Calo Theatre

This description of the Calo Theatre is from an article about the Ascher Bros. chain in the March 10, 1917 issue of Moving Picture World:

“Conspicuous in the construction of the Calo theater, on Clark street and Balmoral avenue, is the large foyer directly off the lobby. Oil paintings of various actors and actresses adorn the walls, and the fixtures are very unusual in design. Particular attention has been given to the seating arrangement in this theater. There are 1,000 comfortable seats on the main floor, and the spacious seating plan is noticeable. The Calo is managed by Joseph Koppel, who had had considerable experience as an exhibitor. His program selections continue to meet with the approval of his patrons, most of whom are ‘regulars.’ The house is open afternoon and evening, and the music is furnished by a large two-manual pipe organ. The cost of the complete building was close to $125,000. It fronts on Clark street and there are seven stores besides the theater proper.”

Recent Edgeville Buzz article about the Calo Theatre. Mentions building designer George H. Borst again, who coincidentally was also involved in building The Elms hotel on Elm near State Parkway. Which housed many of the stage crews for the downtown live theaters in the 70's &80’s. The crews were always late night regulars when in town, at my late friend’s nearby tavern, the Hotsie Totsie Yacht Club & Bait Shop on Division. I got too meet many stars back then as a result. Yul Brynner, Sammy Davis Jr. etc. As the crew would sneak them in late at night.

http://edgevillebuzz.com/news/andersonvilles-most-curious-places-the-calo-theater

The Calo was where cop-killer Gus Amadeo was watching his last movie before being ambushed & killed by Det. Frank Pape back in the 50s. You can read about it here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39234220@N03/4532317836/

Teddy’s comment above is almost correct. Reflections Theater, founded by Michael Ryczek, was in the Calo for several years (80s/90s). I was on the advisory board, did the graphics for the programs and marketing, ran a children’s theater program there for a time, and ran lighting too—as well as anything else that no one else had time to do. We were a happy group, but not terribly business-minded sadly. The theatre’s triumph was probably a fine production of Lanford Wilson’s Talley Trilogy.

Great interior photos posted by supercharger96.

So, WHY don’t they refurbish all those lights???

This is not exactly a photo, but the Calo Theatre recently made a cameo appearance in my webcomic, Multiplex: http://www.multiplexcomic.com/archive.php?name=376

(The next strip, #377, shows a bit of the interior, as well.)

Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dyumdu

1986 photo

Hi everyone! I worked at the Calo Theatre from 1954 to 1957. I was
a young teenager. I was there when they installed the Cinemascope
screen. It was reopened by Ray Geraci and Harry Goldsmith. The
Motiograph projectors were rebuilt at this time. The theatre was opened in 1915 as a vauldville house. There was still a full size
stage and a dressing room underneath it when I worked there. They
would have adult and and kid raffles. The stores in the area would
donate the prizes. I would get stuck running the raffle. You could
speak in a normal voice and everyone would hear you. In a room next
to the projection booth is where the organ pipes were.Pipes were
long gone when I was there. The wall was covered by a cheesecloth
type material for the sound to pass through.The admission prices
were Early Bird $.50, $.75 at show time, and $.25 for kids.
I learned how to run the projectors there. I joined the Air Force
1n 1957. I had a part time job running the projectors at the base
thestre. I also worked at the Patio Theatre in Chicago as a part
time projectionst for 5 years till it closed in 2001. So sad!
I am open to any questions you may have about the Calo or Patio.
Thanks, Jack, the “mechanic”

Grand Mogul,

Can I ask where you are accessing these Daily News articles from the 50’s? I’m not finding any in the library databases I have access to.

It appears to be pleading for consideration and renovation.

The Essex is listed as the Guild.