Owl Theatre
4653 S. State Street,
Chicago,
IL
60609
4653 S. State Street,
Chicago,
IL
60609
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The Owl was opened in 1916, and in early advertisements, billed itself as "the most popular theatre on the South Side". It could seat 944 and originally presented vaudeville and live stage revues in addition to motion pictures.
The Owl’s house orchestra, led by Clarence M. Jones, was almost as much as a draw as the live acts and movies.
The theater was also a venue for jazz acts, as well, into the 40s.
The Owl has since been demolished.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
During the late 40s/early 50s, the Owl was part of the Illinois and Indiana Theatres chain.
Does any one have any more information about the Illinios and Indiana Theatre chain? Thanks
In 1931, in addition to the Owl Theater, Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc. acquired the following theaters:
Oakland Square
Frolic
Metropolitan
Shakespeare
Harvard
Lexington
Buckingham
Hamilton
Julian
Still open in 1954. Phone number was KEnwd 6-4472.
Still listed in 1955 with 940 seats.
A street-level photo of the Owl can be seen in Sandor Demlinger’s book Chicago Jazz.
I heard the Owl Theatre was a real Hoot!!!!
The Owl was being operated by Nathan Joseph in 1956, according to an article about him in Boxoffice of March 17 that year. Joseph also operated the States Theatre at that time.
There’s a great pic of The Owl here: http://www.thebestmusicofyourlife.com/Remember-TheOwl.jpg