DeKalb Theater

DeKalb, IL

145 N. Third Street

, DeKalb, IL 60115 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Twin
Style:	Art Moderne

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	846
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Axel J. Claesson
Firm:	Unknown

Exterior view of the DeKalb Theater

Photo courtesy of Dave Wiegers

The DeKalb Theater opened on March 16, 1949 and was dubbed "The Theatre of Tomorrow."

Part of the Anderson Theatres circuit, the New DeKalb Theater was designed by Axel J. Claesson and contained a television lounge on its balcony level. Top ticket prices were 50 cents, with children's prices as low as 15 cents.

Twinned in its later years as part of the Kerasotes circuit it was closed in 1991. The theater was last operated as a "brew pub." It has since closed.

Opened to such fanfare over five decades ago, "The Theatre of Tomorrow" is now the "The Theatre of Yesterday."

Contributed by Cinema Treasures, Paul Salley

YOUR COMMENTS

I think this opened around 1939. It was owned by Kerasotes in the 70s and 80s. It was twinned in the early 1980s, and became a brew & view after Kerasotes closed it.
It was a long, narrow auditorium. I recall it having an unusual shaped cove lighting along each side wall, with a somewhat abstract/deco mural. When the curtain opened, it curved around the corners of the auditorium and partly slid into the wall...very interesting. In later years the curtain was alway open, and I think they painted over the murals. I recall seeing a movie in the late 70s and the balcony was open...the late deco furniture and carpet was still in the balcony lobby. A bit threadbare. When I went back after it was twinned (a wall was raised right about the front edge of the balcony, so the main auditorium was mostly intact), the furniture was gone.

posted by Darrel on Oct 29, 2004 at 9:04pm

Does anyone know how to get in contact with the owners to see if the Theatre is for sale?

posted by ChiTownMan on Jul 20, 2005 at 5:56pm

http://www.beerme.com/breweries/us/il/503.shtml

not sure if Mr. Rybinski owned the building or just the business.

Business operated from 1994 to 1998 at this theater.

posted by TC on Jul 28, 2005 at 8:42am

Here is a recent photo of the DeKalb Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 11, 2007 at 9:22am

This is a 2008 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 28, 2008 at 10:23am

And a 2008 black and white view: http://www.boxsetgallery.com/stein/index.html

posted by hstein on Oct 30, 2008 at 3:59pm

1983 Photo

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 28, 2009 at 9:56am

1980 Night Photo

posted by Lost Memory on May 15, 2009 at 6:40pm

Recent photo of the DeKalb Theatre.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruce_theatres/4090929801/sizes/o/in/photostream/

posted by Chuck1231 on Nov 11, 2009 at 9:53am

The marquee and vertical sign are still intact but the DeKalb Theatre is now being used by Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology. If you look closely at my picture listed above (posted by Chuck), the poster boxes have signs for Debutantes. Here is the link to the school:

http://www.debschool.com/careerinfo/

posted by DarkRefrain on Nov 16, 2009 at 10:33am

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