I just remembered humorist writer & sometimes actor Bruce Vilanch, mentioning the Carnegie Theatre and his other neighborhood haunts in an interview once. He was apparently a regular at Punchinello’s on Rush St. during the `60’s.
The office building on the site of the old Carmen Theatre was built for AON Insurance. Directly across the street is AON’s parking structure accessed by it’s own crosswalk.
Just North of that used to be a giant restaurant called the Plantation, which is now a bank.
The Terminal Theatre was mentioned in “Remembering Chicago” on PBS last night. It showed a brief shot of it’s massive vertical sign, whose bright neon was lauded when it was finally able to be turned back at the end of WWII.
Several other Chicago theatres were seen in the various footage used in describing Chicago from 1933 on up.
As I posted on the Cinestage page, there is a photo of it and/or the Michael Todd hanging in the Chicago Cultural Center. 2nd floor Western hallway, on the Washington St. side.
AMC Gremlin in the street and porno on the marquee.
There is also a Raven Theatre in Chicago on Western Ave near Granville. Though it is strictly live stage and was built inside of a former Jewel Foods grocery store.
You are a God BWChicago. Flo’s it is, or was. Thanks! My barber concurs. Thanks for the tiemline.
Flo the owner was apparently a heavy set gal who dated the dance instructer named Tony Paris. Only in Chicago would we now learn this, eh?
My barbers club was called Club Malibu located at 3309 N. Clark. Not downtown as I had thought.
There was a bowling alley at 828 W. Grace called Marigold Bowl until just a few years ago. It was operated by the same family for years. Particularly an older gentleman named Howard who worked both the desk & the shoe rental. He’d run from one to the other like Mr. Drucker on “Green Acres”,(General store to Postmaster).
This would have been across the street from the Marigold Arena, which is now and has been a church since at least the `70’s. A 24 hour IHOP stands guard at Broadway & Grace.
Howard talked about the Vogue Theatre and it’s proximity to the Marigold. As if it was a small town unto itself. Obviously he knew more than he led on. I wish he and it was still there, cause he surely knew of any tunnels.
Marigold was sold, torn down & replaced by a massive condo structure.
Part of what I believe was the Vogue Theatre site is the tall subsidized housing building at 810 W. Grace, whose East elevation faces Broadway. It had a fire of it’s own not too long ago. The Chateau Hotel was still at the other end last I was over there.
We bowled off & on in leagues at Marigold from 1995-2002. Never getting any better really.
The Baliwick Theatre is across from the Vogue site on Broadway. Several levels of live stage facilities that I think were built out of an old garage of some sorts. The rear stairwells were large and industrial looking. Moved some stuff in & out of there in 1990. It too had ballroom dancing even then.
Well, at first my barber thought the club was called the Preview. But he thought that was on another block.
He than came up with the Velvet Swing, which would make sense, but he wasn’t sure. He said I was going too far back. I’ll see him in a few weeks and re-quiz him. At least we’ll learn the name of his own club.
To Bob Jensen & Flickchick, the “Treasure Chest” was the name of the arcade that sold the gag gifts, had pinball, wooden ball bowling & such.
Even switchblades that were boldly on display in glass cases.
I’m looking at the very first of the May 24th 2005 pictures posted. There
The one before giant eyeglasses were added to the front of the marquee. Doesn’t that say just Rodeo on the small vertical portion?
The very first comment/post has only one picture. The 2nd post has two more. A different marquee in all three pictures.
My monitor is unfortunately a TV, so maybe the “S” looks like an “O”. But please take another look at the very first comment & photo posted.
So they beefed up support for the new marquee with columns, and changed the angles of the sides.
The first of the two B/W photos in Lost Memory’s May 29th post, looks like it’s plucked right out of “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Downtown Bedford Falls. Nice!
The second `70’s B/W pic shows a possible 2nd incarnation of the marquee, from that of the 1938 pic.
It’s good they went back to a classic marquee shape during the renovation.
The marquee of the Variety Playhouse is featured in the Turner Classic Movie network’s promos for “TCM Classic Movie News”. It is a slow pan with the above on the marquee. The illuminated underside is also visible.
Given Ted Turner’s association with Atlanta, it’s understandable why the Variety was the easy choice to shoot at. However given the Golden Age of Hollywood theme of “TCM Classic Movie News” & TCM in general, I think an actual Hollywood era theatre would have been more approriate. It’s not like they couldn’t afford it.
If any large Hollywood theatre wouldn’t change their marquee for a one day shoot, certainly old footage could have been altered to reflect the TCM show’s name. Even black & white footage would have been more fitting. With maybe only TCM’s title in color. It could have morphed from a premiere going crowd into an also fitting news-reel look. After tilting to the marquee. Maybe the Crest of Mann’s?
Hey Ted, need any production help out there?
Good catch Warren. According to Wikipedia, Billie Burke was married to Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. from 1914-1932.
So it’s probably no coincidence that the ad states: Only Theatre in the City to See Billie Burke in “Let’s Get A Divorce”.
She didn’t necessarily need the nepotism, and apparently always performed under her own name even after marriage.
Since her birth name was Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke, choosing Billie after her own father Billy, seemed the right choice. According to Wiki he was a singing clown.
My father was a student at the Chicago Musical College in the late 1940’s. He was subsequently hired to score some of the 1950 Charlton Heston version of “Julius Caesar” that was filmed in Chicago.
In reference to Ken Mc’s Nov. 22nd post, I read somewhere that major cities often dimmed the lights during wartime to deter bombers from above.
So that enemy planes if any, couldn’t make out the perimeters of the more populated areas. I believe the practice started after the bombing of cities overseas.
In Don. K.’s original 2005 post, the 1952 photo shows the Cameo as being called the Rodeo. Any ideas as to how many years it operated under the Rodeo name?
It was probably chosen due to it’s inexpensive change to the marquee. Three letters versus another sign completely.
Thanks Bryan. You know, I thought that building looked like a theater. I delivered pizzas for a place called Lincoln Park Pizza on Lincoln & Altgeld in 1977 & `78. Delivering in and around DePaul was the norm.
Thanks again for finding all the extra lost chicago gems.
I happened by the site of the old Granada Theatre today on the “L”.
Geographically, there is a multi-level parking structure where the Granada formerly stood. With retail in the front.
The taller building is actually to the North of that. Where Ramblers, Minstrels & Huey’s etc. used to be.
There is also a massive condominum structure across the street where the New Old Place restaurant used to be.
It’s like a dark corridor now.
I went by the site of the old Devon Theatre today on the “L” train.
The entire span of land from the neighboring McDonalds, all the way around the corner on Granville to the “L” tracks has been developed.
A massive condo project with different levels, balconies and what not stands in it’s place. Long gone with the Devon are the corner medical center, Char-Lar Lounge, Deadwood Daves & the Eagles Nest along the Granville side.
Greetingsw Rolando. You were not dreaming that. I clearly remember the restaurant with the girl on the swing too. I posted about it ont the Oriental page I think. I mistakenly thought it was on that side of Randolph. But now as you say it, I’m pretty sure it was next to the United Artists.
I thought it was either a German or New Oleans themed place. She definately wore either Laderhosen or a short skirt/bloomers.
The facade of the restaurant building had a tall cut-away on the left side above the entrance. The swing was actually suspended inside of that. But when she swang out on it, she was over the sidewalk. The cut-away was deep enough to not have her hit the back when she swung back in.
I put a call into my barber who owned a nightclub downtown in the `60’s. I’ll post back with an answer when I get one.
That’s too bad. I think the Burger King was torn down and rebuilt once already in the same spot. Wonder why they didn’t just take it over then.
Or why DePaul didn’t buy it just to have it on hand. A family friend owned another bar & a few buildings just East of there across from Milito’s. DePaul bought everything from them all at once.
I don’t see an original number of seats posted for the Star. But from what I remember on the size of this place, if it could have sat more than 200 people I’d be surprised. It’s pretty tiny.
I had absolutely no idea that Foremost Liquors was formally a theatre. I lived on Argyle just East of here from 1980-`83.
This is why I love Cinema Treasures. There is always something new to learn.
Aside from the many times I was in Foremost, my regular “Super Mercado” was kitty corner from that.
Foremost had a rather large tin ceiling as I recall.
The neighborhood West of Sheridan was changing rapidly in 1980. From fast food & halfway houses to predominately Vietnamese. The Argyle “L” stop was remodeled with an Asian themed roof. Some dubbed the area “New Chinatown”.
Ah. I knew it looked as if it had long ago been a functioning theatre of some type when I was there.
Saw a stage version of “Pulp Fiction” there if you can imagine. Maybe 2001 or so.
I’ll assume the People’s Temple is not listed on CT, having never been a public use movie theatre.
I just remembered humorist writer & sometimes actor Bruce Vilanch, mentioning the Carnegie Theatre and his other neighborhood haunts in an interview once. He was apparently a regular at Punchinello’s on Rush St. during the `60’s.
The office building on the site of the old Carmen Theatre was built for AON Insurance. Directly across the street is AON’s parking structure accessed by it’s own crosswalk.
Just North of that used to be a giant restaurant called the Plantation, which is now a bank.
The Terminal Theatre was mentioned in “Remembering Chicago” on PBS last night. It showed a brief shot of it’s massive vertical sign, whose bright neon was lauded when it was finally able to be turned back at the end of WWII.
Several other Chicago theatres were seen in the various footage used in describing Chicago from 1933 on up.
As I posted on the Cinestage page, there is a photo of it and/or the Michael Todd hanging in the Chicago Cultural Center. 2nd floor Western hallway, on the Washington St. side.
AMC Gremlin in the street and porno on the marquee.
There is also a Raven Theatre in Chicago on Western Ave near Granville. Though it is strictly live stage and was built inside of a former Jewel Foods grocery store.
You are a God BWChicago. Flo’s it is, or was. Thanks! My barber concurs. Thanks for the tiemline.
Flo the owner was apparently a heavy set gal who dated the dance instructer named Tony Paris. Only in Chicago would we now learn this, eh?
My barbers club was called Club Malibu located at 3309 N. Clark. Not downtown as I had thought.
There was a bowling alley at 828 W. Grace called Marigold Bowl until just a few years ago. It was operated by the same family for years. Particularly an older gentleman named Howard who worked both the desk & the shoe rental. He’d run from one to the other like Mr. Drucker on “Green Acres”,(General store to Postmaster).
This would have been across the street from the Marigold Arena, which is now and has been a church since at least the `70’s. A 24 hour IHOP stands guard at Broadway & Grace.
Howard talked about the Vogue Theatre and it’s proximity to the Marigold. As if it was a small town unto itself. Obviously he knew more than he led on. I wish he and it was still there, cause he surely knew of any tunnels.
Marigold was sold, torn down & replaced by a massive condo structure.
Part of what I believe was the Vogue Theatre site is the tall subsidized housing building at 810 W. Grace, whose East elevation faces Broadway. It had a fire of it’s own not too long ago. The Chateau Hotel was still at the other end last I was over there.
We bowled off & on in leagues at Marigold from 1995-2002. Never getting any better really.
The Baliwick Theatre is across from the Vogue site on Broadway. Several levels of live stage facilities that I think were built out of an old garage of some sorts. The rear stairwells were large and industrial looking. Moved some stuff in & out of there in 1990. It too had ballroom dancing even then.
I meant Majestic Crest OR Mann’s(Graumann’s Chinese Theatre). Guess I shouldn’t have cut typing class.
Well, at first my barber thought the club was called the Preview. But he thought that was on another block.
He than came up with the Velvet Swing, which would make sense, but he wasn’t sure. He said I was going too far back. I’ll see him in a few weeks and re-quiz him. At least we’ll learn the name of his own club.
To Bob Jensen & Flickchick, the “Treasure Chest” was the name of the arcade that sold the gag gifts, had pinball, wooden ball bowling & such.
Even switchblades that were boldly on display in glass cases.
Sorry for the typos. I’m referring only to the vertical portion of the sign in the first 1952 picture.
I’m looking at the very first of the May 24th 2005 pictures posted. There
The one before giant eyeglasses were added to the front of the marquee. Doesn’t that say just Rodeo on the small vertical portion?
The very first comment/post has only one picture. The 2nd post has two more. A different marquee in all three pictures.
My monitor is unfortunately a TV, so maybe the “S” looks like an “O”. But please take another look at the very first comment & photo posted.
So they beefed up support for the new marquee with columns, and changed the angles of the sides.
The first of the two B/W photos in Lost Memory’s May 29th post, looks like it’s plucked right out of “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Downtown Bedford Falls. Nice!
The second `70’s B/W pic shows a possible 2nd incarnation of the marquee, from that of the 1938 pic.
It’s good they went back to a classic marquee shape during the renovation.
The marquee of the Variety Playhouse is featured in the Turner Classic Movie network’s promos for “TCM Classic Movie News”. It is a slow pan with the above on the marquee. The illuminated underside is also visible.
Given Ted Turner’s association with Atlanta, it’s understandable why the Variety was the easy choice to shoot at. However given the Golden Age of Hollywood theme of “TCM Classic Movie News” & TCM in general, I think an actual Hollywood era theatre would have been more approriate. It’s not like they couldn’t afford it.
If any large Hollywood theatre wouldn’t change their marquee for a one day shoot, certainly old footage could have been altered to reflect the TCM show’s name. Even black & white footage would have been more fitting. With maybe only TCM’s title in color. It could have morphed from a premiere going crowd into an also fitting news-reel look. After tilting to the marquee. Maybe the Crest of Mann’s?
Hey Ted, need any production help out there?
P.S. That’s one rare Woody wagon in the 1944 picture in Ken Mc’s Nov.28th post.
Oh, to own that car today.
Good catch Warren. According to Wikipedia, Billie Burke was married to Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. from 1914-1932.
So it’s probably no coincidence that the ad states: Only Theatre in the City to See Billie Burke in “Let’s Get A Divorce”.
She didn’t necessarily need the nepotism, and apparently always performed under her own name even after marriage.
Since her birth name was Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke, choosing Billie after her own father Billy, seemed the right choice. According to Wiki he was a singing clown.
My father was a student at the Chicago Musical College in the late 1940’s. He was subsequently hired to score some of the 1950 Charlton Heston version of “Julius Caesar” that was filmed in Chicago.
In reference to Ken Mc’s Nov. 22nd post, I read somewhere that major cities often dimmed the lights during wartime to deter bombers from above.
So that enemy planes if any, couldn’t make out the perimeters of the more populated areas. I believe the practice started after the bombing of cities overseas.
In Don. K.’s original 2005 post, the 1952 photo shows the Cameo as being called the Rodeo. Any ideas as to how many years it operated under the Rodeo name?
It was probably chosen due to it’s inexpensive change to the marquee. Three letters versus another sign completely.
Thanks Bryan. You know, I thought that building looked like a theater. I delivered pizzas for a place called Lincoln Park Pizza on Lincoln & Altgeld in 1977 & `78. Delivering in and around DePaul was the norm.
Thanks again for finding all the extra lost chicago gems.
I happened by the site of the old Granada Theatre today on the “L”.
Geographically, there is a multi-level parking structure where the Granada formerly stood. With retail in the front.
The taller building is actually to the North of that. Where Ramblers, Minstrels & Huey’s etc. used to be.
There is also a massive condominum structure across the street where the New Old Place restaurant used to be.
It’s like a dark corridor now.
So, does this make Joni Mitchell a prophet?
I went by the site of the old Devon Theatre today on the “L” train.
The entire span of land from the neighboring McDonalds, all the way around the corner on Granville to the “L” tracks has been developed.
A massive condo project with different levels, balconies and what not stands in it’s place. Long gone with the Devon are the corner medical center, Char-Lar Lounge, Deadwood Daves & the Eagles Nest along the Granville side.
Greetingsw Rolando. You were not dreaming that. I clearly remember the restaurant with the girl on the swing too. I posted about it ont the Oriental page I think. I mistakenly thought it was on that side of Randolph. But now as you say it, I’m pretty sure it was next to the United Artists.
I thought it was either a German or New Oleans themed place. She definately wore either Laderhosen or a short skirt/bloomers.
The facade of the restaurant building had a tall cut-away on the left side above the entrance. The swing was actually suspended inside of that. But when she swang out on it, she was over the sidewalk. The cut-away was deep enough to not have her hit the back when she swung back in.
I put a call into my barber who owned a nightclub downtown in the `60’s. I’ll post back with an answer when I get one.
That’s too bad. I think the Burger King was torn down and rebuilt once already in the same spot. Wonder why they didn’t just take it over then.
Or why DePaul didn’t buy it just to have it on hand. A family friend owned another bar & a few buildings just East of there across from Milito’s. DePaul bought everything from them all at once.
I don’t see an original number of seats posted for the Star. But from what I remember on the size of this place, if it could have sat more than 200 people I’d be surprised. It’s pretty tiny.
I had absolutely no idea that Foremost Liquors was formally a theatre. I lived on Argyle just East of here from 1980-`83.
This is why I love Cinema Treasures. There is always something new to learn.
Aside from the many times I was in Foremost, my regular “Super Mercado” was kitty corner from that.
Foremost had a rather large tin ceiling as I recall.
The neighborhood West of Sheridan was changing rapidly in 1980. From fast food & halfway houses to predominately Vietnamese. The Argyle “L” stop was remodeled with an Asian themed roof. Some dubbed the area “New Chinatown”.
Ah. I knew it looked as if it had long ago been a functioning theatre of some type when I was there.
Saw a stage version of “Pulp Fiction” there if you can imagine. Maybe 2001 or so.
I’ll assume the People’s Temple is not listed on CT, having never been a public use movie theatre.