Jackson Park Theatre

6711 S. Stony Island Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60649

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Additional Info

Styles: Renaissance Revival

Nearby Theaters

Circa 1943

The Jackson Park Theatre was a nearly-1,500 seat theatre in the neighborhood of the same name (in fact, it stood just across from the large park for which both the neighborhood and theatre are named for, on S. Stony Island Avenue, at E. 67th Street.) The theatre opened November 29, 1916. Following a period of closure for renovations, it was re-opened on October 26, 1935

By around 1960, it had closed, and was torn down long ago.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 15 comments)

DavidDymond
DavidDymond on December 21, 2013 at 4:05 pm

You are absolutely correct — The Jackson Park lawsuit started the Federal government investigating Paramount Pictures and ALL their theatre operating partners. Thisled to the consent decree that required Paramount to reorganize and sell off a lot of their theatres. This is what ruined the motion picture industry for many years.

Frank S Joseph
Frank S Joseph on February 7, 2014 at 1:52 pm

My late uncle Richard Salkin managed the Jackson Park most or all of his adult life. He was the manager when the famous Jackson Park case and decision were adjudicated. When I was a kid, the “JP” was our go-to family movie theatre, partly no doubt because we got in free. I remember seeing “Red River” with John Wayne and Montgomery Clift (1948, I would have been 8 years old); “Stage Door Canteen” (1943, very likely the first movie I ever saw); and National Velvet (1944, Elizabeth Taylor as a child star), to name just three. Whenever we went to the “JP,” we never failed to stop first for Karmelkorn next door.

Silky1
Silky1 on August 22, 2015 at 4:09 pm

I remember Mr. Salkin. My grandmother was the candy lady at Jackson Park until it closed. She then went to the Avalon, then the Capitol and finally to the Chicago Theater. As my mom says, I grew up in a movie theater. So many wonderful memories and adventures! I saw Hit the Deck 21 times. Mr. Salkin gave me a autographed picture of one of it’s stars, Ann Miller. When the Mummy played, they had a guy dressed up like the mummy walking the aisle. It still creeps me out.

Broan
Broan on January 17, 2016 at 12:12 pm

Here is a photo of the Jackson Park. It strongly resembled the Portage.

Broan
Broan on January 17, 2016 at 12:27 pm

Several other photos can be found there through search.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 12, 2016 at 3:57 pm

This opened on November 29th, 1916. Grand opening ad in the photo section

Broan
Broan on February 15, 2017 at 9:35 am

Erected by Edward I. Bloom. Initially booked by Ascher Bros. The Jackson Park gained a reputation for music starting in 1918, when Leo B. Salkin replaced W.P. Clement as manager (Clement went on to build the Stratford). (Moving Picture World, April 17, 1920). Starting in 1922, Salkin also managed the Kenwood. Renovated in 1936 (pictured above). Bloom would later build the Shore theater.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 13, 2020 at 1:37 pm

Held an reopening on October 26th, 1935. Another ad posted.

Frank S Joseph
Frank S Joseph on July 10, 2023 at 2:03 pm

Thanks to “Broan” (comment on 2/15/17), I have now learned that my great-uncle Leo B. Salkin managed the “JP” starting in 1918 (the silent era) and in 1922 also managed the Kenwood, which I assume was the old “Ken” at 1225 E. 47th St. where I watched 25-cartoon Saturdays as a little kid. When I was alive (starting in 1940), Leo had moved on to being a talent agent. He must have passed managership of the “JP” to one of his younger brothers, my great-uncle Richard Salkin. As a talent agent, Leo’s biggest client was the actor and comedian Danny Thomas. He also booked the Courtesy Motors Variety Hour on early Chicago television, sponsored by “Jim Moran the Courtesy Man” and featuring a vaudeville-like array of acts. The Courtesy Hour was one of the most popular shows on Chicago TV during the ‘40s and/or early '50s, the dawn of broadcast television in America.

Frank S Joseph
Frank S Joseph on October 20, 2023 at 1:04 pm

I have started writing a novel about the Jackson Park decision and the breakup of the Hollywood studio system, focusing on my great-uncle Richard Salkin, the long-time manager. I would like to contact “Broan,” “Silky1” or anyone else with personal memories of the Jackson Park Theatre itself and/or Richard and/or Leo Salkin. My email address is . Please contact me off list.

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