Great, glad we resolved everything. And I had no idea Mr. Heston was that close to death. I knew he had Alzheimer’s, but didn’t realize the disease had progressed that far against him. Fortunately he is getting the care he needs at this point.
I hear it all the time. People almost apologize for liking actors like John Wayne, Charlton Heston, and others of their political persuasion. To me actors are just people doing a job; their politics, even if opposite of mine, are of no interest to me. That was my point. I think Mr. Heston can be complimented without any qualifier. None seems to be needed for Paul Newman or George Clooney, etc. Perhaps I’m sensitive about it since I believe the Left (in the media) insidiously makes comments like that to make their views seem empirically correct to the masses. Anyway, enough politics, it was a simple point, not meant to start a fight.
Ziegfeld Man, why do you feel the need to screen Heston’s talent through the prism of your political views? I guess you like the left-leaning actors better? And it takes a little extra effort to enjoy actors from the other end of the political spectrum?
It puzzles me as to why this theatre closed in the first place. I know the area somewhat, and I believe it’s fair to say that this is a densely populated neighborhood, solidly middle class, and not over-flowing with movie theatres. The Music Box Theatre on Southport, which I would say is a similar theatre in a similar neighborhood, seems to do very well. And as has been stated by others here, the nearby Portage is successful. The Patio doesn’t have much parking as I recall, but neither does the Music Box. What is working against the Patio?
Have you ever seen picures of the interior of the Pantheon? I have never been able to locate any. Perhaps the Theatre Historical Society has some, or maybe the Chicago Historical Society.
The same people that were there in the 1920s were there in 1961? Ok, if you say so. I was simply pointing out that Rapp & Rapp had passed away so it wasn’t as if they had, for example, designed the Chicago Theatre and also had done the Fisher modernization. The architectural firm lived on, but the founders of it had died.
stevebob, you note the irony of how, in 1961, the Rapp and Rapp firm was commissioned to modernize this elaborate movie palace of 1928. Although I do see the irony, keep in mind that the brothers C.W. Rapp and George L. Rapp had died in 1926 and 1941, respectively. So they had nothing to do with the Fisher’s startling modernization. The 1961 modernization but the surviving Rapp & Rapp firm is, I suppose, somewhat interesting, but it’s a big letdown from its earlier appearance.
The Spring 2008 issue of “Cottages & Bungalows” has a short article on the Los Angeles Theatre. It also has two vintage black & white photos, one of the auditorium and one of the exterior at the time of opening. The exterior shot, while excellent, is the commonly published view. It also has a very nice recent color photo of the beautiful main lobby. And the rest of the magazine is pretty good, too. The main point of the article is that the Broadway Theatre district in LA is poised for revival, and the LA Theatre is at the center of that.
brucec, I believe you’re right. Although there were certainly other beautiful Fox theatres, such as the Fox Oakland at roughly 3300 seats, the five you named are the only ones that seated over 4000. Fortunately, 3 of the 5 are extant.
Thanks, robertgippy, for that uplifting story. If only there was a theatre in my town today where my kids could go to get stoned and have “free” love in the balcony. I think you’ve captured what American cinema should aspire to.
Interesting that the exterior photo of the Paradise on their website shows a vertical sign with the name “Paramount.” There’s no mention of the theatre ever having been called the Paramount. I wonder if they used the wrong photo?
adkemp: If nothing else works for you I would recommend contacting the Theatre Historical Society in Elmhurst, Illinois. They would almost certainly have photos of what you’re looking for. They also have a museum that, if memory serves, has one or two uniforms. Anyway, if you contact them I’m pretty sure they can help you. Here is their info:
Theatre Historical Society of America
York Theatre Building
152 N. York Street, 2nd floor
Elmhurst, IL 60126-2806
Ph. (630) 782-1800 http://www.historictheatres.org/
e-mail:
I thought there was risk only if you have prolonged exposure to diacetyl, as those people involved in the manufacturing process have? You take a much bigger risk when you drive to the grocery store to buy your popcorn than you do when you consume this stuff, unless you’re consuming large quantities of it.
Well said LuisV! I don’t think there’s much doubt that Brooklyn can handle a second performing arts center, but the hurdle is dealing with the sizeable capital investment required to get the Kings back in operation. And then finding a use for it that will pump in sufficient revenue to keep it going. Those aren’t small problems, but I share your optimism that the Kings can live again. Seems like many people are in favor of it, and very few opposed to it.
Duped: It doesn’t appear to me that anybody won in this fight. I’m not defending the preservationists; the story behind this theatre is apparently much more complicated than I realize. But in the end, the theatre is gone, people are ticked at each other, and both sides have mud on their face. From where I’m sitting it looked like two angry parents fighting over custody of a child, forgetting about the welfare of the child in the process.
The way this thing played out surprised me. I lived in Lombard from 1983-1985, and wouldn’t have guessed that the community would have become so divided over this theatre.
I’ve never seen so many people with such a hostile attitude toward preservation of a beautiful theatre. I can see being indifferent toward it, but the glee that many poeple of Lombard are expressing over this theatre’s demise is disheartening. This theatre was somehow holding back the progress of downtown Lombard? Right. I wonder which old building is next on the demolition list for these people. I just hope they stay in Lombard and don’t move to my city.
CWalczak – thanks for explaining what a roadshow was. That was very helpful and I appreciate the time you took to educate me.
Michael Coate – thanks for your mean-spirited response. How was I to know your wonderful article explained the roadshow presentation? Couldn’t you have simply pointed me to it without being insulting? But then, I suppose insults are a way of life on this site.
I have what is probably a dumb question. Can someone explain to me what exactly is a roadshow? That is, what is the difference between a roadshow and the regular distribution of a movie?
BWChicago and Bryan – thanks for the photos. It’s a rather odd looking building, with that hole in the middle. And an odd name (MoMo, or Modern Momentum!) But it’s certainly better than the Walgreens building it replaced. And the addition of those condo units should only help the downtown theatre business.
Can anyone point me to a photo of the building that was recently constructed next to the Chicago Theatre, the one that replaced the Walgreens building? Thanks.
Ziegfeld Man,
Great, glad we resolved everything. And I had no idea Mr. Heston was that close to death. I knew he had Alzheimer’s, but didn’t realize the disease had progressed that far against him. Fortunately he is getting the care he needs at this point.
Mr. Haas,
I hear it all the time. People almost apologize for liking actors like John Wayne, Charlton Heston, and others of their political persuasion. To me actors are just people doing a job; their politics, even if opposite of mine, are of no interest to me. That was my point. I think Mr. Heston can be complimented without any qualifier. None seems to be needed for Paul Newman or George Clooney, etc. Perhaps I’m sensitive about it since I believe the Left (in the media) insidiously makes comments like that to make their views seem empirically correct to the masses. Anyway, enough politics, it was a simple point, not meant to start a fight.
Ziegfeld Man, why do you feel the need to screen Heston’s talent through the prism of your political views? I guess you like the left-leaning actors better? And it takes a little extra effort to enjoy actors from the other end of the political spectrum?
Patiomike, thanks for the explanation. Do you have any insight as to how other theaters, such as the Music Box or the Portage, seem to be profitable?
It puzzles me as to why this theatre closed in the first place. I know the area somewhat, and I believe it’s fair to say that this is a densely populated neighborhood, solidly middle class, and not over-flowing with movie theatres. The Music Box Theatre on Southport, which I would say is a similar theatre in a similar neighborhood, seems to do very well. And as has been stated by others here, the nearby Portage is successful. The Patio doesn’t have much parking as I recall, but neither does the Music Box. What is working against the Patio?
Have you ever seen picures of the interior of the Pantheon? I have never been able to locate any. Perhaps the Theatre Historical Society has some, or maybe the Chicago Historical Society.
The same people that were there in the 1920s were there in 1961? Ok, if you say so. I was simply pointing out that Rapp & Rapp had passed away so it wasn’t as if they had, for example, designed the Chicago Theatre and also had done the Fisher modernization. The architectural firm lived on, but the founders of it had died.
BWChicago: I believe the Sheridan Theatre is featured on the cover of Schiecke’s book.
stevebob, you note the irony of how, in 1961, the Rapp and Rapp firm was commissioned to modernize this elaborate movie palace of 1928. Although I do see the irony, keep in mind that the brothers C.W. Rapp and George L. Rapp had died in 1926 and 1941, respectively. So they had nothing to do with the Fisher’s startling modernization. The 1961 modernization but the surviving Rapp & Rapp firm is, I suppose, somewhat interesting, but it’s a big letdown from its earlier appearance.
The Spring 2008 issue of “Cottages & Bungalows” has a short article on the Los Angeles Theatre. It also has two vintage black & white photos, one of the auditorium and one of the exterior at the time of opening. The exterior shot, while excellent, is the commonly published view. It also has a very nice recent color photo of the beautiful main lobby. And the rest of the magazine is pretty good, too. The main point of the article is that the Broadway Theatre district in LA is poised for revival, and the LA Theatre is at the center of that.
brucec, I believe you’re right. Although there were certainly other beautiful Fox theatres, such as the Fox Oakland at roughly 3300 seats, the five you named are the only ones that seated over 4000. Fortunately, 3 of the 5 are extant.
Thanks, robertgippy, for that uplifting story. If only there was a theatre in my town today where my kids could go to get stoned and have “free” love in the balcony. I think you’ve captured what American cinema should aspire to.
Well, now here is why I love going to see a movie. To read some jerk’s political views up on the marquee. So much for escapism.
Interesting that the exterior photo of the Paradise on their website shows a vertical sign with the name “Paramount.” There’s no mention of the theatre ever having been called the Paramount. I wonder if they used the wrong photo?
adkemp: If nothing else works for you I would recommend contacting the Theatre Historical Society in Elmhurst, Illinois. They would almost certainly have photos of what you’re looking for. They also have a museum that, if memory serves, has one or two uniforms. Anyway, if you contact them I’m pretty sure they can help you. Here is their info:
Theatre Historical Society of America
York Theatre Building
152 N. York Street, 2nd floor
Elmhurst, IL 60126-2806
Ph. (630) 782-1800
http://www.historictheatres.org/
e-mail:
Lost Memory; that’s a great photo. Thanks for posting it.
Let’s not overlook the Charlotte Greenwood comedy, “Girls will be Boys.” That must have been interesting.
I thought there was risk only if you have prolonged exposure to diacetyl, as those people involved in the manufacturing process have? You take a much bigger risk when you drive to the grocery store to buy your popcorn than you do when you consume this stuff, unless you’re consuming large quantities of it.
Well said LuisV! I don’t think there’s much doubt that Brooklyn can handle a second performing arts center, but the hurdle is dealing with the sizeable capital investment required to get the Kings back in operation. And then finding a use for it that will pump in sufficient revenue to keep it going. Those aren’t small problems, but I share your optimism that the Kings can live again. Seems like many people are in favor of it, and very few opposed to it.
Duped: It doesn’t appear to me that anybody won in this fight. I’m not defending the preservationists; the story behind this theatre is apparently much more complicated than I realize. But in the end, the theatre is gone, people are ticked at each other, and both sides have mud on their face. From where I’m sitting it looked like two angry parents fighting over custody of a child, forgetting about the welfare of the child in the process.
The way this thing played out surprised me. I lived in Lombard from 1983-1985, and wouldn’t have guessed that the community would have become so divided over this theatre.
I’ve never seen so many people with such a hostile attitude toward preservation of a beautiful theatre. I can see being indifferent toward it, but the glee that many poeple of Lombard are expressing over this theatre’s demise is disheartening. This theatre was somehow holding back the progress of downtown Lombard? Right. I wonder which old building is next on the demolition list for these people. I just hope they stay in Lombard and don’t move to my city.
CWalczak – thanks for explaining what a roadshow was. That was very helpful and I appreciate the time you took to educate me.
Michael Coate – thanks for your mean-spirited response. How was I to know your wonderful article explained the roadshow presentation? Couldn’t you have simply pointed me to it without being insulting? But then, I suppose insults are a way of life on this site.
I have what is probably a dumb question. Can someone explain to me what exactly is a roadshow? That is, what is the difference between a roadshow and the regular distribution of a movie?
Thanks very much!
BWChicago and Bryan – thanks for the photos. It’s a rather odd looking building, with that hole in the middle. And an odd name (MoMo, or Modern Momentum!) But it’s certainly better than the Walgreens building it replaced. And the addition of those condo units should only help the downtown theatre business.
Can anyone point me to a photo of the building that was recently constructed next to the Chicago Theatre, the one that replaced the Walgreens building? Thanks.