I think Scott would remember Vito’s. Saturday was almost a Marbro day for thousands of west side kids. The car lot you mention I believe was Milo Brook Ford. Anyone remember that? There was also a pontiac dealership nearby. I know I said it before, there was everything you could want to do along Madison St. Who would ever think it would all be gone in a few short years?
I can not believe I never went back after 1959. I could have. I sure wished I had. I guess I always thought it would be there I guess. I settled down up north and went to the Gateway alot, but of course it was no Marbro. But I guess I was so interested in my new school and new friends that I never gave much attention to the Marbro. Oh, if one could only turn back the clock!!
I do believe the Uptown will play rock shows like the Riv. The mainstream shows I believe are not in the future. I would be very causious attending a night performance with the parking and the neighborhood as they are today. You are right Scott, this is not Times Square and never will be. I wish them (Jam) all the luck in the world. There was no community involvement about the Paradise closing. After all, the attendence was sparse at best. As far as the Marbro, my relatives that still lived there thought it would close eventually due to the crime and the dowward trend of Madison/Pulaski area. I do think you are 100% correct. If it wasn’t closed and torn down, the fires would have got her. I never thought it would ever close. Of couse I am a dreamer!!!!!
Wow, I had no idea of the damage in the auditorium. I think you are right. It has reached “the point of no return” What a shame!!!!!!
It looks like a bomb went off inside……
Scott, there was no outcry from any public offical that I can recall. I was a couple of years on you and all I thought my entertainment choices were being scaled back and besides I loved the wonder of the Paradise. But I guess I wasn’t that too upset because I always had my Marbro. The people that were “upset” with the passing of the Paradise were mostly the older crowd and my dad of course. People that took their first date there etc. Many people in that area never saw anything like it! Which is to really say something since most of them thought it until their last breath. Might be good news for the Uptown………. Last Sunday the Chicago Tribune & Sun-times had pictures of the Uptown saying Mayor-elect Rahm is interested in community arts & music venues. The Uptown was mentioned and I believe this will be the closest it will come in years to be fullfilled. With tax breaks etc. and grants we might get to see it all come to be. Get a copy of the Chicago Tribune Sunday.
Thanks all. I thought I heard the RKO name involved in something. I knew the studio was sold to Lucille Ball & Desi in the 50"s but the theaters remained. Like I mentioned before, I toured the Albee Theater in Cinn and it had all that wonderful zig zag white bulb chasers on the marquee as well as the large vertical. It was something to see at night! And that was 1980.
On my next flight over Flushing, which will be very soon, I will look out the window for the water tower of the Keith’s. Is there still an RKO company? And where are they located?
I went to the Dec 19th photo. I think the theater I see is not the Keith’s arriving at LGA. Is there another theater building around there? We pass right over it as we land. I know for years there was a rather large marquee and a vertical that has been since stripped. I can’t imagine there are two remaing large empty theaters in one area. Maybe I am thinking of the roof sign on the Keith’s. I would love to attend Loews Paradise in the Bronx, but nothing on the menu interests me.
I have to agree with Jeffery1955. I still get a “chill” when I come to NY and we fly over NYC on a clear day. When I fly to LGA, the plane always passes over the Keith’s. I have been doing this for 40 years. When did they take down the signage? Wasn’t there a large vertical or perhaps I am thnking of a roof sign. This building is easy to spot in Flushing for a theater lover!
I guess it would be a conversational piece in the dentist office. I agree with Jeffrey1955, patients have to rinse and spit somewhere. Why not the fountain of the Keith’s? Better than what they would do in it if it was still in the theater!
Thanks tinseltoes for the great link on the Tribune. This must have been some great theater in its day. The dentist should return the fountain without any questions asked how it got it don’t you think?
Just saw a history of Cinerama. Tv in 1952 was cutting into the movie tickets and the bosses in Hollywood new something bigger and better had to happen. They developed along with Lowell Thomas the giant screens and what a success it was. First showing in 1952 at the Warner Theater, where “Jazz Singer” wowed them in the 20’s, it played there for a year. It lasted 10 years with “How the West Was Won”. That was the last film in that format and the end of Cinerama.
They could not put that screen in the many movie theaters in the country so they came up with Cinemascope (which was called the poor man’s Cinerama). The Marbro had a very large Cinemascope screen, larger than other theaters at that time, which leaves me to believe they had bigger and better plans for the Marbro.
Absolutely true about theaters built for live shows that were turned into movie houses. Many on Broadway during the heyday of the motion picture. I just saw tonite a wonderful prelude disc on the “How the West Was Won” on Cinerama. The history of it begining in 1952 on Broadway and absolutely taking NY by storm. Playing to sell-out crowds for years at a time. It gave movie palaces a second-life as TV tried to kill them. Every city had one and the people couldn’t stay away. It is only a matter of time before 3-D today begins to fade also. Thank goodness for the centers for the performing arts that have been the saviour of the motion picture palace.
A wonderful thought. However the way people get they entertainment today is different even from 1970. Movies are no longer screened in a special theater with stars twinkling etc. They are just put into the largest screen when they first open and on to smaller screens as the weeks go on and then “out the door”. The Cineplex is here to stay. Unfortunately!
One might say the Paradise was our “ROXY” in the fact it was the first of the deluxe houses to be leveled. At the time I couldn’t believe what was happening. How could someone be doing this to “my place”? I would stand across the street and watch in horror as the cranes would swing into the palace of entertainment!
I really never understood why the Norshore theatre was torn down and the dilapidated Howard theatre remained. I know movie attendence was down and the Granada was a mile away, but still the beautiful Norshore was close enough to the northern suburbs that other venues should have been considered. Pershaps a symphony hall or an arts center. It might have even saved the neighborhood! I can’t understand why Loyola didn’t incorporate the Granada into a building for their own usage and rent it out occasionally for live shows. Plenty of parking with their lots. These magnificent buildings come along one in a lifetime.
David, the pix were great. Part 1 & 2 had a few clips of the Marbro, Three Sisters store, Walgreens, OG shores, Berlands Shoes, trolleys going down Pulaski Rd, A&P store and much more… Loved it. Wish there were more. Would love to see more in the 1950’s.. Many thanks..
Oh Scrabbie, I forgot about the lime rickeys.. I even forgot the name. They were delicious. I never had them there, but elsewhere.
I never went to the Grand theatre but I bet Scott did. He lived north of the Paradise. We kids stayed around Madison & Crawford. There was so much to do and see! I am amazed when my great nephews and nieces say they are bored..even with all their appliances they are hooked up to. I don’t remember a boring minute of my youth!
I also like the green river and of course the chocolate phosphate. That was also very good. I am looking forward to your short story. I am working on the picture of the ALEX for you to include and the Byrd theatre. Imagine movie stars in our own backyard! Those picture houses were such a thrill for us, weren’t they?
I think Scott would remember Vito’s. Saturday was almost a Marbro day for thousands of west side kids. The car lot you mention I believe was Milo Brook Ford. Anyone remember that? There was also a pontiac dealership nearby. I know I said it before, there was everything you could want to do along Madison St. Who would ever think it would all be gone in a few short years?
I wonder how the Leow’s Kings is doing without any known parking in the area. And they are talking millions for restoration aren’t they?
Wasn’t that the most beautiful marquee? Especially at night with all those white chasers and flashers with the Balaban & Katz logo?
Never saw rats at the Marbro! But had quite a few at the Alex. If the Marbro did have rats, they must have been dressed in their finery to be sure!!
I can not believe I never went back after 1959. I could have. I sure wished I had. I guess I always thought it would be there I guess. I settled down up north and went to the Gateway alot, but of course it was no Marbro. But I guess I was so interested in my new school and new friends that I never gave much attention to the Marbro. Oh, if one could only turn back the clock!!
I do believe the Uptown will play rock shows like the Riv. The mainstream shows I believe are not in the future. I would be very causious attending a night performance with the parking and the neighborhood as they are today. You are right Scott, this is not Times Square and never will be. I wish them (Jam) all the luck in the world. There was no community involvement about the Paradise closing. After all, the attendence was sparse at best. As far as the Marbro, my relatives that still lived there thought it would close eventually due to the crime and the dowward trend of Madison/Pulaski area. I do think you are 100% correct. If it wasn’t closed and torn down, the fires would have got her. I never thought it would ever close. Of couse I am a dreamer!!!!!
Wow, I had no idea of the damage in the auditorium. I think you are right. It has reached “the point of no return” What a shame!!!!!!
It looks like a bomb went off inside……
Thanks so much….You cleared alot of questions.
Scott, there was no outcry from any public offical that I can recall. I was a couple of years on you and all I thought my entertainment choices were being scaled back and besides I loved the wonder of the Paradise. But I guess I wasn’t that too upset because I always had my Marbro. The people that were “upset” with the passing of the Paradise were mostly the older crowd and my dad of course. People that took their first date there etc. Many people in that area never saw anything like it! Which is to really say something since most of them thought it until their last breath. Might be good news for the Uptown………. Last Sunday the Chicago Tribune & Sun-times had pictures of the Uptown saying Mayor-elect Rahm is interested in community arts & music venues. The Uptown was mentioned and I believe this will be the closest it will come in years to be fullfilled. With tax breaks etc. and grants we might get to see it all come to be. Get a copy of the Chicago Tribune Sunday.
Thanks all. I thought I heard the RKO name involved in something. I knew the studio was sold to Lucille Ball & Desi in the 50"s but the theaters remained. Like I mentioned before, I toured the Albee Theater in Cinn and it had all that wonderful zig zag white bulb chasers on the marquee as well as the large vertical. It was something to see at night! And that was 1980.
On my next flight over Flushing, which will be very soon, I will look out the window for the water tower of the Keith’s. Is there still an RKO company? And where are they located?
I went to the Dec 19th photo. I think the theater I see is not the Keith’s arriving at LGA. Is there another theater building around there? We pass right over it as we land. I know for years there was a rather large marquee and a vertical that has been since stripped. I can’t imagine there are two remaing large empty theaters in one area. Maybe I am thinking of the roof sign on the Keith’s. I would love to attend Loews Paradise in the Bronx, but nothing on the menu interests me.
I have to agree with Jeffery1955. I still get a “chill” when I come to NY and we fly over NYC on a clear day. When I fly to LGA, the plane always passes over the Keith’s. I have been doing this for 40 years. When did they take down the signage? Wasn’t there a large vertical or perhaps I am thnking of a roof sign. This building is easy to spot in Flushing for a theater lover!
You guys are hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess it would be a conversational piece in the dentist office. I agree with Jeffrey1955, patients have to rinse and spit somewhere. Why not the fountain of the Keith’s? Better than what they would do in it if it was still in the theater!
Thanks tinseltoes for the great link on the Tribune. This must have been some great theater in its day. The dentist should return the fountain without any questions asked how it got it don’t you think?
Just saw a history of Cinerama. Tv in 1952 was cutting into the movie tickets and the bosses in Hollywood new something bigger and better had to happen. They developed along with Lowell Thomas the giant screens and what a success it was. First showing in 1952 at the Warner Theater, where “Jazz Singer” wowed them in the 20’s, it played there for a year. It lasted 10 years with “How the West Was Won”. That was the last film in that format and the end of Cinerama.
They could not put that screen in the many movie theaters in the country so they came up with Cinemascope (which was called the poor man’s Cinerama). The Marbro had a very large Cinemascope screen, larger than other theaters at that time, which leaves me to believe they had bigger and better plans for the Marbro.
Absolutely true about theaters built for live shows that were turned into movie houses. Many on Broadway during the heyday of the motion picture. I just saw tonite a wonderful prelude disc on the “How the West Was Won” on Cinerama. The history of it begining in 1952 on Broadway and absolutely taking NY by storm. Playing to sell-out crowds for years at a time. It gave movie palaces a second-life as TV tried to kill them. Every city had one and the people couldn’t stay away. It is only a matter of time before 3-D today begins to fade also. Thank goodness for the centers for the performing arts that have been the saviour of the motion picture palace.
A wonderful thought. However the way people get they entertainment today is different even from 1970. Movies are no longer screened in a special theater with stars twinkling etc. They are just put into the largest screen when they first open and on to smaller screens as the weeks go on and then “out the door”. The Cineplex is here to stay. Unfortunately!
One might say the Paradise was our “ROXY” in the fact it was the first of the deluxe houses to be leveled. At the time I couldn’t believe what was happening. How could someone be doing this to “my place”? I would stand across the street and watch in horror as the cranes would swing into the palace of entertainment!
I really never understood why the Norshore theatre was torn down and the dilapidated Howard theatre remained. I know movie attendence was down and the Granada was a mile away, but still the beautiful Norshore was close enough to the northern suburbs that other venues should have been considered. Pershaps a symphony hall or an arts center. It might have even saved the neighborhood! I can’t understand why Loyola didn’t incorporate the Granada into a building for their own usage and rent it out occasionally for live shows. Plenty of parking with their lots. These magnificent buildings come along one in a lifetime.
David, the pix were great. Part 1 & 2 had a few clips of the Marbro, Three Sisters store, Walgreens, OG shores, Berlands Shoes, trolleys going down Pulaski Rd, A&P store and much more… Loved it. Wish there were more. Would love to see more in the 1950’s.. Many thanks..
Thanks David. I will look it up right now and hope to find it!
Oh Scrabbie, I forgot about the lime rickeys.. I even forgot the name. They were delicious. I never had them there, but elsewhere.
I never went to the Grand theatre but I bet Scott did. He lived north of the Paradise. We kids stayed around Madison & Crawford. There was so much to do and see! I am amazed when my great nephews and nieces say they are bored..even with all their appliances they are hooked up to. I don’t remember a boring minute of my youth!
I also like the green river and of course the chocolate phosphate. That was also very good. I am looking forward to your short story. I am working on the picture of the ALEX for you to include and the Byrd theatre. Imagine movie stars in our own backyard! Those picture houses were such a thrill for us, weren’t they?