Garrick Theatre

Your concluding phrase, "Ironically, the garage itself, was demolished to make way for Helmut Jahn's State of Illinois building." The theater was located immediately west of the old Woods Theater and was demolished in the Goodman Theater project. In fact, the Goodman Theater stands on the site of four old theaters, the Harris, the Selwyn, the Woods and the Garrick (Schiller).

The new Goodman Theater is indeed on this site. The Thompson State of Illinois building was the site of the Sherman Hotel.

Many smaller fragments of Louis Sullivan's interior decoration were salvaged by Richard Nickel just before the Garrick was torn down in 1961 and a few can be seen at the Art Institute of Chicago, along with other remnants of long-lost Chicago architecture.

A close up photograph of the Garrick's arched facade, with its relief busts of famous Germans (the building was originally the Schiller) when it was in situ behind the theater's marquee can be found
here.

This large fragment of the Garrick Theatre was fortunately removed before the theater's tragic destruction, and is now incorporated into the front entrance of the legendary Second City comedy club on Wells Street.

Following is a photo of the auditorium of the Garrick, taken by early preservation and photographer Richard Nickel, around the time of the theater's demolition (1961). Note Louis Sullivan's ornate plasterwork. From the Library of Congress.

Bryan - just want to thank you for the various links/ photos you provide. They are great. Was in the Garrick just once. As a kid saw "THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD". Loved the movie but sitting in the balcony, loved the ceiling and walls almost as much!

Does anyone know the names of the four Germans on the facade that is now at Second City?

I'm not sure who the medallions on the former Schiller/Garrick facade represent, but I imagine that Schiller and Goethe are among the gentlemen represented. Following is a link with a clearer view of the facade fragment, in its current setting as the main entrance to the Second City Theatre in Old Town on Wells Street.

http://picturingchicago.com/pageOld%20Town_1.htm

Anyone know where I could research this? I work at Second City, and no one here knows.

Thanks by the way for the Schiller and Goethe remarks. That'll give me a place to start.

Rdolan, I'd suggest first trying the Art Institute, since they've actually got a few of the other architectural fragments Richard Nickel salvaged from the Garrick before it got torn down in 1961 (the architectural pieces are displayed on the upper level of the Art Institute's main entry, when you first walk in after buying your tickets--you can't miss them. Look for the Art Deco elevator grilles.). Also, I'd check with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (http://www.architecture.org/), I imagine they'd have information there as well.

A view of the Schiller Building in its later years with the top of the Garrick Theatre's marquee can be seen here.

FOR RESEARCHERS: Much information and photos of the GARRICK/SCHILLER can be obtained at the Archive of the Theatre Historical Society of America just outside of Chicago in Elmhurst above the YORK THEATRE ( www.HistoricTheatres.org ). Use the "Archives" link on their site to learn hours and details to make an appointment. If they cannot identify the figures once on the facade of the SCHILLER, then take a photo of them to the "Goethe House" of the Federal Republic of Germany housed in the upper floor of the Central Library building, 813 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee (off the rotunda stairs or elevator, not in the library itself) and they will probably be quite able to identify some of their famous nationals. Their phone: (414) 276-7435.

The fact that this theatre was built by architect Louis Sullivan and the firm, Adler and Sullivan makes this a very special theatre thought they all are in their own right, but the name Sullivan is as prominent as the well-known name, Frank Lloyd Wright. I was looking through the list of architects and found the Sullivan name and one theatre connected with that prominent name. To read that the City of Chicago closed and demolished it is a real Chicago 'crime'! It was interesting to read that Rapp & Rapp came onto the scene during the 30's to remodel the theatre in the art deco style. And then to read that the theatre was replaced with a parking garage only to be torn down in the late 90's was unbelievable! I found it most interesting to read the when the Garrick was to be demolished "there was one of the earliest organized public outcries in Chicago to save an historic building, but to no avail"....so very sad! If you want to see a beautiful building that Sullivan left his mark on and one that is still standing travel to Buffalo NY and visit the Guaranty Building.

A night view of the Garrick's marquee, dated 1958, can be seen here. The next-door Woods Theatre's marquee is partly visible in the background.

Here's another view of the Garrick, shortly before its destruction in 1961, from a photograph taken by the late Chicago architectural preservationist and photographer Richard Nickel, who was killed trying to salvage architectural fragments from the in-the-process of being demolished Chicago Stock Exchange (another Sullivan work) in 1972. He was crushed when the Trading Room floor collapsed.

Bryan: Tried bringing up "another view of the Garrick when clicking n "Here's", but not having any luck. So sad about the photographer who was killed trying to salvage architectural fragments. I'll keep trying to bring up the Garrick site.

If you are ever in Buffalo NY the Guaranty Building is a Sullivan structure that is well worth seeing with its intricate ornate facade It has large oval windows on the top floor so the offices have quite an 'oval' view of the city and Lake Erie.

Sorry Patsy, must've been a temporary link.

That's okay as I still enjoyed reading your Garrick comments.

The 'Here's' link is working again. http://www.chicagotelevision.com/wbkbgarrick2.jpg shows a sketch of the Marquee from the early 50s, when the Garrick was serving as Television studios for shows like Garfield Goose. This is the marquee which obscured the busts in the above photographs.

What a great picture, Brian. Thanks for finding that link. I've never seen a photo of that marquee on the Garrick before.

Since Patsy mentioned Frank Lloyd Wright in an earlier comment, I thought I would mention that Wright was Sullivan's chief draftsman at the time this building was being built. Also after Wright started his own pratice, his first office was in the Schiller building.

Here is a 1960 photo showing a group in front of the Garrick protesting against the theater's impending demoliton, with the marquee of the next-door Woods Theatre visible.

Here is one from 1919

The Film Daily Yearbook of 1945 shows the Garrick Theatre seating 980.

http://www.thislife.org/dvd/ Here is a pair of photos of the Garrick, one during demolition.

It is a true crime that Chicago lost this Adler and Sullivan theatre in the turbulent 60's! The above site with demolition photos is very disturbing to look at, but interesting to see.

The demolition photo is perhaps the most famous photo of the Schiller; it was taken by photographer and preservationist Richard Nickel, who devoted his life to documenting Louis Sullivan's buildings. He later lost his life in this effort when the trading floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange collapsed on him. In the protestors photo above, he is the gentleman whose face is partially obscured by holding up the "Do we dare squander Chicago's architectual heritage?" sign.

Brian: Thanks for this sad follow-up information.

I just brought up the b/w photo and think I found Mr. Nickel's face. Is he wearing a hat? Where on the internet might I find his Louis Sullivan documentation?

Yes, that's him. I'd suggest doing a google search on "Richard Nickel". His work often appears in books on Sullivan's architecture, Chicago architecture, and there is also a great book about Nickel titled "They All Fall Down". He's a personal hero of mine.

http://www.wttw.com/chicagostories/nickelstory.html

Through Google I found this interesting site!

Brian: He has now become a personal hero of mine after only 15 minutes of searching through sites about him! I found a link that took me to Amazon and there I viewed "They All Fall Down" which should be required reading for any CT member! Another good book by the granddaughter of Harry M. Turner, Cass Warner is Hollywood Be Thy Name if anyone is interested in reading about the famous Warner Brothers of theatre and movie fame!

"Great architecture has only two natural enemies: water and stupid men." A Richard Nickel quote that is, sadly, still true in 2005!

Just thought I would add that we have lost another great Sullivan building. The Pligrim Baptist Church burned down on January 6th. It was originally a synagogue and was designed at the same time as the Garrick Theater. It is famous as the birthplace of modern gospel music.

Some more busts from the facade are on a wall in front of a home on Geneva Terrace near Fullerton Avenue.

In the October edition of "Chicago" mag on page 113 their is an artical entitled "Vital Signs" and their are some great pictures of The Garrick and some other downtown theatres.

I try to be careful about using phrases like, "it was a crime to demolish this theatre" because the world has certainly changed. But...

It was a crime to demolish this theatre.

I am in total agreement with you on that point.

Here is a postcard view.

With regards to Melder's comment above, we have lost yet another Sullivan landmark building. This was the one in the 600 South block of Wabash and contained the closed George Diamond Steakhouse. The fire was the same cause as the Pilgrim Baptist Church--careless use of a blowtorch. It was still smoking a few days later and service on the adjoining CTA L lines--the Green and Orange--had to be suspended for nearly a week.

The demolition of the Garrick was one of the turning points in the preservation movement. Unfortunately, it looks like the lessons have been lost as we are losing landmarks at an even faster rate. In the 1960s, famous buildings were lost to parking decks. Today, it's to condos and chain retail (ie the Adelphi, the Esquire, and probably soon the Gateway).

Here is an article from the Fort Wayne Sentinel dated 12/31/03. Apparently the Garrick patrons were unaware of the terrible fire engulfing the nearby Iriquois, which took 600 lives:

HOW PANIC WAS AVERTED IN GARRICK THEATER

Chicago, Dec. 31-One of the largest audiences ever seen in the Garrick Theater, which is on the same street as the Iroquois, less than one block distant, sat in complete ignorance of the awful tragedy which was being enacted, 200 feet from where they sat.
When the fire engines commenced to patter past the Garrick, Manager
Schubert became fearful lest the impression that his theater was on fire should spread in the audience. When the intermission between acts came he ordered the doors closed and refused to allow any one to pass in or out, as he was determined that no knowledge of the fire should reach the audience.

Wilton Lackaye, the star of the play now being presented at the Garrick, stepped before the curtain and entertained the audience for over five minutes with a witty speech, which kept his hearers in continual laughter. The orchestra contributed its part toward diverting the audience and the curtain rose for the next act without anybody other than the theater employes knowing that hundreds of lives were being sacrificed almost next door to the Garrick.

When the people filed out of the Garrick they were greeted at the door by men and women, who anxiously scanned the faces to see if any of their friends were among them. They looked for members of their families and acquaintanceswho had gone down town simply to attend a matinee, without stating to what theater they had intended to go. There were many scenes of joyful recognition and astonished members of the Garrick audience were hugged and kissed in frantic delight by their relatives who up to that time had believed it possible that they were a ghastly pile of dead lying within the doors of the Iriquois Theater.

To add to the list of recently lost Sullivan buildings, the Harvey House in Chicago burned a week after the Wirt Dexter Building. It was the last of the frame houses built by Adler and Sullivan, and Frank Lloyd Wright most likely had his hand in its design.

What exactly was the mechanism that led to the Garrick's destruction. Did B&K close it because someone offered them a ton of money for the property (or the owner, if the owner was not B&K)? Did B&K decide that they had too many screens for the downtown market at that time? What was the deal?

The office building was called outdated, and B&K saw a parking garage as more profitable.

Happy New Year to all!:www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/bk1942.jpg

HEre is a photo of the Garrick ornament as installed at the Second City.

NEWS ITEM:

Chicago Tribune, Sunday, March 31, 1957, s. 7, p. 13, c. 4:

THE GARRICK WILL REOPEN ON APRIL 18

The Garrick theater will reopen Thursday, April 18, with the midwest premiere of "Fear Strikes Out," the picture based on the life of Jim Piersall, outfielder for the Boston Red Sox. It stars Anthony Perkins as Piersall and Karl Malden, former Academy award winner. Norma Moore and Perry Wilson are featured in the dramatic story of a father's obsessive drive to achieve his own thwarted desires thru his son.

First published as a biography with the same title, it became a best seller and later appeared in condensed form in one national magazxine and serially in another.

The Garrick, one of Randolph street's first stage and motion picture theaters, was converted into a television studio-theater for WBKB and later WBBM, in August, 1950. Prior to its conversion it presented top Hollywood films.

Many persons will recall the 1920s and 1930s when the Garrick was one of the outstanding legitimate theaters in Chicago. Among the early stage attractions presented at the Garrick was Theda Bara in "The Blue Flame," Fay Bainter in "East is West," Ina Claire in "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife," and Jane Cowl in "Juliet."

Does any one know what the call letters W B K B stood for?

Call letters of broadcasting stations in the east routinely begin with a "W", but the BKB stood for Balaban & Katz Broadcasting.

Does anyone recall the type of interior sculptures Richard Bock created for the Schiller Theater?
Where they Shakesperean characters?
Thanks!

I believe Bock was responsible for the main sculpture on the interior were lunettes above the boxes on the sides. Over the left hand boxes was "Homer, 'The father of poetry,' surrounded by listeners-a bride and her love, a mother and her babe, a warrior and a tiller of the soil-all apparently absorbed in the utterances of the poet. In one upper corner is an allegorical representation of Art, and in the other a representation of Music. Over the right hand boxes is a representation of Schiller mounted upon Pegasus, led by Genius and followed by representatives of terpischore, drama, and the muses. The figures in the corner representing Strength and Beauty respectively." I seem to recall that the original plans called for statuettes within the boxes as well but these were not executed.

The exterior busts were sculpted by Frederick Almenroder.

Thank you BW Chicago.
Most helpful!

I might have a photo of them somewhere, if you drop me an email (click my name). They were removed in one of the theater's several renovations, well before the theater's demolition.

Also, the description of this theater is based an an erroneous comment I made earlier; the Schiller's name was changed to the Garrick in 1903 following an 1898-1903 stint as the Dearborn Theater (this, too, should be listed in prior names). The Garrick name came from the Shuberts, who named it after the famed British actor and his namesake theater.

Here is a vintage postcard view

The Chicago History Museum has many close up photos in their research center of the Garrick Theatre that can be viewed. It is well worth the trip to go and see from the photos just how beautiful this building really was. Even as it was being torn down, it was determined that the building was structurally sound and could have been converted for other purposes. Among the photos are included some of Richard Nickel, as well as John Vinci, who were part of the preservationist team. I just found out on the internet (and the readers will be very glad to know), that Mr. Vinci continues to work as an architect and preservationist. His firm is Vinci/Hamp Architects. He spearheaded the project of moving the old Chicago Stock Exchange trading floor to the Art Institute in Chicago. You can view breathtaking photos of their restoration work (including the old Chicago Stock Exchange trading floor) on their website at www.vinci-hamp.com

In answer to the questions regarding the identities of the famous German nationals on the facade, I think I may have found the answer, for the following reasons. The other week, I was walking past the Symphony Center building (formerly known as Orchestra Hall). It is, in my opinion, a sort of sister building to the Garrick, because it has archways above the entrance, and also because it has the NAMES of famous German nationals etched in stone above the archways, which are the following: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Wagner. Here is a picture of the Symphony Center, although the names are not visible in this photo. The names would appear in a larger photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Symphony_center.JPG

By the way, the Symphony Center has been designated a national landmark, since 1994.

(I would like to give thanks to Jesus for providing the answers to difficult questions, when we ask them of Him.)

FYI -- regarding my last comment, and in particular, the Symphony Hall photo link attachment: I realized after posting it that once you have opened the link for the photo, if you click on the photo itself a couple of times, then a small orange box with four blue arrows will appear in the lower, right-hand corner. Then, if you click on that small box, the photo itself will appear larger, and then you can view the names I was referring to. Here is the link again: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Symphony_center.JPG

In the 1919 photo link previously provided by BWChicago, it can be seen that originally there were at least 10 relief bust medallions set into the Garrick, (which can be viewed in larger size by clicking on the photo itself a couple of times, and then waiting momentarily while the computer adjusts the focus.) Here it is again: http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/10726.html

Undoubtedly, one of the men represented here was Schiller. It was probably Freidrich Schiller, because in the attached additional link I've just found and added here, it tells that there is a memorial for him in Lincoln Park, and that a postage stamp was made in his honor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Schiller

Here is a link regarding Johann Wolfgang Goethe, who was also famous and was friends with the famous Friedrich Schiller: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Wolfgang_Goethe

Perhaps one of the famous facade faces was actually a man with the last name of Garrick -- this is only my guess. If that's so, then maybe he was a famous playwright, because there's also a theatre named the Garrick in London. It would follow to reason that people might want to name more than one theatre (in various locations) in honor of a famous playwright of that name.

A thought for consideration: the third facade face from the left in the 1919 photo might be David Garrick, who was a famous British playwright of the 18th century. (Perhaps the original Garrick Theatre facades are not necessarily all of famous Germans.) Here is information regarding David Garrick: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Garrick

Regarding the Second City building: maybe the second facade from the right is David Garrick? Here is the photo again as was previously provided: http://digicol.lib.depaul.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/lpnc1&CISOPTR=187&REC=5

I seriously doubt Garrick, the British playwright, is one of the faces. That is unless he was added on later. The building was built, if I remember correctly, for a German theater group. Most likely all the faces would have been famous Germans. Also, the theater only became the Garrick a decade or so after it was built, so it would seem odd that a British playwright would be on a German theater building. I'm not saying its improbably, just seems unlikely.

Regarding the last comment that was made (thanks): I did realize that the Garrick was originally called the Schiller, but my thought was that maybe when the new managers took over, the possibility existed that (for whatever reason) they may have decided to name the theater after a different man who was represented among the same relief busts. Just my thought.

Here is a May 1958 photo from the Chicago Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/ao3j8c

Where did you find all these?

Go to the Tribune site, and there is a theater gallery. I tried to post the original link, but then you end up with the same photo every time.
http://tinyurl.com/c9b336

Here is the same photo without removing it from the Chicago Tribune website.

Here is an ad in Boxoffice in July 1949. I actually have this movie on VHS. It's pretty funny, but I suppose they took it a little more seriously back then.
http://tinyurl.com/yf8l9ns