Adelphi Theater

address: 7074 N. Clark St.

The Adelphi was closed in January of 2002.

Wow..what a trip through time! I found this page after pondering a childhood memory of the Adelphi! Anyway, to set the record straight..I know the Adelphi on Clark Street in Chicago was showing mainstream Hollywood films as early as 1959.

I am sure of this, because my mom took us to see a movie there that summer, and spotted this gorgeous brand new 1959 white Ford Country Squire wagon parked directly in front of the theatre, after which she proclaimed "I gotta have one of those!". Sure enough, on Thursday, September 3 of that year, we bought one from Courtesy Ford of Chicago, brand spanking new. (fawn tan color tho).

Then, on New Year's Eve, December 31 we were treated to a movie about John Dillinger which ended that night just before the end of the Fab 50s!

Bill Dee

My most unpleasant memory about the Adelphi was the time when a hugh electrical storm knocked out their power about 15 minutes into the movie. After waiting about 20 more minutes with no power, the management announced appropiately enough, "rain checks" for everyone. I asked for a refund and explained that because I lived in Toronto I didn't know when or if I I'd be able to use a rain check. I can't remember if I won the argument or not. I do remember though we all piled into the car and drove to the Riveria to see another movie. The Riviera's power stayed on but the roof almost didn't. Buckets of rain poured into the auditorium and several workers placed numerous buckets in the various strategic locations.

the adelphi was the location for the movie theatre fight scene in "Cooley High"

The name Adelphi is beautifully carved in the terra-cotta facade overlooking Clark St. I pass this beauty every day on my way to work in Evanston. I keep it posted if I see any positive changes in it's operating status.

I have some very good news about this theater. There's activity. A bunch of good people, including my self for technical and projection assistance, are involved who really just want to get it back open, and restore it, including the marquee. It does need a far about of work and will likely take several months but there is at least some progress. It will be equipped for all different venues which include live music as well as 2nd and even later run movies, and digital projection. She's a great old theater and I'm glad to be a part of this. I'll try to get a photo up soon, and will update in the future.

The Adelphi was designed by J.E.O Pridmore who has about three theatres surviving at last count, out of about one dozen.Most of his work was for Vaudeville and turned over into the silent films.At one time ,probably the 1920's -1930's, the Adelphi was owned by Samuel L"Roxy" Rothenfel.Rothenfel was the founder of the Radio City Music Hall dancers called the Rockettes.Roxy found them in St.Louis in 1934, when they were calling themselves the Missouri Rockets.They were brought to NYC and renamed the Roxyettes .For a while, then changed to the Rockettes.Maybe on one of his scouting missions Roxy found the Adelphi and bought it.He owned several clubs in NY.

Mike, the Adelphi Theatre in Chicago designed by J.E.O. Pridmore was actually not this one, but the theater in the Loop later called the Clark at Clark and Madison Streets. When it opened in 1911, it was called the Columbia. It was remodeled in 1923 as the Adelphi, which it served as until the early 30s when it was renamed again, as the Clark and went from a legit house to a movie house, which it remained into the 70s when it was closed and later razed.

Bryan, while researching the origins of the Adelphi located on 70 70 N. North Clark around two years ago at the Rogers Park Historical society , I copied news clippings of its grand opening and interior designs of the Adelphi .It clearly shows the architect was J.E.O Pridmore and that is the same theatre not the Columbia , as well as the company ,Wolf ,that supplied all the theatre fittings .It also shows it was part of the Ascher Bros.theatre chain .Another news clipping from 1917 states some of these facts about Roxy.I read here about the other Adelphi that you are refering to .Somehow this work of Pridmore slipped under the radar . It should be saved . Mike

Mike, is it possible he designed the Adelphi in Edgewater as well as the Columbia/Adelphi/Clark in the Loop? This is where I found my information on Pridmore's designing the Columbia/Adelphi/Clark:

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/67962.html

Bryan ,I don't know about that Adelphi in Edgewater yet untill you mentioned it .I was saying for a few weeks that he (Pridmore)designed a theatre called the Nortown on Howard St. in Rogers Park as well ,then realized that theatre was on Western Ave from this wesite .I was sure that the Rogers Park historical society website said it was on Howard.So I guesss we need to crosscheck info.Mike

I just found several references to Pridmore in a search.One was on the Empress theatre in the Englewood neighborhood & is now torn down .Another is in Evanston ,the Varsity theatre which is now used for retail.The one that looks very similar inside to the Adelphi in Rogers Park tho, is the State in Minnesota .The front of the stage area is very similar with its balconies and arch to the Adelphi .It would be really grand to see the Adelphi in Rogers Park restored like the State .That job on the State cost over 5 Milllion bucks. It can be seen in all it's restored glory at .http://www.hennepintheatredistrict.com/TheatreHistory/StateStageBig.jpg Mike

the Adelphi is opening it's doors again!!! But we need your help, please contact vanessa syko4466@yahoo.com to find out more!!

I moved to the Rogers Park neighborhood in the late 1970's, to attend Loyola U. I lived on Estes Avenue, and I think the Adelphi was on the southwest corner of Clark and Estes.

The Adelphi’s entrance on Clark Street had a very unusual sidewalk in front it. It wasn't anything like a typical Chicago "Streets and San" sidewalk, because it contained two very large inlays, that were art-deco style images of ushers. There was one on each side, and they looked as if they were bowing to you. Each usher extended one arm to welcome you to the show, and tucked the other behind his back.

I found them remarkable for two reasons. First, they belonged to only the Adelphi, in that were created right there on that spot, and would never be used anywhere else. Second, they only made sense because the building was a theatre. If someone converted it into a grocery store, for example, customers would wonder what kind of oddball has two theatre ushers outside his grocery store.

Unfortunately, the portion of the terazzo that was in line with the sidewalk was destroyed in 1990. The portion going into the lobby remains. I'm told that some of the terrazzo was, incidentally, salvaged and is in fact in front of a local grocer, although I haven't seen it for myself. The Adelphi was built in 1917 for the Ascher Brothers vaudeville circuit (the name in fact means "Brotherly Love"). The lobby area recieved an Art Deco remodeling in the early 1930s, although water damage has revealed the outlines of the old beaux arts plaster that had been removed from the walls, as well as a few other decors that have been in place since. Mosaic tilework appears to exist under the unattractive, stained carpet. The men's room has been remodeled fairly recently, but the women's room is fairly intact, although the real estate office next door which owns the building has annexed the original stalls and the theater's bathrooms are in the former lounge. The one-time bowling alley upstairs, although divided into studios in the 40s or 50s, retains elaborate plaster grilles in the ceiling. The auditorium was partially remodeled in a modern style in the 1940s, really just layers of drywall, plus a layer of rockwool and fabric as acoustic paneling, which unfortunately has obscured or destroyed much of the detail in the auditorium that would make it attractive to a restorer, although the theater is quite restorable. The Adelphi never had much of a stage (perhaps 10 feet deep), and seems to have been built solely for movies, as there is no stagehouse (although the fact that the auditorium does not go all the way back to the street suggests it was designed to have one), and the rear wall appears to have been popped out in the transition to sound, to have a place for a speaker. With the addition of Cinemascope more alterations came. The current screen, though very large, is about twice the width of the proscenium, which has been removed for about the first 6 feet to accomodate voice of the theater speakers. The original backstage cavity is filled with old carpet. The auditorium, although shabby looking, is restorable. It's been covered in very cheap green paint, much of which is now peeling and taking a layer of face plaster with it, and some of which was carelessly sprayed onto the masking curtain. It's a decent neighborhood theater with lots of character, and I hope it's put back to use one of these days.

Old interior photo (note spelling from this link - perhaps a typo):
http://www.consolidatedmarkets.com/Adelphia_Chicago.jpg

HOLY COW!!! I NEVER SAW AN INTERIOR PHOTO THAT GOOD!!! I'm really amazed given what it looks like now... I knew it was beautiful, but WOW! Thanks!

That is unbelievable! I saw a few movies here when it was the North Shore Cinema. I always knew that painting a theatre one shade of paint had a big effect, but I never would have guessed that it once looked that good. Makes me wonder about some other theatres I wrote off as lacking character: the Logan, and the Milford for instance.

Word has it that it's set to come down soon for condos. It was more than just paint; most of that ornament is hidden behind drywall and the screen, the results of a few unfortunate modernizations. I just purchased that photo moments ago, incidentally.

What a beauty the Adelphi Theater is, and a wonderous part of the history of Chicago. How can they let this theater be demolished? They cant! Do NOT let this happen. Save the Adelphi Theater please. I hope someone can step up and help save it so the citizens of Chicago, and from all over, can enjoy bands and performances in the future. I have bands and acts! If I had the money, I would save this theater in a heartbeat! Fast! If anyone is reading this and would like to help save this theater, please contact me. Thank you. paulamarquise@yahoo.com

The Adelphi Theater is ENDANGERED!!!!! In a recent e-mail I have received as stated below....

[The Adelphi Theater has been purchased by a developer. We had a chance to chat with him about his project, and he stated that demolition will occur within 4 months. A proposed 57 unit condo will stand in it's place. But to accomplish this he will need the property to be re-zoned for residential. Let's make sure this doesn't happen. There 3 things we can do :

1. Attend the meetings. There are 4 meetings between September 20th and September 29th.

They are as follows..
September 20th at 7:00 p.m.
Gale Community Academy
1631 W. Jonquil Terrace, Chicago. 60626

September 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
Loyola Park
1230 W. Greenleaf Ave., Chicago. 60626

September 26th at 7:00 p.m.
St. Scholastica
7416 N Ridge Blvd., Chicago. 60626

September 29th at 7:00 p.m.
Chicago Public Library Rogers Park Branch
6907 N. Clark St., Chicago. 60626

2. Contact Alderman Joe Moore and his assitant Michael Land.
We need to let them know that there is opposition to the re-zoning
of the 7070-78 Clark Street property. Until November 1st, they will be weighing the options ... and this is our chance to make a difference.

The following is their contact information :

Alderman Joe Moore's 49th Ward office
7356 N. Greenview Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
Phone: 773-338-5796
Fax: 773-338-5989

Alderman Joe Moore's City Hall office
121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 300, Office 24
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-744-3067
Fax: 312-744-3080
Alderman Joe Moore's e-mail address:
ward49@cityofchicago.org

3. We also need to express our concern to ..
the Chicago Department of Zoning
(312) 744-3508

the Chicago Department of Planning and Development
(312) 744-4190

the Metropolitan Planning Council
(312) 922-5616

Is there anyone else out there who feels the way we do about this theater? Has anyone noticed, how some people complain that all of these theaters are being demolished, but do nothing to save them ?
This is your chance to step forward and save the theater,



Bill Morton,
Citizens for the Adelphi Theater


p.s.

I'll upload the photo to
http://www.dptheatre.org/Images/AdelphiInterior1917.tif
. It's a 300dpi, 11mb lossless TIFF, so it should look
just about as perfect as possible. If you ever need a
higher res scan, let me know. I went through and
removed the worst of the dust and scratches, so it
should look pretty great. Feel free to use it as you
wish- one thing you might do is take it to Walgreen's
and have it printed photo-size so it's easy to take
around. Or you could photoshop "Save Me" on the screen
or something. It's all your call, or I could do it
too.]

This is what is proposed to replace the Adelphi Theater on Clark Street and it's a damn shame!! Please read on...
http://morsehellhole.blogspot.com/2005/09/demolition-of-adelphi-theatre.html

ALSO: I received another e-mail with a petion attached to try and save the theater. I'll post it here below...

-Kris

a petition

instructions : To save the Adelphi Theater, and oppose a re-zoning that may cause it's demolition, please sign your name on the bottom of this petition and forward this message to all 50 e-mail addresses listed below the signatures.
- Citizens for the Adelphi Theater

message :

First off, We would like to thank everyone of the 2,000 Rogers Park residents, and over 10,000 residents from every other ward in the City of Chicago who signed our online and paper petitions opposing a re-zoning of the Adelphi Theater. They were all sent to 49th ward Alderman Joe Moore, to a response that "we obviously need more time to discuss the Clark Street re-zoning"

In our quest to show opposition to a proposed re-zoning of the corner property located on 7070-7078 N. Clark St, we have met with many potential investors who are showing a great interest in purchasing the property from developer Chad Zuric, with the intent of re-opening the theater as a revenue-generating movie theater/music venue and community center. If the zoning changes for the 7070-78 Clark St. property, these plans cannot be accomplished.


This is a petition to all 50 Aldermen of every ward within the City of Chicago, the City Council of Chicago.


We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose a re-zoning of the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago's 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose the proposed development of residential units on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago's 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose the proposed raising of the Adelphi Theater on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago's 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, support the proposed Grand Re-Opening of the Adelphi Theater on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago's 49th ward.

Thank you,
Citizens for the Adelphi Theater

Name :
Current Address:

for everyone else who agrees in the room :

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Please copy and paste, or forward this e-mail to the following addresses.

Alderman Manuel Flores ward01@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Madeline Haithcock mhaithcock@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Dorothy J. Tillman dtillman@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Toni Preckwinkle tpreckwinkle@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Leslie A. Hairston LHairston@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Freddrenna M. Lyle Ward06@cityofchicago.org
Alderman William M. Beavers wbeavers@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Todd H. Stroger Ward08@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Anthony Beale abeale@cityofchicago.org
Alderman John Pope ward10@cityofchicago.org
Alderman James A. Balcer jbalcer@cityofchicago.org
Alderman George A. Cardenas ward12@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Frank J. Olivo folivo@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Edward M. Burke eburke@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Theodore Thomas ttthomas@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Shirley A. Coleman sacoleman@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Latasha R. Thomas ward17@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Thomas W. Murphy tmurphy@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Virginia A. Rugai vrugai@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Arenda Troutman atroutman@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. ward21@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Ricardo Munoz rmunoz@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Michael Zalewski mzalewski@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Michael D. Chandler mchandler@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Daniel Solis dsolis@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Billy Ocasio bocasio@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. wburnett@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Ed Smith ehsmith@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Isaac Carothers ward29@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Ariel E. Reboyras ward30@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Ray Suarez rsuarez@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Theodore Matlak tmatlak@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Richard F. Mell rmell@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Carrie Austin caustin34@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Rey Colon ward35@cityofchicago.org
Alderman William J.P. Banks wbanks@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Emma Mitts emitts@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Thomas R. Allen tallen@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Margaret Laurino ward39@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Patrick J. O'Connor ward40@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Brian G. Doherty bdoherty@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Burton F. Natarus bnatarus@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Vi Daley vdaley@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Thomas M. Tunney ward44@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Patrick J. Levar ward45@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Helen Shiller ward46@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Eugene C. Schulter ward47@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Mary Ann Smith maryann@masmith48.org
Alderman Joseph A. Moore jmoore@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Bernard L. Stone bstone@cityofchicago.org

Thank you, the time you have taken to do this, makes all the difference to show the City Council of Chicago how we feel about the Adelphi Theater at 7070-78 N. Clark Street.

- Citizens for the Adelphi Theater

A Petition:

Please consider the Citizens of Chicago when wieghing the options for the re-zoning of the 7070-78 N. Clark Street property, known as the Adelphi Theater. The Adelphi Theater is an un-official landmark of Rogers Park, and the last remaining theater standing from the 1910 era. It is best know for it's former owner, Civic Leader Ludwig Sussman, and as the artist studio of the recently departed world famous Rogers Park artist Pachard. Where are we going to take our children for culture in Rogers Park when all of the theaters have been raised, .. a Dominicks food store?, and condo? Food for thought..

message :


In our quest to show opposition to a proposed re-zoning of the corner property located on 7070-7078 N. Clark St, we have met with many potential investors who are showing a great interest in purchasing the property from developer Chad Zuric, with the intent of re-opening the theater as a revenue-generating movie theater/music venue and community center. If the zoning changes for the 7070-78 Clark St. property, these plans cannot be accomplished.


This is a petition to all 50 Aldermen of every ward within the City of Chicago, the City Council of Chicago.


We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose a re-zoning of the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago's 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose the proposed development of residential units on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago's 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, oppose the proposed raising of the Adelphi Theater on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago's 49th ward.

We the people of the City of Chicago, support the proposed Grand Re-Opening of the Adelphi Theater on the corner property of 7070-7078 N. Clark Street in Chicago's 49th ward.

Thank you,
Citizens for the Adelphi Theater

Name :
Current Address:

for everyone else who agrees in the room :

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Name :
Current Address:

Please copy and paste, or forward this e-mail to the following addresses.

Alderman Manuel Flores ward01@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Madeline Haithcock mhaithcock@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Dorothy J. Tillman dtillman@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Toni Preckwinkle tpreckwinkle@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Leslie A. Hairston LHairston@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Freddrenna M. Lyle Ward06@cityofchicago.org
Alderman William M. Beavers wbeavers@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Todd H. Stroger Ward08@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Anthony Beale abeale@cityofchicago.org
Alderman John Pope ward10@cityofchicago.org
Alderman James A. Balcer jbalcer@cityofchicago.org
Alderman George A. Cardenas ward12@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Frank J. Olivo folivo@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Edward M. Burke eburke@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Theodore Thomas ttthomas@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Shirley A. Coleman sacoleman@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Latasha R. Thomas ward17@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Thomas W. Murphy tmurphy@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Virginia A. Rugai vrugai@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Arenda Troutman atroutman@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. ward21@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Ricardo Munoz rmunoz@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Michael Zalewski mzalewski@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Michael D. Chandler mchandler@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Daniel Solis dsolis@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Billy Ocasio bocasio@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. wburnett@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Ed Smith ehsmith@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Isaac Carothers ward29@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Ariel E. Reboyras ward30@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Ray Suarez rsuarez@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Theodore Matlak tmatlak@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Richard F. Mell rmell@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Carrie Austin caustin34@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Rey Colon ward35@cityofchicago.org
Alderman William J.P. Banks wbanks@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Emma Mitts emitts@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Thomas R. Allen tallen@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Margaret Laurino ward39@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Patrick J. O'Connor ward40@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Brian G. Doherty bdoherty@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Burton F. Natarus bnatarus@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Vi Daley vdaley@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Thomas M. Tunney ward44@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Patrick J. Levar ward45@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Helen Shiller ward46@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Eugene C. Schulter ward47@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Mary Ann Smith maryann@masmith48.org
Alderman Joseph A. Moore jmoore@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Bernard L. Stone bstone@cityofchicago.org

Thank you, the time you have taken to do this, makes all the difference to show the City Council of Chicago how we feel about the Adelphi Theater at 7070-78 N. Clark Street.

- Citizens for the Adelphi Theater

e-mail: AdelphiTheater@yahoo.com

SAVE THE ADELPHI!!!

ward49@cityofchicago.org

















The Adelphi Theater has been purchased by a developer.
We had a chance to chat with him about his project, and he stated that demolition
will occur within 4 months. A proposed 57 unit condo will stand in it's place.
But to accomplish this he will need the property to be re-zoned for residential.
Let's make sure this doesn't happen.






There 3 things we can do :






1. Attend the meetings. There are 4 meetings between September 20th and
September 29th.






They are as follows..






September 20th at 7:00 p.m.
Gale Community Academy
1631 W. Jonquil Terrace, Chicago. 60626






September 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
Loyola Park
1230 W. Greenleaf Ave., Chicago. 60626






September 26th at 7:00 p.m.
St. Scholastica
7416 N Ridge Blvd., Chicago. 60626






September 29th at 7:00 p.m.
Chicago Public Library Rogers Park Branch
6907 N. Clark St., Chicago. 60626








2. Contact Alderman Joe Moore and his assitant Michael Land.



We need to let them know that there is opposition to the re-zoning



of the 7070-78 Clark Street property. Until November 1st, they will be
weighing the options ... and this is our chance to make a difference.









The following is thier contact information :




Alderman Joe Moore's 49th Ward office
7356 N. Greenview Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626



Phone: 773-338-5796
Fax: 773-338-5989




Alderman Joe Moore's City Hall office
121 N. Lasalle St.
Room 300, Office 24
Chicago, IL 60602



Phone: 312-744-3067
Fax: 312-744-3080






Alderman Joe Moore's e-mail address:
ward49@cityofchicago.org








3. We also need to express our concern to ..






the Chicago Department of Zoning
(312) 744-3508






the Chicago Department of Planning and Development
(312) 744-4190






the Metropolitan Planning Council
(312) 922-5616








Is there anyone else out there who feels how we do about this theater?






Has anyone noticed, how some people complain that all of these theaters
are being demolished, but do nothing to save them ?




Please stand with 4x Records, and participate in making sure that
Alderman Joe Moore and the City of Chicago know that there is
opposition to this proposed re-zoning.









This is your chance to step forward and save the theater,






- Bill, 4x Records























*for a detailed history of the theater check-out
http://www.cinematreasures.org/theater/1041/




Thank you,


- Bill, 4x Records












PETITIONERS


1. Paula Marquise
2. Bill Morton -Citizens for the Adelphi Theater
3. Karen Ashley
4. Robert Bling
5. Barry Jasper
6. Ja'Rie D Gray
7. Emmanuel. E. Echeverry.
8. Richard Ives -Citezens for the adelphi theatre
9. Bill Field
10. Sissy
11. Christina Levar
12. Kataara
13. Eric Evil
14. Ty Coon
15. Darrel Muniz
16. Ed Munoz
17. Rob Rada
18. Day Nite
19. Maddog (USDM & MDDM chapters)
20. S. Synyster
21. lee pakula
22. Frayed Ends
23. John Harris
24. Nancy Burch
25. Sandra Watkins
26. Robert Wynne
27. Jon Gill
28. Devane
29. Jaimis Kirk
30. Randy Patton
31. Cathy Patton
32. Keith Huntley
33. Mike Geyer
34. William S. Rittmueller
35. B. McAlister
36. James Curry
37. Kristen Darga
38. Trevor Pellegrino
39. Mathew Woyer
40. Eddie Benton
41. Ashleigh Baker
42. S. Hillock
43. Catallin Amari
44. Andrew Holtsberg
45. Scott Edward
46. Trey Scudder
47. Paul J. Odlin
48. Matt Odom
49. Rosie Quintons
50. Kim Worden
51. Kenny Ashley
52. Denise Taylor
53. Courtney Ingram
54. Christopher Brown
55. Bobby Leopard
56. Curtis M Scott
57. Daniel Mayer
58. Gloria Heard
59. R. S. Segeski
60. Amy Erickson
61. Johnathan Carr
62. Michael Addingston
63. Robert S. Stevenson
64. Rich Ashely
65. Jeff Richer
66. Dwyane Pittman
67. Joey Tillman
68. Alicia West
69. B. Yielder
70. Arnold Nunnally
71. Gary Neal
72. Lollipop
73. Jim Ris
74. Diana Wolf
75. Emmanuel Barzaga
76. Alexis Perez
77. Samantha Cozzo
78. Gabriel Lalla
79. Vanessa Munoz
80. Paul Courtois
81. Kerri Myers
82. Ethel Wynne
83. Peter
84. J Williams
85. Jessica Paige
86. Carol Lanier
87. Gerald R. Hamilton
88. Ricky Gunn
89. SinSaTioN
90. Anna Florez
91. Scott Everson
92. Paul Strachan
93. Laurie Ann Kinard
94. Barry Kinard
95. Frayed Ends
96. Levetta Silis
97. C. VanSant
98. Daniel R. Cossio
99. Matt Rivero
100. Carrie Hoisington
101. Denise L. Moore
102. Eric Heil

Please send this to: ward49@cityofchicago.org

I am not in the real estate business. But I don't understand how it is profitable to continue building these complexes when there are already so many out there. Aren't we on our way to a glut of unoccupied condominiums similar to the glut of unoccupied office space the Chicago area had in the 80's? Interest rates are still pretty low, so I'm guessing the financing is cheap. But is it the correct long-term plan? And what are we doing to our unique & diverse communities by dropping these things on every corner?

Can someone explain the logic that underlies this business pattern? That is a serious quesion...not a statement made for effect. Can someone explain this to me?

In this weeks Chicago Reader, there's an interview with Bill Morton, the guy who's trying to save the Adelphi.

http://www.chicagoreader.com/pdf/051104/051104_business.pdf

aj

A sad day in Chicago today. On Friday, January 20th, 2006, the Adelphi Theater, which was built in 1917 around 2pm the demolition crew and its crane has started to rip into the back wall of the theater exposing the inside to the elements. By 4pm the entire back wall was a pile of rubble. Today, the wrecking crew ripped into the plaster and screen and tossed it to the corner of Estes and Clark. The condo developer has won his case to demolish one of the last remaining historic buildings in Rogers Park to install a 5 story monster condo building to over shadow Clark street that has no historic value and is just plain, boring cinderblock. It's a damn shame how money is more important than saving something historic. I have posted a story in the demolition section of this site. Please visit the citizens for the Adelphi Theater site for more pictures and articles of the theater. http://www.adelphitheater.org

Thank you Kris. We did everything possible to save the Adelphi. We met with the alderman, the landmark commission, and the department of planning, and even Mayor Daley. We attempted a purchase from the condo developer, we opposed the re-zoning with petitions and vocally in the City Council Chambers. We started a non-profit advocacy organization, built a website, and rallied as a community to stop the demolishion. Even despite all of the press, word-of-mouth, letters of support, letters of intent and a solid business plan with a budget, for some reason beyond our comprehension ... we could not save the Adelphi Theater. It is a sad day in Chicago. This city just lost a historically / culturally / architecturally significant 1917 Art Deco treasure.

http://www.adelphitheater.org

It is very hard to save old theatres these days. As I've said before, those that do must have deep pockets, the ability to withstand a few years of losses, and the ability to keep it booked so that it does not become a white elephant. Another problem for places like this is a lack of parking, which has probably hindered the Patio Theatre too. The Adelphi was, however, convenient to the CTA and METRA (I used to pass it everyday on my way to the train).

The loss of this theatre would be easier to take if it (or a portion of it) could have been re-used in the new development*. To a lesser extent, it would even be alright if the building replacing it had some architectural merit. But according to other posters and links, the replacement structure will be a bland cinderblock pile.

*The Hinsdale Theatre is a good example of adaptive re-use. Although it was converted to retail, the re-developers were sympathetic to the original design of the building. Even that is better than demolition.

A rendering of the condos can be seen with this (oddly negative) Chicago Reader article. http://www.chicagoreader.com/pdf/051104/051104_business.pdf They're very much cookie cutter suburban condos, but the alderman seems very excited about the tacked-on clock tower. He said that input from him and the community made the development become more attractive - I shudder to consider what the original plan was. The building was very solid and in good shape for its age, the lobby section could easily have sat in front of condos in the auditorium. Just blocks away, this was done with the Howard theater, and also with the Buckingham farther south on Clark. Shameful, shameful destruction.

Although I just moved here from Memphis only a year or so ago, I am deeply saddened to have seen the news of the beautiful Adelphi being torn apart and tossed to the curb as scrap. I saw several beautiful theaters in Memphis and Houston meet the same selfish fate.

If it's possible, can the supporters collect ANYTHING from the site such as bricks, chairs, some of the terra cotta for posterity? The developer could at the very LEAST grab SOMETHING before its SOLD for scrap.

Today I cried.

Rest in piece(s).

Barry Ford
barryfordinchicago@yahoo.com

As far as anyone can tell, nothing whatsoever has been salvaged. The bricks, as in most demolitions, are being palleted and sold as antique brick. There was at one point an offer to the local historical society for material of their choice to be removed, but it doesn't look like that happened.

I found this article from the Chicago Tribune dated 11/11/1917 announcing the opening of the Adelphi:


ALONG THE ROGERS PARK RIALTO
Another Playhouse on the Far North Side Has Been Opened-It is the Adelphi and Will be an Addition to the Already Long String of Film Theaters Managed by the Ascher Brothers

A notable addition to the north side business buildings is that of the new Adelphi Theater building at Clark Street and Estes Avenue. In addition to the theater, which was opened last night, and which will form another addition to the string of theaters operated by the Ascher Bros., the building will contain four stores on the ground floor and a large bowling alley on the second floor which has been leased for ten years to M.E. Faetz, president of the Bowling Alley Association.
The building, which covers a frontage of 100 feet on Clark Street and occupies the block on Estes Avenue from Clark Street to Ravenswood Avenue, will have an exterior finish of faced brick and terra cotta, and together with the land will, it is said, represent an investment of $250,000.
The theater, which is elaborately decorated, has a seating capacity for 1400. E.B. Wolf & Co. will be in charge of the property.

Mr. Krefft,

Thanks for article.

what great memories.This has been a hard week for me. i was unaware that a gpoup existed regarding the Adelphi .Sadly my help whatever it might have been would not have mattered.I would love to see your photos.I have died a little with the destuction of all these great theatres on the northside for many years.Now yet another one.What is left,intact? Mitchell.

I salute all the great activists who worked on behalf of the Adelphi Theatre. It's small consolation, but I believe that public sentiment will continue to mourn its loss.
I was fortunate to be able to see "Citizen Kane" there in the 1970s.

Well, she is officially gone now. I went to visit the site. There is nothing left of the structure. The lobby and its ajacent store fronts have been taken down. The basement is now exposed and being filled in with dirt. There is now an open wound on Clark street that was once occupied with the theater for 88 years! Rogerspark will never be the same. There are no more historic theaters in Rogerspark.

If you look at the comments under the Beekman Theatre in New York (Manhattan), you'll find a comment that says we seem to be regressing back to the bad old days of tearing down anything old. He is right. As land values go up, we will continue to see dollar signs flicker in the eyes of the developers. These people see no value in anything cultural or dare I say in individual and humanistic. The Gateway Theatre, even though it is profitable, has been threatned by condo development. In that theatre's nieghborhood, Jefferson Park, the heart was ripped out of the shopping district for a new CVS.

I'm not opposed to condo development. Look at how Arlington Heights redeveloped its downtown with condos. BUT, they also included a performing arts center and a movie theatre. Culture was taken into consideration. And in my area, the South Loop, as I've said elsewhere, it has made sense to put condos into what was formerly a desolate area.

But what I see going on in Chicago, and I'm sure other cities, is the equivalent of what has happened in our suburbs. In the suburbs, people buy houses as "tear-downs" and replace them with "McMansions" that are not at all harmonius with their neighbors and their lot sizes. In the city, these new condo developments are going in with no sense of scale or harmony to the surrounding community. It's sort of like wedging a Hummer into a parking space for a Ford Focus!

I'm waiting for the day when the developers deem that the land the Art Institute or the Chicago Historical Society sit on to be "too valuable." Sadly, I say this only half-jokingly.

It is straight up bullshit that they didn't save at least the front section of this building. Just please don't tell me that they are going to name the condos, "Adelphi Place." Fat, opportunistic, loser developer who thinks he's won the game of life because he has some money. Some of the biggest losers I know have millions. I hope you read this, silly little developer... I'm laughing at you wherever you are...

There was actually a lien on the property for $400,000 in back child support owed by the Chad Zuric, so maybe that tells you something. You can read more about the issues surrounding the Adelphi on one of many posts on the Morse Hellhole

6 months later and still no condos being built on the site of the old Adelphi.
Still a raw wound in the earth, with not so much as an advertisement on the front of the scaffolding announcing "coming soon xxxxxxx condos". :(

Happens sometimes with construction/development. Project could start tomorrow or it the property might sit for another six months.

The Adelphi's 1935 Streamline Moderne modernization was by architect and part-owner Mark D. Kalischer, who also did the remodels at the Harper (Hyde Park) and Portage. It was hailed in the July 1935 issue of Architectural Forum.

Per Life's Too Short "Happens sometimes with construction/development. Project could start tomorrow or it the property might sit for another six months.":

Circa 1969, Chicago's Grand Central Station was demolished so that the corner it was on (Wells and Harrison) could be re-developed. In 2006, that land parcel is STILL vacant amongst so much redevelopment. CSX Transportation, the successor to Grand Central Station's owners (Baltimore & Ohio RR and Chesapeake & Ohio RR) still owns the land.

Actually, the concrete monolith known as RIVER CITY CONDOS (built in 1986 and already dated-looking) was supposed to occupy the whole stretch of Wells Street between Roosevelt and Harrison. Unfortunately, the project stalled for lack of money and only the portion at Polk & Wells was built.

This is an extreme example which proves your comment!

Born and raised in Evanston/Chicago here. The Adelphi back in the day was THE place to go. I live in Texas now and by grace of a higher power I stumbled upon this great site and cannot believe that many of my favorite places to go see movies in my early youth to teenage years no longer exsist.

A year since the wrecking ball hit and still nothing but scaffolding and a pit. No progress whatsoever, one more disgrace in the 49th ward.

A fantastic photo gallery from a former Adelphi employee:

http://www.mekong.net/random/cinema4a.htm

The 1989 photo of the auditorium reflects the theatre I knew. Hard to believe it was once very ornate.

Note that these photos cannot be reproduced without permission of the owner.

The majority of the original ornamentation did survive behind all that junk and rockwool on the walls. Some of it was water-damaged or partly destroyed, but it was there.

News Item:
___________

Chicago Evening Post, Saturday, November 10, 1917, p. 8:

ASCHER BROTHERS OPEN ANOTHER NEW THEATER

One of the seven new theaters in Chicago is the Adelphi, the newest and most beautiful of the whole splendid Ascher string of motion-picture theaters. Located on North Clark street near Estes avenue, it is, with its straight lines and artistic interior decorations in pastel colorings, a monument worthy of the fifth largest industry of the country.
___________
address given is 7070 North Clark, cor. Estes Ave; opened at 6 pm on the date given. The film was Metro's, "Outwitted," with Emily Stevens

I try not to be controversial on this site. So please read my entire post before you form your opinions. And this is at the risk of being ridden off this website at a rail. But I used to live in the area for many years (I still am a Northsider). And quite frankly, I wasn't all that upset to see the Adelphi go. It had become an eyesore and I never really thought that the exterior was all that great either.

BUT...

What upsets me more is what will replace the theatre. I thoroughly agree with Paul F's post about McMansions and blandness taking over. I saw the "artist's concept" on the link to the READER. That new condo complex looks just like every other condo complex being built! It is totally out of scale with the rest of the area. But the wonderful alderman says in the READER article, "Current zoning permits a four-story building, this is only 'one' story taller." Correct me if I'm wrong, but if a building is only "one" story taller than zoning laws permit, then doesn't it still exceed the zoning limits?

I realize that not everything can or should be saved. Those interested in preservation should pick battles carefully. But why couldn't the Adelphi at least have been replaced by something worthwhile?

There is still nothing going on here. They have taken down the heavy barricare which surrounded the property until recently and erected a much smaller fence.

There probably wont be anything up for awhile. From what I hear about the developer, he has some skeletons which might prevent this from happening soon. Also, those idiots decided to do this just as the real estate bubble burst! Its not quite a good market and wont be for years, we might be looking at an empty lot for a few years.....

A vacant lot would be an improvement. What we have now is a pit in the ground.

That is true, lets go for the lot then!

I know that I previously stated that I was not all that fond of the Adelphi. But let's face it. It did provide some form of culture to the Rogers Park neighborhood. It was something unique, which could have been saved as a small peforming arts venue, or it could have been successfully put into adaptive re-use.

So I say, I agree with the above statements. I hope that the "developer" goes bankrupt! I hope that the pit, which now occupies the site, remains for a very long time as a reminder to those who "greased the wheels" to get this theatre demolished. The same goes for the DuPage, the Esquire, et. al.

Or, how 'bout what redrobedmage says above? Let's make it into a "park-n-ride" lot for the nearby METRA station!

lol not quite what i meant but i would much rather have that than a condo like they planned! I think the best Idea would be a museum on the spot that is a tribute to all fallen theaters in and around chicagoland

I'd be surprised to see so much as a White Castle on the spot in 5 years...

White Castle would be good there (mmmmmm! Sliders!)

any condos up yet?

Two years on now, and we still have a pit. BRAVO JOE MOORE!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15711764@N05/1694352005/in/set-72157602754887085/

Here is a second cool Adelphi photo on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adelphitheater/1797796067/in/pool-72675154@N00

This just keeps getting better:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adelphitheater/with/1797837175/

I worked at the Adelphit starting in 1958, were I met my wife to be.
We are still married today. I started as an usher & she was a candy girl. We both worked are way up the corporate ladder to assistant manager & head casher. The manager at the time was Howard Lambert.
I still remember the dark & spooky basement. I would have to go down there & stoke the furance in the winter. Also the candy was stored down there in the tin lined ice room ( ice was stored there for the air conditioning before central air). We even found a stalk of popcorn growing out of a crack in the floor, with little or no light.
One of my jobs as an usher waqs to change the canopy for the new movies. It took a 14' step ladder and a lot of streching in rain, snow, & ice. OSHA would not have approved.
We still keep in touch with several of our coworkers. We have many found menories of the Adelphi. Would love to hear from any customers are former employees from 1958 - 62
Mike & Joan Williamson McGovern

Does anyone have a link to an old picture of the foyer sidewalk out front?
The name Adelphi & an inlaid image of a uniformed theater usher, adorned the sloped, terazzo floor out front.
The usher resembled the old Phillip Morris cigarette character.

Look through the Flickr links I put up last year. There are some pictures of the sidewalk in one of those galleries. Can't remember which one.

Thanks, Got it! Great Pic. I see now that it was actually three ushers inlaid on the sidewalk, standing at the ready.
A unique design feature that should have been harvested before the demolition. Thanks again.

FYI. I believe there is a Carol Marin news piece about the Adelphi property on tonight's, (March 18th) 10 pm NBC Channel 5 newscast.
It's titled "Hole In The Nieghborhood" or something similar.

hah. Thanks.

Recap: The news piece that aired last night on NBC, basically covered the neighborhood's frustration over the giant unfinished hole in the ground that was once the Adelphi Theater.

They ran a quick clip with a vintage pic of the building and marquee. And did mention the Adelphi by name.
Then it went into the various political donations that the developer had made to the current Alderman, and those in the ward's of their other past developments. A practice the current Alderman apparently previousy frowned upon.

The story further implied that various re-zoning (to a 5 story structure in the Adelphi's case), and other permit issues were suspect due to ANY donations given to a ward's Alderman.

Didn't quite catch what happened to cause the developer work stoppage at the Adelphi site.
But it apparently has left an in-ground foundation with rusting steel beams, and a chain link fence around the entire site for two years.
As well as exasperated neighbors who just refer to it as "the hole".

Here is a link to the story:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/moore-contribution-zoning-031809.html

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Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/df4fzc

1984 Photo

I worked as a projectionist at the Adelphi from Feb. 1993-Oct. 1994. It was one of the last projection booths with carbon arc lamphouses at the time. The late great Don Klein (1937-1999) operated the theatre. He tried to keep the place open as long as he could, but he finally relented and sold the business to Indian film exhibitors in 1995. I wish Don was still alive today. He'd be on the Cinema Treasures website 24/7. He really loved old-time movie houses. Working there was interesting, sometimes depressing, other times just downright scary. There were a couple of shootings near the theatre. Rats? Oh yeah, BIG ones. Attendance? Sometimes it was good; other times okay; and there were really slow weeks. The theatre was up and down; sometimes classy films; other times cinematic trash. It was one of the last of it's kind: a double-feature theatre with 2nd-run prices. I really miss this theatre. I was hoping it would make it. It's the type of theatre I miss working for: a single screen theatre. Well, as Don Klein said to me shortly before he died: "Let's face it, Timmy, there's just no place in this world for guys like me and you anymore." P.S. If anyone is interested, there is a liquor store across the street from the Adelphi. It used to be a small movie house called Archibald's Casino. Thank you for trying, Bill Morton. You and Don would've been great friends.