Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre
24 West Randolph Street,
Chicago,
IL
60601
24 West Randolph Street,
Chicago,
IL
60601
37 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 212 comments found
In BW Chicago’s 1975 photo the price of that steak is $1.29.
I like the $2.99 steak next door.
Actually this pic has to be from the late 70’s. The Oriental didn’t stop using the front of the marquee until late in its life. Plus if you look at my booking list above this is not playing in 1972.
Here is a 1972 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/d42eb7
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View link – 1975 Night
I’m giving credit to Ken MC for finding the photo source. I think that he found it first. Anyway, I’m finding that some of the dates given are not totally accurate. At least that’s what I’m finding on some of the NYC theater photos.
I should give credit where credit is due, I guess. I saw Lost Memory using it.
If you have nothing to do for the next thirty minutes do a search on “Chicago”. You will be presented with 10 pages of color photos, many illustrating obscure Chicago neighborhood theatres. It is really fascinating.
Wow, great discovery
And in better times:
View link
P.S. Spend some time on this web site. It is excellent.
Again:
View link
The Oriental during it’s life as the “Oriental Electronics” store:
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Back to the Stooges, it’s worth noting that they evidently formed at Rainbo Gardens in Chicago
MPol you are correct. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was the set up for SOME LIKE IT HOT. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon witnessed it and had to go on the run, thus dressing as women and joining a band. Although it took place in Chicago I don’t think those scenes were filmed there.
Does anyone remember VAUGN’s toy store near the Oreintal? I recall standing in line waiting to go into see a Disney movie, and as the line moved we passed this window with a wonderful display of toy soldiers, trains and lots of other great 1950s toys. IT was always a stop after the film, and I purchased a lot of the figures that I still have in my collection. I always thought those owners had the best location than any other toy store in Chicago. Nay one remember that?
Does anyone remember VAUGN’s toy store near the Oreintal? I recall standing in line waiting to go into see a Disney movie, and as the line moved we passed this window with a wonderful display of toy soldiers, trains and lots of other great 1950s toys. IT was always a stop after the film, and I purchased a lot of the figures that I still have in my collection. I always thought those owners had the best location than any other toy store in Chicago. Nay one remember that?
True enough, David Zornig.
(a bit off-topic, but) Regarding the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, isn’t that what the movie “Some Like It Hot” was based on? I have a feeling that it was.
Wow. Just seeing (Jim) Colosimo’s name, reminded me today is the 80th anniversary of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. And not a word of it mentioned on the evening news.
Another cool-looking theatre!
They played the Loop End starting Nov. 5, 1931.
Oriental starting September 8, 1935.
Oriental starting January 19, 1936.
Uptown starting February 23, 1936.
State-Lake starting May 9, 1937.
Cocoanut Grove (Morton Grove) starting June 20, 1937.
Palace starting July 24, 1938.
State-Lake starting February 26, 1939.
Oriental starting January 21, 1940.
Oriental starting November 29, 1942.
Oriental starting September 19, 1943.
Colosimo’s late August 1946.
You may want to try contacting Rich Koz at TV Channel 26 the “U”, in Chicago.
He runs a show called “Stoogapalooza” every Saturday evening on that channel. I assume he is a Stooge historian as well.
Does anyone have any information on The Three Stooge’s live appearance at the Oriental? A friend of mine lives in Chicago, and is also trying to find out if the Three Stooges lived in Chicago at any time.
Thanks,
Frank Reighter
You’re quite welcome OeOeO. Back in the 60’s and 70’s when I was young I kept a notebook and would note each Friday what was playing at the downtown palaces. A few years ago I happen to come across them again and since I knew of this website I thought I would share hoping others were interested in what these great theaters played and when. If you check out many of the other palaces in Chicago you will see their bookings as well.
Many thanks to JRS40 for compiling the lists of movies and the dates they ran at the theaters. May I ask you where you mine the data? Thanks.
Apparently there was a plan to convert the Oriental into retail and office space that thankfully never happened. This article is from the Chicago Tribune, Sept. 1, 1983:
IT’S ‘THE END’ FOR ORIENTAL
“The old Oriental Theater this week is losing the last vestiges of its days as a luxurious movie palace as it’s owners prepare to convert the space into a shopping and office complex.
Members of the Chicago Area Theater Organ Enthusiasts (CATOE) this weekend will finish up the last chores of dismantling and removing the theater’s mighty Wurlizter pipe organ, which once sent its music coursing through the elaborately decorated auditorium. CATOE is seeking $30,000 to restore the 20-rank organ to working condition and will store the Wurlizter until a new home can be found for it.
Morris Kalish, the theater’s owner, who has donated the organ to CATOE, has also given parts of the auditorium’s fantastically sculpted plasterwork to the Art Institute before workmen begin converting the space to two floors of retail shops and four floors of offices.
The Oriental, once a palace among palaces in the Loop, fell upon evil days in the 60s and 70s, when it was badly damaged by fire and vandals. It closed as a movie house in January 1981 after an ignoble end as a home for triple-feature kung-fu films and a hang out for gangs."