I made it up to Macomb for Christmas this year and got a couple pics of the old Illinois Theater, now known as The Forum. Here’s a photo. Though I was unable to make it inside due to nothing going on there during my brief visit, I did talk to a couple people who have been, and when I asked about the dome their reply was “What dome?” I guess that covers that question.
A little history about the Illniois Theatre. Due to the rising popularitly of movies, Chandler’s Hall in the upper floor of the Opera House Building on the NW corner of the Macomb, Illinois quare, became the Chandler Theatre in 1912. In 1918, soft drink bottler Harry Elwell and local lawyer Andrew L. Haniline bought it, redecorated and refurnished it, and renamed it the Illinois Theatre. A Douglas Fairbanks movie His Majesty the American, was the first film shown upon reopening in 1919. As a promotion to bring in new customers, Hainline and Elwell were able to arrannge the local filming of a comedy short Macomb Adopts a Baby, which premeired in late October. By year’s end, Elwell sold his interest on Hainline.<br>
Following a New Year’s Day fire in 1925, Hainline completely remodeled the Illinois and moved it downstairs and installed a sound system. With a lighted dome in the ceiling and seating for 800, it became Macomb’s preeminent movie house for decades. In 1935, Hainline once again remodeled the Illinois to manintain his competitive edge. The exterior was redone with a contemporary neon marque and glass doors. The interior featured a new lobby, lounge and balcony, as well as new seating and decorative accents. Hainline would own the Illinois Theatre as well as the Lamoine Theatre (which he purchaed in 1936, many years later known as The Lark), until his death in 1942.<br>
-Source: Macomb: A Pictorial History by John E. Hallwas
Seems I can’t leave this alone…
I’ve put together a flickr page with as many photos of the Illinois Theater as I could find on the web.
View link
I’ll update it if I come across more…
Here’s a flickr page with some photos of the Lamoine/Lark Theater:
View link
I’ve set up a flickr page with my Moxie 2.0 construction pix:
View link
You can always go to Dan’s phlogs on the Moxie website as well:
http://blog.moxiecinema.com/phlog/41
I made it up to Macomb for Christmas this year and got a couple pics of the old Illinois Theater, now known as The Forum. Here’s a photo. Though I was unable to make it inside due to nothing going on there during my brief visit, I did talk to a couple people who have been, and when I asked about the dome their reply was “What dome?” I guess that covers that question.
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/lamoine3.jpg">here’s the only photo I’ve located of the Lark , though it was still the Lamoine when this picture was taken, I’m sure. Judging by the cars, I would date this image late 30s/early 40s. I think I found it on the web, but can’t remember for sure where. Enjoy!
A little history about the Illniois Theatre. Due to the rising popularitly of movies, Chandler’s Hall in the upper floor of the Opera House Building on the NW corner of the Macomb, Illinois quare, became the Chandler Theatre in 1912. In 1918, soft drink bottler Harry Elwell and local lawyer Andrew L. Haniline bought it, redecorated and refurnished it, and renamed it the Illinois Theatre. A Douglas Fairbanks movie His Majesty the American, was the first film shown upon reopening in 1919. As a promotion to bring in new customers, Hainline and Elwell were able to arrannge the local filming of a comedy short Macomb Adopts a Baby, which premeired in late October. By year’s end, Elwell sold his interest on Hainline.<br>
Following a New Year’s Day fire in 1925, Hainline completely remodeled the Illinois and moved it downstairs and installed a sound system. With a lighted dome in the ceiling and seating for 800, it became Macomb’s preeminent movie house for decades. In 1935, Hainline once again remodeled the Illinois to manintain his competitive edge. The exterior was redone with a contemporary neon marque and glass doors. The interior featured a new lobby, lounge and balcony, as well as new seating and decorative accents. Hainline would own the Illinois Theatre as well as the Lamoine Theatre (which he purchaed in 1936, many years later known as The Lark), until his death in 1942.<br>
-Source: Macomb: A Pictorial History by John E. Hallwas
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/ill_thtr_int.jpg">Here is another image of the Illinois Theatre. It reopened in 2006 as a multi-purpose entertainment venue for concerts, shows, conventions, etc. From what I understand, they have reopened the dome in the ceiling, which had been covered up when the theatre was twinned in the late 70’s. I haven’t been there yet, but plan to check it out next time I get back to my `ol home town of Macomb, which I generally manage to do at least once a year.