Clark Theater
11 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60602
11 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60602
5 people
favorited this theater
Opened as the Columbia Theater in 1911 and designed by architect J. E. O. Pridmore, this 1550-seat legitimate house was remodeled in 1923 by A.H. Woods and renamed the Adelphi Theater. In 1931, the theater was turned into a movie house, and given yet another new name at this time, the Clark (it sat close to the intersection of Clark and Madison Streets).
During the 50s, the original Blue Note jazz nightclub, which hosted such legends as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Sarah Vaughan, was located just a couple doors down from the Clark, until it closed in the early 60s.
The Clark continued to operate into the early 70s (by then screening adult films), last operated by the Kohlberg chain. The theater was razed in 1974, along with the entire block of late 19th and early 20th century buildings it was part of.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 80 comments)
Thanks for posting that great picture, David. It’s just how I remember the outside of the Clark!
Here is a 1964 view down Clark Street with the Clark Theater visible in the center. Except for the Chicago Temple Building on the left in the foreground, most of the buildings in the photo are no longer standing.
Great photos and history of the Calrk Theatre.
That should be Clark!
Had a rough day? LOL.
Very sad news…………http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/6495723-421/bruce-s.-trinz-owner-of-legendary-clark-theater-dies#.Th5s0qgm9zg.facebook
A favorite of mine in the 60s and 70s — brought back old films such as Gunga Din and Zulu for the Clark’s trademark double features.
The Clark was easily the most interesting “experience” in the Loop: by 1971 or 72, not the safest place to watch a film — on a Friday night I once watched a pickpocket ring make the rounds of sleeping drunks, going through their pockets. When I mentioned it to the manager, he shrugged and said he couldn’t do much about it. At this point two of the pickpockets came out to the lobby and spoke to two other guys. Four heads turned my way and the manager said, “I don’t think you’re safe here right now.” But it was okay: I had already seen the movie twice.
Mike
I would love to receive Clark Theatre photos via email. I worked as Trinz assistant last years of daily double features as well as first run till theatre sold. Concerning film cans. Cans were brought into small manager office near entrance, then taken up to second floor (mezzanine) storage room next to men’s room for holding till day of show. Then the cans were hauled up to the projection booth, which was at the rear of the large, steep balcony. In spite of the large number of films run, I know of NO instance of any film cans ever being lost.
Concerning some movies being cut; distributors such as WB reissued movies at times in cut form (also B&W of color titles). And… Chicago had a rough censor board as well. The Clark NEVER cut films… they were run just as they came in.
I have often wondered what became of the neon clock that used to hang near the emergency exit inside the Clark. You could see what time it was while the movie wwas playing. These clocks were made by the Neon Clock Co. of Chicago. The only other theater that has one of these (as far as I know) is the Tivoli in Downers Grove.
Here is a 1930s postcard view of the Clark Theater and the adjacent Hotel Harding (formerly Planters, which it was later renamed again).