Paradise Theater

231 N. Pulaski Road,
Chicago, IL 60624

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Balaban & Katz Corp.

Architects: John Adolph Emil Eberson

Styles: Atmospheric, French Renaissance

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News About This Theater

Paradise Th Chicago

The Paradise Theater, which was built in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago, was billed as the world’s most beautiful theater. It was located on Crawford Avenue (now N. Pulaski Road) near W. Maypole Avenue. It is regarded as one of the finest designs by its architect, John Eberson. The sheer opulence and intricate craftsmanship that went into the theater made it a showpiece in itself. The Paradise Theater opened on September 14, 1928 with Clara Bow in “The Fleet’s In” on the screen and The Ritz Brothers performed on the stage. It was equipped with a Wurlitzer 5 manual, 21 rank organ. It was closed in 1931 and reopened on September 29, 1934 with a new modern sound system, screening Edward G. Robinson in “Man With Two Faces” plus acts on the stage.

Unfortunately, flaws in the design (blamed on the vast domed ceiling in the 3,612-seat auditorium) had been exposed with the advent of talking pictures. Poor acoustics eventually cost the theater its attendance (movie-goers would eventually turn to the nearby Marks Brothers showplace, the 3,931-seat Marbro Theater) and it never recovered.

Unfortunately, in 1956, owners Balaban and Katz decided to demolish the theater and sell the land to a supermarket chain. The theater that was also built to stand forever almost lived up to that claim - what was to have been a six month demolition took two years! The supermarket built on the site is long gone and in 2020 the site houses an auto repair business.

Contributed by Jon Erickson, Cinema Treasures

Recent comments (view all 355 comments)

moax429
moax429 on November 25, 2016 at 8:02 pm

I wonder if this was the inspiration for Styx’s 1981 album of the same name?

I would think so, considering the group hailed from Chicago.

amtrak4u
amtrak4u on February 8, 2017 at 2:48 pm

Has anyone got color photographs of the Balaban and Katz Paradise Theatre interior/exterior? When I worked for the former B&K company, I learned that my district manager, Ken Edgerly, had been the last manager of the Paradise. Although he followed company protocol—which was to show no sympathy or love of the old palaces, his wife informed me several times in his presence that for almost a year after he closed the Paradise, he visited almost nightly. After he’d close his current theatre, he’d drive across Chicago to check on his beloved Paradise. Because of Ken Edgerly, not to mention my own mother’s love of the Paradise when it was a young theatre, I would truly appreciate being able to see color photos of the place.

SBGreig
SBGreig on February 25, 2017 at 1:58 am

<< I notice that the main entrance to the strip mall at the SE corner of Pulaski and Madison has the word “PARADISE” in large letters above the doors. >>

That’s the old Goldblatt’s store, the onetime anchor of the Madison-Pulaski shopping district. My mother’s family lived on the West Side for about ten years in the 50s and early 60s, and she remembered shopping there many times (no memories of the Paradise, unfortunately)…perhaps her most painful memory of the 1960s was seeing the Goldblatt’s being looted on the TV news during the King riots.

Scott
Scott on March 8, 2017 at 6:37 pm

Right. It’s the Goldblatt’s site, not the store, which is long gone. I loved that place, especially the candy counter and the toy department.

BobbyS
BobbyS on March 21, 2017 at 5:42 am

The toy department was wonderful Scott…Isn’t that where they had the live robot “Tobor” or something like that displayed with the hands and eyes moving.. It would be around 1955-56. The Paradise was still hanging on barely. A tragedy in the making..

Scott
Scott on March 21, 2017 at 4:48 pm

Bobby, I don’t remember the robot, unfortunately. But for some reason I remember buying a camera there for 75 cents, and it took great pictures! Lots of wonderful toys there. I’m glad there was no Amazon back then. As for the Paradise, I think we’re lucky it hung around as long as it did. My understanding is that it had been losing money for many years.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 8, 2018 at 2:01 am

1932 photo added courtesy of the Historic Chicago Facebook page.

BobbyS
BobbyS on June 9, 2018 at 12:02 am

Thanks DavidZornig for photo. What a vertical! I wonder how often they had to change the many burned out bulbs? Or the high ladders they used.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 29, 2020 at 4:40 pm

The Paradise theatre closed in 1931 and reopened on September 29th, 1934. Grand opening ad posted.

JAYJay
JAYJay on June 25, 2021 at 12:34 am

It was fantastic, a genuine movie palace for sure. TV and a changing hood destroyed it !!

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