Comments from GrandMogul

Showing 1 - 25 of 98 comments

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Woods Theatre on Dec 20, 2007 at 7:29 pm

… thanks JRS and Jon Putnam for both your contributions—-most informative …

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about New 400 Theaters on Apr 18, 2007 at 12:39 pm

NEWS ITEM, when the Village was previously called the 400 Theatre:
Chicago Daily News, Thursday, October 7, 1954, p. 53, c. 1:
Retreat From TV Ending: CLOSED MOVIES TO REOPEN
by Sam Lesner
Four of Chicago’s closed movie houses are reopening!
The Essex theater, Sheridan rd. near Lake Shore dr., closed for two years, reopens Friday with the widely acclaimed French-Italian omnibus film, “The Seven Deadly Sins.”

The Calo Theater, 5406 N. Clark, another victim of the theater-devouring TV giant, will be reopened Oct. 22, with Jack Webb’s “Dragnet,” the first feature length film version of Webb’s TV program which was No. 1 in the Hooper ratings for September. (Isn’t that poetic justice, or something?)

The 400 theater, another North Side film house that has been dark for some time, is being remodeled for a new lease on its former movie life.

The Armitage, 3545-51, also an early TV victim, is being remodeled for an early reopening—-as a film house, of course.

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Tower Theatre on Apr 11, 2007 at 1:29 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Wednesday, June 5, 1940, p. 23, c. 7—-
COMPLETE ‘GWTW’ FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
The most-talked-of picture ever filmed, “Gone With The Wind,” begins its one week only engagement in the neighborhoods on Friday, June 7, when Balaban & Katz books the technicolor classic into the Tower Theater, 63rd street and Blackstone; the State Theater, 5814 West Madison street, and the Riviera Theater, Broadway at Lawrence.

It will be presented complete and intact, as it is being shown in the Loop.

Reserved seats for the engagements are on sale at special box-offices in each theater and mail orders are being given prompt attention. Seats are reserved for the evening performances which start at 8 pm and for the Sunday matinee, which will begin at 2 pm.

Week day matinees will be continuous from 10 am. Patrons may come as late as 2 pm and see a complete matinee performance.

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about State Theatre on Apr 11, 2007 at 1:28 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Wednesday, June 5, 1940, p. 23, c. 7—-
COMPLETE ‘GWTW’ FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
The most-talked-of picture ever filmed, “Gone With The Wind,” begins its one week only engagement in the neighborhoods on Friday, June 7, when Balaban & Katz books the technicolor classic into the Tower Theater, 63rd street and Blackstone; the State Theater, 5814 West Madison street, and the Riviera Theater, Broadway at Lawrence.

It will be presented complete and intact, as it is being shown in the Loop.

Reserved seats for the engagements are on sale at special box-offices in each theater and mail orders are being given prompt attention. Seats are reserved for the evening performances which start at 8 pm and for the Sunday matinee, which will begin at 2 pm.

Week day matinees will be continuous from 10 am. Patrons may come as late as 2 pm and see a complete matinee performance.

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Riviera Theatre on Apr 11, 2007 at 1:26 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Wednesday, June 5, 1940, p. 23, c. 7—-
COMPLETE ‘GWTW’ FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
The most-talked-of picture ever filmed, “Gone With The Wind,” begins its one week only engagement in the neighborhoods on Friday, June 7, when Balaban & Katz books the technicolor classic into the Tower Theater, 63rd street and Blackstone; the State Theater, 5814 West Madison street, and the Riviera Theater, Broadway at Lawrence.

It will be presented complete and intact, as it is being shown in the Loop.

Reserved seats for the engagements are on sale at special box-offices in each theater and mail orders are being given prompt attention. Seats are reserved for the evening performances which start at 8 pm and for the Sunday matinee, which will begin at 2 pm.

Week day matinees will be continuous from 10 am. Patrons may come as late as 2 pm and see a complete matinee performance.


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Loop Theater on Apr 11, 2007 at 1:20 pm

GOSSIP COLUMN ITEM:

Chicago Tribune, Friday, May 13, 1954, s. 2, p. 2, c. 7:
Tower Ticker, by Herb Lyon

“… . Biggest box office clicks in town are "Blackboard Jungle” at the Woods and G. Garbo in the oldie, “Camille,” at the Loop [she’s doin' just greta].

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about State-Lake Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:25 pm

GOSSIP COLUMN ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Friday, June 17, 1960, s. 1, p. 18, c. 1:
Tower Ticker, by Herb Lyon

“… . The 100 Buck ringside seats at the Ingo-Patterson rematch Monday night may go begging, but B. & K.’s Dave Wallerstein is predicting a sellout at the six local movie houses that will crackle with closed circuit TV coverage. The State Lake is already S.R.O… . ”

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about United Artists Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:22 pm

GOSSIP COLUMN ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Friday, June 17, 1960, s. 1, p. 18, c. 1:
Tower Ticker, by Herb Lyon

“… . Billy Wilder’s racy flicker, The Apartment,” had a better United Artists box office opening than “Some Like It Hot,” with Marilyn Monroe in person. This guy Jack Lemmon takes all… . "


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Congress Theater on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:16 pm

Yes, it’s true, Red Skelton did play the Congress!
NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, May 19, 1959, s. 3, p. 10, c. 6:
RED, ONCE FIRED, BOUNCES BACK
SKELTON TELLS OF CHANGE, by Stephen Harrison
Comment*

Richard Skelton, also known as Red and once fired here by popular request, returned Monday to the scene of the crime—rehired by popular request.

Can’t Vie with Legs
Having abandoned Vincennes, he was playing vaudevile in such landmarks as the Haymarket, the State & Congress, and the Gem, where aficionados paid a lot more attention to burlesque girls' legs than they ever did to Skelton.


[At the time of this item Skelton was headlining at the famed Chez Paree.]

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about State Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:15 pm

Yes, it’s true, Red Skelton did play the State!
NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, May 19, 1959, s. 3, p. 10, c. 6:
RED, ONCE FIRED, BOUNCES BACK
SKELTON TELLS OF CHANGE, by Stephen Harrison

Richard Skelton, also known as Red and once fired here by popular request, returned Monday to the scene of the crime—rehired by popular request.

Can’t Vie with Legs
Having abandoned Vincennes, he was playing vaudevile in such landmarks as the Haymarket, the State & Congress, and the Gem, where aficionados paid a lot more attention to burlesque girls' legs than they ever did to Skelton.


[At the time of this item Skelton was headlining at the famed Chez Paree.]

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Haymarket Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:13 pm

Yes, it’s true, Red Skelton did play the Haymarket!
NEWS ITEM:Comment*

Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, May 19, 1959, s. 3, p. 10, c. 6:
RED, ONCE FIRED, BOUNCES BACK
SKELTON TELLS OF CHANGE, by Stephen Harrison

Richard Skelton, also known as Red and once fired here by popular request, returned Monday to the scene of the crime—rehired by popular request.

Can’t Vie with Legs
Having abandoned Vincennes, he was playing vaudevile in such landmarks as the Haymarket, the State & Congress, and the Gem, where aficionados paid a lot more attention to burlesque girls' legs than they ever did to Skelton.


[At the time of this item Skelton was headlining at the famed Chez Paree.]

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Follies Theater on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:08 pm

Yes, it’s true, Red Skelton did play the Gem!
NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, May 19, 1959, s. 3, p. 10, c. 6:
RED, ONCE FIRED, BOUNCES BACK
SKELTON TELLS OF CHANGE, by Stephen Harrison

Richard Skelton, also known as Red and once fired here by popular request, returned Monday to the scene of the crime—rehired by popular request.

Can’t Vie with Legs
Having abandoned Vincennes, he was playing vaudevile in such landmarks as the Haymarket, the State & Congress, and the Gem, where aficionados paid a lot more attention to burlesque girls' legs than they ever did to Skelton.


[At the time of this item Skelton was headlining at the famed Chez Paree.]


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Cadillac Palace Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:03 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Sunday, June 1, 1958, s. 3, p. 6, c. 5:
PHIL SILVERS' FRIENDS THINK A LOT OF HIM
by John Fink
Phil Silvers memories of Chicago go back to the heyday of vaudeville. “Chicago was great in vaudeville days,” he says. “It was the center of the Orpheum circuit. One time you could stay six months in Chicago and not repeat a single theater. You played the Palace going west, and when you came back played the State-Lake and Orpheum.”

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about State-Lake Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:02 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Sunday, June 1, 1958, s. 3, p. 6, c. 5:
PHIL SILVERS' FRIENDS THINK A LOT OF HIM
by John Fink
Phil Silvers memories of Chicago go back to the heyday of vaudeville. “Chicago was great in vaudeville days,” he says. “It was the center of the Orpheum circuit. One time you could stay six months in Chicago and not repeat a single theater. You played the Palace going west, and when you came back played the State-Lake and Orpheum.”

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Orpheum Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 1:00 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Sunday, June 1, 1958, s. 3, p. 6, c. 5:
PHIL SILVERS' FRIENDS THINK A LOT OF HIM
by John Fink
Phil Silvers memories of Chicago go back to the heyday of vaudeville. “Chicago was great in vaudeville days,” he says. “It was the center of the Orpheum circuit. One time you could stay six months in Chicago and not repeat a single theater. You played the Palace going west, and when you came back played the State-Lake and Orpheum.”


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Woods Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 12:55 pm

GOSSIP COLUMN ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Thursday, July 7, 1960, s. 1, p. 14, c. 1:
Tower Ticker, by Herb Lyon

“… . dig this strange sightem in front of the Woods theater: A woman soliciting signatures on a petition [to draft Adlai] from people waiting in line to see Hitchcock’s "Psycho.” … ."


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Chicago Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 12:50 pm

GOSSIP COLUMN ITEMs:
Chicago Tribune, Monday, August 5, 1955, s. 3, p. 6, c. 5:
Tower Ticker, by Herb Lyon

“Jack Webb’s "Pete Kelly’s Blues” should put movie houses in the black all over the country. His personals at the Chicago theater Friday almost equaled his own all-time house record for one day and the movie has nothing but moxie. Every muckety-muck in town turned out to greet Jack and his Dorothy at the Jimmy Hart’s party in the Ambassador Sat. night. [They even let me in.]… ."


same paper, column: Thursday, August 25, 1955, s. 4, p. 3, c. 1:

“The Jotted Lyon: Producer Sam [Mr. Prototype] Goldwyn in person, will be among the celebs in town for the "most spectacular” movie premiere yet—“Guys and Dolls” at the Chicago theater Nov. 11. Brando, Sinatra, etc., are expected to join in the hijinks … Balaban and Katz, as yet, are undecided whether to drop stage shows for the extended engagement of this 6 million buck tingler … ."


same paer and column, Thursday, July 7, 1960, s. 1, p. 14, c. 1:
“… . Sign on the Chicago theater: "Ice Palace. Cool Inside!”


same paper and column, Sunday, July 10, 1960, s. 1, p. 7, c. 4:
“… . ‘Twas Barney Balaban who launched the Chicago theater, and now his son, Burt, makes his own debut as a big league movie producer. Burt’s "Murder, Inc.” opens there Friday, tho financed by Fox, not by his dad’s outfit, Paramount. Burt, 38, and his 16 year old daughter arrive Sunday for a pre-opening buildup and to visit local Balaban relatives… . "


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Loop Theater on Apr 10, 2007 at 12:37 pm

GOSSIP COLUMN ITEM:

Chicago Tribune, Friday, May 13, 1954, s. 2, p. 2, c. 7:
Tower Ticker, by Herb Lyon

“… . Biggest box office clicks in town are "Blackboard Jungle” at the Woods and G. Garbo in the oldie, “Camille,” at the Loop [she’s doin' just greta].

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Woods Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 12:35 pm

GOSSIP COLUMN ITEM:

Chicago Tribune, Friday, May 13, 1954, s. 2, p. 2, c. 7:
Tower Ticker, by Herb Lyon

“… . Biggest box office clicks in town are "Blackboard Jungle” at the Woods and G. Garbo in the oldie, “Camille,” at the Loop [she’s doin' just greta].

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about McVickers Theatre on Apr 10, 2007 at 12:30 pm

GOSSiP COLUMN ITEM:
Chicago Tribune, Monday, October 3, 1944, s. 3, p. 4, c. 3:
Tower Ticker, by Herb Lyon

“… . The McVickers may not play Mike Todd’s "Oklahoma!” after all. The cost of installation for the big, new Todd-AO process is estimated at a half million."

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Woods Theatre on Mar 31, 2007 at 12:36 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Thursday, July 3, 1941, p. 17, c. 3:

‘CITZEN KANE’ WILL CLOSE AT WOODS JULY 13

After one of the longest movie runs in the Loop during the last year, Orson Welles' “Citizen Kane” will end its engagement at the Woods Theatrer Sunday night, July 13.

“Citizen Kane” had a dual premiere at the Woods and RKO Palace theaters on Tuesday, May 6. It ran for two weeks at the Palace and is now in its ninth week at the Woods. So it will have a total of 11 weeks in Chicago, exceeding in length the engagements in all cities except New York.


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Woods Theatre on Mar 31, 2007 at 12:31 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Friday, June 13, 1941, p. 31, c. 2:

SUNDAY MARKS THE 150TH SHOWING OF ‘CITIZEN KANE’

The 150th showing of Orson Welles' “Citizen Kane” will take place Sunday afternoon, at the Woods Theater. The Midwest premiere took place on Tuesday, May 6 at the Woods and RKO Palace theaters and since May 20 the picture has been on a three-a-day policy at the Woods.

Counting the two weeks at the Palace, the film is now in its eighth Chicago week and indications point to a long run on Randolph street. Business has been close to capacity at all performances since the engagement was limited to the Woods Theater.

“Citizen Kane” is now in its ninth week in New York City and extended runs are in the making in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Washington.


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Woods Theatre on Mar 29, 2007 at 4:10 pm

NEWS ITEM:

Chicago Daily News, Friday, June 13, 1941, p. 31, c. 2:

SUNDAY MARKS THE 150TH SHOWING OF ‘CITIZEN KANE’

The 150th showing of Orson Welles' “Citizen Kane,” will take place Sunday afternoon, at the Woods Theater. The Midwest premiere took place on Tuesday, May 6, at the Woods and RKO Palace theaters and since May 20 the picture has been on a three-a-day policy at the Woods.

Counting the two weeks at the Palace, the film is now in its eighth Chicago week and indications point to a long run on Randolph street. Business has been close to capacity at all performances since the engagement was limited to the Woods Theater.

“Citizen Kane” is now in its ninth week in New York City and extented runs are in the making in Los Angeles, San Franciso, Boston and Washington.
+_________________

GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Loop Theater on Mar 29, 2007 at 4:04 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Thursday, November 30, 1939, p. 26, c. 5:

TELENEWS THEATER IS SET TO OPEN DEC. 23

The new Telenews theater on State street, between Lake and Randolph, is scheduled top open Dec. 23. it will be devoted exclusively to the presentation of newsreels and selected short subjects. Each weekly program will be especially edited from the product of all the newsreel companies.

The Telenews will afford patrons some innovations for their comfort and relaxation as well as entertainment. Particular care has been given to a spacious lounge and recreation room, and a new type of streamlined orchestra chair will be featured. The world’s first exclusive newsreel theater was established in 1929 in New York City and is enjoying great popularity with theatrgoers.


GrandMogul
GrandMogul commented about Drake Theatre on Mar 29, 2007 at 3:57 pm

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Tuesday, January 6, 1942, p. 11, c. 4:

PORTAGE, DRAKE, ADMIRAL JOIN B. AND K. CHAIN


Three new theaters have joined the Balaban & Katz chain. All are locatd on the Northwest Side and have been under the B. & K. banner since the first of the year. They are the Portage at 4050 Milwaukee avenue, the Admiral at 3940 Lawrence avenue, and the Drake at 3548 Montrose avenue. All three are now undergoing minor operational transitions and will offer the latest cinema advantages to neighborhood audiences.