Bobby, this is what I did. I scanned the photo and saved it to my hard drive. Then I just uploaded the file to CT by clicking on the “Add a New Photo” button on the photos page. When there, click on the “Browse” button and you would point it to the file on your hard drive. That’s all there is to it. If you don’t have access to a scanner, you could go to a photo store or a Kinko’s and they could scan it for you. Where I live there’s a place that will put a picture on a CD for $4. There are probably other ways to do this, but that would require advise from someone smarter than me.
Thanks Bobby. I don’t have any of the Marbro, but I have seen photos taken at the closing and during demolition. Incidentally, I used to post under the name “Scott” but it was changed to Paradise when CT did its redesign. I just haven’t bothered to change it back.
A number of theories have been advanced as to why the marquee and vertical were replaced, but the most likely reason to me was cost. I’m not sure that Crawford/Pulaski was widened, but perhaps you’re correct. By the way, looking at the original photo, it gives you a better perspective on both the size and detail. The photo was taken for an article published in the Chicago Daily News about the impending closure and demolition of the theatre.
I have uploaded a rarely seen photo of the Paradise, probably taken during the last month of its operation, which was May, 1956. The marquee shows George Gobel and Mitzi Gaynor starring in “The Birds and the Bees.” Though the exterior was now blackened by the coal dust from a nearby railyard, the interior was still virtually pristine.
darrelmw, I was there in 1985-1986. I mainly worked concessions, but was also in the ticket booth at times. I have many fond memories of volunteering there. I was in Dekalb this past summer and couldn’t resist checking to see if I could get into the theatre. Well, I did get in and met the manager, who talked about what they’ve been doing to the theatre lately. I’m happy to report that the theatre looks great.
I believe the St. Louis Fox Theatre operates in the black, so I wouldn’t think the fire to be suspicious. It is much loved by both the owners and the public.
Bobby, I can’t say that I see the similarity with the Chicago Paradise, except perhaps the galloping steed at the top of the facade being reminiscent of those on the Paradise proscenium. Still, for a modern day theatre it looks pretty impressive. Probably about as good as we can expect these days.
So the tiled roof structure and niches on either side of the upper facade were added after the 1987 photo was taken? Wonder if it was part of a downtown improvement initiative?
McGinty owns the building and he can’t redevelop the property and has been ordered to repair the theatre. I love old movie theatres as much as anyone, but the long arm of government needs to be chopped off here. Personal property rights are a critical element to our freedom in America. Freedom that is being eroded away almost daily it seems. This is a government taking, pure and simple. For McGinty’s part, he should be compensated by D.C. for his loss if he’s not allowed to redevelop it, and also for the maintenance since he’s being forced to do that to a building he doesn’t want. Of course, that would put it on the taxpayer’s back, which is also bad. This is a good illustration of an intrusive government that, if not constrained, will exhibit behavior consistent to that of a thug.
The article about the Wurlitzer is from March 17, 2009, so perhaps the organ has already been installed. I used to do volunteer work at the Egyptian but have lost touch with the happenings there.
Regarding the notion that the Egyptian is haunted, I’ve been in all areas of the theatre on many occasions and never encountered anything ghost-like. But if such nonsense will sell tickets, so be it.
I remember reading somewhere, perhaps in the Theatre Historial Society’s publication “Marquee” many years ago, of how a security guard accidentally turned on the vertical sign and someone was able to snap a picture of it. This was around 1965 and supposedly the vertical hadn’t been lit up since 1949 when the theatre closed. I’m sad, but not surprised, to read here that it has been torn down.
John, I think the reasoning is that if someone is getting rich (however that is defined) then he’s doing it at the expense of some innocent victim. Of course, the creation of economic wealth is not a zero-sum game, but in Al’s world you can only make someone better off by hurting someone else. Al, you’re all over the map, but I’ll leave you to believe what you want about Reagan, Bush, Obama, etc. I figured if I said something negative about Michael Moore at least one Reagan/Bush hater would bob to the surface. For what it matters, I don’t believe Omni was ever part of the Marriott portfolio. I also don’t see what tax credits have to do with Medicare and Social Security. Adding to those programs would INCREASE the Medicare and soc sec taxes. The idea behind the rehabilitative tax credits that benefited Union Station was that it would lead to economic growth, so the ecomonic benefit to society, including federal tax revenue, would exceed the tax credit. You think the rich pay less in taxes than the “average guy”? Dream on. That isn’t true either in actual dollars or percent. You’re just spreading the myth commonly promulgated by Socialists. And finally, you think the Republicans rule St. Louis? Do you live there? Like most cities, it’s controlled by Democrats, not the “greedy” Reaganites. It’s the horrible policies that have emanated from the left wing of the Democratic party that have wrecked St. Louis. I’m glad you think the “wealthy white citizens” are doing just fine here, apparently insulated from economic malaise that is going to get worse as a result of Obama’s iron hand meddling with the economy.
Al, it doesn’t make any difference, but Union Station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, not 1976. What do you mean Reagan’s “tax credits for Union Station were strictly corporate”? What else would they be? How else would a massive project like Union Station get done? If you don’t like tax credits, fine, but don’t make it sound like this was an under-the-table payoff to Marriott. They were available to any qualifying project. And by the way, Marriott was not the original hotel there. It was an Omni, followed by a Hyatt, and now a Marriott. I don’t know what your fixation is with Marriott, though they typically build God-awful ugly hotels, but that firm is hardly the problem with St. Louis. The causes of the decimation in St. Louis were rampant crime, which itself has many causes, gang takeovers, ineffective city management, and a poorly run police department, which in turn caused the departure of many corporations and citizens. And finally, the $150 million renovation was not funded entirely with Federal tax credits; that was the total cost of the renovation, which was SUBSIDIZED with tax credits. And the tax credits didn’t go to the Omni or the Marriott or any other hotel, but to the developer, who was taking on a monumental risk with this project. At the time of the original renovation, Omni was just one tennant. The project also included a shopping mall, restaurants and the train shed. Though I don’t care for tax credits as a rule, in this case they made possible a huge project that paid many dividends for St. Louis. It’s pretty evident you don’t let facts get in the way of your arguments.
I don’t doubt they will recreate what’s lost, or at least come close. I was just posing the question of “how” they will do it. For example, do they have blueprints to work from, or will they just use old pictures, or perhaps they can make molds from extant portions of the auditorium. Just trying to start a discussion. And I’m still wondering what those wires are running through the lobby areas.
Right, the greedy eighties. Have it your way. I wish we could go back to the “greedy eighties.” Perhaps you can explain to all of us what trickle-down Reaganonomics was. That would be interesting to hear, I’m sure. Tax credits during the Reagan administration were the impetus behind a large number of historic building restoration projects, including theatres. Union Station in St. Louis, where I live, would have been turned to dust otherwise.
“It is the premise of every movie made between 1934 and 1981 before get-rich-quick Republican asshole Ronald Reagan became president.”
Thanks for posting one of the most profoundly ignorant comments I’ve ever read. I didn’t realize that altruism reigned until Reagan took office. I believe your knowledge of American history may be a little weak. John, you are correct, most people do not understand capitalism, though they enjoy the benefits of it.
I’ve noticed that guys like Michael Moore, who profess to hate greed and profits, don’t seem to have a philosophical problem with it when they engage in a profit-making activity. It’s only the other guy who is greedy, not them. Of course, Michael Moore does wonderful things with his riches, whereas those bad corporations are ruining the world. Oh well, maybe this clown will actually get a theater or two up and running. I hope he succeeds.
Sounds like it. I’m sure he gives all of his away. So let’s examine this: he’s using profits from a film, dealing with a system he hates, to restore old movie theaters. Movie theaters that were built within a capitalist system that he, again, hates. No inconsistency there. By the way Mr. Moore, these theaters are apparently already non-profit, which is why they are closed. What’s going to keep these going once they are re-opened?
I hadn’t thought of the exterior (as is) qualifying for landmark status. That’s an interesting perspective. You’re certainly right about the interior. Though it is somewhat plain by 1920s standards, it is still an attractive design, and as you said, that rare Rapp & Rapp atmospheric. The only other one I know of is the Paramount in Toledo (razed).
Bobby, this is what I did. I scanned the photo and saved it to my hard drive. Then I just uploaded the file to CT by clicking on the “Add a New Photo” button on the photos page. When there, click on the “Browse” button and you would point it to the file on your hard drive. That’s all there is to it. If you don’t have access to a scanner, you could go to a photo store or a Kinko’s and they could scan it for you. Where I live there’s a place that will put a picture on a CD for $4. There are probably other ways to do this, but that would require advise from someone smarter than me.
Bobby, I seem to remember you had a photo of the Paradise you were thinking about posting.
Bobby, yes it is hard to believe that this theatre once sat on the site. I wish there were more pictures of the area available today.
Thanks Bobby. I don’t have any of the Marbro, but I have seen photos taken at the closing and during demolition. Incidentally, I used to post under the name “Scott” but it was changed to Paradise when CT did its redesign. I just haven’t bothered to change it back.
A number of theories have been advanced as to why the marquee and vertical were replaced, but the most likely reason to me was cost. I’m not sure that Crawford/Pulaski was widened, but perhaps you’re correct. By the way, looking at the original photo, it gives you a better perspective on both the size and detail. The photo was taken for an article published in the Chicago Daily News about the impending closure and demolition of the theatre.
I have uploaded a rarely seen photo of the Paradise, probably taken during the last month of its operation, which was May, 1956. The marquee shows George Gobel and Mitzi Gaynor starring in “The Birds and the Bees.” Though the exterior was now blackened by the coal dust from a nearby railyard, the interior was still virtually pristine.
darrelmw, I was there in 1985-1986. I mainly worked concessions, but was also in the ticket booth at times. I have many fond memories of volunteering there. I was in Dekalb this past summer and couldn’t resist checking to see if I could get into the theatre. Well, I did get in and met the manager, who talked about what they’ve been doing to the theatre lately. I’m happy to report that the theatre looks great.
Great news! Carlinville needs this theatre.
I believe the St. Louis Fox Theatre operates in the black, so I wouldn’t think the fire to be suspicious. It is much loved by both the owners and the public.
Bobby, I can’t say that I see the similarity with the Chicago Paradise, except perhaps the galloping steed at the top of the facade being reminiscent of those on the Paradise proscenium. Still, for a modern day theatre it looks pretty impressive. Probably about as good as we can expect these days.
So the tiled roof structure and niches on either side of the upper facade were added after the 1987 photo was taken? Wonder if it was part of a downtown improvement initiative?
McGinty owns the building and he can’t redevelop the property and has been ordered to repair the theatre. I love old movie theatres as much as anyone, but the long arm of government needs to be chopped off here. Personal property rights are a critical element to our freedom in America. Freedom that is being eroded away almost daily it seems. This is a government taking, pure and simple. For McGinty’s part, he should be compensated by D.C. for his loss if he’s not allowed to redevelop it, and also for the maintenance since he’s being forced to do that to a building he doesn’t want. Of course, that would put it on the taxpayer’s back, which is also bad. This is a good illustration of an intrusive government that, if not constrained, will exhibit behavior consistent to that of a thug.
The article about the Wurlitzer is from March 17, 2009, so perhaps the organ has already been installed. I used to do volunteer work at the Egyptian but have lost touch with the happenings there.
Regarding the notion that the Egyptian is haunted, I’ve been in all areas of the theatre on many occasions and never encountered anything ghost-like. But if such nonsense will sell tickets, so be it.
What a tremendous asset this must be to the city of Northampton. The video of the marquee in operation is truly stunning.
I remember reading somewhere, perhaps in the Theatre Historial Society’s publication “Marquee” many years ago, of how a security guard accidentally turned on the vertical sign and someone was able to snap a picture of it. This was around 1965 and supposedly the vertical hadn’t been lit up since 1949 when the theatre closed. I’m sad, but not surprised, to read here that it has been torn down.
My recollection is that this theatre closed before the 1970s. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I don’t recall it being open even in the late 1960s.
It is a nice-looking theatre. Though it appears that the underside of the marquee is missing.
John, I think the reasoning is that if someone is getting rich (however that is defined) then he’s doing it at the expense of some innocent victim. Of course, the creation of economic wealth is not a zero-sum game, but in Al’s world you can only make someone better off by hurting someone else. Al, you’re all over the map, but I’ll leave you to believe what you want about Reagan, Bush, Obama, etc. I figured if I said something negative about Michael Moore at least one Reagan/Bush hater would bob to the surface. For what it matters, I don’t believe Omni was ever part of the Marriott portfolio. I also don’t see what tax credits have to do with Medicare and Social Security. Adding to those programs would INCREASE the Medicare and soc sec taxes. The idea behind the rehabilitative tax credits that benefited Union Station was that it would lead to economic growth, so the ecomonic benefit to society, including federal tax revenue, would exceed the tax credit. You think the rich pay less in taxes than the “average guy”? Dream on. That isn’t true either in actual dollars or percent. You’re just spreading the myth commonly promulgated by Socialists. And finally, you think the Republicans rule St. Louis? Do you live there? Like most cities, it’s controlled by Democrats, not the “greedy” Reaganites. It’s the horrible policies that have emanated from the left wing of the Democratic party that have wrecked St. Louis. I’m glad you think the “wealthy white citizens” are doing just fine here, apparently insulated from economic malaise that is going to get worse as a result of Obama’s iron hand meddling with the economy.
Al, it doesn’t make any difference, but Union Station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, not 1976. What do you mean Reagan’s “tax credits for Union Station were strictly corporate”? What else would they be? How else would a massive project like Union Station get done? If you don’t like tax credits, fine, but don’t make it sound like this was an under-the-table payoff to Marriott. They were available to any qualifying project. And by the way, Marriott was not the original hotel there. It was an Omni, followed by a Hyatt, and now a Marriott. I don’t know what your fixation is with Marriott, though they typically build God-awful ugly hotels, but that firm is hardly the problem with St. Louis. The causes of the decimation in St. Louis were rampant crime, which itself has many causes, gang takeovers, ineffective city management, and a poorly run police department, which in turn caused the departure of many corporations and citizens. And finally, the $150 million renovation was not funded entirely with Federal tax credits; that was the total cost of the renovation, which was SUBSIDIZED with tax credits. And the tax credits didn’t go to the Omni or the Marriott or any other hotel, but to the developer, who was taking on a monumental risk with this project. At the time of the original renovation, Omni was just one tennant. The project also included a shopping mall, restaurants and the train shed. Though I don’t care for tax credits as a rule, in this case they made possible a huge project that paid many dividends for St. Louis. It’s pretty evident you don’t let facts get in the way of your arguments.
I don’t doubt they will recreate what’s lost, or at least come close. I was just posing the question of “how” they will do it. For example, do they have blueprints to work from, or will they just use old pictures, or perhaps they can make molds from extant portions of the auditorium. Just trying to start a discussion. And I’m still wondering what those wires are running through the lobby areas.
Right, the greedy eighties. Have it your way. I wish we could go back to the “greedy eighties.” Perhaps you can explain to all of us what trickle-down Reaganonomics was. That would be interesting to hear, I’m sure. Tax credits during the Reagan administration were the impetus behind a large number of historic building restoration projects, including theatres. Union Station in St. Louis, where I live, would have been turned to dust otherwise.
“It is the premise of every movie made between 1934 and 1981 before get-rich-quick Republican asshole Ronald Reagan became president.”
Thanks for posting one of the most profoundly ignorant comments I’ve ever read. I didn’t realize that altruism reigned until Reagan took office. I believe your knowledge of American history may be a little weak. John, you are correct, most people do not understand capitalism, though they enjoy the benefits of it.
I’ve noticed that guys like Michael Moore, who profess to hate greed and profits, don’t seem to have a philosophical problem with it when they engage in a profit-making activity. It’s only the other guy who is greedy, not them. Of course, Michael Moore does wonderful things with his riches, whereas those bad corporations are ruining the world. Oh well, maybe this clown will actually get a theater or two up and running. I hope he succeeds.
Sounds like it. I’m sure he gives all of his away. So let’s examine this: he’s using profits from a film, dealing with a system he hates, to restore old movie theaters. Movie theaters that were built within a capitalist system that he, again, hates. No inconsistency there. By the way Mr. Moore, these theaters are apparently already non-profit, which is why they are closed. What’s going to keep these going once they are re-opened?
I hadn’t thought of the exterior (as is) qualifying for landmark status. That’s an interesting perspective. You’re certainly right about the interior. Though it is somewhat plain by 1920s standards, it is still an attractive design, and as you said, that rare Rapp & Rapp atmospheric. The only other one I know of is the Paramount in Toledo (razed).