Calo Theatre

5404 N. Clark Street,
Chicago, IL 60640

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Showing 51 - 55 of 55 comments

KenC
KenC on January 12, 2005 at 9:34 pm

To Mary Anne: I’m guessing that bowling started about 1960, because in the mid to late ‘50s, the Calo was showing movies.I grew up in the Edgewater area- just east of you. My first visit to the Calo-about 1956-was the first time I saw “THE WIZARD OF OZ”. Not long after, a bunch of us kids went to the Calo for= I think- 12 Saturdays in a row. Why? We were hooked…A Superman serial (with Kirk Alyn?)about 15 minutes long each week, with a cliffhanger ending to keep us coming back. This, along with cartoons and a single feature, kept us entertained. But, I suspect the adults much preferred the theatres east of Clark st.-the Uptown, Riviera, Devon, and Granada. These theatres were bigger,more attractive and inviting than the Calo, which was rather ordinary,as I recall.So, I think the Calo closed for movies 1959-1960, coverted to a bowling alley early '60s through mid to late '70s. You’re right, Mary Anne, so much has changed. But one business is still there- Augie’s Restaurant on Clark near Balmoral- since 1954, according to Augie. To Bryan: Thanks for the photo of the Calo. Please keep them coming; they are much appreciated!

Maryanne
Maryanne on January 12, 2005 at 6:33 pm

Not sure…I remember bowling there in the mid to late 60’s when I was a teenager. I don’t recall the bowling being new, so it must have been there around 10 years before I starting bowling with my friends. There was a cigar store on the corner and Sip & Straw Ice Cream across the street. I remember it well!!

richardg
richardg on January 12, 2005 at 4:07 pm

I’m almost positive the Calo was converted to a bowling alley during the 1960’s. Sorry can’t be more specific.

RickB
RickB on January 12, 2005 at 11:42 am

The Calo was a bowling alley during my college days in Chicago in the late ‘70s; don’t know when that use began or ended.

Maryanne
Maryanne on January 12, 2005 at 7:05 am

I grew up in the Andersonville area in the 60-70’s. Was this the Calo Bowling Alley? I’m confused. I don’t remember a theatre there. During the 1980’s I lived out of state and so much changed while I was away!