Comments about State-Lake Theatre in Chicago, IL

Broan on April 23, 2013 at 8:37 am

It opened exclusively at the State-Lake through June 26, then went wide the next week.

TechnicolourYawn on April 23, 2013 at 2:34 am

Hi all, I hope you can help out here.

When “DR. NO” opened at the State Lake in 1963, was it a first run exclusive at the theater? Or was it released in a showcase / saturation style across Chicago?

Thanks!

Paul Fortini on September 17, 2012 at 6:57 am

Here http://gallery.bustalk.info/displayimage.php?album=83&pos=66 is a 1982 photo.

chicagomike47 on September 10, 2012 at 12:11 am

i saw the world premeire of ‘I WANT TO LIVE’ there nov 11th 1958. it starred SUSAN HAYWARD, and she won an oscar for her role! in the true story of barbara graham,

robertdickson on February 1, 2012 at 2:26 pm

for btkrefft: Confirming photograph is interior of State-Lake. Verified from B'hend and Kaufmann Collection at AMPAS Margaret Herrick Library

Broan on October 11, 2011 at 12:52 pm

Theatre Historical Society in Elmhurst.

figaro14 on October 11, 2011 at 12:27 pm

I can’t believe there are no interior photos of the State-Lake? I’ve looked everywhere for them. Anyone have access to any?

JudithK on August 6, 2011 at 8:50 pm

Thanks for the posted photographs of the State-Lake Theater in Chicago, IL. The one and only time I was in the State-Lake Theater was when a friend and I decided to see “Saturday Night Fever” on a cold winter’s day. That was quite a visit. The theater was in sad shape by the late 1970’s (I seem to remember a rip in the screen; I also remember never seeing the place with the lights full up) and I think served that day as shelter for street and other vulnerable people, not a bad idea, just kind of unsettling. The usual stinky popcorn machine was in the lobby. I wish we had seen it in its prime.

Broan on August 6, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Here is an unusual wide view of the State-Lake building.

Broan on July 27, 2011 at 6:47 pm

Here is a 1952 view

Broan on July 27, 2011 at 6:41 pm

Here is a 1949 view

Broan on July 27, 2011 at 6:29 pm

Here is a 1964 view

Broan on May 31, 2011 at 8:38 am

Roosevelt

DavidZornig on May 31, 2011 at 8:12 am

What theatre was a block South on State St., on the same side of the street at the State Lake. Presumably directly across from Marshall Fields, or just a little South. I have a 1966 picture of the underside of the marquee.

DavidZornig on April 10, 2011 at 6:55 pm

Ah, I stand corrected. I actually did some work for Mayor Byrne. You’d think I’d remember that. Thanks.

Tim O'Neill on April 10, 2011 at 6:23 pm

Hey David. The State Street Gall, er, um, I mean Mall was planned while Mayor Richard J. Daley was in office. They closed State Street in June, 1978 to begin destruction, er, um, I mean construction on State Street. Mayor Michael Bilandic was in office at that time. So it wasn’t really Mayor Jane Byrne’s fault of the Mistake by the Lake. Thank God Mayor Richard M. Daley put an end to this debacle.

DavidZornig on April 10, 2011 at 5:39 pm

Note the absence of cars. Mayor Byrne’s only mistake while in office, the State Street Mall. Looks like some of the old six sided paving blocks laying on the right.

Richard3150 on March 13, 2011 at 11:33 am

THE SHINING was first film I saw at the S-L since I was a kid, and the last.

Mike Rogers on March 7, 2011 at 3:46 pm

We never had any problems with “THE WARRIORS”.Must have been a BIG city thing.Good Story Nick.

Life's Too Short on February 4, 2011 at 3:56 pm

Here’s another great one from Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/3552996352/

Those signs were some sight when they maintained all the bulbs & neon.

Life's Too Short on January 18, 2011 at 1:50 pm

This blog:

http://chuckmancollectionvolume7blog.blogspot.com/

contains this epic photo of the State-Lake:

View link

It also has many other fantastic photos of cinema properties.

Wurlitzer1773 on January 18, 2011 at 12:15 pm

Here are two videos of the State-Lake Wurlitzer Opus 1773 in its new home in SW Florida. These were recorded in January 2011. The first link is a recording of “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and the second video is a quick informal chamber tour for those people that care what’s behind the organ grille. Enjoy!

Matchmaker, Matchmaker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=necErx3vcn0

Chamber Tour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie6rdJeV-9U

Mike Rogers on June 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm

The State-Lake theatre played some great movies.i recall a lot of good times of those movies in the middle 70’s. That is what is so important about CT,theatres like this.I know now how special it was to work a downtown theatre be it in the windy city or my home of Augusta,they are all but gone only to see a 20 plex pop up next to a shopping center.Take a vote, any thing over 4 screens take off and i am being generious,I would happy with single and twin theatres.

TLSLOEWS on June 6, 2010 at 12:46 pm

Great old photos.

DavidZornig on March 15, 2010 at 3:08 pm

Wow. Now THAT is what makes Cinema Treasures a truly special forum.

Just reading and knowing that a part of the State-Lake Theatre lives on in someone’s home, is heart warming.
I’m sure everyone would love to see a current picture of the organ.
If it’s not too intrusive on your privacy. If so we’d all understand.

I posted on one of the other CT pages of a suburban Chicago home, that has a huge pipe organ, Kaliope & Victrola collection in essentially what is a museum on the guy’s property.

Thank you for posting your story.

State-Lake Theatre

190 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60601

190 N. State Street,
Chicago, IL 60601