I think that the Webster was due for a renovation. And if Kerasotes promotes it properly (which they undoubtedly will), people will come back. The Webster Place is an extremely popular place. And there are a few bars, the strip mall, etc., so it’s not like that the place is in the middle of nowhere.
BW,
There was still a good crowd for the movie I was seeing. I didn’t mean to imply that the place was a total masoleum! I think that remaining partially open will keep the WP in the public eye!
Don’t forget, the LaGrange has been renovating for a few years now and it still does well.
I was here tonight for a movie. Currently only 2 or 3 auditoriums are being used. The rest of the place has been totally stripped to the bare walls. The 3 screens that were added later to the building, #s 9-11, are the ones in use. Nothing remains in the original 8 auditoriums. Even the concession stand has been taken out.
Normally, this place is busy on a Saturday Night. It was weird, almost surreal, to be here and have the place seem so empty. The Webster Place has been around since the late 80s, yet would always draw huge crowds on weekends.
The Burnham was sort of similar to the LV. The brickwork was (is?) similar in color. Plus it was a three story (I believe). It was not free-standing though.
I also often wonder what went wrong with the cinemas that C-O built in the 1980s. Perhaps changes were coming down the pike? Perhaps 6 screens became too small to be profitable? Did C-O build just too many at different locations instead of larger cinemas at fewer locations? The best example I can think of was the Bricktown, a cinema that SHOULD have given stiff competition to the Norridge and SHOULD have been successful. Built in 1989, by 1993 it had become very scuzzy or so I’ve heard. Then circa 1998 Meridien took over and then it closed a year or so after that. The Grove in Downers Grove not only closed after only 15 years, it was demolished.
I was quoting an article in the local paper. The paper may have given the incorrect amount of time that Village has operated the LV 1-6.
Are these Cineplex-Odeon theatres from the 1980s really worth saving? For some, they were the nadir of cinema design—totally standardized and bland. As I’ve said before, this design fell out of vogue after 1990 because audiences wanted a return to some atmosphere and ambiance (if not on a level from the picture palace days), wide screens, and amenities. Even C-O abandonded this design by the 1990s and the few the company constructed here in Chicagoland (the 3 ICE theatres—two of which are now closed, and the Quarry/Hodgekins) were are of a far different design.
Very soon, I think that the RO 1-6 will be the last because, from what I’ve heard, the Bloomingdale Court and the North Riverside are not doing well either. And Keresotas will likely close the Rivertree Court once they open a new theatre in Vernon Hills.
And yet, oddly enough, Keresotas is extensively renovating the Webster Place—not a C-O design though—which is another late 1980s cinema.
It appears that it is “curtain call” for this theatre. I dare say that operations are day-to-day, so you’d better get there quickly if you want to see it.
This artice View link appeared in the PIONEER PRESS, a local paper.
I’ve never been here, but my younger sister went here recently and said that the place was dirty. If that’s true, it is certainly not up to Classic Cinemas high standards.
I’m wondering if this theatre really has been demolished. I passed by a Rialto Theatre, while I was on Amtrak, somewhere close to Macomb, IL (I was on my way to Quincy, IL). I passed by a Rialto that looked closed and in very decrepit shape. It was clearly visible from the passing train. Or maybe I’m confusing this with another Rialto?
I passed by here today. From the outside, it appears to be in very bas shape. The outer skin is all that remains of the marquee. Walk underneath it and you can see the sky above you. It has murals of its former glory painted on the doors—similar to what has been done on several buildings in Gary, IN. The same has been done for the upper windows of the building next door.
I went here yesterday to take some photos of it before it closed. Not really worth going. Its entrance is like a storefront in the strip mall—blink and you miss it. And yes, Village did slice the Cineplex-Odeon logo in half and rotate it 90 degrees to make it a “V”.
This theatre was built circa 1990 and was one of the last of the so-called strip-mall theatres. It would be easy to mistake this place for an old General Cinemas Theatre as such. But it was built for Cineplex-Odeon and I’m told it has the standard C-O touches inside such as the zig-zags on the wall. After 1990, C-O realized that the “cookie-cutter, no-frills mall cinemas were dated and began using a new design such as the three ICE theatres (the Lawndale, 61st and Western and Chatham), the Hodgkins/Quarry, and to a lesser extent, the 600 North Michigan. Those theatres were blue with yellow lettering and the C-O logo was on a spire. Plus, C-O realized customers wanted amenities by then.
I’ve never been to a movie here, so I cannot comment on how the place is on the inside. But it is not easy to find in the strip mall if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The box office is covered with curtains and has a sign instructing would-be patrons to buy tickets at the candy counter (This was also done at Golf Glen). There’s no real reason to go here unless the movie you want to see isn’t playing at the new Stratford Square (Century Theatres) or unless you are realy interested in this 1980s cinema. As Cinemark Fan said, unless Village switches it to 2nd run, which it would do VERY well at, it’s days are numbered.
I certainly don’t want to spread rumors, but I heard that Costco is looking at building a big box store on this site. Just what Norridge, IL needs! But I believe that the Norridge Theatre still draws good crowds. The place should be renovated ala what is being done with the Webster Place—another former M&R Theatre.
That’s good news. I’m glad that Kerasotes is putting money into this theatre. It’s amazing how this theatre withstood the competition from the newer City North 14, which has stadium seating. Oddly enough, both cinemas ended up in the AMC and later Kerasotas chains (WP started out in the M&R chain and CN14 began life in the General Cinemas chain).
When did this theatre close? I have a book on Pittsburgh’s streetcars of the early 1960s and, in a photo taken circa 1961-1964, the Perry was already closed.
Has anyone been here recently? What’s it like on the inside? Does it still have the “Cineplex-Odeon” look to it ala the Lincoln Village? I wonder if this place still gets any sort of a crowd.
I think that C-O put its logos in its new theatres and the ones it renovated such as the McClurg Court and Lakeshore/Broadway. I have a feeling that C-O knew it was getting rid of its older non-renovated properties.
The listings of 12/23/86 show that this was a twin. GOLDEN CHILD was showing there that say at 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30. NO MERCY was also there at 1:15, 3:25, 5:30, 7:45, and 9:55.
In reviewing movie ads from 1986, the Chicago Tribune shows that the Will Rogers was still open in July of that year. It was plaing THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE and FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR. In the ads for December 23, 1986 the Will Rogers is not shown, so I’m assuming that it closed sometime between July and December, 1986. Apparantly, it was showing family fare until the end.
Also, the ads for July, 1986 show it as being “Plitt and Essaness”. By December, the ads show “Cineplex-Odeon and Plitt.” So
1) Did Plitt and Essaness merge prior to the takeover by C-O?
2) When did the takeover of Plitt/Essaness by C-O occur?
3) Did the Will Rogers actually make it into the C-O chain? Or was it closed prior to this?
What’s also interesting is that the above comments state that the Bricktown was the intended replacement for the Will Rogers and the Mercury. But the Bricktown didn’t come along until nearly three years after the Will Rogers closed (the Mercury was still operating on 12/23/86).
Actually, the Bricktown, which was the replacement for the Will Rogers and the Mercury, was a Cineplex-Odeon. ABC had been taken over by Plitt circa 1974(?). Plitt had been taken over by C-O circa 1985-6.
The early multiplexes built by C-O circa 1986-1989 were an attempt by that company to modernize the movie-going experience in Chicagoland. But most of them didn’t last long. The only one left that I can think of is the Lincoln Village 1-6 and who knows how long that one’s gonna last.
Life’s Too Short,
I think that the Webster was due for a renovation. And if Kerasotes promotes it properly (which they undoubtedly will), people will come back. The Webster Place is an extremely popular place. And there are a few bars, the strip mall, etc., so it’s not like that the place is in the middle of nowhere.
BW,
There was still a good crowd for the movie I was seeing. I didn’t mean to imply that the place was a total masoleum! I think that remaining partially open will keep the WP in the public eye!
Don’t forget, the LaGrange has been renovating for a few years now and it still does well.
I was here tonight for a movie. Currently only 2 or 3 auditoriums are being used. The rest of the place has been totally stripped to the bare walls. The 3 screens that were added later to the building, #s 9-11, are the ones in use. Nothing remains in the original 8 auditoriums. Even the concession stand has been taken out.
Normally, this place is busy on a Saturday Night. It was weird, almost surreal, to be here and have the place seem so empty. The Webster Place has been around since the late 80s, yet would always draw huge crowds on weekends.
BW
The Burnham was sort of similar to the LV. The brickwork was (is?) similar in color. Plus it was a three story (I believe). It was not free-standing though.
Cinemark Fan,
I also often wonder what went wrong with the cinemas that C-O built in the 1980s. Perhaps changes were coming down the pike? Perhaps 6 screens became too small to be profitable? Did C-O build just too many at different locations instead of larger cinemas at fewer locations? The best example I can think of was the Bricktown, a cinema that SHOULD have given stiff competition to the Norridge and SHOULD have been successful. Built in 1989, by 1993 it had become very scuzzy or so I’ve heard. Then circa 1998 Meridien took over and then it closed a year or so after that. The Grove in Downers Grove not only closed after only 15 years, it was demolished.
Cinemark Fan,
I was quoting an article in the local paper. The paper may have given the incorrect amount of time that Village has operated the LV 1-6.
Are these Cineplex-Odeon theatres from the 1980s really worth saving? For some, they were the nadir of cinema design—totally standardized and bland. As I’ve said before, this design fell out of vogue after 1990 because audiences wanted a return to some atmosphere and ambiance (if not on a level from the picture palace days), wide screens, and amenities. Even C-O abandonded this design by the 1990s and the few the company constructed here in Chicagoland (the 3 ICE theatres—two of which are now closed, and the Quarry/Hodgekins) were are of a far different design.
Very soon, I think that the RO 1-6 will be the last because, from what I’ve heard, the Bloomingdale Court and the North Riverside are not doing well either. And Keresotas will likely close the Rivertree Court once they open a new theatre in Vernon Hills.
And yet, oddly enough, Keresotas is extensively renovating the Webster Place—not a C-O design though—which is another late 1980s cinema.
It appears that it is “curtain call” for this theatre. I dare say that operations are day-to-day, so you’d better get there quickly if you want to see it.
This artice View link appeared in the PIONEER PRESS, a local paper.
I’ve never been here, but my younger sister went here recently and said that the place was dirty. If that’s true, it is certainly not up to Classic Cinemas high standards.
I’m wondering if this theatre really has been demolished. I passed by a Rialto Theatre, while I was on Amtrak, somewhere close to Macomb, IL (I was on my way to Quincy, IL). I passed by a Rialto that looked closed and in very decrepit shape. It was clearly visible from the passing train. Or maybe I’m confusing this with another Rialto?
I passed by here today. From the outside, it appears to be in very bas shape. The outer skin is all that remains of the marquee. Walk underneath it and you can see the sky above you. It has murals of its former glory painted on the doors—similar to what has been done on several buildings in Gary, IN. The same has been done for the upper windows of the building next door.
I went here yesterday to take some photos of it before it closed. Not really worth going. Its entrance is like a storefront in the strip mall—blink and you miss it. And yes, Village did slice the Cineplex-Odeon logo in half and rotate it 90 degrees to make it a “V”.
This theatre was built circa 1990 and was one of the last of the so-called strip-mall theatres. It would be easy to mistake this place for an old General Cinemas Theatre as such. But it was built for Cineplex-Odeon and I’m told it has the standard C-O touches inside such as the zig-zags on the wall. After 1990, C-O realized that the “cookie-cutter, no-frills mall cinemas were dated and began using a new design such as the three ICE theatres (the Lawndale, 61st and Western and Chatham), the Hodgkins/Quarry, and to a lesser extent, the 600 North Michigan. Those theatres were blue with yellow lettering and the C-O logo was on a spire. Plus, C-O realized customers wanted amenities by then.
I’ve never been to a movie here, so I cannot comment on how the place is on the inside. But it is not easy to find in the strip mall if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The box office is covered with curtains and has a sign instructing would-be patrons to buy tickets at the candy counter (This was also done at Golf Glen). There’s no real reason to go here unless the movie you want to see isn’t playing at the new Stratford Square (Century Theatres) or unless you are realy interested in this 1980s cinema. As Cinemark Fan said, unless Village switches it to 2nd run, which it would do VERY well at, it’s days are numbered.
I certainly don’t want to spread rumors, but I heard that Costco is looking at building a big box store on this site. Just what Norridge, IL needs! But I believe that the Norridge Theatre still draws good crowds. The place should be renovated ala what is being done with the Webster Place—another former M&R Theatre.
That’s good news. I’m glad that Kerasotes is putting money into this theatre. It’s amazing how this theatre withstood the competition from the newer City North 14, which has stadium seating. Oddly enough, both cinemas ended up in the AMC and later Kerasotas chains (WP started out in the M&R chain and CN14 began life in the General Cinemas chain).
When did this theatre close? I have a book on Pittsburgh’s streetcars of the early 1960s and, in a photo taken circa 1961-1964, the Perry was already closed.
I believe that ads in the Tribune and Sun-Times circa 1985-1986 billed this as being “The Suburbs' Only Art Cinema” or something like that.
I saw only one movie here and that was circa 1986. I don’t remember which movie it was. What I DO remember was that this place was dump by that point!
Has anyone been here recently? What’s it like on the inside? Does it still have the “Cineplex-Odeon” look to it ala the Lincoln Village? I wonder if this place still gets any sort of a crowd.
I think that C-O put its logos in its new theatres and the ones it renovated such as the McClurg Court and Lakeshore/Broadway. I have a feeling that C-O knew it was getting rid of its older non-renovated properties.
It’s still open. The phone number and the website both state which movies are currently playing.
Cinemark Fan,
Could it be that Classic Cinemas might not want to pay the high City of Chicago amusement tax?
When exactly is this theatre scheduled to close?
Well, the Glenwood might remain awhile.
So then the Plitt name must have been used for about a year after the C-O takeover.
The listings of 12/23/86 show that this was a twin. GOLDEN CHILD was showing there that say at 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30. NO MERCY was also there at 1:15, 3:25, 5:30, 7:45, and 9:55.
In reviewing movie ads from 1986, the Chicago Tribune shows that the Will Rogers was still open in July of that year. It was plaing THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE and FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR. In the ads for December 23, 1986 the Will Rogers is not shown, so I’m assuming that it closed sometime between July and December, 1986. Apparantly, it was showing family fare until the end.
Also, the ads for July, 1986 show it as being “Plitt and Essaness”. By December, the ads show “Cineplex-Odeon and Plitt.” So
1) Did Plitt and Essaness merge prior to the takeover by C-O?
2) When did the takeover of Plitt/Essaness by C-O occur?
3) Did the Will Rogers actually make it into the C-O chain? Or was it closed prior to this?
What’s also interesting is that the above comments state that the Bricktown was the intended replacement for the Will Rogers and the Mercury. But the Bricktown didn’t come along until nearly three years after the Will Rogers closed (the Mercury was still operating on 12/23/86).
Melodance,
Actually, the Bricktown, which was the replacement for the Will Rogers and the Mercury, was a Cineplex-Odeon. ABC had been taken over by Plitt circa 1974(?). Plitt had been taken over by C-O circa 1985-6.
The early multiplexes built by C-O circa 1986-1989 were an attempt by that company to modernize the movie-going experience in Chicagoland. But most of them didn’t last long. The only one left that I can think of is the Lincoln Village 1-6 and who knows how long that one’s gonna last.