New 400 Theaters
6746 N. Sheridan Road,
Chicago,
IL
60626
6746 N. Sheridan Road,
Chicago,
IL
60626
9 people
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This final chapter in movie exhibition history - and one hopes it will be a lengthy chapter - will be challenging to witness for theatre aficionados. At the same time, it’s equally worthy of recognizing the efforts of those facing insurmountable odds to keep their theaters going as long as they can or could. Well done, Regent / New 400. We salute you.
This is very discouraging news. It’s a wonderful theater with a rich history of over 100 years. They even sell alcohol and have a nice bar. It’s really sad that people are not coming back to this wonderful theater and big enough numbers to keep it open. They have good movies and it’s great you can have popcorn soda candy and if you want a beer with your popcorn that’s a lot of fun. I’ve never seen business fall off this much for movie theaters across the country. Still plenty of good movies to go see but people choose to just sit home and watch things on television that’s what is really hurting the movie theater business like never before
The end of the road for the New 400 may be near. According to a CBS Channel-2 news report, dated March 2, 2023, the owner of the theater said that he plans on cllosing it in 2023. Attendance has not bownced back from the 2020 Pandemic closure. The report further stated that the theater will likely become a bar, nightclub, or restaurant.
Current Reader article about the New 400’s pandemic survival.
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-new-400-movie-theater/Content?oid=87466882&fbclid=IwAR1hMCaILXCUmyYwsMkDXojdj1bONqjLt5zGknCwThCSJw_HwDwyH0b4Tno
Really tired of watching movies on your laptop? Rent a screen at the 400.
Added in the “Photo” section… Article that may or may not explain the 400 theater name. Thank you Broan for finding this article.
Maybe it had to do with this: http://lantern.mediahist.org/catalog/variety99-1930-07_0307
The name is probably a reference to
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Hundred_(1892)
(Sorry for the non-clickable link, but the markdown syntax apparently has trouble with an URL that ends with a parenthesis.) I’ve seen this term used to suggest high society as late as the early ‘40s, so the name may have made more sense in 1930 than it does now.
Let me repose the question msd01 asked on November 28, 2004. Why is it called the 400. I read through all 115 comments and couldn’t find a clue. It’s not the seating capacity. It has nothing to do with the address.
Weird note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
An usher at the 400 Theatre was checking the seats one night when he suddenly yelped to Manager Les Stepner, “Hey boss, somebody smuggled a box of popcorn in here tonight.” Popcorn is verboten at the 400.
Circa 1985 photo added courtesy of Jerri Walker.
1933 print ad added courtesy of Kenneth Swedroe. The 400 was run by Essaness at the time.
Here is an article about the Morse and its sister the Regent (400)
It was noted as being “Under Roof” by March 8
The Regent must have opened in 1913. I have just posted a “Under Construction” notice from January 18, 1913 “The Construction News” and the earliest ad I have seen in the Tribune is from December 7, 1913.
The description says it was divided in 1990. I think it was later. I remember seeing a screening of the Blade Runner Director’s Cut there, and I’m sure it wasn’t until around 1994-5. It was still a single screen.
just added a 1937 photo, courtesy of Mike Tuggle. Likely an IDOT photo.
Ron Rooding is ripping people off hiding in Baltimore Md.
This is my favorite theater to go to since I moved to the north side 5 years ago. 1st run movies at a cheap price and they also serve alcohol at the concession stand so now you can have a beer with your Milk Duds.
Thank you very much David. I’ll give it a try. Have a nice Xmas. Billjr.
I’d suggest posting your 12/07/41 query over on the Chicago Theatre page. More people will see it on that page than here. Some of the downtown theatre pages have lists of what played when. But only back to the `60’s in most cases as I recall.
My Mother was a Cashier at the “Uptown” in 1932 where she met my Dad who was the elligantly dressed “Doorman”. I was raised between N.Shore and Columbia on Glenwood ave. when I was old enough I spent every Sat. afternoon at the very old 400 Theater. Sheridan Rd. & Columbia area. When we went to the Show as a Family, we, went to the Grenada. And on Dec. 7 1941, My Dad took me to a Matinee at the Chicago Theater. {all Balban and Katz Theaters}, anyway, I can’t for the life of me remember what was playing that miserable day. I seem to remember a Vaudvill act that was about as funny as I have ever seen. A Man, a Chair and a Banjo. The Guys Hands and Fingers kept getting stuck every where. Can anyone help me find out what was playing that life changing Day ?? Thank You.
Maybe Showmanship is on the way back!
I agree with Charlie. The place is clean and friendly. A VAST improvement to the washroom; everything is brighter! Was greeted at the boxoffice, then again at the concession stand (above average popcorn, better than AMC).The guy selling tickets wished me a good evening as I was leaving. The New 400 now has a total of 538 seats. Auditorium 1 has 159 seats, #2 has 115, #3- 123, and # 4 -141. The ONE thing I miss from the Village North days: the “FORBIDDEN PLANET” poster is gone; replaced by more current titles.