Aardvark Cinematheque
1608 N. Wells Street,
Chicago,
IL
60614
1608 N. Wells Street,
Chicago,
IL
60614
No one has favorited this theater yet
This art movie house theatre opened originally around 1966 at the Second City building, 1846 N. Wells Street, but moved to a new location in July 1967 at Piper’s Alley 1608 N. Wells Street in the Old Town neighborhood.
It showed avant-garde and experimental films. The seating capacity was for 240, which was larger than their original space which seated 160. It operated into the 1970’s
The Aardvark was part of a mini-chain of movie houses which also included the 3 Penny Cinema in Lincoln Park, the Bijou (a gay porn house) also on Wells Street, the Festival Cinema (formerly the Mode) on Sheridan Avenue, and the Rialto Theatre, a former burlesque house on South State Street.
Any further information would be appreciated on this short-lived cinema.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
This just reminds me of when Piper’s Alley was actually an alley.
The Festival/Mode mentioned in the very top bio paragraph was located on Sheridan, and not Sheffield as written above.
Sheffield turns into Sheridan a block South of where the Festival/Mode stood. The Westbound stretch of Sheridan that intersects Sheffield starts at the inner drive of LSD to the East.
It is also why the “L” stop is called Sheridan. Also the name on the Sheridan 151 bus.
Here is a link to a photo of the Aardvark and Termite Theaters sign in Piper’s Alley, Old Town, Chicago, from 1972.
[http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=1181897&id=1345252335]http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=1181897&id=1345252335]http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=1181897&id=1345252335](http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=1181897&id=1345252335)
The photo shows the last half of the outdoor part of Piper’s Alley. The Smoke Shop would be to the left. Through the swinging doors ahead was the indoor part, which had several shops…
the Aardvark entrance to the right of the doors, a leather clothing store, jewelry store, a juice cart, a sweet shop, a glass blowing place, candle shop, restaurant, and a bookstore where I worked.
As I recall, the Aardvark was an art house theater, showing stuff like Warhol movies and especially, Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Back by D. A. Pennebaker, which they showed nightly, for years. Then, in about 1972 they became an XXX rated movie theater. (So did the Towne Theater on Armitage). Anyway, some of the ladies that worked at the X rated Aardvark, left at some point in 1973 or ‘74, and operated one of the first sex movie and massage parlors in town, on Hubbard St., called Just Filmz.
By the way, photo credit for the Aardvark Theater picture is:
Photo by: P. Lekousis 1972
I tried to take my ant to the Aardvark once, but she wouldn’t go inside.
Some history of Old Town in 1969: from a Roger Ebert column in the Sun Times dated Friday, Oct. 10, 1969— “IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS, underground film buffs used to get together every Monday night at the old Second City and show their new works. The tradition is being revived at the new Los Angeles Coliseum Theater, 1653 N. Wells, with screenings at 7,9, and 11 p.m. Mondays. Included this week: John Hofsess' ambitious epic "Redpath 25”. The program is being organized by Jeff Begun, who also oversees the Aardvark. Jeff is celebrating this week because, on Wednesday, a judge ruled that Jack Smith’s film “Flaming Creatures” is not obscene. The Aardvark was busted for showing it, and the young girl who was selling tickets was thrown into jail overnight. Small consolation."
The Termite was launched as an art house on March 29, 1972 but lasted only 7 weeks. It was such a financial failure that it did not even cover the cost of the projectionist. It then went to porn.
The P. Lekousis photo was actually taken in 1973.
Well, it looks as if the mega money has moved in and gentrified Old Town Wells St. I remember in ‘67 and '68 it seemed to be full of small independent business of various types. Was a great place to visit even though there was supposed to be an element of danger there. I can’t remember so much street traffic—it was the sidewalks that were packed with pedestrians. It was like a carnival with the smell of food, incense, etc. and the sounds of the various music stores,clubs, and Irish pubs. I thought Piper’s Alley was super cool with its brick street winding through. But, about the Aardvark, I am very surprised that the name stayed with me for so long. Some friends convinced me that I should go there to see the Andy Warhol movie called “Bike Boy.” The place was unimpressive to say the least—seemed to be a 16mm setup. Needless to say I don’t remember a single thing about the film, sorry Andy.