Portage Theater

The Portage Theater in Chicago is not closed down; it is still in operation.

The Portage is in fact closed, per the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce, but there currently is talk of reopening it in the near future as a performing arts venue and/or recording studio. Its exterior has recently been cleaned up, long-unused lighting fixtures relit, making it look nicer than it's looked for years (at least outside).

I am the new owner of the Portage Park Theatre. We opened on October 23, 2003 with an original Murder Mystery called,' Murder at the Poratge Casino!" We are showing American Cinema Classics on the silver screen. Our first film was "Gone With the Wind." Call (773) 202-1010 for information and showtimes.

I support you Paul!!!!
Keep the beauty of this theatre alive!!!
Good luck with the city!!!
God bless you and our neighborhood treasure!
It's the only thing we have left....(so to speak)
Good Luck Paul!!!
Thank you!

I tried calling 773-202-1010, and there was no connection. Is the theater still open? I'm hoping the 6-corners can be revitalized into what Lincoln Square has become. With the influx of new home building in Portage, and Irving Park, there is no reason why this area couldn't support such a reatail/entertainment area. I know my neighbors, and myself, are tired of having to leave our neighborhood to shop (books, clothes, music, housewares, think Crate and Barrel) dine, Chipotle Grille? and entertainment. Living in the city should afford the opportunity to walk to such amenities.

As I understand it, plans to reopen the theatre are currently on hold, with no anticipated reopening date. However, if you'd like to get the latest news regarding the theatre, add your name to the mailing list at the following webpage: http://www.portagetheater.com

I drove by the Portage theatre on May 22,2004 and it's definitely not open for business.

Just drove by the Portage Park yesterday and noted that inside the doors of the Portage Park hangs a sign for Goldberg and Perl Inc, (773-477-9700), advertising the theatre is for lease.

A bit more curious is the marquee stating "THIS SIGN IS FOR RENT" and also "MAGNUM SECURITY 773 205 7700" -- see a photo while it is still on Magnum's website at: http://www.magnumsi.com/images/employment.jpg

What the heck?

Magnum is the security company that rents space in the store to the south of the theatre. I know that a church had a lease but messed up with the zoning. It appears the old landlords took back the theatre as Perl is listed on the title of the building.

Does anyone know what it will cost to rent out the theatre for 2 days?If someone could help that would be great!

The old Portage is a mess inside. A church that rented it left is a disaster. Both screens are down. What project are you working on? Ask to see it first! Call the Jenny the building manager. Her phone number is on a note in the window of the theatre. You should be able to rent it for a few hundred a day. Make sure you have an insurance certificate. If you have trouble, e-mail me.

I saw a movie here in the 90's. It was a dump while it was still running...smelling, dark, musty, dirty. No vintage decoration remaining, that I could see. It sounds like it has gotten worse. Is this place really worth the effort? Why not put energy toward the Patio...not far away. That's a bona-fide movie palace, with one screen, in great shape, and an uncertain future.

Preservation efforts should be focused and intelligent. Battles must be chosen wisely. The Gateway is down Milwaukee Avenue a few blocks...a functioning vintage screen in great shape. How many old theaters can Jefferson Park support, and how many millions would it take to fix the Portage up? Chicago preservationists have more important things to worry about...the Uptown, the New Regal, the Patio, the Ramova. The best remaining part of the Portage is the exterior. I wouldn't think twice if CVS dropped a drug store inside the auditorium.

And when we have a CVS on every corner, we will complain how boring
our neigborhoods have become. Surely, there is a more creative solution/use for an old theater. Does it need to be a theater? Maybe not. Does it need to be an overpriced pharmacy, selling trinkets, and junk? I hope not.
Can every old structure be saved? No. Should every old structure be preserved? Probably not. But some thought needs to be given to the solution. Turning a profit for a few, while saddling a community with something it really doesn't need, isn't very creative.

To Life's Too Short & Ken Janssen: I agree. Before we took it over, it WAS a pigsty! I should know: I ran the Portage Park Theatre for a year. The owners were well intentioned but did not know the game. The city did NOT help us at all. They put every imaginable obstacle in our way. The neighbors really wanted us to open and tried to help. Chicago is still a great city BUT its bureacracy brings it down. Some structures should be saved and some should be considered for other purposes. Turning a profit IS the American Way but some of us try to save the old and make a living.

I am aware of the past tribulations you encountered. I've been in the area for awhile. (I used to actually go to the Portage to see movies).
The United States is a very young country, (200+ years), and tearing down our architectural past certainly doesn't help preserve any cultural threads. I only wish I had the vision to see a viable option. I would love to support a creative, community-enriching solution. Coming up with one isn't my strong point.
With Regards,
Ken Janssen

You are a smart man, Ken. It does take a village to save a theatre!

I think you are right, Ken. My comment could have been more carefully worded...and Paul, I applaud your efforts in Wheaton.

The Portage Theatre should be able to copy the success of the Davis Theatre on Lincoln Avenue, there's plenty of room in that building for more than one screen and virtually no competition for miles around.

If you only knew the troubles I had with the city and that theatre!

Hello.
I was looking into a maybe smaller venue for a NeverEnding Story Convention / Meeting.Right now Im in the Midst of pulling together a fan base,and possibilities of a location, but the thought of politics in Rosemont kinda detoured me away from the convention center. This wont be for another 1 to 2 years though.

As for the thought of a CVS??? Have you seen our neighborhood lately?
Its bad enough we already have two blockbusters within walking distance! Thats about all the entertainment and shopping we have without going towards that overcrowded mall!Oh forgive me we have a Marshalls.
Besides theres a Jewel Osco, and three Walgreens!we dont even need to be putting the thought into their money hungry corporate heads.

What Im saying is the neighborhood itself is becoming pretty pathetic. Its disturbing and sad!
We need an "in stone" foundation building thats says WE ARE PORTAGE PARK!
and we need it there to pick this neighborhood back up,for a good use! (Education in the Arts,or make it home to the next second city, or something worth while a dinner theater maybe,Auction House.) instead of knocking it down for condos!(Which that big Klee building is there for)Or putting retail in it that says nothing about the neighboorhood(once again what the Klee building is for). For god sakes we have an olympic size pool that held the Olympic try outs! that says Portage Park and it deserves so much better than what it has become today!We need something to Keep Our Own.
We also have the Parking, which says more than the Patio where you have to fight though dumb people pulling stupid moves on Irving Park going to a deli!!!
It's SIX CORNERS not IRVING AND AUSTIN!

We need this theater (maybe not so much of a theater to nessisarily house movies or (hell Keep a screen!)at six corners but the building needs to stay too!. The apartments in the building... they can have there condo fun with.

Its nice to see that the lights were on,For as long as I have been alive I had never saw those lights on...Until closing the recyclery one night. When that building just illuminated the street It brought tears to my eyes! Someone cared about it that much.

Know what? maybe the Patio would be a better choice for a movie theater they can keep their capacity low,more shows,play two a week for 3 days a piece and then Sunday play a First Run A for what the larger theaters charge..4-7$Limited tickets.
Hey...that's why they gave us two blockbusters huh?......
Anyway, The portage has a larger capacity for a bigger venue.

Paul, Did you have any qualms with Levar?

Oh I wanted to ask if you knew of where the big letter sign was that came from the building? the clock? Is there a basement? Any secret rooms?
Ok laugh, Im curious thats all.

Elizabeth: Great questions. Alderman Levar was absolutely NO help to us with the Portage Park Theatre. He did not facilitate the departments of the city (health, building, fire, etc.) and would NOT sign off on a generator that is needed now for all PPAs (Public Places of Amusement.) By the way, there are great secret rooms and a magnificent old vaudeville proscenium hidden behind the movie screens. We could have opened it and been running movies now. It is sad. The Landlord is a nice guy but does not want to invest any money in the theatre. I would LOVE to come back and help after our success here at the Wheaton Grand Theatre.

Do you think a petition would work in any sort?

A well worded business plan would work. I can help. E-mail me or call our office. pwarshauer@wheatongrand.net (630) 221-0667

What are the big letter sign and clock that you refer to?

?? There is no clock that I know of and I do not know what letter sign to which you refer. Sorry.

in the picture above there is a circle between the marquees
the clock would have been there. Im going to see if I cant get a picture of the big letter sign posted.

At the moment the picture uploading is down. Paul I have sent you a picture.

I always assumed the circle was an abc sign, I don't know the ownership history of the Portage, though.

The circle used to be the logo for the ABC chain, as in this 70s photo of the Roosevelt Theatre in the Loop which also was then part of the ABC/Great States chain. In a Chicago Tribune movie listing I have dated 1984, the Portage is shown to be part of the M & R chain.

Brian, I'm thinking Elizabeth means the vertical sign when she refers to the "big letter sign".

Vertical would have been a better way to describe it..I sent a picture to paul, Once this site can handle more pictures, Ill get the one I have of it posted. Do we know where it is?

The sign in question also carried M&R's logo.

ahh ok.

A view of the Portage's vertical sign is visible in a late 30s photo of Six Corners (with the fantastic Art Deco Klee Building in the foreground of the photo) on page 22 of Neal Samors & Michael Williams' "The Old Chicago Neighborhood: Remembering Life in the 1940s" (2003).

thats the picture I have referred too.

Here is a 1953 photo of the then-bustling Six Corners, with the Portage's vertical sign faintly visible in the background.

Is anything happening with the theatre thse days?

The Film Daily Yearbook of 1945 shows seating for 1890 at the Portage Theatre.

Paul Warshauer how are you doing in the suburbs?
It's tragic that the Portage sits idle and its terrible how the City stymied your every effort to re-open it.
Just a couple of miles east on another angled street (Lincoln), the Davis Theatre shows first run movies, the street is filled with stores, restaurants and coffee houses but on Milwaukee Avenue where the Portage sits shuttered the street looks like downtown Bagdad.
How can two similar neighborhoods in so many respects be so different?

And, just down the road, the Logan Theatre seems to be doing well, too. And that area is gentrifying.

Thank you Robert Bank! Finally. You understand how difficult it is to operate a theatre in Chicago. The Portage still has a good chance of being a success. I will gladly give all of our files to anyone who wants to take a chance. Call us, if you wish. (630) 480-3345.

Here's how he is doing in the suburbs:

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/5231/

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/69/

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1712/

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/5744/

Meeting Minutes – April 12, 2004
Date of issuance: April 13, 2004
Portage Park Neighborhood Association – Public Meeting
Monday, April 12, 2004, 7:30 p.m.

I. Meeting Called to Order by Gerard Staniszewski, 2nd Neil Krus at 8 p.m.

II. President’s Opening Statement: Gerard Staniszewski made two announcements:
1. The next Clean & Green will be held Saturday, May 1. Those interested in participating should
meet at 4026 N. LaPorte (city parking lot), 8:30 a.m.
2. Paul Warshauer, who spoke at the last meeting, is still in the process of being evicted by the
Portage Park Theater owner. Another group is expressing interest in buying the theatre and wants
to make a presentation to the PPNA at the May meeting. Gerard urges everyone to attend the
meeting for their input. In answer to an attendee’s question, he says the group is NOT the
Universal Church.

Chicago Sun-Times
By David Roeder
Sun-Times Columnist
February 11, 2004

THEATER ROW: Things seem to be going from bad to worse for Paul Warshauer, who wants to reopen the old Portage Park Theatre, 4050 N. Milwaukee, with old movies and live children's shows. The city has held up his license and he now says that to pay his bills he will sublease part of the space to a church that promises three services a day.
That has Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) and some people in the neighborhood fuming. Levar said a church needs to get a special-use zoning classification before it can open in the Six Corners commercial area. Besides, he said, people "don't want a storefront church'' at that location. Levar said the city's license objections deal with fire codes and access, issues that became more urgent after the E2 nightclub disaster. "My concern is public safety and he's going to have to dot all the 'i's and cross the 't's,'' Levar said. Some renovations Warshauer already has performed were without a permit, he said.

Wow, lookie: two really old articles posted here without more details...for what purpose?? What axe are you still trying to grind? Give it up and find a day job. You will notice that no one has done anything since we left. At least we tried, pal. Have you done anything??? For the record...again. The church group who was subletting from us did the repairs and construction and had the cease and desist order, not us. Get yoru facts straight.

Paul Warshauer,

I hope that this does not turn into another "he said/she said" a la the DuPage or the Wheaton Grand. I don't know much about you and I've heard both good and bad things about you. But as you've said above, it can be nearly impossible to deal with City Hall here in Chicago. And yet, a bankrupt firm like General Cinemas received special incentives from the City to build the City North 14 (the City wanted the old Goldblatt's Site demolished and replaced). The City North 14 was built in less than 6 months! (I do admit that I like the City North 14, though!).

I had the opportunity to walk down Milwaukee Avenue at 6 Corners for the first time in many years yesterday. I was on my way to the costume shop there and I could not believe how desolate and run-down the street is! Vacant storefront after vacant storefront. Even the big steakhouse was closed. Was I in Portage Park (a good neighborhood) or somewhere in the ghetto.

I've often said that I'm not "pro-preservation-at-any-cost." I believe in preservation where it make sense and a redeveloped Portage theatre could greatly aid Milwaukee Avenue. And as you said above, at least you tried to preserve this place.

By the way, the marquee on the Portage now says "Go Sox."

That you, Mr. Fortini: You are correct that the big corporations can earn tax credits, obtain financial incentives from the city because they are big and intent on spending big capital. Small developers like our company cannot compete especially in neighborhood markets. When we had the Portage we had a financial plan that worked: rent theatre space to four different tenants. We had agreements with three, the PPA license in process, an architect on hand, a small staff, etc. Then the city told us about the generator required to obtain a PPA license. The landlord didn't want to pay so we sublet the place to a church. They started a remodel without a permit... shut down altogether. This is all included above but we did TRY to make the theatre functional while keeping some architectural elements. I think our plan could fly if someone with enough capital would join the project. We are happy to share those plans with any qualified firm or individual but as you can tell there are gadflys that try to undermine all our work. Still, we persevere. Mr. Fortini or others, please call us if you want to discuss the Portage. (630) 480-3345. Thank you.

Paul F: I give Paul W. a hard time because he has a long string of failure. All the information I have makes him look like a cancer on the preservation community. What positive stories have you heard? Paul refuses to share his (claimed) successes with the rest of us...which is ridiculous. Why would you hide your successes? If I could find just one story of this guy helping a community to restore their theatre, I would stop giving him a hard time.

Paul W: those are citable references listed above. One of them talks of you being evicted from the building.

And how about these accounts posted on the Wheaton Grand site from someone familiar with the Portage debacle?

The church didn't come until you were ordered out and could not pay your bills--it was a last ditch effort to try and recoup some more money. As for your partners--you yourself called Ms. Deans a "bitch" after she walked away. Has Mr. Pales and his mother not sued you? Poor Mr. Miner couldn't sleep at night after you fell apart. Yes, maybe the name on the cease and desist order was the Portage Theatre and not the Henslowe group--remember you weren't even in the country when it actually happened--you were out of the country. Also you didn't assume financial responsibility--many of us went unpaid for our wages and any supplies bought for you and your venture--don't try and portray yourself as a good and respectful individual. You are a con! Nobody went after the other 3 partners because they were led astray like the rest of us. If not, where are they now? Please enough with trying to get the rest of us to feel sorry for you. Just move on--as far as I am concerned my purpose is to make sure you do not do to another community as you have done in the past. Try and get a legitimate job for once--not one that you are hoping to live off of others. When was the last time you earned a legitimate salary? That means not accepting money from business ventures and using that? Enough already.
posted by disgruntledemployee on Sep 12, 2005 at 2:29pm

Too bad about Havana. I worked with Paul in Chicago--the exact same thing happened there. As an employee--you are only as useful until you shut your checkbook. Then you become a "volunteer". Let's see if I get the scenario right? A man (Paul) comes in and declares he spends his life restoring theatres. His dream is re-open "this" one.
He needs help (usually teenagers and unsuspecting employees)--when money gets tight he asks the local government for money. When denied he looks to book "investors"--people to help him follow his dream. He thinks how he can divide the theatre into 3. More deposits come in from those groups hoping to get a piece of the
action (sorry--no theatre gets divided-no deposits returned). He then books bands and accepts deposits (now you know Wheaton why he was upset about bands not being allowed to play. Then we blame the local governement about repairs (wasn't that the case in Chicago--2 venues-Wheaton now Havana--) Then nobody but Paul gets any money. The bills in Chicago; Havana; how are your bills Wheaton? go unpaid. Now let's get to the employees. All of sudden (after being told of the Grand Opening) there is no money to be paid to employees and now they are called thiefs and volunteers. Sorry Paul--used that excuse many times. Anybody who didn't "invest" is insulted and called liars. There are so many of us following your footsteps--maybe it is time to try your con in another state. Just remember, the internet is a wonderful tool. Let's all of us "volunteers" make it our mission to not let him continue. How do you sleep at night Paul? Are there any available lawyers out there to help us with the possibility of a class action lawsuit? Can all of us who were left out to dry possibly take Paul to court? Mr. Novelli--maybe you could help? Have you woke up yet to Paul or are you just slower than normal? How much money did Paul make on ticket sales in Havana? Where is all that money? Certainly not paying bills or employees. Just like in Chicago--go forth and sell calendars on street corners to generate money. Who got that money--Paul did and he was able to travel out of the country while leaving others to possibly get arrested by City officials after being told the theater was fine to open. He then blamed aldermen and the mayor for not turning their backs on an unsafe building and allow patrons in. Paul doesn't like rules and regulations. He also can't stand people just a little bit smarter than him--which is most. It just takes us a little longer because most of us have never met a con man before. Our human nature tends to lead us to trust everyone--which now I trust no one. Most of us start out trusting and liking Paul but quickly learn. Are there any out there who started working with Paul and still admire him? Mike where did you come from? You weren't with him in Chicago? Haven't you learned yet (others are slower than the rest of us) or are you a con man too? I certainly would break away from Paul as soon as possible. Is this the type of man to be friends with? How is he able to pay you and not mininum wage workers? Again sorry Havana--you were warned. Best of luck Wheaton--you may be the first and only theater to stay on your feet after Paul and go forth. There are many others behind you and cheering you on. As for all others--let's just watch the internet and watch where Paul goes next.
posted by disgruntledemployee on Sep 12, 2005 at 7:49am

We'd like to remind everyone to keep the conversation here productive.

When posting a comment, please make sure your comment is informative, friendly, and free of personal attacks. If you fail to follow these guidelines (and our terms of use), your comment will be removed.

Due to recent activity, we're also considering not allowing new comments on this theater. It would be a shame to take this step, but if people are unable to respect the rules of this open forum, we may be forced to take action.

Remember... we can only save theaters if we work together. ;)

Best,
Patrick Crowley
Co-founder, Cinema Treasures

Mr. Crowley is the voice of reason. Thank you. We have always been available to discuss theatres with those who do not hide in anonimity or have a personal ax to grind. Our office is in Wheaton and we will share our projects there to those who make an appointment. Thanks.

I don't believe that Patrick Crowley is necessarily supporting your cause Paul.

Anyone who calls this man has been given fair warning.

Guess what????? According to the PPNA this week and the Nadig newspaper, the Theater WILL be open as of the First of the year!!!!!! YAY!!!

From a friend who lives in Portage Park. Dennis worked at the Copernicus Gateway years ago. Don't know what he's up to now:

My neighborhood paper's got a front-page article
>saying major renovation work is currently under way at
>the Portage Theater, and that they hope to be open by
>the end of the year or not long thereafter. The
>article includes a photo of the auditorium, but I
>can't tell if it's current or an old stock photo.
>
>The guy they mention as the manager is Dennis
>Wolkowicz. Know anything about him?

Very intriguing news! Wolkowicz is the man behind Silent Film Chicago, and one of the best theater organists in the area, under a psuedonym. http://lakeclaremontpress.blogspot.com/ includes another blurb I just found on this project. I'm amazed this has kept so quiet! He must be planning to reinstall an organ, I wonder which? My bet would be on the Gateway or Patio, I suppose. I don't know if he reads this page, but if he does, i'd certainly like to volunteer any help I can give. My contact information is in my profile.

FYI: Dennis W. was the wonderful manager at the Gateway Theatre.

Here is a great link to an article about the pitfalls of theatre restoration. It is from CRAINS CHICAGO BUSINESS.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=22869&arc=n

The only thing that article is good for is the pictures.

Brian: The reporter for the Crane's piece ambushed us all. The title of the article tips us off as to his intent: "Theatre Debacles..." It's not a bad photo of me though... Any word on the reopening of the Portage? I wonder if Dennis is OK with the city anc the PPA?

http://cinematreasures.org/news/10218_0_1_0_C/

There's still no word on the Silent Film Society of Chicago's own site, but the West End Jazz Band lists the Portage's opening night this Friday, 2/3/06, on their events page.

SFSC's silent film festival was postponed, due to delays in the permitting process. Guess we'll have to keep waiting...

From this week's Chicago Reader 'The Business' column: "The Silent Film Society was booted from the Gateway Theatre a year ago, but expects to inaugurate a new home base this spring at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee. Film Society head and former Gateway manager Dennis Wolkowicz is one of three members of a management team that has taken a long-term lease (with option to buy) on the 85-year-old Portage. Wolkowicz says they spiffed it up, returned it to a single auditorium format, and are just awaiting (what else?) the PPA license. It’ll have 1,350 seats and will offer live music and talkies—classic, revival, independent, documentary, and foreign movies—along with the silent films."

It looks wonderful and I eagerly await its opening.

Also, Dennis says that the Architect was Henry Newhouse.

Brian: the Portage was designed by Rapp & Rapp.

Really? Where did you find that out? I looked all over looking for information and couldn't find anything until Dennis told me that. Newhouse was often the architect for the Ascher Brothers; I don't know of any Ascher theaters from the Rapps. Very interesting!

Some other bits of the Portage's history that have gone unmentioned here so far: During construction, the Portage was at the center of a Union extortion case involving the theater's door installations; In 1929 the Aschers sold this and several other theaters of theirs to Fox; in 1932 it was turned over to the GCS circuit and recieved some remodeling, redecorating, and new seats; about 1940, it recieved its streamline moderne lobby, in accordance with the art deco character of Six Corners following the Klee and Sears buildings, and also had a very pretty art deco marquee and vitrolite/cararra glass entrance; in 1941 it became part of the Balaban and Katz chain, then abc/great states; by 1975 it was part of the Brotman & Sherman chain, then it was VERY briefly a live house called the Portage Palace, hosting country acts such as Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn... and those were the only two before booker Bob Briggs was tossed out and future shows cancelled. They tried again in 1977 with a Eddie Money/Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers show, but that was all. M&R took over in 1980 and briefly experimented with a laser light show before twinning the Portage.

You may recall that I am related to the Rapps. This information comes from my uncle, the family historian. I'll double-check with him the next time we speak. Admittedly, it's been a long time since we discussed the subject. I also recall seeing something in THSA documents when I did volunteer work for them years back (late 80's). So you could always get in touch with them to verify. Those guys always know what they are talking about.

Oh, I didn't know that- how interesting!

Brian: it appears you are correct. My uncle invited me to breakfast, coincidentally, this past weekend. I asked him about the Portage. He doesn't think it was a Rapp & Rapp. He says it doesn't appear on any of the records or job lists that he has. I don't know where I got the idea that it was designed by them, or why that notion hasn't been contradicted in all these years I have held it.

In contrast to the bustling six corners of the 1950s, as seen in this previously-posted picture, It was a much different place in the 1920s when the theater rose. Here are four pictures from the Chicago Daily News, taken in 1922. 1 2 3 4 Notice that in photos 1, 2, and 3, the Portage Park Theatre's smokestack is visible. The facade would probably be partly visible if the photos were higher resolution. Also notice that the corner store shown in these pictures remains there; here is how it looks now, for reference.

Is the Portage going to open soon?

I hope that they reopen it, and soon. I am a native of Jefferson Park (next to Portage Park) and when I was by there last week I saw that the front doors (glass) were all uncovered and I could see inside all the way back to the concesssion stand. The inside looked very clean and clearly someone was getting it ready for something. I can say that the concession stand was very small. I vagely remember that theatre when I was a kid back in the 80's. I saw some kind of cartoon there or something like that. I would love to hear when the theatre will open up again. I am currently out of Chicago, out of state acutally running a 15 screen theatre. When I come back to Chicago again next month to visit all, I would love to see the inside of that place.

That and the Patio.

Ben

The Portage is set to reopen Friday, May 19 with Silent Film Chicago's Spring Silent Film Festival. Tickets are now on sale. http://www.silentfilmchicago.com/

Brian: two questions...

1) Have you seen the inside of the theatre? What condition is it in? I have heard that they removed the dividing wall between cinema I & II. But the last time I saw the theatre in '89 it was painted black and covered with typical M&R drapes. Have they done any work to make the auditorium look better?

2) Is this the same silent film festival that was held at the Gateway in the mid-90's?

Yes and yes. Although I was never inside the theater before, I was shown pictures of it and it appeared in very poor shape indeed. It's been repainted inside and is very quaint and cozy. Although it doesn't really qualify as a restoration, it is done very tastefully and resembles the original decor to a large extent. Really the only major differences from pictures dating to the original is paint, and the old organ false balconies were removed when 'scope came in, and boxes on the rear walls were enclosed not long after opening. Any drapery on the sidewalls is gone. They've done a ton of work and a great job, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised to see what it looks like now. Dennis used to manage the Gateway and yes, it was the same festival that was held there, although they should be happening more frequently now that they have a permanent home. SFC also continues to do screenings at other theaters like the Arcada and Pickwick.

Cool.

Devotees of the Portage:
I haven't heard much about when the Portage is set to start showing films again regularly or putting on shows, but I have hear that there will be some kind of a screening there on June 8th with some documentaries pertaining to Uptown and its own dormant theater. Should be a gas! The Portage Lives!

The Portage opens May 19th. Check out silentfilmchicago.com

This is a recent photo of the Portage Theater.

Here are some photos of the inside & outside of the Portage, taken today:

http://www.hopetunnel.org/theaters/portage/index.html

Boy is that ever an improvement!

Since it looks like the people who had responsibility for opening up the Portage reads these posts, I just wanted to say thank you for my wonderful weekend!! I saw a Charlie Chaplin film on the 19th and another today on the 21st. Thank you so much for reopening this theater. I used to come here in the 80s and since I don't live that far away, I plan on coming a lot more to support you.

I never saw a silent film on the big screen before, nor have I ever saw one with a live organ player. Thank you for sharing that experience with me!!

I just wanted to tell you that it was so nice to share a small piece of my childhood with my wife. Thank you so much for that!! Although I'm not a big silent film buff, I would be more than happy to join your organization if it will help keep the Portage going. You did a great job!!! Thank you so much again!! I hope there will be more people on the NW side supporting you as well!!

Best Regards,
Tony

I was there yesterday (5/21/2006) for the 6:30pm showing of MODERN TIMES. There were only about a dozen people in the auditorium. I hope that the owners of the Portage can keep the momentum going and earn enough to keep the place open!

They did a good job of restoring the place. Maybe not as elaborate as the Tivoli in Downers Grove, but nice nevertheless. The seats installed there seem like they were re-used from another theatre. They are comfortable but do not have cup holders. They are however staggered so that everybody has a good view.

I never thought I'd see the place re-open. The last movie I saw there was PREDATOR (circa 1990). Even though the place had been twinned, it hadn't been cleaned.

Best of luck to the new owners!

BTW, the posting needs to be updated. It should now be listed as "open" with a single screen. The function should be "classic & silent films."

The seats are the largely same ones that were in there when it was a twin. Seating has been reduced to 1321 due to a much-expanded stage, larger seats, and deeper aisles. Also as an interesting note, the original (tiny) stage and proscenium is still behind the screen, blacked out so as to not interfere with the modern screen, now among the largest in Chicagoland.

Organist Mark Noller did a great job accompanying the Chaplin films for the Portage Theater's opening program to the delight of the 1,000 plus in attendance. Mark is house organist at Chicago's Music Box Theatre and is regularly featured by the Silent Film Society of Chicago along with associate organists Dennis Scott and Jay Warren.

In addition to the Silent Film Festival, the Portage is showing Call Northside 777 and Niagara several times over Memorial Day weekend, and Friends of the Uptown will be presenting Uptown: Portrait of a Palace at 8:00 P.M. on June 8. Also coming up is Vladan Nikloic's Love.

Please correct: In the 80s, its auditorium was divided in two, and the interior received a modernization in which much of the little that remained of its original decor was lost.

Is not true!~

The division project simply built a wall in the not-exactly-middle of the auditorium. Very little original decor was lost. Aside from long-gone (and kind of ugly light fixtures), the auditorium retains almost all of its decorative plaster and details.

It has been lovingly renovated for single-screen presentation!

More stuff coming up - Next weekend, June 3 & 4, will be That Night in Rio and Weekend in Havana. Love will be shown June 22-25.

Here is another recent interior shot

They're showing Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein and To Be or Not to Be this weekend

They're doing the "Serenity" charity benefit on June 23. Details at: http://www.serenity.reversedrive.com/

We're working on a website, temporarily up at http://www.hopetunnel.org/portage Nothing much yet, and not all the links work.

There will be a Chamber of Commerce event this Saturday, with a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean at 6:30 P.M.

The official site is up at http://www.portagetheater.org Watch for details on the Silent Summer Film Festival, coming July 19 to August 25.

I stumbled on this site with great nostalgia. I grew up near Harlm and Irving and my first job as a 16 year-old (1964) was as an usher at the Portage. I met my first girlfriend there, she worked behind the candy counter. I have fond memories of the people who worked there: the 80+ year old projectionist, the seemingly ancient (to a 16 year old) ticket-taker (Sam) who would shuffle across the lobby to his station at the wall-to-wall glass entranceway, the manager who kept the office door locked while "confering" with the head candy girl, and the red jacket, blue pants and bow tie the ushers were required to wear.

Ah...the old days.

Here is a recent night view of the Portage Theater.

The Six Corners Business District will host its inaugural Six Corners Monster Film Festival at the Portage Theater Friday Oct 27th - Tuesday October 31st. Monsters will roam the streets of Six Corners, Pedicabs will deliver patrons to the world famous Fantasy Costume Headquarters and a variety of fabulous restaurants.
Svengoolie will make a guest appearance and sign autographs on opening night. The theater lobby will be decorated in a haunted house theme and each night will host a costume contest (dress as a character from the movie) for additional information go to our web site http://www.sixcornerschicago.com/monsters
The purpose of this event is to promote the Portage Theater and the six corners shopping district. We hope to host events like this several times a year to promote the neighborhood, the commercial district and the theater.

Great idea!

I would love to have you attend the film festival we have so much to talk about. The Portage Theater has all of a sudden taken off most weekends for the month of October are now booked up and more are coming including an NBC casting call. check out their web site for more details of what is happening at our beloved Portage Theater.
www.portagetheater.org

The Chicago Horror Film Festival is at the Portage this weekend (October 6-8, 2006). I haven't been in the Portage in over 5 years and can't wait to see the theatre in its newly restored glory!.

http://chicagohorrorfest.com

Here is a recent close-up view of the Portage Theater.

My girlfriend and I went to see THE MUMMY here last night (10/27/2006). Rich Koz made an appearance as his SVENGOOLIE character. He made a "star entrance", riding up in an old hearse. The red carpet was laid out for him and his "entourage"--some cheerleaders, a guy in a mummy suit and a guy in a Frankenstein's Monster suit. For those of you who don't know who Rich Koz is, he works for WCIU-TV 26. He is the last on-air local entertainment TV host (ie not news nor Public TV) in Chicago. He hosts a Three Stooges show as himself and he does the SVENGOOLIE show, which is old monster movies. Click here http://home.comcast.net/~grotto1/richkoz2.html or here http://www.wciu.com/ for further information on him.

The theatre was fairly crowded for this. The line to get in for people who pre-purchased their tickets, was down the block and around the corner. This takes me back to the days when (A) Chicago was a haven for diverse, local programming (Bozo/Bob Bell, Ray Rayner, Frazier Thomas, etc). It also reminds me of the days when smaller independent theatres HAD monster movie festivals and other special programming. Hey, even Plitt's Will Rogers Theatre on Belmont Avenue did live children's shows into the 1970s!

I think that if the remaining small houses such as the LaGrange, the Pickwick, the Logan did more film festivals and made it fun to attend, and reached out to their respective communities for support, people would go! They sure did last night.

Per my above comment, I forgot to add the letter (B) to my comment about smaller independent theatres!

The Portage's 1940 modernization was by Mark D. Kalischer, who also remodeled the Adelphi and Harper (Hyde Park)

Where do you find this stuff B?!?!

Today's was a trip to the Harold Washington library, to use the Art Institute's Avery Index. I was looking to see if there was anything on the Adelphi, Pickwick, and Esquire, (I copied beautiful photos of all three,) and while I was waiting for more journals to be pulled I thought i'd look up the renovation architect's name in the Tribune archives. So that's how. I had the name before, for the Adelphi, but I guess it never occurred to me to look.

Paul, I'm glad you came out to the Portage on Friday Night - This event was organized by a group of residents (myself included) and the Six Corners Association. We really had alot of fun planning the event and hope to plan several similar events in the future including but not limited to the 2nd Annual Monster Film Festival (we are thinking of going 3D for this one)Oct 26 - Oct 31, 2007. We were thrilled to see a line of people down the block and around the corner it proves yet again that people are interested in the Portage Theater. Some ideas for future shows are a Godzilla Fest, Star Trek Fest, Cartoon Saturday and more. Please keep checking the Portage website for updates or go to www.sixcornerschicago.com for more info. Thanks again for attending the event.
If you have any other ideas please let me know we are meeting to discuss future events next week I would love to hear them.

LittleBird,

It does seem like the evening was a success. Our only complaint was that the seats needed either refurbishing or replacing. But that was a minor complaint and we think that will occur in time. One thing at a time, right?

I don't know if it is too late for suggestions, but here are some:

1) Concerts, especially fundraisers, which could feature Chicago/Illinois talent such as Billy Corgan, Wilco, Buddy Guy, Son Volt, Robbie Fulks, BoDeans (okay, they're Milwaukee, but they are still popular in Chicago).

2) Midnight movies such as DEATH RACE 2000, FASTER PUSSYCAT KILL KILL, STOP MAKING SENSE, THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, WINGS OVER THE WORLD, SONG REMAINS THE SAME, DUEL, etc.

3) Film festivals, such as by actor/actress, director.

4) Film festivals of movies that were "just beneath the radar".

5) A film festival of the Christopher Guest/Harry Shearer/Micheal McKeon "Mockumentaries"--Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Mighty Wind, Best in Show".

Here's a great recent shot of the Portage. In fact, it's so recent, it says it was taken tomorrow.

I heard that a process server showed up at the Portage a few weeks ago looking for someone named Paul. But the last name wasn't Fortini.

It's good to see that dealing with the City of Chicago and neighborhood leaders is not as impossible of a task as some might have led us to believe.

Check this out....The Portage Theater's First Annual Christmas Spectacular. Friday December 15th 7pm. Join Santa and his Portage Theater Elves as he lights the official Portage Christmas Tree. Followed by music by the fabulous 18 piece Revolutionary Swing Orchestra, a Christmas carol sing along and a showing of White Christmas. Check the Portage Theater web site for more details.

See that? Exactly what I am talking about. Bravo Dennis. Bravo!

Life's too short...there are alot of things we were all led to believe. Unfortunately some believed longer than others and some got it a little sooner than others. The great news is that as a result of our blood, sweat, tears and perseverance our beloved Portage Theater is now open and bringing Chicagoans wonderful events such as the one I posted above. It has not been subdivided into pieces or turned into condo's and it is thriving. Dennis is doing an awesome job his staff is fabulous to work with and he is bringing a new face and new life to our community. We are thrilled to have him here.

You know, as it happens I had to drive by the Portage while that Svengoolie thing was going on. Traffic was actually jammed up on Milwaukee Avenue in front of the Portage!

The Portage not only is thriving it Rocks. That event was brought to you by the same neighborhood people. We were thrilled with the response and are planning a second for next year.
PS. I really want to speak with you we have to set up a time to have a private chat - let me know when and where

I've never been too keen on putting my email address out there. I would also rather not set up a date and time through this message board. That being said, I'd be happy to talk with you if you let me know how you can be reached.

Give Dennis a call at the theater and he will give you my info. Looking forward to speaking with you

Here are photos of this theater.

The Portage is having its first annual Christmas Spectacular on Friday, December 15, with Santa, the Revolutionary Swing Orchestra, a Christmas sing-along with the great Jay Warren at the organ, and a showing of White Christmas. See http://www.portagetheater.org/Dec15.pdf for details.

PORTAGE theatre trivia: JOAN RIVERS introduced her (directed) "RABBIT TEST' there in-person in 1978. Just thought you'd like to know.

According to a news item in the Chicago Sun, Wednesday, January 7, 1942, B&K purchased the Portage, Admiral and Drake theatres.

And thanks G. Feret for the info on Miss Rivers---adds to the theatre's already interesting history . . .

The Portage Theater is on MySpace! Stop by www.myspace.com/portagetheater and send a friend request...

A few weekends ago PORTAGE ran, and I saw, a 2-part Italian made biopic "KAROL: THE POPE, THE MAN". An excellent film, by the way (starring one Peter Adamczyk with the right smile, flair, sensitivity). And I can say unquestionably here's a super-rare instance where a favorite big-city neighborhood theatre, formerly multiplexed, has been restored in every important way to its' original theatrical condition (though with modern sound of course). Done without well-publicized fanfare, too. I intend to support it. Maybe the LaSalle Bank 16mm screening room, now a 1/2 blk away, would consider an arrangement to use these digs. It could be done by smart people.

NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Tuesday, January 6, 1942, p. 11, c. 4:

PORTAGE, DRAKE, ADMIRAL JOIN B. AND K. CHAIN
_____________________

Three new theaters have joined the Balaban & Katz chain. All are locatd on the Northwest Side and have been under the B. & K. banner since the first of the year. They are the Portage at 4050 Milwaukee avenue, the Admiral at 3940 Lawrence avenue, and the Drake at 3548 Montrose avenue. All three are now undergoing minor operational transitions and will offer the latest cinema advantages to neighborhood audiences.
_____________________

I'm happy to hear the Portage is still standing and in use. I saw many movies there, and my most vivid memory of the Portage was from the premiere of "Firefox" in '82. The crowd was restless, having been kept outside for a long while past showtime. After finally getting in and sitting down, there were several false starts and projector problems that were resolved just before the patrons became an irate mob.

I just found this listing for The Portage and have read all the comments. Looks like things have come a long way! The theater looks fantastic and we love working with Dennis. The theater now has a movie screen that can can easily be raised to quickly make the stage fully available. (The old screen was static and took about 4 hours to put up or to dismantle.) They have some great film festivals!

I'm one of the organizers of the Can't Stop the Serenity charity screenings here in Chicago and we were lucky to get the theater in 2006 when it had just opened. This year, we are having our charity screening there again! Can't Stop the Serenity - Chicago Friday, June 22, 2007 @ 7:30 PM.

am writing an article on old movie houses in or near Jefferson Park, Chicago; if anyone has any photos available inside or out of the building, either as the Times or the Holiday Ballroom please contact me. Also looking for photos of the Jefferson Nickelodeon, Gateway, PORTAGE and Patio. Were there any others nearby that I didn't mention? I will try the Library and Historical Society files too. Roughly looking between Cicero & Austin, Irving and Bryn Mawr Ave's.

P.S. left off my e-mail robabank1@excite.com

This is a recent photo of the Portage Theater.

On Friday and Saturday, September 14-15, the Portage Theater will be hosting the Preserving Palaces film festival. The program begins Friday at 7:30 PM with Uptown: Portrait of a Palace and Preserve Me a Seat (chronicling efforts to save the Indian Hills in Omaha, Gayety/Publix in Boston, DuPage in Lombard, and Villa in Salt Lake City). The festival continues Saturday, September 15 at 7:00 PM with The Wizard of Austin Boulevard, Loew's Paradise Theatre, and Memoirs of a Movie Palace. A theatre preservation discussion panel will follow the films on Saturday night. For complete information, visit www.portagetheater.org.

The owners of the LaGrange could take a lesson from the Portage. The Portage, it seems to me, was in far worse shape during the period it was closed compared to the LaGrange (which remains open). Was public money used in the renovation of the Portage? And who owns this theatre? Someone told me that it was run as a non-profit but couldn't verify this.

I have been to the reopened Portage several times since 2006, and I'm happy there's still a theater in my father's old neighborhood (he lived off Belle Plaine around the corner from the theater) that's functional, and is becoming more successful the longer it's open. There needs to be more work done by the Six Corners Association to see what can be done about the run-down buildings on the east side of Milwaukee Avenue, where the department stores and the old Deluxe Record Store used to be (where the costume shop is now).

Only criticism I have - can they PLEASE get rid of that hot orange paint in the concession area? :)

It's heartbreaking to see the condition of the Patio down at Austin/Irving Park Road though. I remember back in the late 1980s after a recent rehab how good it looked.

The other side of Milwaukee will probably redevelop once the housing market gets better. A condo project was announced but it seems to have stalled.

Wow, what memories this page has given me. I was born and raised in the Portage Park area and would walk to the Portage Theatre every Saturday when I was a kid. I'll be 65 this year but way back then, my mother would give me 50 cents each week to get out of her hair. 25 cents to get in the theatre and 25 cents to buy candy at the candy store that was to the right of the theatre. Anyone remember that place?

They'd have double features that would have us on the edge of our seats. I remember the early years where we'd sit in the front row with our necks bent back to see the huge screen. As we got older, we'd sit in the cubby hole sections at the back of the theatre with our girlfriends in the dark. I recall that I really don't remember much of the movies I saw during that period.

I went away in 1960 when I joined the Army and haven't been back since. But the photos and seeing that the old Portage has been brought back to life has put a smile on my face.

Thanks, Paul Mayer

It appears that the Portage reopened as a twin under M&R on or near March 5, 1981.

I am glad that the present owners of the Portage have been able to make a go of this place. There does seem to be a bit more work that needs to be done to the Portage. I hope that a vibrant theatre can bring back investment such as restaurants and stores to this stretch of Milwaukee Avenue.

I've been here for the silent movie festivals that have been here.

Paul F - in response to your 11/9/06 comment, it's not an all-Christopher Guest festival, but This is Spinal Tap will be at the Portage on May 5! (It's actually a rock music film fest, with The Wall and The Song Remains the Same)

Can anybody confirm if a group called the Retzler Development Group of Grand Island, Ne had any involvement in any of the reopenings or restorations of this theatre? Thanks.

Paul Warshauer's involvement in the Portage Park theater (under the Henslowe Group banner, prior to Grande Venues) took place prior to the restoration of the theater. It was only open briefly under his tenure as a theater, but he did bring a church group in which resulted in some zoning issues later. At the time of his departure the theater was still divided in two and had not been redecorated. Warshauer did upgrade some of the equipment, however, and claimed to have put 100k into the project.

Hi! I grew up not far from the Portage on Belle Plaine. I've seen so many good second-run movies here growing up that I was wondering why it doesn't show these types of movies now like the Logan does? Don't get me wrong I think it's great the Portage is renovated and open again. Since I'm still living in the area I guess I'm just curious why it doesn't show these second-run movies instead of silent movies and old movies like it is now. Is it too expensive for the owner and just not profitable? Clearly they would make more by showing newer movies as the attendance would be higher.

Thanks

Thanks!

My father grew up around the corner on Belle Plaine between Milwaukee and Cicero....and I grew up a little further west near Portage Park too...so I remember the Portage as a child and later in life.

The Portage has been doing pretty well as a specialty theater - doing weekly classic film showings, the occasional musical group (Rickie Lee Jones and Tegan & Sara have played there recently), and they're home to a majority of the silent films playing in the Chicago area. You should check out their website (www.portagetheater.org - which seems to be temporarily down at the moment), they keep a schedule of what's going on.

Honestly, they make pretty good coin working the specialty niches. Once the neighborhood gets back on track (namely Milwaukee Avenue), it'll look much better. The inside is not intricately rehabbed (like the Patio Theater once was)...but it looks pretty good. Definitely serviceable now. Check it out when you can, Greene!

How about a first-run movie? The controversial Uwe Boll film Postal with Zack Ward and Dave Foley premieres at the Portage this Friday, May 23.

The Portage website is temporarily down due to server issues. In the meantime, here's what's coming up:

Fri-Sun, May 23, 24, 25: U.S. Premiere of Postal at 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 P.M. each day
Wednesday, May 28: Bette Davis in Dark Victory (1939) at 1:30 P.M.
Sunday, May 31: Mirosław Szołtysek i Wesołe Trio at 7:30 P.M.
Wednesday, June 4: Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers in Swing Time (1936) at 1:30 P.M.
Friday, June 13: Double Feature - Dracula, Prince of Darkness (1966) at 8:00 P.M.; Vampire Circus (1972) at 9:30 P.M.
Sunday, June 15: Smart & Clever at 4:00 P.M.
Wednesday, June 18: Doris Day & Rock Hudson in Pillow Talk (1959) at 1:30 P.M.
Friday, June 20: Double Feature - House of Wax (1953) at 8:00 P.M.; King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) at 9:45 P.M.
Saturday, July 26: World Premiere of The Blind and the Dead at 12:00 P.M. hosted by Master Ron Fitzgerald; live music by Grigori3

Correction to the above: Dark Victory and Swing Time have been rescheduled to August 6 and August 13, respectively.

The Silent Film Society of Chicago's Silent Summer Film Festival is coming! Six fabulous Fridays, July 18 to August 22 at 8:00 p.m.

In the book "IMAGES of AMERICA: PORTAGE PARK" by Daniel Pogorzelski, there is a nice shot of Milwaukee Ave. -looking south- on page 48. The Portage theater is on the right, with its original marquee, ornate tera-cota decor, and great vertical sign. I'm guessing the photo is from the 1930s. On page 51 is a small pic of the Patio, after it closed in 2001. On page 87- one more pic of the Portage(the marquee) plus an old advertisement for upcoming shows. According to the text, the PORTAGE PARK opened in 1920; the name was shortened to PORTAGE in 1932. I saw "POSTAL" on Sunday, May 25. A grand total of 4 people in the auditorium for the 5p.m. showing. In late January of this year, I went to a double feature at the Portage: "BRIDE OF THE MONSTER" plus "PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE". In spite of a snowstorm that evening, it was well attended. The Portage was- and is- a great theater.

Chicago Sun-Times, 8/21/08: 50 people who make Chicago a Better Place

Tour the Portage Theater on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsYJ8vBH4pw

My husband and I went to see Svengoolie and a screening of "Son Of Dracula" last night. And we doubt we will EVER come back to the Portage for an event like this again. The audience was extremely ill-behaved during the film. They talked on their cel phones and out loud to one another. They were taking flash photos of the screen and of each other with their cel phone cameras! Kids were running up and down the aisles. People brought crying infants to the movie. Good Gravey--can't people sit and watch a classic film anymore?

At one point I had considered finding the manager and demanding our money back. The sad thing is that this reflects poorly on the good people who worked hard to make the Portage viable again. And I'm sorry to say this, but this is why home theatre has become so popular!

The recent screening of Son of Dracula at the Portage was a great night! A good time was had by all (almost all) It was mostly families many of them from the neighborhood. It had a real "block party" feel to it. Sveengoolie made an appearance, he is always good for a few laughs. I hope they can do this every year and make it an annual community event. Thanks Portage!
JW Chicago.

Book of the Annual Exhibition of the Chicago Architectural Club By Chicago Architectural Club

From Boxoffice magazine, May 1950:

Sears, Roebuck & Co. will use R&K's Portage Theater for Saturday morning shows for children. The program was arranged by manager Nate Ruttenberg.

Sorry, it was B&K, not R&K. My mistake.

Here is a better scan of the previous image.

I am looking for photos, drawings, ground plans, remembrances etc. of the Henry L. Newhouse Forest Theatre 7526 Madison street, Forest Park, Illinois. I am located in NYC. Thank you.
Craig Jacobs

Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dkmz64

Joe Campanella from CLTV has a great photo gallery from the Silent Film Society of Chicago's April 26th benefit for the restoration of the Portage's "new" 1927 Kimball organ:

Photos

A nice close-up shot is here.

This is an August 2009 photo of the Portage.