Opened as a duplex in 1964. 3rd screen was constructed in the large lobby in 1978. Initially, that house was called Theatre 3, but was changed to Theatre 2 around 1982. Meanwhile, the original Theatre 2 became known as Theatre 3. And then……after Labor Day weekend in 1983, Theatre 3 was closed down to get a wall put up in the center; hence, the creation of Theatre 3 and Theatre 4. Those two opened in late September 1983.
I worked at the Fine Arts Theatre from 1983 until 1985. M&R Theatres reopened the old Studebaker and World Playhouse Theatres on Christmas Day 1982. The Studebaker (with around 1000 seats) was branded as Theatre 1. The World Playhouse (with around 500 seats) was branded as Theatre 2. In the Fall of 1983, Theatre 1 was briefly closed for a few days so a wall can be constructed on the stage. Behind that wall, Theatre 3 (about 240 seats) was constructed; with an actors dressing room converted into a projection booth. Theatre 3 opened right before Christmas in 1983. Six months later, a wall went up on the Theatre 2 stage and, hence Theatre 4 was created. At the same time, Theatre 3 was completely reconstructed, with the sloped floor, seats and screen facing the opposite direction, and a twin projection booth was constructed for Theatres 3 and 4. The Fine Arts remained a quadplex until in closed on Thanksgiving Weekend in 2000.
CONFIRMED: The demolition of the United Artists Theatre began in January 1990. Final curtain for Loop theater
January 17, 1990 | Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Page: 5 | Section: NEWS
57 Words
Read News Document
Caption:
A wrecking crane demolishes the United Artists Theatre Tuesday at Randolph and Dearborn in the Loop. The 1,700-seat theater, which opened as the Apollo legitimate theater in 1921, is being razed as part of a North Loop redevelopment; project. Another grande dame of the movies, the Granada Theater, is being razed on the North Side.
Hyde & Behman’s Music Hall actually had its Grand Opening on Monday, September 19, 1904. I originally believed it was September 26, 1904, but I was mistaken. See pre-opening Chicago Tribune ad in Photo section.
Hachidan8….THE GODFATHER never played at the Loop Theatre. It played a few feet north at the Chicago Theatre. The Loop Theatre played all kinds of movies; from Russ Meyer to Walt Disney. From kung fu to blaxpoitation. From Hollywood movies to soft core porno movies. The Loop played anything. It was a unique theatre.
I added a newspaper ad in the photo section of the Chicago newspaper ad for THE DRAGON LIVES; a kung fu movie that appears to be the last movie at the Music Box Theatre before closing. Friday, November 24, 1978. It more than likely was playing on a double feature; however, the Music Box did not advertise in the Chicago Tribune during its final year of operation before becoming an Arab-operated business.
This photo belongs on the other Rialto Theatre page. The one that used to be on State near Van Buren. The Rialto on this page was on State near Harrison.
Judging by the old Chicago Tribune ads, it seems like the Admiral opened a double feature of THE WRECKING CREW plus PENDULUM on Friday, December 19, 1969; closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; and then reopened on Friday, December 26, 1969 with the new Adult film policy. It was soft core adult films, initially. I’m not sure when the hard core porno films started rolling in. Possibly 1970 or 1971.
The Admiral Theatre reopened on Friday, August 29, 1969 as a regular neighborhood movie theatre. It started showing “Adults Only” movies on Friday, December 26, 1969. The Admiral remained open as an adult theatre until the Summer of 1987.
M&R sold to Loews/Sony in 1989. Loews and Cineplex Odeon merged in 1998.
50sSnipes: Actually….1989.
Chicago Tribune. Tuesday, August 14, 1928.
The Lake Theatre had its Grand Opening on Saturday, April 11, 1936.
The movie actually opened at the Woods Theatre.
The Chestnut Station closed its doors forever in 1997.
Photo snapped in 1916.
Opened as a duplex in 1964. 3rd screen was constructed in the large lobby in 1978. Initially, that house was called Theatre 3, but was changed to Theatre 2 around 1982. Meanwhile, the original Theatre 2 became known as Theatre 3. And then……after Labor Day weekend in 1983, Theatre 3 was closed down to get a wall put up in the center; hence, the creation of Theatre 3 and Theatre 4. Those two opened in late September 1983.
I worked at the Fine Arts Theatre from 1983 until 1985. M&R Theatres reopened the old Studebaker and World Playhouse Theatres on Christmas Day 1982. The Studebaker (with around 1000 seats) was branded as Theatre 1. The World Playhouse (with around 500 seats) was branded as Theatre 2. In the Fall of 1983, Theatre 1 was briefly closed for a few days so a wall can be constructed on the stage. Behind that wall, Theatre 3 (about 240 seats) was constructed; with an actors dressing room converted into a projection booth. Theatre 3 opened right before Christmas in 1983. Six months later, a wall went up on the Theatre 2 stage and, hence Theatre 4 was created. At the same time, Theatre 3 was completely reconstructed, with the sloped floor, seats and screen facing the opposite direction, and a twin projection booth was constructed for Theatres 3 and 4. The Fine Arts remained a quadplex until in closed on Thanksgiving Weekend in 2000.
This is Park Theatre on Lake Street on the West Side of Chicago.
The Parkway Theatre closed permanently on October 28, 1984.
CONFIRMED: The demolition of the United Artists Theatre began in January 1990. Final curtain for Loop theater January 17, 1990 | Chicago Sun-Times (IL) Page: 5 | Section: NEWS 57 Words
Read News Document Caption: A wrecking crane demolishes the United Artists Theatre Tuesday at Randolph and Dearborn in the Loop. The 1,700-seat theater, which opened as the Apollo legitimate theater in 1921, is being razed as part of a North Loop redevelopment; project. Another grande dame of the movies, the Granada Theater, is being razed on the North Side.
Credit: Rich Hein
March 1, 1916. Chicago Tribune ad.
December 11, 1949. Chicago Tribune ad.
This theatre is now in the process of being demolished.
Wednesday, February 6, 1974.
Hyde & Behman’s Music Hall actually had its Grand Opening on Monday, September 19, 1904. I originally believed it was September 26, 1904, but I was mistaken. See pre-opening Chicago Tribune ad in Photo section.
The Chestnut Station had five screens. Four auditoriums on the main floor; and one puny little auditorium (Theatre 5) upstairs near the rest rooms.
Hachidan8….THE GODFATHER never played at the Loop Theatre. It played a few feet north at the Chicago Theatre. The Loop Theatre played all kinds of movies; from Russ Meyer to Walt Disney. From kung fu to blaxpoitation. From Hollywood movies to soft core porno movies. The Loop played anything. It was a unique theatre.
I added a newspaper ad in the photo section of the Chicago newspaper ad for THE DRAGON LIVES; a kung fu movie that appears to be the last movie at the Music Box Theatre before closing. Friday, November 24, 1978. It more than likely was playing on a double feature; however, the Music Box did not advertise in the Chicago Tribune during its final year of operation before becoming an Arab-operated business.
The Water Tower Theatres 1-4 opened on December 21, 1976.
The Highway Theatre had its Grand Opening on Wednesday, November 26, 1924.
This photo belongs on the other Rialto Theatre page. The one that used to be on State near Van Buren. The Rialto on this page was on State near Harrison.
Judging by the old Chicago Tribune ads, it seems like the Admiral opened a double feature of THE WRECKING CREW plus PENDULUM on Friday, December 19, 1969; closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; and then reopened on Friday, December 26, 1969 with the new Adult film policy. It was soft core adult films, initially. I’m not sure when the hard core porno films started rolling in. Possibly 1970 or 1971.
The Admiral Theatre reopened on Friday, August 29, 1969 as a regular neighborhood movie theatre. It started showing “Adults Only” movies on Friday, December 26, 1969. The Admiral remained open as an adult theatre until the Summer of 1987.