In looking at a postcard of the original roof sign, it looks as if it is neon with no incandescent bulbs. It does read FOX on the top line, THEATRE on the bottom line.
The Fox had its original vertical until 1960. It was that year it was removed and replaced with the monstrosity that can be seen today.
The rooftop sign had three lives: the first was the original reading “Fox Theatre” with incandescent bulbs; the second was three hugh neon letters, F-O-X; the third, the present, no sign but the framework remains.
It would be nice to see this restored, but I think the vertical matter is more pressing. Besides, the current management can’t even keep this one relamped.
I must agree that the griffins on the new marquee are a bit much.
Alas, in installing the new marquee they forgot(?) to include floodlights to illuminate the facade after dark. The old marquee had these lights…and it is really a loss. The floodlit terra cotta facade was a beautiful sight.
Next, we hope, will be the replacment of the 1960s vertical with a replica of the original. (Dept. of Pipe Dreams?)
A search today of the Belleville Public Library’s collection of newspapers, newspaper index and City Directories shows that the correct address of the ILLINOIS Theatre was 214 W. Main Street.
Where the FDYB got a 300-block address will, at this point, never be known.
The search also confirms what I have said before, the ILLINOIS Theatre was originally the WASHINGTON Theatre.
As the ILLINOIS, theatre opened December 25, 1938.
Tower closed June 12, 1969. Arthur Enterprises ad the following day said theatre had been sold for a new commerical development. To this day, site remains a vacant lot.
Theatre opened as a vaudeville house in February 1908.
The architect of the house was F. C. Bonsack.
Seating capacity was 2117. The 3rd balcony seating capacity, 410, was usually deducted from the total as these seats were rarely sold in later years.
The American became, briefly, a true film house in 1915 when it became the exclusive home of first-run Triangle films.
In 1918, management of the theatre was taken over by Klaw & Erlanger, and it was at this point the theatre began the policy for which it is best remembered, as a legitimate theatre.
However, during the 20s and 30s, many films were shown here on a reserved seat basis. Such films as “The Thief of Bagdad,” “The Ten Commandments,” “Ben-Hur,” “Old Ironsides,” “Wings,” “Rasputin and the Empress,” “Dinner at Eight,” “The Great Ziegfeld,” “Lost Horizon,” and “The Life of Emile Zola.”
Theatre closed in May 1953. Since the name “American” had become synonymous with legit theatre in St. Louis, the name was moved to the old Shubert on Grand Avenue.
Original plans to build a 1500-car multi-story parking garage
were abandoned and the final 500-car parking lot was a basement and surface lot only.
When plans were announced in 1962 the architects listed were:
Finch, Alexander, Barnes, Rothschild, Paschal and Associates of Atlanta; John Sweeny of St. Louis, associate architect.
Theatre opened November 23, 1966 (the same day as the Northland) with “The Liquidator.”
When plans were announced to built the theatre in 1964, the architect listed was Maurice Sornik. However, when the theatre was under construction the architect mentioned was Kenneth Balk.
Initial seating capacity (as a single screen venue) was 1000.
As well, the Esquire reconfigured itself into a 3-screen venue before Cinema 4 Center opened.
1936 seating capacity of 632. Architect firm of Johnson and Maack.
In 1966 re-do architect listed as George Berg. Seating capacity reduced to 420.
Cinema 4 Center was not the first multi-screen venue in the St. Louis area. Sunset Hills Cinemas I & II opened much earlier in 1964.
In looking at a postcard of the original roof sign, it looks as if it is neon with no incandescent bulbs. It does read FOX on the top line, THEATRE on the bottom line.
The Fox had its original vertical until 1960. It was that year it was removed and replaced with the monstrosity that can be seen today.
The rooftop sign had three lives: the first was the original reading “Fox Theatre” with incandescent bulbs; the second was three hugh neon letters, F-O-X; the third, the present, no sign but the framework remains.
It would be nice to see this restored, but I think the vertical matter is more pressing. Besides, the current management can’t even keep this one relamped.
I must agree that the griffins on the new marquee are a bit much.
Alas, in installing the new marquee they forgot(?) to include floodlights to illuminate the facade after dark. The old marquee had these lights…and it is really a loss. The floodlit terra cotta facade was a beautiful sight.
Next, we hope, will be the replacment of the 1960s vertical with a replica of the original. (Dept. of Pipe Dreams?)
A search today of the Belleville Public Library’s collection of newspapers, newspaper index and City Directories shows that the correct address of the ILLINOIS Theatre was 214 W. Main Street.
Where the FDYB got a 300-block address will, at this point, never be known.
The search also confirms what I have said before, the ILLINOIS Theatre was originally the WASHINGTON Theatre.
As the ILLINOIS, theatre opened December 25, 1938.
Seating capacity was 910.
The Washington Theatre opened January 17, 1913.
The airdome was behind the hardtop, with an address on Washington, the street to the south.
The theatre was renamed the ILLINOIS and, as such, opened December 25, 1938.
All this information from the Belleville Public Library newspaper files and index.
Indeed, the newer facade is gone and the original is to be seen once again.
Theatre operated from 1923 to 1966.
Original seating capacity was 646.
Cypress Village opened April 2, 1969. This the 2nd Fox Midwest division of National General Theatres theatre to open in the St. Louis market.
Theatre design credited to Martin Bloom and Associates.
A single-screen operation at opening, seating capacity at the time listed as 922 seats.
At the time, Ben Littlefield was the manager.
Tower closed June 12, 1969. Arthur Enterprises ad the following day said theatre had been sold for a new commerical development. To this day, site remains a vacant lot.
As already noted, the venue opened as the Northwest Plaza Cinema.
Opening date was June 25, 1969. At opening, touted 1700 seats.
Opened June 4, 1969. Designed by Martin Bloom & Associates.
The Mark Twain opened in August 1968 with a reserved seat subrun of the 70mm version of “GWTW”.
Capacity of the house listed as 986.
Architectural credit given to firm of Levitt, LeDuc, Farwell and Associates.
Theatre part of the Fox Midwest branch of National General Corporation.
Theatre opened as a vaudeville house in February 1908.
The architect of the house was F. C. Bonsack.
Seating capacity was 2117. The 3rd balcony seating capacity, 410, was usually deducted from the total as these seats were rarely sold in later years.
The American became, briefly, a true film house in 1915 when it became the exclusive home of first-run Triangle films.
In 1918, management of the theatre was taken over by Klaw & Erlanger, and it was at this point the theatre began the policy for which it is best remembered, as a legitimate theatre.
However, during the 20s and 30s, many films were shown here on a reserved seat basis. Such films as “The Thief of Bagdad,” “The Ten Commandments,” “Ben-Hur,” “Old Ironsides,” “Wings,” “Rasputin and the Empress,” “Dinner at Eight,” “The Great Ziegfeld,” “Lost Horizon,” and “The Life of Emile Zola.”
Theatre closed in May 1953. Since the name “American” had become synonymous with legit theatre in St. Louis, the name was moved to the old Shubert on Grand Avenue.
Original plans to build a 1500-car multi-story parking garage
were abandoned and the final 500-car parking lot was a basement and surface lot only.
Condensing the name changes over the years:
December 1915 – Opens as a theatre, known as RITZ.
May 1916 – Renamed ROYAL.
November 1922 – Renamed RIVOLI.
March 1968 – Renamed TOWNE.
Structure currently being remodeled into a mosque.
Seating capacity at opening (October 1937) was given as 1000.
Architect was O. W. Stiegemeyer.
In 1963 management was taken over by Sam Chernoff (an associate of Harry Wald) and theatre became the Beverly Art.
Mid-America took over the theatre in July 1967 and called it the Beverly Fine Arts until September of that year when it became the Fine Arts.
Theatre had a seating capacity of 913.
When plans were announced in 1962 the architects listed were:
Finch, Alexander, Barnes, Rothschild, Paschal and Associates of Atlanta; John Sweeny of St. Louis, associate architect.
Mr. Utley, indeed, is correct. Address of the 4-Screen was 10425; the Airway 10634. Hardly “opposite”.
Venue opened October 20, 1967.
Architects: Erwin Knoesel & Associates.
Theatre opened November 23, 1966 (the same day as its twin, the South County) with “The Liquidator.”
Initial seating capacity (as a single screen venue) was 1000.
Architect was Kenneth Balk of St. Louis.
Theatre opened November 23, 1966 (the same day as the Northland) with “The Liquidator.”
When plans were announced to built the theatre in 1964, the architect listed was Maurice Sornik. However, when the theatre was under construction the architect mentioned was Kenneth Balk.
Initial seating capacity (as a single screen venue) was 1000.
Theatre opened April 30, 1965.
Publicity at the time claimed 1100 seats.
Manchester Theatre closed in April 1964.