Hinsdale Theater
29 E. First Street,
Hinsdale,
IL
60521
29 E. First Street,
Hinsdale,
IL
60521
6 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 43 of 43 comments found
There is a circa 1978 photo on page 27 of this survey:
http://tinyurl.com/6pgkls
Terrible outcome—I’ll miss this charming old hardtop. Took my kids there many times, even tho we’re NW Chicagoans; my oldest son was fascinated by their pipe organ. Probably saw there MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (#1).
Lobby
Updated Russell Phillips link:
Hinsdale Auditorium
What happened to the organ after the place was converted to retail?
I remember seeing some really good films at the Hinsdale—“Patton,” “The Poseidon Adventure,” and a double feature of “MASH” and “The Paper Chase” to name a few. This is going to sound weird, but one of the things I liked about the Hinsdale was that the restrooms were right in the back of the auditorium. You didn’t have to go out to the lobby to get to them. In fact, you could still hear the soundtrack of the film while “taking care of business.” It was nice, because—as long as you could still hear dialogue—you didn’t feel like you were missing any of the movie!
I recently moved back to the Hinsdale area and frequently drive past what used to be the theater. It’s a retail outlet now; the new facade suggests that it used to be something other than a store, and I have to admit it’s quite attractive—but I miss checking that marquee to see what’s playing as I cruise past!
I walked by here today. Nothing remains to indicate that this was a movie theatre. However, it does look better than what was the Varsity Theatre in Evanston, IL (which is now a Gap store with a facade that looks like it was grafted onto the building). At least they did a good job converting the theatre.
There is a story in today’s Chicago Tribune about the conversion of the theater into retail and office space and a wine bar. Too bad the two photographs from the print edition aren’t available online; one is a nice picture in the article of the restored facade of the theater with its new canopy-style marquee which is much more in keeping with the 20s look of the building than marquee in the photo above which has now thankfully been removed. The other photo shows work being done on the bar being constructed in what had been the balcony area.
Only was here once; however, what a movie! Abel Gance’s Napoleon. Turned out to be one of my all time favorite movies. It was cool seeing it in a theater built during the same era as when the movie was made.
Here are renderings of what the Hinsdale would have looked like renovated
Here is a 1985 photo of the auditorium, Of the lobby. Does anyone know what became of the organ? I saw it up fr sale on theatreorgans.com once, but I never heard where it sold to.
Here’s a link with photos of the theatre. View link
The valiant attempt by the Hinsdale Theatre Foundation to restore/reopen the Hinsdale has ended, and the building was sold to a developer who is converting it into retail space on the main floor and offices on the second floor.
The address for the Hinsdale Theatre is 29 East First Street, Hinsdale, Il.
Hinsdale Theater is in fact open at this time. Today, 3/2/03 they are showing “Rabbit Proof Fence” –
How do they – or you – update your information? Their phone # listed in the paper is 630-986-9494. Signed, a community patron Rev. Ron Greene
I went looking for the Hinsdale yesterday and had a little trouble finding it. I wouldn’t say it is on a main street, but sorta on a side street. To help others find it, it is in downtown Hinsdale at 29 E First, between Washington and Second ST.
To learn more about the Hinsdael Theater and the effort underway right now to save the Theater, log onto our web site at www.hinsdaletheater.org
The Hinsdale is a very special place. Not only is it a very beautiful theatre but it contains what is easily the finest pipe organ anywhere in the Midwest area. It is a 3/28 Kimball. And there are more ranks that have yet to become operational at this point in time. The organ can be seen here… http://www.catoe.org/hinsdale.html
I was recording engineer for a CD that was done of this organ a year or so before the theatre closed. I’m sure glad that we spent time doing this as this organ might not be open to public performances anymore. Don Springer and I opted for a “you are there” type of sound for the CD. The citizens of Hinsdale are fools if they don’t preserve this theatre!!