Stony Theater
6851 S. Stony Island Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60649
6851 S. Stony Island Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60649
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The vertical sign of the Stony Theater can be seen in the distance in this photo.
1950 trade article describing conversion from a bowling alley: boxoffice
Boxoffice magazine reported in January 1960 that Ben Conney had temporarily closed the Stony Theater to repair the heating system, so it may have re-opened before 1961 after the closing in 1958.
Through 1965, the Stony was open ;playing regular Hollywood fare. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings dated Tuesday, Sept.21, 1965: STONY 6855 So. Stony ISLE.-363-9707 URSULA ANDRESS “SHE” “JOHNNY COOL”– HENRY SILVA. Sometime in late 65, early or mid 66, the Stony closed yet again. But it re-opened in late November 1966, probably under new ownership. From the Sun Times movie directory, Tuesday, Nov.22, 1966: GRAND OPENING! Wednesday at 12 Noon Chicago’s Newest And Most Elegant ADULT THEATRE STONY 69th and STONY ISLAND Phone MU 4 -7766 ADULTS ONLY Continuous Entertainment Daily 12 NOON to MIDNIGHT GALA MIDNIGHT SHOW FRIDAY and SATURDAY.
A Kimball theater organ was installed in the South Shore Theater in 1915.
This first opened as the Southshore Theatre in 1915, but it closed in 1918. It re-opened in 1950 as the Stony Theatre and closed in 1958.
It re-opened again in 1961 and was demolished in the 1970’s
I drove through South Shore a couple of years ago, and what was once a bustling business area filled with stores to fill all the needs of the local residents, is now parkway with only grass and trees from 67th-69th on the east side Stony Island Avenue. The stores were still standing in dilapidated and boarded up condition on the west side of the street, a sad memory of what used to be.
The Stony Theatre was just north of the drugstore located on the northeast corner of 69th and Stony Island. I would guess it opened sometime in the 1940’s and at the time seemed so small and plain compared to the Jackson Park Theatre that was already down the street at 67th across from the park. I was a youngster then and used to walk to see movies at both theatres in the 40’s and 50’s. Also would walk up 71st street to the Jeffery and Hamilton theatres. Loved the Saturday serials that accompanied the featured film.
What great memories!
The Stony theatre was open at least through June 1957. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings Tuesday, June 11, 1957: STONY “INVASION, U.S.A.” “1,000 YEARS FROM NOW” “DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS”