Wilton Theater

I found two seat counts for this theater. One is 509 and the other is 519. The current occupant of this former theater is Old Theatre Antique Mall. I don't know when this theater closed but the antique people are listed as occupying this building starting in 1999. This is their phone number 815/476-7525.

I believe this theater was featured in a 1953 theater owners' documentary about the financial devastation wrought by the 20% federal tax, plus other encroachments on the box office, such as television.

The doc is called "The Case Against the 20% Federal Admission Tax on Motion Picture Theaters" and is a treasure trove of theaters operating but in imminent trouble, including long looks at their still-open theaters, marquees, etc., and interviews with the owners.

There are also plenty of shots of already-closed theaters; the writing was really on the wall already.

TCM ran this movie on 11/1/09 at about 6am and I stumbled upon it by accident; I don't know when it will screen again but it is well worth seeking out.