Lexington Theatre
1162 E. 63rd Street,
Chicago,
IL
60637
1162 E. 63rd Street,
Chicago,
IL
60637
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Hre is an exterior picture of the Lex by the left corner http://www.chicago-l.org/trains/gallery/images/6000/cta6372.jpg
At the Theatre Historical Society in Elmhurst,IL. ,you can see: a weekly flyer (circa 1941) of the Lex- COOLED by refrigeration-1162 East 63rd Street -DORCHESTER 1085. A number of films are advertised inside the flyer; here and there are phrases like PUSH BACK SEATS,FREE CHECKING SERVICE, PERFECT SOUND. Also, a nice shot of the outside -circa 1936. 2 BLOOD CURDLING HORROR PICTURES! KARLOFF THE WALKING DEAD plus REVOLT of the DEMONS(the name was changed;it’s actually REVOLT OF THE ZOMBIES).A number of people are standing outside, by and near the boxoffice. All look like they’re having a good time. Oh, and a skeleton is hanging near the boxoffice, and a guy in a skeleton mask and outfit is on a hospital bed?!?! Most of the people are looking into the camera.
Phone number in 1954 (as the Lex) was NOrml 7-4848.
A Kimball theater organ size 2/12 was installed in the Lexington Theater in 1925.
The Lex theatre, like many other theatres in Chicago in the late 60s-early 70s, switched to an “ADULTS ONLY” policy in an attempt to survive. In the late 50s through the 60s, the Lex played mostly triple features with a 4 change a week policy- very similar to the Mode theatre. Lots of westerns, horror/sci-fi, comedies, and dramas.In 1969 or 1970, there was a minor name change: LEX PLAYHOUSE. From the Chicago Sun Times movie directory,Sunday May 31, 1970: LEX PLAYHOUSE 1162 E. 63rd St. OPEN 11:30 A. M. FOR ADULTS- 18 YEARS & OLDER ONLY “BUSHWACKERS” & “HOUSE NEAR the PRADA”. I think within two years the Lex closed.
Architect was apparently JEO Pridmore. The September 25, 1912 Tribune article lists seating as 1800, but the description of the theatre seems consistent.
Part of the marquee of the Lex can just be seen in the bottom right hand corner of this photograph from the L tracks in front of it on 63rd Street, circa 1970.
From around the 40s until it closed about 1970, the Lexington was called the Lex.
During the late 40s/early 50s, the Lex was operated by the Illinois and Indiana (II) Theatres circuit.