Bond Theatre

303 W. Madison Street,
Pontiac, IL 61764

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Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 16, 2022 at 9:02 am

The Bond Theatre is not listed in the 1914-1915 American Motion Picture Yearbook, nor is any theater listed at 303 W. Madison. The address 311 W. Madison is listed twice, though, once as the Alcazar Theatre and once as the Photoplay Theatre. The absence of the Bond could have been simply an oversight.

A letter from F. M. Bond of the Bond Theatre appears in an issue of the IMP film company’s publication, The Implet, published in January, 1912. The Bond Theatre and its owner F. M. Bond are mentioned in the June 3, 1916 Moving Picture World, and in the July 2, 1921 Exhibitors Herald. By 1923, the Bond Theatre was owned by Hal Opperman, who also owned the Crescent Theatre at that time, according to the July 14 MPW.

Incidentally, the other theaters listed at Pontiac in the 1914-1915 Directory were the 5c Theatre at 228 W. Madison and the Star Theatre at 207 N. Mill.

GaryParks
GaryParks on January 12, 2016 at 6:01 pm

The theatre was operated by F.M. Bond, and was located at 303-305 West MacBain street. It was still in operation in 1920. The photo was taken February 1912. The theatre probably opened in 1911.