The company has had a history of running theatres into the ground, and to a lesser extent, bad luck. Village has made minimal investment into the properties it has taken over from other cinema chains, rarely advertises its theatres, and goes for weeks without updating its website.
It was nice meeting you the other night. I hope that I don’t sound patronizing, but I am glad that you go out and enjoy movies too. And yes, “Letters From Iwo Jima” is a fantastic film.
Because of the renovations, the Webster Place has become my favorite place within the City of Chicago to see a movie. The public thinks so too as the place has been crowded, even on weeknights!
Good job Kerasotes! I have a feeling that they will soon overtake AMC-Loews in the Chicagoland Area. Now they need to do some work on the City North 14.
Robin, there are plenty of places that you can take your niece and nephew if you are in the area. The Cafe Brauer at the South Pond is much improved and is cheaper than the food court at the zoo. Cosi’s is on Clark and they are kid-friendly.
On the subject of the theatre, I don’t think we’ll ever see another movie theatre in this location. I think the location is at risk and I would not be surprised to see demolition permits issued soon.
Oops, CDiM, I think you mean the upper left corner of the photo.
When M&R sold out (and yes I mean “sold out”) to Loews, I believe that Loews was operating under the name “Sony Theaters”. Alternately, I heard that they also operated under “Sony/Loews”.
I also heard elsewhere on this site (I believe) that M&R still exists as a corporation.
You said it, my dear friend, I wouldn’t trust Village with my credit card and if I ever go back, I’d go incognito because one of their employees had some unkind words to say to me on this site. I also hadn’t realized how decrepit this place had become.
GS,
If you can’t fight ‘em on the towing situation, do go after them with all of the other things you noted. I have predicted that this chain will be out of business by the end of 2008 anyways.
What are your sources for why AMC Loews unloaded this place? Also,I called the Bloomingdale Court theatre today. Per the recording, it is a Village Theatre still and it is still playing movies.
I was here tonight to see DAN IN REAL LIFE. Here’s the what the theatre is like. The box office has been moved to the indoors, upper level, atop the escalators. On the one hand, it means that patrons purchasing tickets will not have to wait outdoors in the cold. On the other hand, it’s in the same area as the concession stands, so that could lead to congestion.
The auditoriums have been re-done into a red/blue scheme. The seats are much improved. They are similar to those found at the 600 North Cinema. Unfortunately, the place was not built for stadium seating, so it will never have that. New carpet has been placed in the main hallway. The hallway has been re-done with nice wall sconces. The entrance to the ladies restroom has been moved to the hallway too.
The concession area has been re-designed for better customer flow, but I’m still curious if it won’t get overcrowded with the box office being there now.
The renovations are nothing groundbreaking, but the Webster Place is now much improved over what it was before.
NIGHT OF THE COMET is simply one of the best 1980s Cheesy Sci-fi. The dialogue in this movie is simply hilarious! Unfortunately, it is NOT on DVD. I paid $20.00 for a used copy on Amazon.com.
You should combine that with a trip to see the Lincoln Village. All you have to do is take the 155 bus west from Sheridan/Devon. Do this while you still can. That is, while these theatres still exist and the bus route still exists.
Speaking of which, how will the proposed horrendous CTA/PACE/Metra cutbacks affect your movie-going? For me it will likely mean no more trips to the LaGrange, the Tivoli, the Lake, the York, etc. Sports-wise, it will likely mean no more trips to the Schaumburg Flyers and far fewer trips to the Chicago Wolves.
I noticed that Village apparantly has not updated its website since September 21. Also, I tried calling the phone number for the L-V, but it kept on ringing. Perhaps it is already closed?
There may be even fewer traces of M&R soon. I was at a party Saturday Night and a man who is a Norridge police officer said that plans are definitely afoot to replace the Norridge with a Costco. He said that the Cinemark in Melrose Park took away a lot of business.
He did mention, however, that there may be plans to build a new theatre in the area of the Harlem-Irving Plaza (HIP).
The white (or is it grey) trim certainly looks austere! Like when the CTA simply whitewashes its older stations! I miss the green trim that used to be on the building. It provided some contrast.
There may be even fewer traces of M&R soon. I was at a party Saturday Night and a man who is a Norridge police officer said that plans are definitely afoot to replace the Norridge with a Costco. He said that the Cinemark in Melrose Park took away a lot of business.
He did mention, however, that there may be plans to build a new theatre in the area of the Harlem-Irving Plaza (HIP).
The best way to get there is via public transportation. Metra’s BNSF line goes to Downers Grove Main Street. The theatre is visible from the station. It is considerably faster than driving, what with the usual congestion on the Eisenhower. And if you go on a weekend, you can buy a $5.00 weekend pass good for unlimited rides on Saturdays AND Sundays (Ie. It is valid for TWO days worth of rides) on all Metra trains.
This train line operates from Chicago Union Station. For schedules and information, you can go to www.metrarail.com and click on “Quick Schedules” and then “BNSF Line.”
How the heck is this place hanging on?
Long Island Movies,
The company has had a history of running theatres into the ground, and to a lesser extent, bad luck. Village has made minimal investment into the properties it has taken over from other cinema chains, rarely advertises its theatres, and goes for weeks without updating its website.
And now we begin again the Village Theatres “Deadpool”! Any takers:
1) Glenwood Theatre
2) Lincoln Village
3) North Riverside
4) Village North
5) Bloomingdale Court
Robin,
It was nice meeting you the other night. I hope that I don’t sound patronizing, but I am glad that you go out and enjoy movies too. And yes, “Letters From Iwo Jima” is a fantastic film.
Because of the renovations, the Webster Place has become my favorite place within the City of Chicago to see a movie. The public thinks so too as the place has been crowded, even on weeknights!
Good job Kerasotes! I have a feeling that they will soon overtake AMC-Loews in the Chicagoland Area. Now they need to do some work on the City North 14.
Robin, there are plenty of places that you can take your niece and nephew if you are in the area. The Cafe Brauer at the South Pond is much improved and is cheaper than the food court at the zoo. Cosi’s is on Clark and they are kid-friendly.
On the subject of the theatre, I don’t think we’ll ever see another movie theatre in this location. I think the location is at risk and I would not be surprised to see demolition permits issued soon.
Cinemark Fan,
It is a much improved place! It shows what a theatre company can do if it INVESTS MONEY in its theatres!
Oops, CDiM, I think you mean the upper left corner of the photo.
When M&R sold out (and yes I mean “sold out”) to Loews, I believe that Loews was operating under the name “Sony Theaters”. Alternately, I heard that they also operated under “Sony/Loews”.
I also heard elsewhere on this site (I believe) that M&R still exists as a corporation.
Catherine,
The movie poster in the photo is of SCARY MOVIE 2, so the place was open until at least 2001.
Catherine,
You said it, my dear friend, I wouldn’t trust Village with my credit card and if I ever go back, I’d go incognito because one of their employees had some unkind words to say to me on this site. I also hadn’t realized how decrepit this place had become.
GS,
If you can’t fight ‘em on the towing situation, do go after them with all of the other things you noted. I have predicted that this chain will be out of business by the end of 2008 anyways.
OMG, there’s actually an ad for the Village North in the Sun-Times today!
OMG, there’s actually an ad for the Lincoln Village in the Sun-Times today!
OMG, there’s actually an ad for the Village North in the Sun-Times today!
Truth Revealed,
What are your sources for why AMC Loews unloaded this place? Also,I called the Bloomingdale Court theatre today. Per the recording, it is a Village Theatre still and it is still playing movies.
Cinemark Fan,
I was here tonight to see DAN IN REAL LIFE. Here’s the what the theatre is like. The box office has been moved to the indoors, upper level, atop the escalators. On the one hand, it means that patrons purchasing tickets will not have to wait outdoors in the cold. On the other hand, it’s in the same area as the concession stands, so that could lead to congestion.
The auditoriums have been re-done into a red/blue scheme. The seats are much improved. They are similar to those found at the 600 North Cinema. Unfortunately, the place was not built for stadium seating, so it will never have that. New carpet has been placed in the main hallway. The hallway has been re-done with nice wall sconces. The entrance to the ladies restroom has been moved to the hallway too.
The concession area has been re-designed for better customer flow, but I’m still curious if it won’t get overcrowded with the box office being there now.
The renovations are nothing groundbreaking, but the Webster Place is now much improved over what it was before.
I bought it a few years ago. $20.00 was the CHEAPEST price I found for it anywhere.
NIGHT OF THE COMET is simply one of the best 1980s Cheesy Sci-fi. The dialogue in this movie is simply hilarious! Unfortunately, it is NOT on DVD. I paid $20.00 for a used copy on Amazon.com.
Can a company be so lazy that they don’t want people to know what’s playing?
Has anyone but me noticed that Village has not updated its website in awhile?
Cinemark Fan,
You should combine that with a trip to see the Lincoln Village. All you have to do is take the 155 bus west from Sheridan/Devon. Do this while you still can. That is, while these theatres still exist and the bus route still exists.
Speaking of which, how will the proposed horrendous CTA/PACE/Metra cutbacks affect your movie-going? For me it will likely mean no more trips to the LaGrange, the Tivoli, the Lake, the York, etc. Sports-wise, it will likely mean no more trips to the Schaumburg Flyers and far fewer trips to the Chicago Wolves.
I noticed that Village apparantly has not updated its website since September 21. Also, I tried calling the phone number for the L-V, but it kept on ringing. Perhaps it is already closed?
There may be even fewer traces of M&R soon. I was at a party Saturday Night and a man who is a Norridge police officer said that plans are definitely afoot to replace the Norridge with a Costco. He said that the Cinemark in Melrose Park took away a lot of business.
He did mention, however, that there may be plans to build a new theatre in the area of the Harlem-Irving Plaza (HIP).
The white (or is it grey) trim certainly looks austere! Like when the CTA simply whitewashes its older stations! I miss the green trim that used to be on the building. It provided some contrast.
BW
There may be even fewer traces of M&R soon. I was at a party Saturday Night and a man who is a Norridge police officer said that plans are definitely afoot to replace the Norridge with a Costco. He said that the Cinemark in Melrose Park took away a lot of business.
He did mention, however, that there may be plans to build a new theatre in the area of the Harlem-Irving Plaza (HIP).
Was this place ever remodeled into the Cineplex-Odeon design (ie. with the zig-zags)?
Ian,
The best way to get there is via public transportation. Metra’s BNSF line goes to Downers Grove Main Street. The theatre is visible from the station. It is considerably faster than driving, what with the usual congestion on the Eisenhower. And if you go on a weekend, you can buy a $5.00 weekend pass good for unlimited rides on Saturdays AND Sundays (Ie. It is valid for TWO days worth of rides) on all Metra trains.
This train line operates from Chicago Union Station. For schedules and information, you can go to www.metrarail.com and click on “Quick Schedules” and then “BNSF Line.”