Will Rogers Theater

Great photo btkrefft….I went there many saturdays in the 50’s as we were “dropped off” as parents visited relatives who lived 2 blocks away. It is sad how so many great neighborhoods have changed for the worse in Chicago.

September 5th, 1936 ad uploaded here in the photo section.

Thanks for the response, Riverview!

Nice Marquee on this one.

I grew up in the BC area and going to the WR with the neighborhood guys was a Saturday afternoon ritual.
In the early 60’s, I remember Sword and Sandal, Bible and yes, Walt Disney movies. They were later replaced by Pink Panther, Elvis, James Bond and others that were popular from that decade.
It was during this time that I was introduced to 3-D. There was a sci-fi or horror movie (mild by today’s standards) playing that afternoon. The employees were handing out those glasses with the cardboard frames and cellophane lenses. Talk about a movie that came alive!
One Saturday, I went with my mother, aunt and cousin to see the Ghost and Mr Chicken. My relatives are all deceased now. Every time I see that movie on video, I remember that evening at the WR.
One Saturday evening in the 70’s, I went with my mother to see a movie that dealt with the highly theological question of life after death. The movie was not really eerie but it did make people feel a little bit on edge. I can’t remember the name of it but as it came to a close, a big chunk of plaster fell from the ceiling and came crashing down to the floor. I believe no one was hurt, thank God. A few people screamed and there was a big rush for the door. There was some pushing and shoving and I was worried about my mother if this thing turned into a stampede. Luckily things did not escalate any further. (I wonder if the local churches had higher attendance the next morning?)
I believe the last movie I saw there was an 80’s midnight Saturday showing of Risky Business or maybe Apocalypse. The theater was packed but I just had a sense the doors would be closing permanently in the near future. I did not read or hear anything, it was just a feeling I had.
I made the rounds of the other theaters in the area; the Luna, Portage, Gateway and Patio (read the site about the Patio and the endeavors to reopen those doors, good luck) but for me, none of them could compare to the WR.
My mother and I continued to live in the area and one Saturday afternoon I went to BC to do some shopping. I could not believe my eyes when I looked west on Belmont. Half of the WR was demolished, mostly from Parkside. The screen, many of the seats and the balcony were still there. The afternoon was cool and overcast, a lttle misty. I got as close as I could to the building and just stood there mesmerized. I felt like I was standing in a different part of the universe. All those memories, fun times and this theater was a big part of it. I wish I would have taken some pictures. When I returned the following Saturday, the whole thing was in rubble.
I continued to live in the area until my mother passed away in 1990. I still live in Chicago and went back to BC a few years ago. The store my mother worked at is gone and that infamous strip mall is there. Yes, it is a high traffic area but for those of us who remember BC during its heyday, there is no comparison. Time moves on, things change and I guess that is the natural progression of things whether we like it or not.
This is just my opinion but when neighborhood theaters and department stores were replaced by multiplexes and malls, we lost a little bit of Americana in the process.
Excuse me for rambling a little bit but I came across this site about a week ago and I have been strolling down memory lane ever since.
Anyway, thanks for all of your comments, pictures and best wishes to you all.

Here are two more 1982 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/cudpdx
http://tinyurl.com/cvux8c

My mom used to take me there in the 70’s to see Disney movies. The things I remember most about the theater was the red carpeting, that the balcony was always closed, and how the popcorn containers had a spot on them where you would peel back the paper to see if there was a star underneath. If there was a star you won a prize.

I agree, not unusual. Just disturbing when it comes to theaters.
I understand the no-compete thing. I just think that when it’s applied to old movies houses, it’s pretty much the kiss of death.
The amount of money to prep a place for live events only: code upgrades, insurance etc., versus just firing up the projector again to get folks in the door, would be vastly different. Mixed use would at least give a new owner a chance to utilize the theatre as is, until they could get all their ducks in a row. Continue to run films until they found their new niche.

Or theres that…Thanks.

I just reread RiisPark’s 2007 post that cited a 1986 selling criteria, as a “stipulation that the buyer cannot show movies in the building”.
This would seem a disturbing clause even by today’s standards.
It all but insures that the/a theater won’t sell, except to a developer with no intention of saving or restoring such a site.

To think that C-O was that ruthless to avoid competition even back then, seems shameful. Apparently to C-O, it was not a vintage theatre. Just another temporary screen to bring in some numbers.

The irony that such a corporate action took place involving a theatre named after Will Rogers, needs not even be said.

Go to the Commodore Theatre-(in Chicago) page on Cinema Treasures.
The link is embedded in the 01/29/07 post by Cam.
It’s got Mekong.net in the link.
Clicking on that link takes you directly to it’s theatre’s page.
Follow the instructions in the post. The Will Rogers is in the same gallery as the Commodore.

FYI. I just happened to catch some exterior pictures of the Will Rogers Theater on the “Mekong” site/link, that is on the Commodore Theatre in Chicago page. As well as a many others. I’m posting this because I see no other active links with exterior photos currently on this page.

Most likely. I don’t ever remember seeing the name C-O anywhere at the Will.