Paradise Theater
231 N. Pulaski Road,
Chicago,
IL
60624
231 N. Pulaski Road,
Chicago,
IL
60624
35 people
favorited this theater
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 Pulaski Road) near 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.
Unfortunately, flaws in the design (blamed on the vast domed ceiling in the over 3,600-seat auditorium) were exposed with the advent of talking pictures. Poor accoustics eventually cost the theater its attendance (movie-goers would eventually turn to the nearby Marks Brothers showplace, the 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!
Contributed by
Jon Erickson, Cinema Treasures
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Recent comments (view all 347 comments)
Hear Hear!!!! It was a beauty………
My grandfather was also a concert violinist and his primary business with the music shop was concert level music lessons, at the time the Paradise was finished and he moved his shop from Elmhurst (was called McGovern music studio before the theater was finished) his health was declining from serving in battle with the army band in WWI and being exposed to mustard gas, I don’t believe he was playing at this point anymore himself but he also was the owner/director of the Civic Philharmonic Orchestra, while I don’t have any proof of at this point but I highly suspect they were the resident orchestra for the theater
The resident orchestra of any movie palace was just that, they had no civic affiliation, it was a work-a-day job, and a good paying one at that.
I have uploaded a rarely seen photo of the Paradise, probably taken during the last month of its operation, which was May, 1956. The marquee shows George Gobel and Mitzi Gaynor starring in “The Birds and the Bees.” Though the exterior was now blackened by the coal dust from a nearby railyard, the interior was still virtually pristine.
Paradise, Wonderful view of the Paradise. Seems unreal a plain lot sits there today. This building looks like it belongs in Europe.
Bobby, yes it is hard to believe that this theatre once sat on the site. I wish there were more pictures of the area available today.
From 1929 a photo postcard image of the Paradise Theater in Chicago.
Like so many other CT listings, STATUS needs to be changed from “Closed” to “Demolished.”
Click here for an exterior view of the Paradise Theatre in 1930.
Thanks Brad. Beautiful picture of the Paradise signage. Also wonderful photos of many forgotten theaters.