Glen Art Theatre

The Glen Art, formerly a single screen theater seating nearly 1000, opened in the early 20s. It was designed in the Tudor Revival style, along with the storefronts on either side of the three-story building. The architect was William B. Betts of Park Ridge, Illinois, who also designed a number of other movie theaters in the Chicago suburbs. Originally, the Glen not only featured motion pictures, but live stage acts, as well, and contained a Barton organ.

Today, the exterior remains fairly similar to its original appearance, except for a later marquee, and its vertical sign long since removed. The interior, however, has been heavily altered.

This downtown Glen Ellyn landmark remains a favorite destination today, and now screens an eclectic mix of first-run Hollywood fare, art, foreign, and classic features. The largest of the Glen Art’s four auditoriums, seating about 220, has Dolby sound.

Recent comments (view all 27 comments)

lostmemory on December 29, 2008 at 10:27 am

This is a December 2008 close-up.

kencmcintyre on May 2, 2009 at 4:49 pm

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/deb2fx

Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dzxbdw

kencmcintyre on May 2, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Here is a night shot from 1982:
http://tinyurl.com/d3ymgw

lostmemory on June 4, 2009 at 5:37 pm

Here are more 1982 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Photo4

Photo5

lostmemory on June 17, 2009 at 3:53 pm

This is a 2009 photo.

jwballer on September 11, 2009 at 3:53 pm

They should make it back into a 1 screen

jwballer on January 28, 2010 at 1:47 pm

A 3/10 Barton was installed in the theatre in the 1920’s

jwballer on April 29, 2010 at 8:29 pm

Very Interesting Photo
http://www.edyoungs.com/images/5606main1950.jpg

Mike Rogers on May 25, 2010 at 5:49 pm

What a horrible movie"MONSIGNOR" we played it first run,but wasn’t charging $1.50 a seat like GlenArt was doing.

Broan on May 30, 2011 at 9:06 am

@jwballer Apr 29, 2010 – That is a different Glen Theater.