Vic Theatre
3145 N. Sheffield Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60657
3145 N. Sheffield Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60657
13 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 43 comments
Sunday, September 29, 1912 Opening Day newspaper ad added via Tim O'Neill. Opened with the stage play “Don’t Lie To Your Wife” starring Dave Lewis which was previously staged on October 16, 1911 at the Fox West in Trinidad Colorado among other places I would assume.
Currently closed due to the pandemic. Updated website link: https://www.jamusa.com/venues/the-vic
I have yet to see any original sources that list J.E.O. Pridmore as the architect for the Vic, but several list John Eberson. The design is similar to other early Eberson designs like the Crown in Chicago which was also built by one of the Victoria backers, Robert Rickson. Also visibly similar to the Austin Paramount. I think it’s evident that someone wrote E.O. Pridmore at some point instead of Eberson and it’s been repeated ever since.
Jam Productions downloadable coloring book of the Vic and other theatres.
https://www.jamusa.com/coloringbook/?utm_source=Chicago+–+Jam+Mail+List&utm_campaign=b5807b82ef-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_01_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1cddcb52a5-b5807b82ef-247204449&mc_cid=b5807b82ef&mc_eid=2a384cf67a
Just found out that Clubland was a concept in Detroit as well. It was “Clubland at the State Theatre”, 2115 Woodward Avenue. The image used the exact same candy cane font as Clubland at the Vic
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/241/photos/263895?fbclid=IwAR10hmntiCrdrtOmhM8m9DOUn-Oey_kFmBuk-JAnlOV6efyIc4gzFq9_EVc
the balcony is open. I saw a movie at the Vic a month or two ago and the main floor area was closed-off and seating was now only in balcony (not sure why all this was but really doesn’t matter). Really neat IMO though, because the railings, staggered seats, lighted steps were still in their original style. At the low admission price the film was a terrific deal
The American on Ashland bore a strong resemblance to the Vic in form
Added a Chicago Tribune announcement which credited John Eberson as architect.
I put together an online memorial to Walter Klein, Jr. Comments and remembrances are welcome. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103679729
The Vic is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. This article points out the bits and pieces of some lost Chicago theaters have been incorporated in the Vic. A recent interior picture can be seen here.
I added a photo of the old marquee before it was ruined.
Facebook page is vic theatre chicago Il
Here’s a photo showing the old L-side marquee: http://schenectadystore.frontex.com/city_scenes_g25-belmont_station_of_chicago_transit_authority.people_leave_and_board_a_subway_car.a_sign_on_the_building_in_the_background_promted_the_vic_theatre_and_nelson_chevrolet._p6148.html
There is currently some roof top mounted scaffolding above The Vic’s East elevation. Visible from the “L” tracks, it might be for restoration work to the coping stones around the roof’s perimeter. Or possibly to haul up materials for the roof itself. Either way, great to see maintenance is ongoing.
I saw Richard Thompson here in concert recently. The facility was okay, but the acoustics were terrible. Previously I’d only been here for Brew-n-View.
VERY NICE!!!
Thanks for posting that RickB.
It’s a shame that it’s the first and only time that Mr. Klein’s name or his ownership of the Vic has been mentioned so far.
When certainly it was his purchase of it in `83 according to the obit, that in hindsight likely saved the theater forever.
If only that same vision had been applied to the Uptown at the same time.
Walter Klein Jr., the owner who restored and reopened the Vic in the 1980s, died January 21 in Arizona. A colorful obit may be found here.
If you ever get a chance, stand on the northern portion of the southbound L platform. Now, look south on the northern side of the Vic Theatre building. If you look very carefully, you will see an old, ghost sign on the brick wall. You will vaguely see the word “photo play.”
Reactivate notificaton status.
A shot of one of the false oriels facing the CTA
Correct. There are a few other really nice articles about it. It was a very cool theater.
That’s the one I was thinking of (Jan 21 08 post). Haven’t seen pictures of it in years. Nice find Brian.
I wonder why it hasn’t been added on this site. Never a movie theatre maybe?
An article on Pridmore’s nearby College Theater at DePaul
P.S. I like the 1972 CTA picture of the Vic’s back wall in Bryan’s 2004 post. Complete with Hydra swooping in to attack the Southbound train.
I also just remembered that long time Lincoln Ave. hamburger shop Muskies, had their 2nd location in the corner space just North of the Vic. Where Bank of America is now.
Muskies closed after what else, a fire.