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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » Illinois » Chicago » Gene Siskel Film Center

Gene Siskel Film Center

Chicago, IL
164 N. State Street
, Chicago, IL 60601 United States
(map)
312.846.2074
Status: Open
Screens: Twin
Style: Unknown
Function: Movies
Seats: 264
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Booth/Hansen & Associates
Gene Siskel Film Center
Recent exterior view of the Gene Siskel Film Center
Photo courtesy of Bryan Krefft
One of the newer additions to Chicago's Theater District in the North Loop is the Gene Siskel Film Center, which opened at its new location in June 2001. It formerly was at a small venue located near the Art Institute of Chicago and called simply the Film Center.

It was renamed in honor of the late Chicago Tribune film critic and Film Center supporter Gene Siskel, who passed away in 1999. A large portrait of the theater's namesake greets vistors to its lobby upon entering the center. In addition to the main 200-seat auditorium, there is also a 64-seat smaller theater. The Film Center boasts cutting-edge projection equipment in various film and video formats, comfortable new seats, and clear sightlines. The lobby and public areas are modern and airy, and the stairway in the lobby is lit by large windows. The walls are decorated by classic movie posters and artwork.

In addition to the theaters, which screen art, industrial, foreign, and classic films, the Siskel Center features the Sandor Family gallery of rotating photographic exhibits, concession stands, and a small cafe area which has become a popular place to meet before and after shows. The Siskel Film Center shares a building with a dormitory for students of the Art Institute and a Borders Bookstore.

Ironically, the small Randolph Theater once sat near this same corner, but had been demolished in the 70s to make way for a parking garage which was in turn razed to make way for the present structure.

Related Websites

Gene Siskel Film Center (Official)
Contributed by Bryan Krefft

YOUR COMMENTS

 
I have had the pleasure of attending this film center a few times to see some films from the 60's and 70's. I have seen "Dirty Harry", "Chinatown", "The Party", and "The Ballad of Cable Hogue". Both theaters are really nice though the smaller one can feel a little claustrophobic with a full house (as was the case with "Chinatown"). My only complaint is that sometimes the print quality is not that great. The print for "Dirty Harry" was downright terrible, especially in the first two reels which were almost unwatchable. Otherwise the seats are comfortable, the theaters clean, and the atmosphere exquisite for the movie lover.
posted by JohnSanchez on Jan 10, 2005 at 2:50pm
The building with the Film Center and the Borders is all part of a complex owned by the Art Institue -- above the Borders in student dorms.
posted by xtopher1974 on Jan 22, 2005 at 9:37pm
A fine tribute to a man I appreciated for many years. It's too bad that Roger Ebert's health is also problematic.
posted by ken mc on Aug 31, 2006 at 5:16pm
This is the perfect venue for true cinephiles. Does anyone know if they ever installed a cellphone jammer system? They have a concession area (with liquor) but snacking in this type of theater seems kind of wrong.
posted by CarlCarlson on Jan 7, 2007 at 3:50pm
I've never been here before. What is this place like, physically? Is the interior plain, ot is there some atmosphere. As it is a twin, with a seating capacity of 264, it must be even "cozier" than the old 3 Penny was! I'd like to visit this place, but the movies all seem a little "esoteric" for my tastes, even though I like some of the "art" and "indie" fare that, say. the Pipers Alley shows.
posted by Catherine DiM on Jul 9, 2007 at 11:43am
Catherine - I wouldn't say the interior of the auditoriums are anything special. It's just a nice clean place to see a movie. The small theater is VERY cozy - especially when the theater is filled. You should check the schedule often as they play lots of non-indie fare too. Look at the first post where you can see movies like "Dirty Harry" and "Chinatown" played. The lobby is very nice with tables off to one side where you can sit before the movie starts if you want. You can also buy alcohol and coffees as well.
posted by JRS40 on Jul 27, 2007 at 10:33am
The following is a must see event:

Back by popular demand!
WAR AND PEACE

http://www.mosfilm.ru/index.php?News=2007/0606_01&Lang=eng&SESS=8d28f55fbff7aea94df3582f2d2bc762
http://www.mosfilm.ru/index.php?News=2007/0606_01&Lang=rus&SESS=8d28f55fbff7aea94df3582f2d2bc762

August
FRIDAY 31
6:00 WAR AND PEACE Part 1 8:45 WAR AND PEACE Part 2

September
SATURDAY 1
2:00 WAR AND PEACE Part 1 4:45 WAR AND PEACE Part 2
7:15 WAR AND PEACE Part 3 9:00 WAR AND PEACE Part 4
SUNDAY 2
2:30 WAR AND PEACE Part 3 4:15 WAR AND PEACE Part 4
MONDAY 3
6:30 WAR AND PEACE Part 1
TUESDAY 4
6:15 WAR AND PEACE Part 2 8:00 WAR AND PEACE Part 3
WEDNESDAY 5
6:15 WAR AND PEACE Part 3 8:00 WAR AND PEACE Part 4
THURSDAY 6
6:15 WAR AND PEACE Part 4

In my ongoing communications with Alla Verlotsky, President of Seagull Films, distributor of the film, there are limited engagements throughout the US and I quote her: "...unfortunately print has to return to Russian at the end of January (2008)...".

Hope you all enjoy this epic at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
posted by IFA on Aug 17, 2007 at 9:25am
Tonight is your night filmviewers, now through September 6th.
Enjoy and may you never be the same.
http://www.artic.edu/webspaces/siskelfilmcenter/2007/august/6.html#anchor10
posted by IFA on Aug 31, 2007 at 6:59pm
This thread reminded me that there is/was some type of professional screening room, in the old Loop Junior College building at 70 E. Lake St. between Wabash & Michigan Ave. Across from the Old Timers restaurant.

After the city renamed Loop Junior College the Harold Washington College, the new college was built across the street on the N/E corner of Wabash & Lake.
The old Loop College building was then presumably sold, but the 10th or 12th floor screening room remained.
I thought too that this facility had something to do with Gene Siskel. Even named after it at one time. Maybe it was the interim site until the State Street site could be built out. Is the Siskel Center in the ABC7/old State Lake Theatre building?
posted by David Zornig on Nov 4, 2008 at 7:37pm
No the Siskel Film Center is just South of the old State Lake.
posted by JRS40 on Nov 4, 2008 at 8:17pm
Thanks JRS40 for the clarification.
I'll also try and find out some history of that film screening facility on Lake Street.
From what I saw of it about 10 years ago, it had been built out in the `70's. It had it's own projection booth, theatre seating & restrooms.
An office some then colleagues of mine had rented, shared the restrooms.
posted by David Zornig on Nov 4, 2008 at 9:42pm
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