Lorraine Theatre
324 East Main Street,
Hoopeston,
IL
60942
324 East Main Street,
Hoopeston,
IL
60942
14 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 41 comments found
Although the interior of this theater could certainly be classed as Art Deco, the facade, apart from the marquee and boxoffice, is not. The building’s front is splendidly classical, and deserves to be noted as Beaux Arts in style.
Should the Lorraine close, it won’t be the first theater Hoopeston has lost. The August 14, 1915, issue of The Moving Picture World mentions a Princess Theatre and a Lyric Theatre in operation at Hoopeston. I would assume that both are long gone. There was also the McFerren Opera House, which was listed in the 1906 edition of Julius Cahn’s Theatrical Guide. A booklet published for Hoopeston’s centennial in 1977 said that the opera House had burned down on February 20, 1937.
Some 2008 photos of the Lorraine Theatre both day and night courtesy Julia.
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I’m afraid the end is near here
If this place is indeed for sale, why don’t the sellers post a link with the sale information? Price, yearly taxes etc. Then anyone who may have other buyers who might be interested, would have some type of link to forward. Why all the mystery between this page, and the story on CT’s “For Sale” page?
This is by far the best theater in the country. The best sound system the best leg room. I have been in the industry for years. I am extreamly saddened to here it may close. I understand what it takes to keep an older theater in operation. I understand the community needs as well. If Hoopeston looses this theater that will not only be a nail in the coffin for the theater but for the city as well. How many articles are out there boasting about the grandure of the Lorraine? I would bet hundreds. Even with the economy the way it is the city leaders MUST do what it takes to keep this icon open. Even if it means the tax payers supporting this wonderful theater. If the town looses this theater, it will be extreamly difficult to get families and businesses to re-locate to Hoopeston. Businesses look at other successes in the town and other failures. If the community and leaders of a community will not assist or unable to help keep a theater open for the people. The city doesn’t attract other potential businesses. The death of a theater often telss the future of a community. Businesses also look at the enrollment of schools in the area. If enrollment continues to decline new businesses tend not to re-locate to that area. Wake up – do not let this wonderful theater close. Do what ever it takes.
Well said!
Right on Simon!
What a grand looking facade, especially the marquee and lights!
Question… If folks cannot afford $5 for a ticket then how much do these ‘yuppies’ blow on a late' coffee or their nails?.
Get a life by removing your fat rear end out of your couch and go see a first-run movie before the cinema is gone… and then you’ll wish you had!
The current website of the Lorraine Cinemas including photos and all other information can be found here;
www.CineMajesticLTD.com
JW, most of your posts regarding the organs are duplicates to what Lost Memory had already posted.
A 3/8 Geneva was installed in the theatre in 1922.
Love their marquee very old school.
The ART theater group has built an extension to the stage this summer and will be putting on 3 presentations next year!
Here’s another one of my recent pictures of the Lorraine:
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Recent photo of the Lorraine Theatre.
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Here is a nice 2009 photo.
I always wanted to go to this gem; now’s a good reason.
(As yahoo maps would say, go to Route 25, make a left, 826 miles, theater is on your right…)
CineMajestic’s Lorraine Cinema Celebrates Anniversary with GONE WITH THE WIND
Hoopeston, IL – CineMajestic LLC, the region’s leader for State-of-the-Art sound with first run films and the most comfortable theatres is celebrating it’s first full year of operation of the Historic Lorraine Cinema with the presentation of the the cinematographic David O. Selznick classic, Gone With the Wind, starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh on Friday October 2nd through Sunday October 4th.
“We’ll have the exclusive national play of Gone With the Wind and I’m very excited to finally see this classic” stated Joshua Caudle, owner of the Historic Lorraine Cinema. “I actually have never seen it because it just seemed a waste to see it on TV or even just at home. Now I can say it was the smart thing to do because I’ll see the new print the right way, and I’ve already got a lot of people coming to town to get this treat too. And its a great way to showcase all the work we’ve done on the Lorraine in the last year as the hands down most comfortable place to see a movie anywhere in the area. We’re really expecting this to be well received and that our community is proud of the gem they have at the Lorraine.”
The Lorraine Cinema was originally opened as a live house in 1922 and features a full balcony, stage for live events, and classic Art Deco decor historic artwork throughout. Last year, all new seating was installed with an industry leading five foot wide spacing between rows of seats to maximize comfort and eliminate any visual obstruction for films.
Warner Brothers is sending one of the newest select prints, which has been remastered with pristine picture and modern full Digital Sound, including the elite 8 Channel SDDS Sound featured at the Lorraine, so the experience is anticipated to be first rate.
“We’re celebrating a great first year of being here” explains John Pauley, Manager of the Lorraine Cinema. “Gone With the Wind hasn’t been seen by most on the big screen, and with the brand new seats, the five foot wide aisles, killer sound and the lowest prices on tickets and snacks, we know we really have the best theatre and we want everyone to come and see that too.”
Gone With the Wind will be presented on Friday October 2nd at 715pm, Saturday October 3rd at 2pm and 715pm, and Sunday October 4th at 2pm. Tickets are a flat $5.00 each and on sale now at the Lorraine Cinema Box Office. Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.
This is the new site and has some brilliant photos of the place, recent one!
www.cinemajesticltd.com
Just an update on this great spot. Both auditoriums have the all new high back flip up armrest luxury chairs, and the aisles are 5 feet wide! No squirming in your seat when someone wants to walk by. Ticket prices are still lower than any other new movie theatre anywhere in the area, and they have an SDDS 8 Channel Digital Surround Sound system that just awesome.
Tons of parking, restaurants right down the block, lowest prices, and all that legroom, well worth a visit.
This was the Lorraine in 1985.
Last October, the Lorraine got new owners! Finally, someone who lives in the same town as this historic gem and can manage it closely. Here is an interview with the new owner on Smilepolitely.com: View link
The old seats have nearly been replaced in the auditorium with luxurious new ones, and the owners are repainting all of the interior with a green and gold theme. It feels like the Emerald City when you walk inside… in a good way!
Here is a 2008 photo of the Lorraine Theater.
Can someone please tell me how to get in touch with Bob Meza, the photographer who took the photo of this theater and apparently many other theaters? I saw a post with someone using the name BobMeza, if this is you, please e-mail me at , I would like to talk to you about your photography. Thank you.
This is a circa 1922 postcard view of the Lorraine Theater and here is a view of the lobby.