online but no daylight shots. If anyone knows of one please post. Thanks for letting me ramble on!
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Kchi
()
Date: March 20, 2013 10:19AM
Just recently noticed when driving down Cicero near Irving Park, the name Grayland Theater above the store sign for work clothes.
The name is imbedded in the brick and if you look at the following link with a picture, the name must have been covered up for years and the name is now displayed.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6108
The name is imbedded in the brick and if you look at the following link with a picture, the name must have been covered up for years and the name is now displayed.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6108
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Jeff_Weiner
()
Date: March 20, 2013 01:57PM
We used to go to the Marquette, at Kedzie and 63rd. There was also a theatre that we visited at Kedzie and 59th, but the name escapes me. The biggest thing was going downtown to a Cinerama showing of [i]Bing Crosby's Russian Holiday[/i], but the name of thattheatre escapes me as well.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Hugh Manatee
()
Date: March 20, 2013 03:44PM
59th and Kedzie was the Colony Theater.Next door to Gertie's Icecream.Spent many a Saturday afternoon there.Marquette is gone but I believe the Colony still stands
Havn't been in that area for a few years but it was still there about 5 years ago.
Havn't been in that area for a few years but it was still there about 5 years ago.
Re: Past movie theaters Round-Up, Mars Jingles - ABT
Posted by:
Kchi
()
Date: March 23, 2013 02:44PM
In a previous posting someone mentioned the Jingles at 2220 N. Damen
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/22443
Don't know when it actually closed but in a Chicago Tribune article about playgrounds in 1941, the address was already listed as a vacant lot.
I also ran across a theather named the Round-Up at 2860 N. Milwaukee
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5466
What is interesting in this picture is that it shows a small store selling Refrigerators off to the left of the theater with the name being Abt.
The Mars theater was located at 2540 N. Milwaukee
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/4262
The writing mentions it being part of a parking lot for a mega mall and being demoished in 1968.
With 1200 seats it was pretty big. Does anybody remember when the show actually closed or being in the theater? Cinematreasures akso did not have a picture. Does anybody know where a picture may be found?
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/22443
Don't know when it actually closed but in a Chicago Tribune article about playgrounds in 1941, the address was already listed as a vacant lot.
I also ran across a theather named the Round-Up at 2860 N. Milwaukee
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5466
What is interesting in this picture is that it shows a small store selling Refrigerators off to the left of the theater with the name being Abt.
The Mars theater was located at 2540 N. Milwaukee
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/4262
The writing mentions it being part of a parking lot for a mega mall and being demoished in 1968.
With 1200 seats it was pretty big. Does anybody remember when the show actually closed or being in the theater? Cinematreasures akso did not have a picture. Does anybody know where a picture may be found?
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
()
Date: March 23, 2013 07:57PM
[b]The building is still there but unused,[/b]
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
rjmachon
()
Date: April 09, 2013 08:23AM
@Kchi, if you are talking about the Mars Theater, I grew in Logan Square in the 1960's and I never even knew until now that there was a theater there. I always went to the Logan or the Congress. I don't think that they were open as a theater at the time in the 60's. There use to be a lot of car dealers at that time there. Maybe it changed to another business.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
gglow
()
Date: April 09, 2013 07:44PM
Here's one from the '50s the Crown theater on the south side of Division just
west of Ashland.
west of Ashland.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
geffertz
()
Date: April 10, 2013 04:47AM
As a kid, I went to the Highland at 79th and Ashland. Also, occasionally, the Capitol at 79th and Halsted (where the ceiling was designed to look like the night sky) and the Beverly at 95th and Ashland. I remember that there were several theater chains - on of them was Balaban & Katz.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
()
Date: April 12, 2013 10:39PM
[b]How about Cornell theater on 51st & wenchester or Peoples at 47th & Marshfield?[/b]
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
jak378
()
Date: April 20, 2013 05:52PM
I don't thnk anyone has mentioned the Hi-Way which, if memory serves me correctly, was at 63rd and Western. In later years it existed by showing XXX stuff.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Jeff_Weiner
()
Date: April 20, 2013 10:10PM
jak378 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't thnk anyone has mentioned the Hi-Way
> which, if memory serves me correctly, was at 63rd
> and Western. In later years it existed by showing
> XXX stuff.
Oh, yeah! The last movie I saw at the Hi-Way was the[i]Sound of Music[/i]. A few years later, they were showing porn.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't thnk anyone has mentioned the Hi-Way
> which, if memory serves me correctly, was at 63rd
> and Western. In later years it existed by showing
> XXX stuff.
Oh, yeah! The last movie I saw at the Hi-Way was the[i]Sound of Music[/i]. A few years later, they were showing porn.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
nordsider
()
Date: April 21, 2013 10:27AM
The Biograph is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/2013 03:18PM by nordsider.
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/2013 03:18PM by nordsider.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
a94
()
Date: May 08, 2013 01:15AM
I remember as a kid going to these theatres on the northwest side, northside and downtown:
1. Will Rogers - Belmont Ave. one block west of Central Ave.
2. The Mont Clare - Grand Ave, two blocks east of Harlem Ave.
3. The Mercury - in Elmwood Park on North Ave a block west of Harlem
4. The Gateway - now Copernicus Center on Lawerence Ave in Jefferson Park
5. The Portage Park Theatre
6. The Norridge Theatres
7. The Luna - on Belmont one block east of Cicero Ave.
8. The Patio - Irving Pk Rd & Austin Ave.
9. The Pickwick - Park Ridge, IL
10. State St Theatre - now ABC News
11. Watertower Theatres
12. The Biograph
13. Three Penny - across from The Biograph
14. Fine Arts - Michigan Ave
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2013 02:51AM by a94.
1. Will Rogers - Belmont Ave. one block west of Central Ave.
2. The Mont Clare - Grand Ave, two blocks east of Harlem Ave.
3. The Mercury - in Elmwood Park on North Ave a block west of Harlem
4. The Gateway - now Copernicus Center on Lawerence Ave in Jefferson Park
5. The Portage Park Theatre
6. The Norridge Theatres
7. The Luna - on Belmont one block east of Cicero Ave.
8. The Patio - Irving Pk Rd & Austin Ave.
9. The Pickwick - Park Ridge, IL
10. State St Theatre - now ABC News
11. Watertower Theatres
12. The Biograph
13. Three Penny - across from The Biograph
14. Fine Arts - Michigan Ave
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2013 02:51AM by a94.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Paul Petraitis
()
Date: May 07, 2013 09:02PM
In Roseland we had the State,(110th and Michigan) a 2000 seater with vaudeville acrs...we saw Sonny and Cher there and my buddy Arnie threw a penny at Jerry Lewis there too! Lotsas "Battle of the Bands", then there was the Parkway (111th and Mich) the Roseland (113th Place and Michigan), the Normal (119th and Normal and the Ridge near Wallace and 120th st and the Verdi in Bumtown, and the Halsted Outdoor at 137th and Halsted
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
csl144
()
Date: August 21, 2013 03:38AM
In 1954, we moved to Mayfair. The Admiral Theater was at Lawrence, near Pulaski. In later years it showed X rated adults only movies. I was allowed to take the trolley bus to the Gateway.
See my previous post. The theater turned bowling alley on Kedzie was the Alba.
See my previous post. The theater turned bowling alley on Kedzie was the Alba.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
tomcat630
()
Date: August 25, 2013 06:57PM
In Du Page Co, there used to be theaters in most of the little downtowns, near train stations. Now, only York in Elmhurst, Tivoli in Downers Grove, and Glen in Glen Ellyn.
Lombard's Du Page was torn down and still empty lot. Even Naperville's Naper is closed. I would have hoped Naperville having a thriving downtown could support it. Also, Wheaton and Villa Park shows are closed.
Lombard's Du Page was torn down and still empty lot. Even Naperville's Naper is closed. I would have hoped Naperville having a thriving downtown could support it. Also, Wheaton and Villa Park shows are closed.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
()
Date: August 25, 2013 07:56PM
[b]Fact: At one time there were like 50 theaters in the loop alone and over 600 in the city of Chicago. there were theaters in walking distance in every niehborhood.[/b]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/25/2013 07:57PM by Richard Stachowski.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/25/2013 07:57PM by Richard Stachowski.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Cragin Spring
()
Date: November 05, 2014 11:47PM
My grandfather always talked about going to the Main Theatre which closed in the 1950's. 4815 W. Armitage Avenue.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
gman
()
Date: November 06, 2014 02:53PM
csl144 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In 1954, we moved to Mayfair. The Admiral Theater
> was at Lawrence, near Pulaski. In later years it
> showed X rated adults only movies. I was allowed
> to take the trolley bus to the Gateway.
> See my previous post. The theater turned bowling
> alley on Kedzie was the Alba.
I remember going to a couple of legitimate films at the Admiral before its porn/strip club era. My older sister also took me to Disney filmas at the Uptown. On the rare occasions we went "downtown" it was the Marina City theaters or blaxploitation films at the Woods or the other nearby theaters.
High school (early-mid 70's) it was the Nortown, Devon, Lincoln Village and the Old Orchard. Occasionally the Edens (saw Start Wars there on what was probably the largest screen in the area.)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2014 02:53PM by gman.
-------------------------------------------------------
> In 1954, we moved to Mayfair. The Admiral Theater
> was at Lawrence, near Pulaski. In later years it
> showed X rated adults only movies. I was allowed
> to take the trolley bus to the Gateway.
> See my previous post. The theater turned bowling
> alley on Kedzie was the Alba.
I remember going to a couple of legitimate films at the Admiral before its porn/strip club era. My older sister also took me to Disney filmas at the Uptown. On the rare occasions we went "downtown" it was the Marina City theaters or blaxploitation films at the Woods or the other nearby theaters.
High school (early-mid 70's) it was the Nortown, Devon, Lincoln Village and the Old Orchard. Occasionally the Edens (saw Start Wars there on what was probably the largest screen in the area.)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2014 02:53PM by gman.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
()
Date: November 06, 2014 06:45PM
[b]Is there anyone old enough to remember the Gaelic theater at about 2419 W. 47th street? The building is still there and it closed in the early 50's. I lived in Brighton Park but don't remember it. It was across from Pechter Hardware store.[/b]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2014 11:08PM by Richard Stachowski.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2014 11:08PM by Richard Stachowski.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
nordsider
()
Date: November 06, 2014 07:30PM
Richard Stachowski Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is there anyone old enough to remember the Gaelic
> theater at about 2419 W. 47th street? The
> building is still there and it closed in the early
> 60's. I lived in Brighton Park but don't remember
> it. It was across from Pechter Hardware store.
Richard,
I found this item:
Gaelic Theater
2425 W. 47th Street, Chicago, IL 60632
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5494
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is there anyone old enough to remember the Gaelic
> theater at about 2419 W. 47th street? The
> building is still there and it closed in the early
> 60's. I lived in Brighton Park but don't remember
> it. It was across from Pechter Hardware store.
Richard,
I found this item:
Gaelic Theater
2425 W. 47th Street, Chicago, IL 60632
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5494
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
()
Date: November 06, 2014 11:10PM
[b]Thank's that's why i didn't see it.. Was in the 50's not the 60's.[/b]
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Dunning1
()
Date: November 07, 2014 01:01PM
Don't forget the Commodore that was at Irving Park and Albany. I remember it playing Greek films back in the 1970s.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
ldkleidon
()
Date: November 15, 2014 05:57PM
In addition to the Colony, Marquette and Hiway, does anyone remember the Acadia at 55th & Fairfield? I think it closed in the late '50s and was torn down a couple of years ago.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
()
Date: November 15, 2014 08:52PM
[b]I remmeber the Accadia. It was small and had hard uin padded seat. The building I think is gone.[/b]
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
Chistorian51
()
Date: November 17, 2014 12:36PM
The Accadia has been long gone since the 70's I think. On another note The Harper Theater in Hyde Park has gone a complete renovation and brought back to life. It is very small in comparison to the modern theaters but it has a nice small town feel. http://www.harpertheater.com/the-harper-past-present/
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2014 12:43PM by Chistorian51.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2014 12:43PM by Chistorian51.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
tomcat630
()
Date: December 15, 2014 03:09AM
When my family lived in North Austin, in late 60's, there was the Rockne near Division and Austin BL, and the Tiffin on North Av near Pulaski.
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
MisterDrexciya
()
Date: December 15, 2014 11:57AM
I used to frequent the McClurg Court/Cineplex Odeon in the 1990s, located at 330 E. Ohio St. This movie theater closed in 2003, probably due to competition from the AMC River East 21 complex nearby. It was nice to see Keanu Reeves in person in this cinema when "The Matrix" had its premiere back in 1999.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-12-17/features/8704030631_1_cineplex-odeon-corp-four-screen-theater-garth-drabinsky
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/442/comments
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-12-17/features/8704030631_1_cineplex-odeon-corp-four-screen-theater-garth-drabinsky
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/442/comments
Re: Past movie theaters
Posted by:
mishadoc
()
Date: December 16, 2014 11:56AM
Someone mentioned the 400 Theater on Sheridan. I watched Kramer v Kramer and host of Woody Allen movies as well as Bogarts and Bacalls. Loved that little theater. I lived down the way on Columbia and I walked to the movie every Friday night, over to Stinkers Pub for 10 cent beers and then back home. Thanks for the memories everyone.
