Pal Theater

Bothwell Street,
Palatine, IL 60067

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Additional Info

Previous Names: Seip's Auditorium, Palatine Theater

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Seip’s Auditorium was in operation from at least 1912, located on Bothwell Street just north of Palatine Road. The auditorium, in addition to being used as a meeting hall in its early years, also presented live theater, vaudeville and movies.

In 1936, the Auditorium was remodeled into a 300-seat modern movie house, called the Palatine Theater, or Pal, as it was also known. The Pal operated until 1952, and was afterward demolished.

Contributed by Bryan

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 9, 2006 at 1:38 pm

Here is an article from the December 20, 1940 edition of the Palatine Enterprise:

Movie Matinee to Help Fill Christmas Baskets

Tom Norman, proprietor of Palatine Theatre, in appreciation for
the treatment accorded him by Palatine people the past year, has
booked a special movie show that will be presented Saturday after-
noon, starting at 2:30 p.m. Any child can secure admission by
bringing some article of non-perishable food, canned goods preferred.
Admission, however, will not be denied any child who is unable
to bring the food.

All food obtained will be turned over to the local Christmas basket
committee, which will enable the committee to supply larger baskets
than is customary. The program, especially booked for the show, will include the Adolph Zukor feature “Sons of the Legion,” a cartoon, comedy and shortsâ€"just the kind of a program the children will enjoy and one that has the approval of parents.

In view of all the current talk about the meaning of Americanism
nothing could be timelier than the new American youth drama, “Sons of the Legion” with Lynne Overman, Donald O'Connor and Elizabeth Patterson heading the cast in a dramatic story of the effect
of a liberal interpretation of Americanism on a typical community.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 9, 2006 at 2:58 pm

That’s a very good timeline. Well done.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 19, 2007 at 11:40 am

Here is an article about the closing dated 11/7/52:

Palatine Theater Will Permanently Close December 2

Don Foster has decided to definitely close his Palatine theatre December 2. The reason, “unwillingness of Palatine people to wait for feature films until they arrive in Palatine”. “No other course is open to me”, Foster told a reporter Wednesday night. "Under the present movie setup, Arlington Heights can’t show pictures until after Des Plaines and I must in turn wait until Arlington Heights has had them. “Outdoor movies are allowed the big pictures the same time as the Chicago loop. As long as Palatine residents are unwilling to wait for their special movie entertainment until it is shown in Palatine, I have no other course than to close the show house”.

Mr. Foster pointed to his receipts that evening. “The Greatest Show on Earth,” which is classed as one of the big pictures of the year, was only accorded a half house. Foster has been putting off the decision the past two years, “I have no quarrel with Palatine people,“ says he. "They have the right to buy their entertainment wherever they desire, but I feel a little sorry for the youngsters who were my steady customers ”. Don will move his bargain basement to the first floor and may construct a second flat above the theatre.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on May 10, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Here is a November 1937 ad from the Daily Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/p7phvn

rivest266
rivest266 on June 23, 2012 at 2:36 pm

October 23rd, 1936 grand opening ad posted here.

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