Catlow Theater
116 W. Main Street,
Barrington,
IL
60010
116 W. Main Street,
Barrington,
IL
60010
14 people
favorited this theater
A classic neighborhood movie theater with a truly unique architectural blend.
Named for its original owner, a local businessman named Wright Catlow, this Tudor Revival/Jacobean-inspired theater opened on May 28th, 1927. It was built by the Chicago firm of Betts & Holcomb.
The main historical feature of the Catlow Theater is the interior design by renowned sculptor & designer, Alfonso Iannelli, who collaborated with such famous architects as Frank Lloyd Wright, Barry Byrne, Purcell & Emlslie, and Bruce Goff. (More historical information on Iannelli available at the Catlow website.)
The Catlow Theater featured movies and live acts on its stage from 1927 to 1933. Some of the famous artists appearing there include Gene Autry, Sally Rand – the fan dancer, and Red Norvo. The theater changed over to a movies-only format by 1934.
In 1988, the Catlow Theater added the convenience of in-theater dining via the adjoining Boloney’s Sandwich Shop. The following year, the Catlow Theater was placed on the National Register Of Historic Places.
The Catlow Theater was the first theater in Illinois to have a website (1995) and one of only a handful in the country to have one at the time.
The Catlow Theater is still in operation and still showing movies. Its mid-run features are just $4 a seat.
The owners are currently in negotiations with the Village of Barrington to purchase the theater for use as a Community/Performing Arts Center.
Contributed by
Tim O'Connor
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Recent comments (view all 31 comments)
Here is a December 1968 ad from the Daily Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/oawryq
They should renovate this place its sort of a dump
Here is a recent photo.
This is an October 2009 photo of the Catlow.
A 3/8 Kimball Was installed in the theatre in 1927
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/y63kp3t
“They should renovate this place its sort of a dump”
Ouch!
Yeah, we would love to, but with what money? We’re doing the best we can considering the times. There’s a lot more competition (with all the latest equipment) out there these days. Being an old-time single screen theater isn’t easy, but we’re still plugging along on our own. And most of our loyal patrons seem to enjoy coming here.
-Tim
Good luck Tim,some people think money justs falls out of the sky.Nice looking vertical and marquee.
I meant once you get the money and its still amazing the way it is.
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