In early September of 1958 I was searching the Chicago telephone book for theatres (there still were many although it was obvious the numbers were thinning) and that’s where I found the LOUIS Theatre, which is unusual since it wasn’t in the newspaper movie listings. (I never did see the LOUIS Theatre advertised.) Curious, I called the number and a cultured, distinguished voice answered “The Louis Theatre” and gave me the double-feature over the phone.
(I agree with the hypothesis over the PICKFORD name, and I’m guessing the LOUIS renaming was to honor boxer Joe Louis.)
Nothing new on the Rhode Opera House/Gateway (the amateur theatre group is still in there operating it), and I personally think the Orpheum Theatre will have a renaissance soon. The whole Orpheum Building interior is being rehabbed, and the neighborhood is going very upscale.
I was there, and the Grand Re-Opening audience was at near capacity and very enthusiastic, with constant applause and cheering. The opening feature, “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” was preceded by an excellent Charlie Chaplin solo impression.
Coincidentally, as the doors were opening there had been a nonrelated traffic accident around the corner, and all area traffic had then been rerouted onto Milwaukee Avenue right past the PORTAGE for all to see its long lines of reopening-night patrons entering under the brilliant marquee with its message of welcome.
In yet another gesture of support towards the Rhode Opera House (nee Gateway) and its amateur theater group occupant, on Monday evening of May 15th, 2006 the Kenosha City Council unanimously approved a renewal of the regular city theatre license and simultaneously waived all related licensing fees for this theatre.
Thank you, Brian. That’s valuable information, as most accounts I’ve read have the Blaine closing around 1920 and don’t mention the name connection to the Music Box.
Also, in a 2005 article on the Mercury, the Chicago Tribune misspelled the name as ‘Blane’.
It’s great to see Chicago reusing these smaller and long-forgotten neighborhood theatres.
Just north of the theatre and across the street is the James Blaine Elementary School, and I wanted to point out the coincidence, (which probably isn’t coincidental at all).
On my one visit to the Bryn Mawr in the summer of 1980, I saw “Breaking Away” and “Norma Jean” with a large matinee audience. Not long afterward the theatre’s name was briefly changed to “Gar Wah”.
On my one visit to the Bryn Mawr in the summer of 1980, I saw “Breaking Away” and “Norma Jean” wth a large matinee audience. Not long afterward the theatre’s name was briefly changed to “Gar Wah”.
Lawford, I’ll make it public in case anyone else may also be interested.
The ROOSEVELT Theatre is listed by LoopNet www.loopnet.com , a large commercial-property realty agency, and the theatre is available for tours by appointment.
The ORPHEUM Theatre downtown, three blocks south of the RHODE, is also available and is almost turnkey.
As to the RHODE: for the present, any dealings will be with the current occupants.
Best wishes, and thank you again.
Lawford, for that project you may wish to check out the vacant ROOSEVELT Theatre in Kenosha, which is on busy WI Hwy. 50, is connected to revenue offices and storefronts, and is up for sale by motivated sellers at what I believe to be a very attractive price. Thanks.
Thank you, Lawford. As you can see, a lot of local money has indeed been invested in this theatre.
I can add that the current occupants did approach me in the 1990s – twice – to ask my advice on the whats-and-wherefores of film exhibition as revenue enhancement.
I prepared proposals – twice – and never heard back.
It would seem attractive, as there is currently no film theatre within miles of the Rhode.
Incidentally, this theatre is the venue where “The Wizard of Oz” premiered in a sneak-preview the night before its erstwhile opening at the STRAND in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
The Mayor and City Council of Kenosha have provided $291,831 in Community Development Block Grants to this theatre over the years 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002, and the Lakeshore Business Improvement District provided many tens of thousands more during the years 1987 through 1989.
In 2003, the City had approved yet another grant of $15,000 to restore this theatre’s triple-arched leaded-glass facade windows, but the occupant’s application was never completed and therefore the grant was allowed to expire.
In the late 1980s I volunteered many hundreds of hours on various projects there.
I donated and installed the vintage chandelier in the ladies lounge chandelier, I relamped the marquee and letterboard (both of which could really use another relamping) with bulbs that LBID paid for, I crawled into a moving trash crusher to rescue a pair of pillar sconces that now light the inner lobby, and I waded through knee-deep water on the roof to find and open a plugged drain (and never got my emergency pump back or found anyone who knew its whereabouts, or who cared to look), and I led many tours, including a THS tour on the night and hour of its Sixtieth Anniversary in December 1987. And lots more.
About those Pearlman fixtures:
On the night of that THS tour, I discovered that one of those large leaded stained-glass wall sconces was on a table in the grand lobby – unguarded – being used by the Lakeside Players as a donation bucket.
Coins were actually being thrown into the open-top sconce.
Knowing that the Studios of Potente had come in with a 1987 ballpark figure of $20,000 per sconce in reproduction costs, and fearing damage, I removed the sconce from that table, emptied out maybe $10.00 worth of coins into a plastic bowl, and locked the sconce into the manager’s office.
Returning to the lobby, I encountered anger from members of the acting ensemble who insisted they had “every right to use their facilities as they see fit.”
But I saw to it that the sconce stayed in that office that night.
Not for long, though.
It vanished soon afterwards.
I informed our volunteer group (the Friends of the Rhode) about the sconce’s disappearance, and they promised to ask around – but after some weeks without results, I filed a theft report with the police.
Days later, that sconce was back in the theatre, undamaged, no questions asked or answered.
The mayor and city officials and many, many Kenoshans have given much time, money and materials to stabilize, preserve and beautify this theatre, and we/they did it without expecting any recognition or accolades.
(Which is just as well, as I see from the above postings that recognition obviously isn’t in the equation.)
I’m certain this theatre will survive the current occupants and flourish again.
I’m compelled to correct the above statement that there has been “little support” from the mayor or the community.
The Kenosha community has invested heavily in this theatre.
Standard Theatres vacated its lease in Spring of 1984, and the theatre was idle until 1987 when the Kenosha Lakeshore Business Improvement District, under the direction of the late Mr. Bob Irwin, took action. He managed to get the theatre deeded from the original landowners (the Rhode family), and LBID then paid to clean, repair, heat, rewire and relamp it, plus much more.
The mayor and City Council have continually given heavy financial support towards cosmetic and other improvements through numerous Community Development Block Grants.
Wisconsin Gas & Electric has donated new furnaces and energy-efficient lighting.
A number of local citizens have contributed cash, labor and/or materials to benefit the theatre, notably Ms. Donna Wolf Steigerwalt.
Kenosha has been very generous in the preservation of the former Saxe’s Gateway Theatre, and I’m confident the City will not allow this community treasure to be lost regardless of what becomes of its current occupant.
I salute all the great activists who worked on behalf of the Adelphi Theatre. It’s small consolation, but I believe that public sentiment will continue to mourn its loss.
I was fortunate to be able to see “Citizen Kane” there in the 1970s.
This was a Standard Theatres operation throughout its life, and was located on north Sheridan Road (WI Hwy. 42, later WI Hwy. 32) just south of Kenosha County Hwy. A in the town of Somers in Kenosha County. The name Mid-City refers to its location (somewhat) midway between Kenosha and Racine to the north. The theatre architects were the Briemeyer-Greilinger and Rose firm, and the first manager was Nick Coston.
A busy steam railroad (The Chicago and NorthWestern) ran along the Mid-City’s western perimeter, making photo opportunities like the famous locomotive-theatre scene possible at the Mid-City into 1956.
Actually the theatre’s demise came about as the result of a late-winter windstorm in early 1984 which caused the ornate art-moderne screenhouse to lean a bit. The town of Somers WI then issued a standard routine raze-or-repair order to Standard Theatres (which also leased the Lake [nee Gateway] in downtown Kenosha) and to everyone’s surprise Standard ordered the screenhouse razed. The rest of the theatre property remained abandoned for several years. In the next decade it was developed into apartment buildings, and no sign remains of the Mid-City Outdoor Theater today.
I’m actually posting a comment on Nick Coston. I’ve learned that a Nick Coston was the first manager at the new Mid-City Outdoor Theatre in Kenosha in 1948.
The United Studios of Chicago designed the Sheboygan Theatre, and is the same firm that designed the Venetian Theatre in Racine and the Kenosha Theatre in Kenosha. The United Studios architects included Fred Jacobs, Ralph Beaudry and L. P. Larsen.
I believe I attended the very last program at the Granada (though no one could have known it then), a Three Stooges festival in the winter of 1986 promoted by a local radio station. The half-filled auditorium was quite cold, but the audience seemed to hardly notice. Afterwards I treated myself to a personal tour of the theatre, something I’m glad I didn’t decide to postpone. (Most vivid memories: the massive proscenium, and the huge fireplace in the mezzanine alongside the main arched window.) I also recall a last-ditch preservation effort led by a brave lady (whose name escapes me) that was publicized in the Chicago Tribune. And I want to reinforce what others have said here: the Granada Theatre was indeed in very good condition both inside and out on that night I was there, which I believe was its last night open.
I have heard the Genesee Theatre’s architectural style described as “Sullivanesque”, in reference to the famed architect Louis Sullivan. Across the street from the Genesee Theatre are two points of interest worthy of mention: a large statue of Jack Benny, and also the former Academy Theatre, which is now an entertainment venue.
In the early 1980s, restoration crews discovered a homeless cat that had sought shelter within the theatre. They cared for the cat, and immortalized it by incorporating its image into the mural on the left wall.
In early September of 1958 I was searching the Chicago telephone book for theatres (there still were many although it was obvious the numbers were thinning) and that’s where I found the LOUIS Theatre, which is unusual since it wasn’t in the newspaper movie listings. (I never did see the LOUIS Theatre advertised.) Curious, I called the number and a cultured, distinguished voice answered “The Louis Theatre” and gave me the double-feature over the phone.
(I agree with the hypothesis over the PICKFORD name, and I’m guessing the LOUIS renaming was to honor boxer Joe Louis.)
Nothing new on the Rhode Opera House/Gateway (the amateur theatre group is still in there operating it), and I personally think the Orpheum Theatre will have a renaissance soon. The whole Orpheum Building interior is being rehabbed, and the neighborhood is going very upscale.
I was there, and the Grand Re-Opening audience was at near capacity and very enthusiastic, with constant applause and cheering. The opening feature, “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” was preceded by an excellent Charlie Chaplin solo impression.
Coincidentally, as the doors were opening there had been a nonrelated traffic accident around the corner, and all area traffic had then been rerouted onto Milwaukee Avenue right past the PORTAGE for all to see its long lines of reopening-night patrons entering under the brilliant marquee with its message of welcome.
In yet another gesture of support towards the Rhode Opera House (nee Gateway) and its amateur theater group occupant, on Monday evening of May 15th, 2006 the Kenosha City Council unanimously approved a renewal of the regular city theatre license and simultaneously waived all related licensing fees for this theatre.
Thank you, Brian. That’s valuable information, as most accounts I’ve read have the Blaine closing around 1920 and don’t mention the name connection to the Music Box.
Also, in a 2005 article on the Mercury, the Chicago Tribune misspelled the name as ‘Blane’.
It’s great to see Chicago reusing these smaller and long-forgotten neighborhood theatres.
I recall that the Monroe’s name was in unusual but eye-catching Old English type in its daily Chicago Tribune ad listings.
Just north of the theatre and across the street is the James Blaine Elementary School, and I wanted to point out the coincidence, (which probably isn’t coincidental at all).
On my one visit to the Bryn Mawr in the summer of 1980, I saw “Breaking Away” and “Norma Jean” with a large matinee audience. Not long afterward the theatre’s name was briefly changed to “Gar Wah”.
On my one visit to the Bryn Mawr in the summer of 1980, I saw “Breaking Away” and “Norma Jean” wth a large matinee audience. Not long afterward the theatre’s name was briefly changed to “Gar Wah”.
Lawford, I’ll make it public in case anyone else may also be interested.
The ROOSEVELT Theatre is listed by LoopNet www.loopnet.com , a large commercial-property realty agency, and the theatre is available for tours by appointment.
The ORPHEUM Theatre downtown, three blocks south of the RHODE, is also available and is almost turnkey.
As to the RHODE: for the present, any dealings will be with the current occupants.
Best wishes, and thank you again.
Lawford, for that project you may wish to check out the vacant ROOSEVELT Theatre in Kenosha, which is on busy WI Hwy. 50, is connected to revenue offices and storefronts, and is up for sale by motivated sellers at what I believe to be a very attractive price. Thanks.
Thank you, Lawford. As you can see, a lot of local money has indeed been invested in this theatre.
I can add that the current occupants did approach me in the 1990s – twice – to ask my advice on the whats-and-wherefores of film exhibition as revenue enhancement.
I prepared proposals – twice – and never heard back.
It would seem attractive, as there is currently no film theatre within miles of the Rhode.
Incidentally, this theatre is the venue where “The Wizard of Oz” premiered in a sneak-preview the night before its erstwhile opening at the STRAND in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
Again:
The Mayor and City Council of Kenosha have provided $291,831 in Community Development Block Grants to this theatre over the years 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002, and the Lakeshore Business Improvement District provided many tens of thousands more during the years 1987 through 1989.
In 2003, the City had approved yet another grant of $15,000 to restore this theatre’s triple-arched leaded-glass facade windows, but the occupant’s application was never completed and therefore the grant was allowed to expire.
In the late 1980s I volunteered many hundreds of hours on various projects there.
I donated and installed the vintage chandelier in the ladies lounge chandelier, I relamped the marquee and letterboard (both of which could really use another relamping) with bulbs that LBID paid for, I crawled into a moving trash crusher to rescue a pair of pillar sconces that now light the inner lobby, and I waded through knee-deep water on the roof to find and open a plugged drain (and never got my emergency pump back or found anyone who knew its whereabouts, or who cared to look), and I led many tours, including a THS tour on the night and hour of its Sixtieth Anniversary in December 1987. And lots more.
About those Pearlman fixtures:
On the night of that THS tour, I discovered that one of those large leaded stained-glass wall sconces was on a table in the grand lobby – unguarded – being used by the Lakeside Players as a donation bucket.
Coins were actually being thrown into the open-top sconce.
Knowing that the Studios of Potente had come in with a 1987 ballpark figure of $20,000 per sconce in reproduction costs, and fearing damage, I removed the sconce from that table, emptied out maybe $10.00 worth of coins into a plastic bowl, and locked the sconce into the manager’s office.
Returning to the lobby, I encountered anger from members of the acting ensemble who insisted they had “every right to use their facilities as they see fit.”
But I saw to it that the sconce stayed in that office that night.
Not for long, though.
It vanished soon afterwards.
I informed our volunteer group (the Friends of the Rhode) about the sconce’s disappearance, and they promised to ask around – but after some weeks without results, I filed a theft report with the police.
Days later, that sconce was back in the theatre, undamaged, no questions asked or answered.
The mayor and city officials and many, many Kenoshans have given much time, money and materials to stabilize, preserve and beautify this theatre, and we/they did it without expecting any recognition or accolades.
(Which is just as well, as I see from the above postings that recognition obviously isn’t in the equation.)
I’m certain this theatre will survive the current occupants and flourish again.
I’m compelled to correct the above statement that there has been “little support” from the mayor or the community.
The Kenosha community has invested heavily in this theatre.
Standard Theatres vacated its lease in Spring of 1984, and the theatre was idle until 1987 when the Kenosha Lakeshore Business Improvement District, under the direction of the late Mr. Bob Irwin, took action. He managed to get the theatre deeded from the original landowners (the Rhode family), and LBID then paid to clean, repair, heat, rewire and relamp it, plus much more.
The mayor and City Council have continually given heavy financial support towards cosmetic and other improvements through numerous Community Development Block Grants.
Wisconsin Gas & Electric has donated new furnaces and energy-efficient lighting.
A number of local citizens have contributed cash, labor and/or materials to benefit the theatre, notably Ms. Donna Wolf Steigerwalt.
Kenosha has been very generous in the preservation of the former Saxe’s Gateway Theatre, and I’m confident the City will not allow this community treasure to be lost regardless of what becomes of its current occupant.
I salute all the great activists who worked on behalf of the Adelphi Theatre. It’s small consolation, but I believe that public sentiment will continue to mourn its loss.
I was fortunate to be able to see “Citizen Kane” there in the 1970s.
This was a Standard Theatres operation throughout its life, and was located on north Sheridan Road (WI Hwy. 42, later WI Hwy. 32) just south of Kenosha County Hwy. A in the town of Somers in Kenosha County. The name Mid-City refers to its location (somewhat) midway between Kenosha and Racine to the north. The theatre architects were the Briemeyer-Greilinger and Rose firm, and the first manager was Nick Coston.
A busy steam railroad (The Chicago and NorthWestern) ran along the Mid-City’s western perimeter, making photo opportunities like the famous locomotive-theatre scene possible at the Mid-City into 1956.
Actually the theatre’s demise came about as the result of a late-winter windstorm in early 1984 which caused the ornate art-moderne screenhouse to lean a bit. The town of Somers WI then issued a standard routine raze-or-repair order to Standard Theatres (which also leased the Lake [nee Gateway] in downtown Kenosha) and to everyone’s surprise Standard ordered the screenhouse razed. The rest of the theatre property remained abandoned for several years. In the next decade it was developed into apartment buildings, and no sign remains of the Mid-City Outdoor Theater today.
I’m actually posting a comment on Nick Coston. I’ve learned that a Nick Coston was the first manager at the new Mid-City Outdoor Theatre in Kenosha in 1948.
The United Studios of Chicago designed the Sheboygan Theatre, and is the same firm that designed the Venetian Theatre in Racine and the Kenosha Theatre in Kenosha. The United Studios architects included Fred Jacobs, Ralph Beaudry and L. P. Larsen.
As a banquet hall, it was known as “Ferrara’s Manor”.
I believe I attended the very last program at the Granada (though no one could have known it then), a Three Stooges festival in the winter of 1986 promoted by a local radio station. The half-filled auditorium was quite cold, but the audience seemed to hardly notice. Afterwards I treated myself to a personal tour of the theatre, something I’m glad I didn’t decide to postpone. (Most vivid memories: the massive proscenium, and the huge fireplace in the mezzanine alongside the main arched window.) I also recall a last-ditch preservation effort led by a brave lady (whose name escapes me) that was publicized in the Chicago Tribune. And I want to reinforce what others have said here: the Granada Theatre was indeed in very good condition both inside and out on that night I was there, which I believe was its last night open.
I have heard the Genesee Theatre’s architectural style described as “Sullivanesque”, in reference to the famed architect Louis Sullivan. Across the street from the Genesee Theatre are two points of interest worthy of mention: a large statue of Jack Benny, and also the former Academy Theatre, which is now an entertainment venue.
In the early 1980s, restoration crews discovered a homeless cat that had sought shelter within the theatre. They cared for the cat, and immortalized it by incorporating its image into the mural on the left wall.
By coincidence, the film playing at the DesPlaines Theatre on the day of the 1982 fire was “The End”.