Wow, I found this site strictly by accident while looking for some information about the Southtown for a friend of mine. Reading everyone’s comments has been a great trip down memory lane! I actually worked as a B&K usher at the Southtown on and off in 1953 and 54. One of you folks mentioned police officer “Big Jim” in one of your posts. I remember him very will. In fact it was Big Jim who came out to attend to me after I ran into the back of a city bus right across the street from the theater! IN MY FIRST CAR!!! My driving has improved since then. If I recall, my ushers uniform was navy blue or black trousers with a maroon colored coat. We also wore, I think, a white shirt with a black clip on bow tie. We ushers also had our own locker room. This is probably where I first picked up the smoking bad habit! We used to come in early sometime on the weekends so we could horse around and go exploring in that massive building! I also met my first sort of steady girlfriend at the Southtown. One of the “Candy Girls”. She attended my prom with me at the Sherie or Shery hotel. (Not sure of the spelling). I actually lived north of most of you folks. I lived at 56th & Lowe and attended “Saint Tilden Tech”. Went on to do 30 years with the Chicago Fire Dept. Thanks again for sharing your memories. JohnCFD
Wow, I found this site strictly by accident while looking for some information about the Southtown for a friend of mine. Reading everyone’s comments has been a great trip down memory lane! I actually worked as a B&K usher at the Southtown on and off in 1953 and 54. One of you folks mentioned police officer “Big Jim” in one of your posts. I remember him very will. In fact it was Big Jim who came out to attend to me after I ran into the back of a city bus right across the street from the theater! IN MY FIRST CAR!!! My driving has improved since then. If I recall, my ushers uniform was navy blue or black trousers with a maroon colored coat. We also wore, I think, a white shirt with a black clip on bow tie. We ushers also had our own locker room. This is probably where I first picked up the smoking bad habit! We used to come in early sometime on the weekends so we could horse around and go exploring in that massive building! I also met my first sort of steady girlfriend at the Southtown. One of the “Candy Girls”. She attended my prom with me at the Sherie or Shery hotel. (Not sure of the spelling). I actually lived north of most of you folks. I lived at 56th & Lowe and attended “Saint Tilden Tech”. Went on to do 30 years with the Chicago Fire Dept. Thanks again for sharing your memories. JohnCFD