Teatro del Lago

1515 Sheridan Road,
Wilmette, IL 60091

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Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on May 19, 2005 at 6:24 am

What a fabulous discussion. My mother, Carolyn Rapp, grew up on the North Shore & went to the Teatro. My uncle Bill tells me that he played on that lot on the border with Kenilworth. But, by the time I came around No Man’s Land was much less exciting…basically a row of apartments. One of them has an old-fashioned entrance that I believe once led to the ruins you speak of. I actually worked at that Jewel in high school. The thing that blows me away is that Leo was still at the Linden Avenue El station into the 90’s…still hassling the kids about magazines. He moved into a new retail stall when they rebuilt the El terminal building, but disappeared soon after that. I imagine he must be gone now…rest his soul.

genky
genky on March 21, 2005 at 1:45 am

There’s nothing wrong with being an authority; in this case, it’s awesome. It’s just that it is rare that someone would actually research the era and come up with those books. And you still live in Wilmette too. Outstanding (I think I’m a little jealous). I agree about the look of the Plaza. Yuck. That Jewell on such hallowed ground, and those cheapo restaurants that sprouted up there in the late 70s when I returned from some years away. BTW, I just talked to someone who returned from Chicago last week and told me it was cold and snowing. Speaking of our mutual interests, I discovered that the City of Chicago has great links to its historic neighborhoods and architecture. I visited Logan Square and other sites around the City. I also discovered, to my delight, that fave restaurants and other gourmet delights, such as Homer’s on Green Bay Road, have websites and that you can overnight their wares! To think that I can order Homer’s homemade chocolate chip ice cream, Gino’s deep dish pizza, and visit Phil Smidt’s in Hammond — can’t wait to order. Stay in touch. Frank.

SStran
SStran on March 21, 2005 at 12:41 am

I just have many fond memories of the way it was then, remember a lot of things about the past, still live in Wilmette, and was very sorry to see the Teatro go and much of the look of things there change. Like you said, we were living in a paradise and didn’t know it. Didn’t mean to sound like an authority….I just tried to answer some of your questions.

genky
genky on March 20, 2005 at 11:05 pm

Sarah, I guess we could go on and on. I had no idea such books existed. Talk about treasures. One day I must get those books. I don’t know what the Breakers Beach Club is or knew that there were two clubs there, the Vista and the Miralago. I only wonder how and why you became such an authority.

SStran
SStran on March 20, 2005 at 10:43 pm

Hi again, Frank – My memory re Vista del Lago was a bit skewed. First, there was the Breakers Beach Club, which never really got off the ground, especially once the Depression hit. As for Vista del Lago, while it was a club, it was intended for whole families to join. It was never completed – only the first two floors were finished. It was the Miralago with the unsavory reputation for illegal gambling and sale of liquor (Prohibition still in effect). Miralago burned in 1932. According to the book: From No Man’s Land To Plaza del Lago, by Robert Schea, “The ballroom on the second floor……featured a silvered ceiling, black marble columns, jade-green drapes and lighting that changed colors. Its centerpiece was a neon fountain which, if it still existed, would be viewed with the same reverence by collectors of Art Deco objets that a Rembrandt commands among art dealers.”(p.58) Because it was in No Man’s Land, police from Kenilworth and Wilmette claimed they had no jurisdiction in settling incidents of violence or illegal gambling and liquor. Since Wilmette authorities could not enforce order there, Wilmette withdrew fire protection and shut off the water in 1931. No Man’s Land residents sank their own wells. Wilmette offered fire protection for $500 a month in advance. No one took up that offer. Fire broke out March 8 ‘32, and Wilmette and Winnetka FDs did not respond. The Evanston FD came through, but Kenilworth then shut off the water! There is more to all this in the book. Another book you might try to find is Wilmette: A History, by George D. Bushnell. I have a copy, but can’t find it. I saw several copies of both books listed on Alibris.com. Both books have plenty of photos including several of the Teatro.
Sad to say, Art Roberts, one of my favorite DJs passed away on March 6, 2002 after a second stroke. He and his wife Bobbie lived in Nevada. His website is still there www.artroberts.com – be sure to visit the tribute page there.

genky
genky on March 20, 2005 at 9:28 pm

Sarah, reading you is like eating a feast of madelines. It’s so great to keep the memories coming. I do remember Leo at the 4th and Linden stop. He always accused me of stealing a Playboy, but I never did. WLS Silver Dollar Survey!!!! We probably picked some up there, but I think that there was a shop “downtown” where I usually got them, though I can’t remember its name. I found a site run by Art Roberts of old WLS and I keep meaning to email him, if the site (and Art) are still kicking. Jim Dunbar from the Golden Days of WLS lived on 9th Street (I believe) just off Lake Street. We used to ask his wife for free demo records that they always had around the house. He’s been out here for decades and was on the radio here on KGO since I got here in 85. He’s retired now, and KGO was not a rock station, but I had always thought of dropping him a line. I don’t remember woods behind the Teatro; that was Chestnut Street and I remember Nancy Ward and Bob Barton, who, like me, went to St. Francis. I remember Twin Mansions on the other side of Chestnut. Rumor was that it was originally designed / occupied by the Amos and Andy radio stars of the 30s when Chicago was home to many classic radio shows. One memory is the house at the northwest corner of Chestnut and 10th Street (?). It was a beautiful Beverly Hills pink. Ah! All of those homes and pools we used to explore. The Vista. Yes, we often explored there, and the big hoods (and their fast women, for us anyway) of West Wilmette and Glenview drank and did whatnot there. I remember seeking blankets in some of the spaces. Lynn Rivera is a fast chick I remember from the Vista. But you said 30s — could it have been a prohibition nightclub? and do you have any leads for anyone who does know its true history? Thanks. Frank

SStran
SStran on March 20, 2005 at 8:11 pm

Frank – Just happened to be online when your message came in. It’s great to read of your memories! It was always a treat when my folks took me to San Pedro’s – what a wonderful little restaurant that was, and a great menu, too! (Where else could you find chilled borscht, pecan loaf, and whitefish almondine all on the same menu?) The Vista del Lago certianly was, I believe, a mob-run nightclub from the 30s. It had Art-Deco architecture, and the ruins were still there when I was little, and I was forbidden to cross Sheridan Rd to explore them. Jim and I instead played either in the parking lot on our trikes before the Teatro opened for the first film of the day, or explored the little wild undeveloped area of woods behind the theatre (now all townhouses and perfect lawns…too bad). The Peacock’s ice cream place was called “The Dairy Bar”, and sometimes we’d stop for ice cream cones after a day at the beach. Paul’s was probably one of the last of those record shops where you could listen to records in those little booths. I used to stop in there to pick up each week’s WLS Silver Dollar Survey. The place you played touch football was called Mahoney Park. In the early days of the village there was a small farm there, owned by someone named Mahoney. The car place was Walther’s – mainly a Buick place, if I recall right, but they certainly worked on the imports too, like Jaguars and such. I used to see Walther from the apt windows facing the alley, and he walked with a limp and always had a cane. Do you remember Leo at the 1st and Linden “L” station? Well, it was wonderful to hear from a fellow No-Man’s-Land “graduate” – sometimes I wish I had a time-machine!

genky
genky on March 20, 2005 at 7:33 pm

I can’t believe there is a thread devoted to one of my most cherished memories. I grew up around 13th and Greenwood and “lived” at “no man’s land” and the Teatro. To read Sarah’s comments about growing up there is heartwarming. I can’t tell you how many weekends and movies I spent and saw there, respectively. The Great Escape, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, the Pink Panther movies — I wish I could remember them all. The place was so cool, dark, and atmospheric, not to mention the sex education we got in the rear rows. But I also remember the culture of no man’s land back then. Sarah’s apartments stand out, so does San Pedro restaurant. Does anyone remember the Vista, those ruins facing the lake? They were destroyed when they put up those apartment buildings there, but I always wanted to know their origin. Rumor was that it was a nightspot run by the mob back in the days of Big Al Capone. I keep meaning to ask the Wilmette Historical Society, a site you should definitely check out. I also remember Peacock’s ice cream across Sheridan Road run by a Greek man who later moved it to downtown Evanston. O how I miss those glorious summers! We lived in a little paradise and didn’t know it. Does anyone remember Paul’s record store? It was run by a man who had a palsied hand and we used to sit in those booths listing to records endlessly. We also used to play touch football on Sundays in that little clearing in Kenilworth at the border. I also remember some garage that fixed foreign cars or something. That entire area is beautiful and I truly miss it. (I have been living in California since ‘85.) I also want to thank everyone on this thread for their contributions. Reading you all has been good for my soul. Thanks again. Frank.

alcfetz
alcfetz on February 18, 2005 at 9:17 pm

As far as I can remember, everyone called it just the “Teatro”. Almost used as slang to say “Let’s go to the "Teatro”. The full name didn’t matter. Everyone in town knew what you meant.

paulench
paulench on February 18, 2005 at 5:17 pm

Here is a picture of the Teatro from back in the early days.

paulench
paulench on December 28, 2004 at 4:34 pm

We lived within walking distance of the Teatro del Lago so we often went to matinees and evening shows there (1955-1970). The Teatro ran first run films right after their Chicago downtown premieres. It had a huge screen and good stereo sound system. There was no balcony but plenty of seating in its big auditorium.
The Teatro never ran double features (which the downtown Evanston theaters did), but they had plenty of shorts, cartoons and newsreels to make it a full show.
We too went through the Wilmette school system: Central, Wilmette Jr High and New Trier and many a kids' birthday party wound up at the Teatro for a Danny Kaye or Disney movie.)

ValerieSmith
ValerieSmith on December 15, 2004 at 10:01 pm

I was born in 1952, and recall going to the Teatro del Lago w/ my sister and seeing Father Goose for .50 – sometime between 1959-1964, when we lived in east Wilmette. I now enjoy browsing through the Plaza, especially going to Long Grove Confectionary, either before or after going to Dr. Cook’s office.
Valerie Smith

BobM
BobM on November 30, 2004 at 5:02 am

Sarah – No, I don’t live in Chicago area anymore (sob). The Union Pacific (yes, the one deMille named the movie after) has me in Omaha now. Oddly enough, while working for major railroad (or two, depending on how you count mergers), I’ve become a multi-engine flight instructor. Go figure…

alcfetz
alcfetz on November 24, 2004 at 8:03 pm

Casey,
Thanks so much for the information on your dad. Although I have not seen him in about 40 years, I still feel a great loss. Sounds like he really got into the business in a big way. I don’t know your age so I don’t know how much you remember about the Teatro. I do have a few pictures of the interior I took when I worked there in 1958. I would be more than happy to email copies to you if you have any interest.

caseypratt
caseypratt on November 24, 2004 at 7:21 pm

Al, My dad owned a movie theatre in Estes Park, CO where I grew up called the Village Theater from 1965 until 1987 when he opened a triplex in town. Through the years he owned theaters in Brighton, CO, Rifle, CO, Evergreen, CO and Woodland Park, CO. In 1999 he sold his last two, the triplex in Estes and the twin in Woodland Park, to my sister. Dad was still lugging film canisters up to projection booths at 72 and carrying 50 lb bags of popcorn on his shoulder to help Heather get started. In Dec. of 1999 he was diagnosed with an acute type of leukemia and passed away on April 30th, 2000. He truly loved the theater business and the Teatro.

SStran
SStran on November 24, 2004 at 6:39 pm

Bob, Andy says he remembers you from Jr. High School and that you had some classes together. We couldn’t find you in the New Trier Directory, though. Andy has gotten pretty good at finger-picking guitar – see http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stranglen1
He wonders if you still live in the Chicago area.

SStran
SStran on November 24, 2004 at 5:37 pm

I’ve seen this site put up by the Central Elementary School, and it is incorrect. What you see is the Jewel Food Store, which is a completely new (as of the late 60s) building. The Teatro was demolished. Incidentally the Jewel is not on the very site of the theatre, but a bit south of where it was. The Jewel is built in a Spanish style to fit in with the architecture of the original block of apartments and stores called Spanish Court.

BobM
BobM on November 24, 2004 at 6:06 am

Sarah – I knew your last name was familiar! Your brother and I met at Howard when the “Central” and “Logan” kids went to Junior High together.
In any case, my fondest memory of the “Teatro” was great flicks and the best popcorn ever. One of my odder memories of the theater was the poster for “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World.” I never saw the movie until I was in my late 30’s but for some reason that poster stuck. The only reason I can determine is that “Mad” magazine (a staple in our house for many years due to the ten years between my brother and me) issued one of their many specials called “A World, World, World Mad”.

One more memory – my mom worked for the bank that sponsered the annual Christmas movie at the theater. Always went to ‘em.

alcfetz
alcfetz on November 23, 2004 at 6:05 pm

This is great seeing that there are still a handful of us who remember this theater. I think I spent half my childhood in that building. I would quite often con the projectionist (i think his name was louie) into letting me sit up in his palace and watch the workings up close.
A note to Casey Pratt. I knew your dad well. He was a great guy to work for. The last I saw of him was in a picture in the wilds of Colorado.

SStran
SStran on November 23, 2004 at 5:39 pm

Bob, no, I have a brother Andrew. I too, saw a lot of movies there, some of them Three Stooges shorts, and I remember one of the “Sinbad the Sailor” Technicolor movies that had an impressive tidal wave in it! I think the last movie I saw there was the Beatles in “A Hard Day’s Night”.

BobM
BobM on November 23, 2004 at 8:34 am

On a whim, I thought I’d check out my favorite Saturday movie house from my youth, and here it is! I can’t even think of all of the Three Stooges shorts that I saw there, along with who knows what other Saturday Matinees. I do remember “Robinson Carusoe on Mars” in particular, for some reason. BTW, Sarah – do you have a brother Tim? I think I went to school with him.
Bob Meder

SStran
SStran on November 9, 2004 at 6:11 pm

Casey, I have a photo from March 1953 of Jim and me playing in the parking lot of the Teatro during the daytime before the evening crowds. Jim is on a tricycle and I am standing nearby wearing a winter snowsuit-type outfit. Unfortunately only the apartments show in the background; the Teatro is off-camera to the right, but it’s a cute picture!

caseypratt
caseypratt on November 8, 2004 at 9:33 pm

I just talked to my brother Jim and he remembers you too. He is going to send me some copies of his pictures of the Teatro, unfortunately most were taken when it was being torn down. I’ll try and scan them and post them here.

SStran
SStran on November 7, 2004 at 5:50 pm

I was born in 1951 and lived in the Spanish Court apartments across from the Teatro del Lago until 1958. My parents were friends with Stan Pratt, and his son Jim was one of my first playmates. Occasionally, Mr Pratt would treat my folks to free admission to the theatre. My bedroom window faced this beautiful building with its bright, pulsating, and scrolling marquee, and I have fond memories of the aroma of fresh buttered popcorn, and the sounds of the crowd outside on warm summer nights.

caseypratt
caseypratt on September 26, 2004 at 6:23 am

My dad was the manager at the Teatro from about 1950 until it closed. I was born in 1965 and the theater was torn down in 1966. Somewhere my family has pictures of the theater and if I locate them, I’ll try to get them to this sight.