Louis Theatre
108 E. 35th Street,
Chicago,
IL
60616
108 E. 35th Street,
Chicago,
IL
60616
1 person
favorited this theater
Originally opened in 1912 as the Lux Theatre. It reopened July 4th, 1914 as the Pickford Theatre with the film “Sealed Orders” for the Alfred Hamburger circuit, the 700 seat Pickford Theater (possibly named for actress Mary Pickford) once had its own sixteen-piece house orchestra. It was located on 35th Street at South Michigan Avenue.
In addition to movies, like many of the movie theaters in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, the Pickford Theatre featured live performances as well, many of these being jazz artists. In 1938 the theater was renamed the Louis Theatre, apparently after boxer Joe Louis.
After closing as a movie house in 1965, it was converted into the South Side Center for the Performing Arts in 1967, which later closed. Part of the building later housed a grocery store, but in recent years the former Louis Theatre became disused. It was demolished in early-August 2011.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft, Brian Wolf
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
If the Louis closed as a movie house in 1965, it definitely reopened-for a short period -perhaps under new ownership. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings dated Wednesday, May 18, 1966: LOUIS ACADEMY AWARD SHOW Lee Marvin “CAT BALLOU” 108 E. 35th Julie CHRISTIE “DARLING”. By Monday, July 25, 1966, the Louis was not in the movie directory.
I go to s chool across from that theatre it is still there but is being used for store storage.
Status should be demolished! I have a brick from there they said that they were unable to restore it because it was in too much bad shape! The audiotrium is half way demolished.
The whole theatre is now unfortuatly gone they only saved the arch inside. everything else is gone. Facebook does have a page for the Louis theatre it’s Louis Theatre Chicago Il
It should be demolished staus should be demolished!
There is nothing left staus should be demolished!
Here is a photo of the site of the theater after its demolition in August.
The whole theatre is now unfortuatly gone they only saved the arch inside. everything else is gone. Facebook does have a page for the Louis theatre it’s Louis Theatre Chicago Il
Was the first black theatre in America! Pretty amazing!
I remember seeing this theater as a little kid while passing by on the bus heading to the Loop.