Milford Theatre

The Milford was another reduced admission priced theatre. There was also a ballroom in part of theatre building complex. I saw many movies at the Milford but didn't go as often as I would have liked because quite often they showed Polish films. I was in Chicago when it was being torn down, but by the time I drove by there was just one wall standing. Memory tells me it was torn down the same time as the Granada but I'm not positive. The Milford had no balcony and ufortunately I never took a picture of the theatre.

The original building still partially stands. The North wall and East (alley) wall were retained for the NEW building that is now on the property. The new building first opened as an auto parts chain and now it's a CVS Pharmacy. Go thru the alley, and you can see the bricked in areas from the theatres Fire exits.

The Milford theatre is fondly mentioned in the book "Lords of Lawndale", written by a local gang member. His description of the theatre is very similar to how I will always remember it.

I remember in the sixties it was 50 cents for kids and 60 cents for adults. Kids usually preferred the Irving Theater just down the street, because it was only a quarter.

The 60-cent admission price survived well into the 1970s; by 1980 it was up to 90 cents. The Milford's newspaper ads in those years looked similar to the Bryn Mawr's, but I don't know if they were under the same management.

The Milford and Bryn Mawr (and the Des Plaines) were all owned by H&E Balaban for a very long time. The Milford opened 6pm February 24, 1917 for the Ascher Brothers chain, not Lynch.

And it was of course named for the intersection of Milwaukee and Crawford (Now Pulaski) where it sat. Note that "Pulaski" is spelled incorrectly in the address field above.

Here is a blurry 1922 picture of the Milford.

I am amazed that this theatre lasted as long as it did. In the 1970s and early 1980s, it still drew a big crowd. It was cheap and dirty and had the least comfortable seats anywhere.

I saw a totally '70s sci-fi flick here called CAPRICORN ONE. It starred Elliot Gould, James Brolin, OJ Simpson, Hal Holbrook, Karen Black, Telly Savalas, Brenda Vaccaro, and Sam Waterston.

Henry L. Newhouse was architect

Saw a few films here, including Lethal Weapon 2 (or was it 3?). It was raining during that film and leaks began to drip down into the auditorium. The seats were OK, although dirty. Not a terrible crowd that night. The place was probably 20% full. They sold "Milford Theatre Double Feature" t-shirts with a film reel emblem on them in the lobby. I bought one, which is now at the Theatre Historical Society. It was showing it's age but still had charm. Now that I think about it I miss the place.

Here is a profile from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency's HAARGIS system. It includes a small picture.

In the early '60s the MilFord tried its' hand as a 'mature audiences'
art house (i.e., topless nudies, before X-rated) for a few years, even offering serve-yourself free coffee. But that changed and in the '70s alternating weekly between US sub-runs and Polish films,
earning itself the nickname 'cinema Polski' among the locals. Screen was in bad shape when I last saw Beetlejuice (M.Keaton) there
myself.

My grandfather passed away on January 4th, 2007 at the age of 82. He leaves behind a long legacy, having been a major pioneer in the in-house, as well as drive-in, motion-picture movie theater industry, having owned LaGrange, Milford, Des Plaines, and Berwyn Theatres 1983-2000, residing as general manager of Kohlberg Theatres 1963-1983, as well as managing and supervising Schoenstadt Theatres 1946-1962. I loved him greatly, and will miss him dearly.

http://www.legacy.com/ChicagoTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=85859142

A Kilgen theater organ opus 3728 size 2/7 style U015 was installed in the Milford Theater in 1927. Note: $8,105 credit allowed for Kimball traded in. Kilgen later moved to State Roller Rink, Hammond, Indiana; $14,605.00.

Uptairs of the Miford was a dance hall. It was called the Over 30 Dance. It had a flashing neon sign visable from Milwaukee Ave.
John Pitt
Park Ridge IL

We had a freinds brother sneak us in to see Little Darlings because it was rated R. Man we were there every weekend.Jaws...Rocky...Star Wars...The Muppett Movie....and the best second movie of a double Feature, Gray Lady Down. When we were kids it was 50 cents for kids and 60 cents for adults. After a double feature my ass was so sore. I can still smell the popcorn. I think I lost a pair of shoes on that floor.

Here are two 1982 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/cw7usg
http://tinyurl.com/cx8voz

1982 Night Photo

I think the building burned in the 90's. I seem to remember driving by and seeing it scorched and borded up. If that is correct, I would have to assume this is what spelled demolition for this property.