Comments about River Oaks Theaters 2 & 3 in Calumet City, IL

Filmteknik on June 23, 2018 at 2:32 pm

I don’t think I ever went there when it was a single only as a twin but it does not surprise me that it was originally just a one screen. My question is whether it was a large single and then divided (probably) or did they add on to create #3.

After the renumbering it carried 13-14 (the highest number) as opposed to those numbers being assigned to the old 5-6 on the far side of RO-West. Presumably the property lease was coming up and they knew it was going to close. I don’t recall what appliance store was in there—someone mentioned Silo. Could also have been a Fretter. But that did not last long and the building was razed to make way for new development.

They definitely had 70mm on one side as I saw with my own eyes how on the first week of Raiders they shared the 70mm print with #1 and the ushers were ferrying the reels (doubled up for 35-40 minutes) back and forth across the street, something that is possible with reel to reel projection not platters. #1 was still carbon arc at that time. Too bad #4 didn’t have 70mm projection as it would have made it a lot easier.

JKChicago on March 4, 2018 at 1:50 pm

The Theatres 2-3 building didn’t become Circuit City. Circuit City was on East-West Road in a new development that included a Target, tucked behind Venture off Ring Road. Theatres 2-3 might have become a Silo (Marshall Field’s brief venture into electronics retailing) — that might be the confusion with CC.

rivest266 on November 10, 2016 at 5:07 pm

Map of all the River Oaks theatre buildings in the photo section. It is the blue building.

rivest266 on November 10, 2016 at 4:24 pm

June 27th, 1975 grand opening ad as No. 2 & 3 in the photo section.

rivest266 on November 10, 2016 at 4:17 pm

This opened on August 11th, 1972. Grand opening ad in the photo section

JRS40 on June 24, 2015 at 10:29 am

No the ticket wouldn’t say that. That ticket is for theater 1 clearly. #1 and #4 were one building and #2 and #3 were on the west side of Torrance Ave, just down the block slightly North. I hope that helps.

Flix70 on June 22, 2015 at 11:36 am

I posted a photo of the ticket for reference.

Flix70 on June 22, 2015 at 11:23 am

Thanks, JRS40. Would a ticket, though, for the Torrance two-plex say “Theatre No. 1” on it? I wasn’t sure how the auditoriums were numbered, especially since this theater was called 2 & 3.

JRS40 on June 22, 2015 at 10:37 am

Hey Flix70 – For future reference you can look back at the previous comments. I have listed the bookings for theaters 2 and 3 from their openings thru 1981. According to the list “The Empire Strikes Back” opened on screen 3 on September 26th of 1980. It originally opened on screen 1 so it appears it moved across the street to this theater as the crowds had likely lightened up. You can also see bookings for theater 1 and 4 on their individual pages as well.

Flix70 on June 22, 2015 at 10:05 am

I recently ordered a copy of the original souvenir program for “The Empire Strikes Back.” Upon opening it, a ticket stub with the address “1370 Torrance Avenue, Calumet City, IL” fell out. The ticket says River Oaks Theater 1 on it. But theater 1 was on River Oaks Center Sr, across the street from Torrance Ave, right? Was there a “theater 1” at the two-plex on Torrance Ave? Looking at the page for the original River Oaks single-screen theater, I’m more apt to believe “Empire” screened there instead of the two-plex. Can someone clear things up?

Sirdrummer007 on November 20, 2012 at 8:32 pm

This theatre started out as a One screen in 72. A second Screen was built in 75.

JRS40 on May 2, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Thanks Sirdrummer007.

Sirdrummer007 on April 24, 2012 at 12:59 pm

JRs40, i fixed the cover picture.

Mike Rogers on February 24, 2012 at 11:49 am

Anyone that worked at Plitt Theatres needs to go to REMEMBERING PLITT THEATRES on Facebook,there you will find other old employees talking about the good old days,thanks guys.

Scott Neff on February 24, 2012 at 11:08 am

You’ll notice that’s because there’s no address listed.

JRS40 on February 24, 2012 at 10:45 am

The cover picture is nowhere near where the theater was. It was on the west side of Torrence Ave across from River Oaks mall. I emailed the site about this error to no avail.

Sirdrummer007 on February 4, 2012 at 7:59 pm

Btw, Circuit city was never on this location. circuit city was Behind River Oaks West. it is now a Target.

Sirdrummer007 on February 4, 2012 at 7:57 pm

The Building is still there. They just Built onto the existing building.I remember when they Put up the Office depot.

Filmteknik on August 19, 2011 at 10:41 pm

I’d be surprised if 2 and 3 were both 500 seats since 2 was equipped for 70mm so I’m guessing it was larger but I’ll leave that be until I can be sure.

I think PopcornFan’s memory about theatre numbers is a bit off even though he worked there. Here’s how I recall it.

There was the original theatre with the big, deeply curved D150 screen built by ABC Great States before Plitt was formed.

A two screener across Torrance was called 2 & 3 so the original became #1. Then they built a new addition to the original building which was called #4. So far so good.

5&6 was a two screener on the far west side of the River Oaks West plaza. 7&8 was on the south side of the main River Oaks east of Fields, northeast of the ¼ building. I do not recall that this was ever called 5&6 because 5 & 6 was there long before 7 & 8.

THEN a block of store space near Sears became a 6-screener. Since the mall was enclosed this now has an entry way within the mall. These new screens were numbered 1-6. 7&8 remained 7&8.

1 & 4 became 9 & 10.

5 & 6 (far west side) became 11 & 12.

2 & 3 just across Torrance became 13 & 14. That seemed odd at first since it wasn’t in order but it became clear when that 2-plex closed while the old 5 &6, now 11 & 12 remained open.

The 2/3 (13/14) building was indeed gutted but I don’t remember Circuit City there. I think it was a Fretter appliance store. Contrary to the article, the building is no longer standing. It was razed and a new building was put up.

PopcornFan on April 8, 2009 at 10:26 am

From what I remember you are accurate. I grew up in Calumet City and spent lots of time at those theatres. I also managed River Oaks 1&4 for three years. My best friend managed 2&3 for awhile, then went to 5&6 which became 7&8.

CinemarkFan on April 8, 2009 at 10:05 am

No, in fact 2-3 closed the year before I was born. Thanks to JRS40, I am able to indentify the movies that played on whatever screen according to the microfilm ads. Of course, there may be a misprint or two there, but it’s mostly accurate.

PopcornFan on April 8, 2009 at 7:57 am

CinemarkFan, I am impressed that you have the entire booking list! Did you work at the theatre?

CinemarkFan on January 18, 2008 at 11:42 am

River Oaks Theaters 2 & 3

1370 Torrance Avenue, Calumet City, IL 60409

1370 Torrance Avenue,
Calumet City, IL 60409