wow, first i read the Fine Arts is closed, now this! damn! this theater was awesome.
although i saw the star wars re-releases here (was third in line for one of them) where i was with 15 of my closest friends i’ll always rememeber this theater for a movie i saw by myself, which i rarely do. i saw the restored 70mm print of Vertigo at this theater and until that point i did not truly understand hitchcock’s genuis. that print was so beautiful, vibrant, and detailed that it made you forget it was a movie made years ago and it made you understand the difference between a film and a movie.
that understanding is the gift McClurg Ct. gave to me. i’ll never forget it.
i work at this theater in the mid 90’s as a part time job while in school. having also worked at a run down 70’s suburban box in my home town, i was in love with this theater, and am disgusted that it is left to ruin by the loews/sony people. although it’s 3rd and 4th screens were out of place afterthoughts and the 2nd screen was a sad comparison to the main hall, i just love watching movies from the first or second balcony of the main theater.
there are many great theaters in chicago, but the Fine Arts main hall was just plain BIG. the few times we opened up the balconies for a special event, it really made it feel magical. if i remember right, even in the 90’s it was the largest capacity hall in the city. with the McClurg Court Cinema a close second or about the same, but now i see that is closed too! shame on you Chicago, and shame on you Loews!
i’d say a highlight for me was seeing gene siskel and al pacino do a discussion for some teachers group. i still have a blurry polaroid of them on stage =)
i’ll always remember my cramped little dressing room behind theater 3’s screen plastered with crappy left over movie posters like Escape from LA. watching movies from behind the screen, and making spooky sounds to scare co-workers while they cleaned.
wow, first i read the Fine Arts is closed, now this! damn! this theater was awesome.
although i saw the star wars re-releases here (was third in line for one of them) where i was with 15 of my closest friends i’ll always rememeber this theater for a movie i saw by myself, which i rarely do. i saw the restored 70mm print of Vertigo at this theater and until that point i did not truly understand hitchcock’s genuis. that print was so beautiful, vibrant, and detailed that it made you forget it was a movie made years ago and it made you understand the difference between a film and a movie.
that understanding is the gift McClurg Ct. gave to me. i’ll never forget it.
i work at this theater in the mid 90’s as a part time job while in school. having also worked at a run down 70’s suburban box in my home town, i was in love with this theater, and am disgusted that it is left to ruin by the loews/sony people. although it’s 3rd and 4th screens were out of place afterthoughts and the 2nd screen was a sad comparison to the main hall, i just love watching movies from the first or second balcony of the main theater.
there are many great theaters in chicago, but the Fine Arts main hall was just plain BIG. the few times we opened up the balconies for a special event, it really made it feel magical. if i remember right, even in the 90’s it was the largest capacity hall in the city. with the McClurg Court Cinema a close second or about the same, but now i see that is closed too! shame on you Chicago, and shame on you Loews!
i’d say a highlight for me was seeing gene siskel and al pacino do a discussion for some teachers group. i still have a blurry polaroid of them on stage =)
i’ll always remember my cramped little dressing room behind theater 3’s screen plastered with crappy left over movie posters like Escape from LA. watching movies from behind the screen, and making spooky sounds to scare co-workers while they cleaned.