Adelphi Theatre
7074 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60626
7074 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60626
10 people
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 94 of 94 comments
This is what is proposed to replace the Adelphi Theater on Clark Street and it’s a damn shame!! Please read on…
View link
ALSO: I received another e-mail with a petion attached to try and save the theater. I’ll post it here below…
-Kris
a petition
instructions : To save the Adelphi Theater, and oppose a re-zoning that may cause it’s demolition, please sign your name on the bottom of this petition and forward this message to all 50 e-mail addresses listed below the signatures.
– Citizens for the Adelphi Theater
message :
First off, We would like to thank everyone of the 2,000 Rogers Park residents, and over 10,000 residents from every other ward in the City of Chicago who signed our online and paper petitions opposing a re-zoning of the Adelphi Theater. They were all sent to 49th ward Alderman Joe Moore, to a response that “we obviously need more time to discuss the Clark Street re-zoning”
In our quest to show opposition to a proposed re-zoning of the corner property located on 7070-7078 N. Clark St, we have met with many potential investors who are showing a great interest in purchasing the property from developer Chad Zuric, with the intent of re-opening the theater as a revenue-generating movie theater/music venue and community center. If the zoning changes for the 7070-78 Clark St. property, these plans cannot be accomplished.
This is a petition to all 50 Aldermen of every ward within the City of Chicago, the City Council of Chicago.
We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose a re-zoning of the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s 49th ward.
We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose the proposed development of residential units on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s 49th ward.
We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose the proposed raising of the Adelphi Theater on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s 49th ward.
We the people of the City of Chicago, support the proposed Grand Re-Opening of the Adelphi Theater on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s 49th ward.
Thank you,
Citizens for the Adelphi Theater
Name :
Current Address:
for everyone else who agrees in the room :
Name :
Current Address:
Name :
Current Address:
Name :
Current Address:
Name :
Current Address:
Please copy and paste, or forward this e-mail to the following addresses.
Alderman Manuel Flores
Alderman Madeline Haithcock
Alderman Dorothy J. Tillman
Alderman Toni Preckwinkle
Alderman Leslie A. Hairston
Alderman Freddrenna M. Lyle
Alderman William M. Beavers
Alderman Todd H. Stroger
Alderman Anthony Beale
Alderman John Pope
Alderman James A. Balcer
Alderman George A. Cardenas
Alderman Frank J. Olivo
Alderman Edward M. Burke
Alderman Theodore Thomas
Alderman Shirley A. Coleman
Alderman Latasha R. Thomas
Alderman Thomas W. Murphy
Alderman Virginia A. Rugai
Alderman Arenda Troutman
Alderman Howard Brookins Jr.
Alderman Ricardo Munoz
Alderman Michael Zalewski
Alderman Michael D. Chandler
Alderman Daniel Solis
Alderman Billy Ocasio
Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr.
Alderman Ed Smith
Alderman Isaac Carothers
Alderman Ariel E. Reboyras
Alderman Ray Suarez
Alderman Theodore Matlak
Alderman Richard F. Mell
Alderman Carrie Austin
Alderman Rey Colon
Alderman William J.P. Banks
Alderman Emma Mitts
Alderman Thomas R. Allen
Alderman Margaret Laurino
Alderman Patrick J. O'Connor
Alderman Brian G. Doherty
Alderman Burton F. Natarus
Alderman Vi Daley
Alderman Thomas M. Tunney
Alderman Patrick J. Levar
Alderman Helen Shiller
Alderman Eugene C. Schulter
Alderman Mary Ann Smith
Alderman Joseph A. Moore
Alderman Bernard L. Stone
Thank you, the time you have taken to do this, makes all the difference to show the City Council of Chicago how we feel about the Adelphi Theater at 7070-78 N. Clark Street.
The Adelphi Theater is ENDANGERED!!!!! In a recent e-mail I have received as stated below….
[The Adelphi Theater has been purchased by a developer. We had a chance to chat with him about his project, and he stated that demolition will occur within 4 months. A proposed 57 unit condo will stand in it’s place. But to accomplish this he will need the property to be re-zoned for residential. Let’s make sure this doesn’t happen. There 3 things we can do :
They are as follows..
September 20th at 7:00 p.m.
Gale Community Academy
1631 W. Jonquil Terrace, Chicago. 60626
September 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
Loyola Park
1230 W. Greenleaf Ave., Chicago. 60626
September 26th at 7:00 p.m.
St. Scholastica
7416 N Ridge Blvd., Chicago. 60626
September 29th at 7:00 p.m.
Chicago Public Library Rogers Park Branch
6907 N. Clark St., Chicago. 60626
We need to let them know that there is opposition to the re-zoning
of the 7070-78 Clark Street property. Until November 1st, they will be weighing the options … and this is our chance to make a difference.
The following is their contact information :
Alderman Joe Moore’s 49th Ward office
7356 N. Greenview Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
Phone: 773-338-5796
Fax: 773-338-5989
Alderman Joe Moore’s City Hall office
121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 300, Office 24
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-744-3067
Fax: 312-744-3080
Alderman Joe Moore’s e-mail address:
the Chicago Department of Zoning
(312) 744-3508
the Chicago Department of Planning and Development
(312) 744-4190
the Metropolitan Planning Council
(312) 922-5616
Is there anyone else out there who feels the way we do about this theater? Has anyone noticed, how some people complain that all of these theaters are being demolished, but do nothing to save them ?
This is your chance to step forward and save the theater,
Bill Morton,
Citizens for the Adelphi Theater
p.s.
I’ll upload the photo to
View link
. It’s a 300dpi, 11mb lossless TIFF, so it should look
just about as perfect as possible. If you ever need a
higher res scan, let me know. I went through and
removed the worst of the dust and scratches, so it
should look pretty great. Feel free to use it as you
wish- one thing you might do is take it to Walgreen's
and have it printed photo-size so it’s easy to take
around. Or you could photoshop “Save Me” on the screen
or something. It’s all your call, or I could do it
too.]
What a beauty the Adelphi Theater is, and a wonderous part of the history of Chicago. How can they let this theater be demolished? They cant! Do NOT let this happen. Save the Adelphi Theater please. I hope someone can step up and help save it so the citizens of Chicago, and from all over, can enjoy bands and performances in the future. I have bands and acts! If I had the money, I would save this theater in a heartbeat! Fast! If anyone is reading this and would like to help save this theater, please contact me. Thank you.
Word has it that it’s set to come down soon for condos. It was more than just paint; most of that ornament is hidden behind drywall and the screen, the results of a few unfortunate modernizations. I just purchased that photo moments ago, incidentally.
That is unbelievable! I saw a few movies here when it was the North Shore Cinema. I always knew that painting a theatre one shade of paint had a big effect, but I never would have guessed that it once looked that good. Makes me wonder about some other theatres I wrote off as lacking character: the Logan, and the Milford for instance.
Old interior photo (note spelling from this link – perhaps a typo):
View link
Unfortunately, the portion of the terazzo that was in line with the sidewalk was destroyed in 1990. The portion going into the lobby remains. I’m told that some of the terrazzo was, incidentally, salvaged and is in fact in front of a local grocer, although I haven’t seen it for myself. The Adelphi was built in 1917 for the Ascher Brothers vaudeville circuit (the name in fact means “Brotherly Love”). The lobby area recieved an Art Deco remodeling in the early 1930s, although water damage has revealed the outlines of the old beaux arts plaster that had been removed from the walls, as well as a few other decors that have been in place since. Mosaic tilework appears to exist under the unattractive, stained carpet. The men’s room has been remodeled fairly recently, but the women’s room is fairly intact, although the real estate office next door which owns the building has annexed the original stalls and the theater’s bathrooms are in the former lounge. The one-time bowling alley upstairs, although divided into studios in the 40s or 50s, retains elaborate plaster grilles in the ceiling. The auditorium was partially remodeled in a modern style in the 1940s, really just layers of drywall, plus a layer of rockwool and fabric as acoustic paneling, which unfortunately has obscured or destroyed much of the detail in the auditorium that would make it attractive to a restorer, although the theater is quite restorable. The Adelphi never had much of a stage (perhaps 10 feet deep), and seems to have been built solely for movies, as there is no stagehouse (although the fact that the auditorium does not go all the way back to the street suggests it was designed to have one), and the rear wall appears to have been popped out in the transition to sound, to have a place for a speaker. With the addition of Cinemascope more alterations came. The current screen, though very large, is about twice the width of the proscenium, which has been removed for about the first 6 feet to accomodate voice of the theater speakers. The original backstage cavity is filled with old carpet. The auditorium, although shabby looking, is restorable. It’s been covered in very cheap green paint, much of which is now peeling and taking a layer of face plaster with it, and some of which was carelessly sprayed onto the masking curtain. It’s a decent neighborhood theater with lots of character, and I hope it’s put back to use one of these days.
I moved to the Rogers Park neighborhood in the late 1970’s, to attend Loyola U. I lived on Estes Avenue, and I think the Adelphi was on the southwest corner of Clark and Estes.
The Adelphi’s entrance on Clark Street had a very unusual sidewalk in front it. It wasn’t anything like a typical Chicago “Streets and San” sidewalk, because it contained two very large inlays, that were art-deco style images of ushers. There was one on each side, and they looked as if they were bowing to you. Each usher extended one arm to welcome you to the show, and tucked the other behind his back.
I found them remarkable for two reasons. First, they belonged to only the Adelphi, in that were created right there on that spot, and would never be used anywhere else. Second, they only made sense because the building was a theatre. If someone converted it into a grocery store, for example, customers would wonder what kind of oddball has two theatre ushers outside his grocery store.
the Adelphi is opening it’s doors again!!! But we need your help, please contact vanessa to find out more!!
I just found several references to Pridmore in a search.One was on the Empress theatre in the Englewood neighborhood & is now torn down .Another is in Evanston ,the Varsity theatre which is now used for retail.The one that looks very similar inside to the Adelphi in Rogers Park tho, is the State in Minnesota .The front of the stage area is very similar with its balconies and arch to the Adelphi .It would be really grand to see the Adelphi in Rogers Park restored like the State .That job on the State cost over 5 Milllion bucks. It can be seen in all it’s restored glory at .http://www.hennepintheatredistrict.com/TheatreHistory/StateStageBig.jpg Mike
Bryan ,I don’t know about that Adelphi in Edgewater yet untill you mentioned it .I was saying for a few weeks that he (Pridmore)designed a theatre called the Nortown on Howard St. in Rogers Park as well ,then realized that theatre was on Western Ave from this wesite .I was sure that the Rogers Park historical society website said it was on Howard.So I guesss we need to crosscheck info.Mike
Bryan, while researching the origins of the Adelphi located on 70 70 N. North Clark around two years ago at the Rogers Park Historical society , I copied news clippings of its grand opening and interior designs of the Adelphi .It clearly shows the architect was J.E.O Pridmore and that is the same theatre not the Columbia , as well as the company ,Wolf ,that supplied all the theatre fittings .It also shows it was part of the Ascher Bros.theatre chain .Another news clipping from 1917 states some of these facts about Roxy.I read here about the other Adelphi that you are refering to .Somehow this work of Pridmore slipped under the radar . It should be saved . Mike
The Adelphi was designed by J.E.O Pridmore who has about three theatres surviving at last count, out of about one dozen.Most of his work was for Vaudeville and turned over into the silent films.At one time ,probably the 1920’s -1930’s, the Adelphi was owned by Samuel L"Roxy" Rothenfel.Rothenfel was the founder of the Radio City Music Hall dancers called the Rockettes.Roxy found them in St.Louis in 1934, when they were calling themselves the Missouri Rockets.They were brought to NYC and renamed the Roxyettes .For a while, then changed to the Rockettes.Maybe on one of his scouting missions Roxy found the Adelphi and bought it.He owned several clubs in NY.
I have some very good news about this theater. There’s activity. A bunch of good people, including my self for technical and projection assistance, are involved who really just want to get it back open, and restore it, including the marquee. It does need a far about of work and will likely take several months but there is at least some progress. It will be equipped for all different venues which include live music as well as 2nd and even later run movies, and digital projection. She’s a great old theater and I’m glad to be a part of this. I’ll try to get a photo up soon, and will update in the future.
The name Adelphi is beautifully carved in the terra-cotta facade overlooking Clark St. I pass this beauty every day on my way to work in Evanston. I keep it posted if I see any positive changes in it’s operating status.
the adelphi was the location for the movie theatre fight scene in “Cooley High”
My most unpleasant memory about the Adelphi was the time when a hugh electrical storm knocked out their power about 15 minutes into the movie. After waiting about 20 more minutes with no power, the management announced appropiately enough, “rain checks” for everyone. I asked for a refund and explained that because I lived in Toronto I didn’t know when or if I I’d be able to use a rain check. I can’t remember if I won the argument or not. I do remember though we all piled into the car and drove to the Riveria to see another movie. The Riviera’s power stayed on but the roof almost didn’t. Buckets of rain poured into the auditorium and several workers placed numerous buckets in the various strategic locations.
Wow..what a trip through time! I found this page after pondering a childhood memory of the Adelphi! Anyway, to set the record straight..I know the Adelphi on Clark Street in Chicago was showing mainstream Hollywood films as early as 1959.
I am sure of this, because my mom took us to see a movie there that summer, and spotted this gorgeous brand new 1959 white Ford Country Squire wagon parked directly in front of the theatre, after which she proclaimed “I gotta have one of those!”. Sure enough, on Thursday, September 3 of that year, we bought one from Courtesy Ford of Chicago, brand spanking new. (fawn tan color tho).
Then, on New Year’s Eve, December 31 we were treated to a movie about John Dillinger which ended that night just before the end of the Fab 50s!
Bill Dee
address: 7074 N. Clark St.