Crystal Theatre
2701 W. North Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60647
2701 W. North Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60647
1 person
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Balaban & Katz Corp., Jones, Linick & Schaefer, Publix Theaters Corporation
Architects: Henry L. Newhouse
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This large neighborhood theatre, seating 1,906, was built originally for the Schaefer Brothers circuit, opening on November 8, 1917 with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Man From Painted Post”. It was later operated by the V.T. Lynch circuit followed by Balaban & Katz. It was equipped with a Barton 3 manual organ. The theatre also had a dance hall.
It was located in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on W. North Avenue between N. Fairfield Avenue and N. Washtenaw Avenue. The Crystal Theatre closed in the mid-1960’s and was razed soon after closing.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
The CRYSTAL’d have Saturday a.m. kiddie shows in the early ‘60s, for
which free passes sometimes were distributed around my grammar school (7 FACES OF DR. LAO for example). Unique was that the theatre’s outside movie poster displays were NOT glass-encased (just tacked-up at all times); many budding film poster collections were begun here as a result of this. They gave up the ghost around 1965 and quick demolition without the usual conversion or darkened aftermath (which stunned me a little then).
I’m not so sure it was a Barton installed. I own Kimball chests labeled Lynch Th. North Ave. unless there was another lynch theatre on North Ave. I believe a Kimball organ was installed (the chests are for a 8 rank organ)Greg S.
I would go to the show almost every Saturday for showtime with my siter and brother and friends. for only a quarter addmission. I lived on Rockwell right of North Ave from thirteen years, attended Von Humboldt Grade School. I watched Disney films and all the Godzilla, Rodan, Attack of the Killer Schrews and many many more. I saw the High and the Mighty with John Wayne….North to Alaska…there with my MOM. We used to attend The Record Hop Dances in the Crystal Ballroom in the same building. You could go early for cartoons and a raffle drawings on Saturday Mornings. Would love to hear from anyone who lived near this classic Theatre. or in the Humboldt Park Neighborhood..write me at or contact Susan Besaw on Face Book..hope to hear from you !!!!
The CRYSTAL Theatre opened Thursday, November 8, 1917 on the site of an earlier CRYSTAL Theatre. It was operated by Peter J. Schaefer of Jones, Linick & Schaefer and Fred and Frank Schaefer of the Schaefer Theaters Company, and seated 1,800 on the ground floor. An eight-piece orchestra was employed and the architect was Henry L. Newhouse. The opening attraction was “The Man From Painted Post” with Douglas Fairbanks. Admission was 10 and 15 cents, including the war tax.
WE HAD A BAR CALLED THE MIDNIGHT SUN AT 1531 N. CALIF AVE, WITH 2 HALLS FOR WEDDINGS. WE WERE THERE FROM 1954-1970. I USED TO GO OUT THE BACK DOOR TO THE ALLEY, LEFT 300 FT AND TURN RIGHT ON NORTH AVE ABOUT 50 FEET TO BE IN FRONT OF THE CRYSTAL THEATRE. FOR 25CENTS, I COULD SEE A DOUBLE FEATURE. I GOT TO SEE FIRST RUNS OF MOVIES SUCH AS….RODAN, DRACULA, HOUSE OF USHER, 13 GHOSTS, BUTTERFIELD 8, FRANKENSTEIN, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON AND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. I REMEMBER WHEN IT HAD A FIRE AND A DOG DIED INSIDE OVERNIGHT. KNEW THE DOG, FELT SAD. THERE WAS A POPCORN AND MALT SHOP NEXT DOOR WITH A BIG WINDOW TUMBLING HOT CARAMEL CoRN. IF YOU DIDNT EAT IT WITHIN A HOUR IT WOULD HARDEN INTO A BRICK IN THE CARDBOARD BOX. THE OTHER WINDOW HAD FRESH CARAMEL APPLES AND RED CANDY APPLES. GOOD TIMES….RICH
Anyone have any other pics of this theater or the area around it from the early 1900’s. I own a historic bldg across the street on North Avenue and I would love to find an old pic of it. Thanks. .
The first Crystal Theatre opened for Schaefer Brothers October 3, 1908.