Pickwick Theatre
5 S. Prospect Avenue,
Park Ridge,
IL
60068
5 S. Prospect Avenue,
Park Ridge,
IL
60068
29 people
favorited this theater
Designed by the firm of Zook & McCaughey, the 1,500-seat, Pickwick Theatre began life in 1928 as a vaudeville and movie house.
In 1975, the theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places, insuring its preservation as a cinema treasure. But it did not reach true acclaim until the theatre’s facade was used as the backdrop for the opening sequence of Siskel and Ebert’s “At the Movies” in the 1980’s.
In 1990, three smaller screens were added to the rear of the Pickwick Theatre, enhancing the theatre’s commercial prospects without endangering the original auditorium.
During 2007, the Bog Theatre company, which was formerly housed in the Masonic Temple building in downtown Des Plaines, presented live theatrical productions at the Pickwick Theatre. The Pickwick Theatre also hosts other occasional live entertainment and special events.
In 2012, the marquee was repainted in black & white, with some red, to return it to its original colors. Further renovations were completed in October 2012 which returned the original auditorium it to its Art Deco style splendour. The main auditorium now has a reduced capacity of 1,000, with wider new seats. Seating capacities in the three smaller additional auditoriums are now 160, 96 and 220.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 76 comments)
Thanks for adding that photo of the marquee in the primer coat Brian. You’re right, so much more detail is visible in darker color. I have seen the Pickwick marquee so many times up close, and even standing nearby, whitewashed it doesn’t have the dramatic appearance like this, especially those faces.
From the 7/24 Park Ridge Herald-Advocate, more on the restoration of the Pickwick, including the search for the original color scheme of the marquee.
BROAN; Tell me more about the original seats. When were they replaced? Was it the 1948 reference? Where can I find more information and pictures? This was my childhood theater…
Added a picture of the original seats. Yes I believe they were replaced in 1948.
Here is a 1949 picture featuring the original teaser curtain.
To: BROAN, where do I find the photo of the seats?
The photos tab – http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/302/photos/52019
Just simply hit the photos tab in the header at the top of this page and you can see all the photos for the Pickwick
This article talks about the renovation of the Pickwick nearing completion.
Is that a blimp mooring on top of the building? It sure looks like one.
Nope