Plaza Theatre

308 W. North Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60610

Unfavorite 2 people favorited this theater

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Essaness Theaters Corp., Jones, Linick & Schaefer

Previous Names: New Plaza Theatre, Plaza Art Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Plaza Theater 308 W North Avenue

The Plaza Theatre was one of the early theatres of the Jones, Linick & Schaefer circuit (which included such houses as the Orpheum Theatre, Bijou Dream Theatre, Rialto Theatre and Randolph Theatre), and originally opened in 1909. The Plaza Theatre, located on W. North Avenue near N. Orleans Street, in the Old Town neighbhorhood, could seat close to 1,200.

During the 1940’s and into the 1950’s, the Plaza Theatre was part of the Essaness circuit. During the 1950’s and 1960’s the theatre was known as the New Plaza Theatre and later, the Plaza Art Theatre. The theatre remained in operation at least through the 1960’s before closing, showing soft-core adult films in its later years.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 24 comments)

CompassRose
CompassRose on February 20, 2011 at 9:08 am

Exterior of Plaza on North Avenue, Chicago, circa 1964: Plaza.

KenC
KenC on February 23, 2011 at 10:58 am

Thanks for the pic, Compass. I remember the huge vertical sign ;had forgotten what the marquee was like. What was playing that day- HOLLYWOOD NUDIST REPORT and ADOLESCENT SHAME?? And the sidewalk sign by the curb states FREE PARKING…? Just want to make one correction- if the pic is from 1964, the Plaza was not close to demolition. I have the Sun Times movie listings from May 8, 1968- the Plaza was still open, showing AGONY OF LOVE plus THE NAKED CAPER.It may have been in operation til 1969 or even to 1970. Anyway, thanks again for posting.

KenC
KenC on February 23, 2011 at 11:21 am

Just noticed- on May 8, 1968, the nearby TOWN theatre on Armitage had ON STAGE IN PERSON TURA SATANA (star of Faster Pussycat). I heard Tura passed away recently. Met her at the Music Box not long ago….. RIP.

yrrab1
yrrab1 on December 19, 2016 at 10:36 pm

the plaza was reopened as an art theatr

yrrab1
yrrab1 on December 19, 2016 at 10:51 pm

theater in 1962. it became an adult house in 1962.nthe playmates sold popcorn and posed for photos in the lobby. the dancer were hired for the stage shows. one of the playmates wore a topless swimsuit on north avenue beach as a publicity stunt on June 20, 1964. at one time the plaza, kim, oak and town (now the park west) were all operated by the same owners. I believe that they still own the park west. a tragic homicide occurred there after hours around 1968 and 1969.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on July 21, 2017 at 5:31 am

50 years ago today. July 21, 1967 Tribune movie page with an ad for the Plaza.

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1967/07/21/page/48/article/display-ad-47-no-title

Broan
Broan on November 21, 2021 at 8:42 am

This first opened as the Comedy Theatre December 15, 1909. It was apparently a huge failure initially, as crowds stuck to Sittner’s Theatre across the street. It soon reopened as the Plaza.

Broan
Broan on November 21, 2021 at 10:23 am

As the Plaza, it was apparently owned for a time by Karl Hoblitzelle of the Interstate chain, which normally did not operate in Chicago.

Broan
Broan on November 22, 2021 at 9:52 am

https://archive.org/details/variety20-1910-10/page/n151/mode/1up?view=theater

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.