Scott, I think you are recalling the Paradise correct. I do remember the upper levels of the theater being rather plain compared to the rest of the theater. And there were hallways all over the place. I
think sometimes the balcony was closed and roped off, but we as kids always found a way to “get up there” and we did. I do remember one time being at the Marbro and coming down from the balcony going around the “Balcony Closed” sign and being yelled at from the mananger. I guess the only way a patron of today has that feeling is in an upper seat in today’s stadium seating style. Boy did they miss alot!!!!!
LuisV, New York is working better than Chicago granted. But if you never walked on our West Side or for that matter South Side, you would be taking your life at hand. Bronx is safer than where Scott,
Scrabbie and myself grew up. Leows Paradise made a wonderful comeback. Chicago needs a firm mayor who will deal with the many problems that our neighhoods face. It has been in a mess for 50 years. Almost like it was intended to be. Like a plan that was hatched. Maybe Rahn Emmanuel is the answer. People say he gets the job done. And boy do we need to get the job done. I myself feel it
is a lost cause. How can you reverse a downward move to the gutter?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go back when it was great. The only way to do that today is in our memory. What I really miss is the way people treated each other with respect and all the glory those days meant to me. Thanks gang!!!
Scott, I would love to say also, better days are ahead for Chicago.
But how can I? City is broke, state is broke and gangs have taken over. When I wrote about roaming the streets, not to mentioning
how we would roam the movie palaces like we talked about. The tunnels at the Paradise and the upper parts of thr Marbro. Remember
how exciting it was. We would play hide and seek at the Marbro in between features and all the places to hide. Sometimes behind drapes.
We were always afraid of the ushers, which were few toward the closing. What great days!!!
Thank you OeOeO for the site. Are you watching Scrabbie? It was
so nice to take the “trip” down Madison & Pulaski again. Were
you from the area? One had to live there to really appreaciate the
wonder of it all. Imagine a 10 year old being allowed to roam around the streets of Chicago and to discover all the neat places to visit and never being bothered by crime and drive-bys. No cell phones, no
gps. Just our little brains. And wasn’t it all fun??????
Wish there were a picture of the streetcars passing the Marbro in the 50’s! I rode the green hornets alot on the Madison line and I am quite sure it was after 1954. Why would they discontinue them? They were always packed. Maybe the person writing the book is wrong. I do not remember the Western Ave line running and the Madison line not.
Thanks for the info. Those streetcars were wonderful and a great way to get to your favorite movie palace.
Thanks for map info. I pased there a couple of years ago when
the Eisenhower was jammed. Hard to believe it was the same place. Everybody that we knew DID NOT want to move. We were sorta forced too. We had neighbors that were wonderful. Jewish, Irish, Italians and others. We all got along fine and visited each other’s homes and had different foods of different countries. When we got to the suburbs it was nothing like that. Of course times were different also. As I said in a different posting, it seemed Chicago didn’t mind the neighborhood changing and I would like to know why? Didn't
the alderman & commiteemen want to keep their jobs and the city losing all the sales tax? Nobody enforced any laws on the books.
OeOeO, I recall the Madison streetcars running after 1953. Would say more like 1956. But my mind sometimes fades like Scotts. Sorry Scott! But if you read it, maybe its true. The Pulaski streetcars were red I am sure also Cicero ave. I can agree on 1952, but not Madison in 1953-that seems too early. True about the Paradise failure
not due to transportation. I think that gorgous theater was doomed from the start or shortly after opening. As I said before, I cannot understand how the City of Chicago let this goldmine of a tax basis go away and into ruin. You can visit almost any town in Europe and see it the way it was 200 years ago!
The former Lawndale Theatre located on the same street as the Paradise and Rossevelt Rd is being stripped and sold on an auction site. Seems the church that was in it is out of business as well as the building that was part of the theater which housed apartments.
Both buildings look vacant and reminds one of photos of the Blitz
during WWII.
Scott, I just saw your comment on the Patio site. You sure get around. I think it was a while back. I wonder if you are on others.
I have to start looking.
Scott, I remember the sign being rather large for Peter Pan with
alot of neon lettering. I thought it was next to our Marbro, but I could be wrong. Could have been across the street. I was “too busy"
starring at the glorious marquee most of the time. But I do remember
those hamburgers and thw waitresses wore uniforms with little peter pan collars. That I do remember. They also had a wonderful shirt steak and great french fries. With all the candy at the shows and real butter on the gallons of popcorn I have consumed in my lifetime and all the richness of the many ice creams, I am amazed I am still alive!!! Walking daily and exercising and counting calories does have its merits.
Scrabble, what an experience you had that day! Your mother must have
been mortified. Scott is right, it was all down hill from there for poor old Garfield Park.
More thoughts: The article I read in the Tribune said it would have to be a new roadbed either overhead or a tunnel and would have to be electric like the ones overseas, otherwise accidents would be many.
If it happens in our lifetime, I will pick YOU up at the station and head over to the Uptown. I just found the Patio Theater website and there are some great photos there. I forgot how beautiful the auditorium is. I am afraid they need more then three people getting it ready. Asking if anyone knew how to repair a cooling water system that used to be the norm sounds like to me there is not much $$$$
being invested into the place. Sure hope it works out. What they really need is a corporate sponser with lots of $$$$$. The Bank of America Cinema will make an announcement in two weeks of the future
of the theater. They are not allowed to talk about it til then. My feeling: it will close after the last feature in December.
is the end will come on the last feature in December
Peter Pan was west of Pulaski Rd. and I can remember it being in the white building next to the Marbro. I kinda remembering walking
out of one door into the next. It was definitely on the north side of Madison St. Their hamburgers were large and juicy! The building is
still there. So you were a bowler Scott. My grandfather used to go there. Do you still play? Thanks Scrabbie for imput.
Does anyone remember the Peter Pan restaurant near the Marbro.
They had one of the best hamburgers I ever had. I believe it was a local chain. I know they had one near Harlem and North Ave. Of course I found myself at the Mercury theatre nearby. I spend half my childhood years in one movie theatre or another
Scott, Already two years! Time sure does fly. The only way a grant will be given I believe if there is a movement to spearhead a major growth program. That could be if the economy picks up. After all they are given a grant to “study” a high speed rail link to St. Louis
And it will be in the millions. The whole line itself will be in the billions and billions of dollars if built. Would be fun to ride. Would you pick me up at the station?
Scott, I forgot about the acoustics. But with rock bands, I don’t see much of a concern. They are playing at Leow’s Paradise in NY.
Why did Jam buy the building if not to re-opn it? Was it that much of a good price not to ignore it? I hear the alderwoman who was
behind the Uptown all these years is not seeking re-election next year. I wonder what an impact that will be for the theater.
Scott, the building is owned by Bank of America and I don’t know who is putting on the films. It was Chuck Shaden some 30 years ago. Lasalle bank(former ownwers) continued the policy for good advertising. It is the oldest continuing classic film presentation
in Chicago area. They have a great loyal crowd who seems to know everythere there. But these are tough times here and cost-cutting is the name of the game. We shall see. The films are usually first-class prints and tbey have a great projection. I’ll keep you informed. If you want to help, please call Bank of America at
773 777-7200 or 773 777 7700 and tell them they should keep this valuable series. That goes for anyone out there too who are interested in clasic films and the theaters that presented them.
Scott, I have a different opinion. The Granada was really more Spanish than Western. And I believe there are Mosques in Spain.
Also I think it would have made a gorjous house of worship. You should have seen how Loew’s 175th looked. A big electric cross on the stage with all the drapery intact! Even though they might have gotten the building and I agree with you, Loyola would never have done it, there is the upkeep problem: the roof repairs, the heating and cooling bills, electric bills and insurance. The same old story
just like a big old movie theater. However, there would be a lot more people involved giving $$$$. The floor could have been leveled
for the prayer hall and on and on and on…. I just wish it was saved and sometimes it is nice to “dream” that it could have been.
Anything new about the Uptown? Just imagine if the Paradise was built up there and the Uptown building was built on the West Side!
We would be talking about a whole different “ball game” wouldn’t we?
Scott, It really isn’t a theater theater. More like an auditorium.
But it does have drapes a large screen, great sound, and a wonderful
billing. Usually a cartoon, short and then the feature. The man who does the programming also does facets theater on the north side.
The area has too amny branches since BOA bought alot of them and there is no need for all the counters for tellers. Maybe the Patio might take up the slack if the cinema closes. The only reason the building is open is for the cinema on Sat nights. They have a contract thru Dec 2010. But I think they would like to close it immediately; electricity, insurance etc. A very large parking lot sits behind the building. Only trouble is real estate has taken a dive here in Chicago and is real grim to say the least!
Scott, I often thought if the Paradise or the Marbro had been built in another location or city, it might be a opera house or church
today. I just heard on the radio that the Muslim community want to build a Mosque at the corner od Sheridan Rd. and Pratt. The neighbors are up in arms beacuse of the lack of parking in the area and no taxes coming from it. The building is a five story apartment building with a vacant space on the first floor corner. Too bad they didn’t buy the Granada for $400,000 (the asking price at that time) in 1990. What a beautiful Mosque that would have been. Of course since Loyola owned the lot, it probably never would have happened!!!
Scott, I heard this week-end that the organ is still at the Patio. Also the owner said he has taken good care of the building every week with the intention of going in partnership with his son and could open it on short notice. Sounds promising!!!!
I am trying to learn how to copy a picture of the Tiffin for Scott and Scrabbie and put it here. Glad to see you are back Scott. I thought maybe you were ill. I like our “chats”. Never been to the Plaza and never heard of it. I’ll ask my good friend who knows every
theater in Chicago a then some and has scores and scores of picture
books and details. I just heard that Bank of America wants to “pull
the plug” of their classic cinema series on Sat nights. It is on Irving Pk. near Cicero. Ever been there? Nice 500 seat theater built on the second floor. Building and parking lot for sale. Opened over 30 years ago as Northwest Federal Savings with Chuck Shaden.
I passed the Patio Theatre this afternoon on west Irving Pk. and they started working on repairing the marquee. It was hit by a truck or something high and smashed in on one side. The doors were opened and looked like a constuction crew was inside. So now it looks like a go. I would imagine it will be quite a few weeks before it is ready. It was closed for 9 years and will take a while to find new homes for the many rats that live there. Wonder if it still has the
organ?
Scott, Thanks for info about the Rockne. I was only there once I believe. It was converted to a church and was torn down rather recently as the neighborhood got worse, if thats possible. I can’t believe the Pulaski and Madison area getting any lower. Probably in 20 years or so, the area will be redeveloped. But I find that hard to imagine. Did you ever travel to Lawndale? I read about all the lack of grocery stores in these areas and how the people can’t shop in a decent store and that is how Walmart is needed so badly. Well,
I can tell you that we left the area with plenty of stores and churches and movie theaters and what became of those establishments
is what the new crowd did to them. There is nothing more to say…
Scott, I think you are recalling the Paradise correct. I do remember the upper levels of the theater being rather plain compared to the rest of the theater. And there were hallways all over the place. I
think sometimes the balcony was closed and roped off, but we as kids always found a way to “get up there” and we did. I do remember one time being at the Marbro and coming down from the balcony going around the “Balcony Closed” sign and being yelled at from the mananger. I guess the only way a patron of today has that feeling is in an upper seat in today’s stadium seating style. Boy did they miss alot!!!!!
LuisV, New York is working better than Chicago granted. But if you never walked on our West Side or for that matter South Side, you would be taking your life at hand. Bronx is safer than where Scott,
Scrabbie and myself grew up. Leows Paradise made a wonderful comeback. Chicago needs a firm mayor who will deal with the many problems that our neighhoods face. It has been in a mess for 50 years. Almost like it was intended to be. Like a plan that was hatched. Maybe Rahn Emmanuel is the answer. People say he gets the job done. And boy do we need to get the job done. I myself feel it
is a lost cause. How can you reverse a downward move to the gutter?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go back when it was great. The only way to do that today is in our memory. What I really miss is the way people treated each other with respect and all the glory those days meant to me. Thanks gang!!!
Scott, I would love to say also, better days are ahead for Chicago.
But how can I? City is broke, state is broke and gangs have taken over. When I wrote about roaming the streets, not to mentioning
how we would roam the movie palaces like we talked about. The tunnels at the Paradise and the upper parts of thr Marbro. Remember
how exciting it was. We would play hide and seek at the Marbro in between features and all the places to hide. Sometimes behind drapes.
We were always afraid of the ushers, which were few toward the closing. What great days!!!
Thank you OeOeO for the site. Are you watching Scrabbie? It was
so nice to take the “trip” down Madison & Pulaski again. Were
you from the area? One had to live there to really appreaciate the
wonder of it all. Imagine a 10 year old being allowed to roam around the streets of Chicago and to discover all the neat places to visit and never being bothered by crime and drive-bys. No cell phones, no
gps. Just our little brains. And wasn’t it all fun??????
Wish there were a picture of the streetcars passing the Marbro in the 50’s! I rode the green hornets alot on the Madison line and I am quite sure it was after 1954. Why would they discontinue them? They were always packed. Maybe the person writing the book is wrong. I do not remember the Western Ave line running and the Madison line not.
Thanks for the info. Those streetcars were wonderful and a great way to get to your favorite movie palace.
Thanks for map info. I pased there a couple of years ago when
the Eisenhower was jammed. Hard to believe it was the same place. Everybody that we knew DID NOT want to move. We were sorta forced too. We had neighbors that were wonderful. Jewish, Irish, Italians and others. We all got along fine and visited each other’s homes and had different foods of different countries. When we got to the suburbs it was nothing like that. Of course times were different also. As I said in a different posting, it seemed Chicago didn’t mind the neighborhood changing and I would like to know why? Didn't
the alderman & commiteemen want to keep their jobs and the city losing all the sales tax? Nobody enforced any laws on the books.
OeOeO, I recall the Madison streetcars running after 1953. Would say more like 1956. But my mind sometimes fades like Scotts. Sorry Scott! But if you read it, maybe its true. The Pulaski streetcars were red I am sure also Cicero ave. I can agree on 1952, but not Madison in 1953-that seems too early. True about the Paradise failure
not due to transportation. I think that gorgous theater was doomed from the start or shortly after opening. As I said before, I cannot understand how the City of Chicago let this goldmine of a tax basis go away and into ruin. You can visit almost any town in Europe and see it the way it was 200 years ago!
The former Lawndale Theatre located on the same street as the Paradise and Rossevelt Rd is being stripped and sold on an auction site. Seems the church that was in it is out of business as well as the building that was part of the theater which housed apartments.
Both buildings look vacant and reminds one of photos of the Blitz
during WWII.
Scott, I just saw your comment on the Patio site. You sure get around. I think it was a while back. I wonder if you are on others.
I have to start looking.
Scott, I remember the sign being rather large for Peter Pan with
alot of neon lettering. I thought it was next to our Marbro, but I could be wrong. Could have been across the street. I was “too busy"
starring at the glorious marquee most of the time. But I do remember
those hamburgers and thw waitresses wore uniforms with little peter pan collars. That I do remember. They also had a wonderful shirt steak and great french fries. With all the candy at the shows and real butter on the gallons of popcorn I have consumed in my lifetime and all the richness of the many ice creams, I am amazed I am still alive!!! Walking daily and exercising and counting calories does have its merits.
Scrabble, what an experience you had that day! Your mother must have
been mortified. Scott is right, it was all down hill from there for poor old Garfield Park.
More thoughts: The article I read in the Tribune said it would have to be a new roadbed either overhead or a tunnel and would have to be electric like the ones overseas, otherwise accidents would be many.
If it happens in our lifetime, I will pick YOU up at the station and head over to the Uptown. I just found the Patio Theater website and there are some great photos there. I forgot how beautiful the auditorium is. I am afraid they need more then three people getting it ready. Asking if anyone knew how to repair a cooling water system that used to be the norm sounds like to me there is not much $$$$
being invested into the place. Sure hope it works out. What they really need is a corporate sponser with lots of $$$$$. The Bank of America Cinema will make an announcement in two weeks of the future
of the theater. They are not allowed to talk about it til then. My feeling: it will close after the last feature in December.
is the end will come on the last feature in December
Scott, what a nice thought. Taking a high speed electric to Chicago to visit a beautiful restored Uptown!!!!
Peter Pan was west of Pulaski Rd. and I can remember it being in the white building next to the Marbro. I kinda remembering walking
out of one door into the next. It was definitely on the north side of Madison St. Their hamburgers were large and juicy! The building is
still there. So you were a bowler Scott. My grandfather used to go there. Do you still play? Thanks Scrabbie for imput.
Does anyone remember the Peter Pan restaurant near the Marbro.
They had one of the best hamburgers I ever had. I believe it was a local chain. I know they had one near Harlem and North Ave. Of course I found myself at the Mercury theatre nearby. I spend half my childhood years in one movie theatre or another
Scott, Already two years! Time sure does fly. The only way a grant will be given I believe if there is a movement to spearhead a major growth program. That could be if the economy picks up. After all they are given a grant to “study” a high speed rail link to St. Louis
And it will be in the millions. The whole line itself will be in the billions and billions of dollars if built. Would be fun to ride. Would you pick me up at the station?
Scott, I forgot about the acoustics. But with rock bands, I don’t see much of a concern. They are playing at Leow’s Paradise in NY.
Why did Jam buy the building if not to re-opn it? Was it that much of a good price not to ignore it? I hear the alderwoman who was
behind the Uptown all these years is not seeking re-election next year. I wonder what an impact that will be for the theater.
Scott, the building is owned by Bank of America and I don’t know who is putting on the films. It was Chuck Shaden some 30 years ago. Lasalle bank(former ownwers) continued the policy for good advertising. It is the oldest continuing classic film presentation
in Chicago area. They have a great loyal crowd who seems to know everythere there. But these are tough times here and cost-cutting is the name of the game. We shall see. The films are usually first-class prints and tbey have a great projection. I’ll keep you informed. If you want to help, please call Bank of America at
773 777-7200 or 773 777 7700 and tell them they should keep this valuable series. That goes for anyone out there too who are interested in clasic films and the theaters that presented them.
Scott, I have a different opinion. The Granada was really more Spanish than Western. And I believe there are Mosques in Spain.
Also I think it would have made a gorjous house of worship. You should have seen how Loew’s 175th looked. A big electric cross on the stage with all the drapery intact! Even though they might have gotten the building and I agree with you, Loyola would never have done it, there is the upkeep problem: the roof repairs, the heating and cooling bills, electric bills and insurance. The same old story
just like a big old movie theater. However, there would be a lot more people involved giving $$$$. The floor could have been leveled
for the prayer hall and on and on and on…. I just wish it was saved and sometimes it is nice to “dream” that it could have been.
Anything new about the Uptown? Just imagine if the Paradise was built up there and the Uptown building was built on the West Side!
We would be talking about a whole different “ball game” wouldn’t we?
Scott, It really isn’t a theater theater. More like an auditorium.
But it does have drapes a large screen, great sound, and a wonderful
billing. Usually a cartoon, short and then the feature. The man who does the programming also does facets theater on the north side.
The area has too amny branches since BOA bought alot of them and there is no need for all the counters for tellers. Maybe the Patio might take up the slack if the cinema closes. The only reason the building is open is for the cinema on Sat nights. They have a contract thru Dec 2010. But I think they would like to close it immediately; electricity, insurance etc. A very large parking lot sits behind the building. Only trouble is real estate has taken a dive here in Chicago and is real grim to say the least!
Scott, I often thought if the Paradise or the Marbro had been built in another location or city, it might be a opera house or church
today. I just heard on the radio that the Muslim community want to build a Mosque at the corner od Sheridan Rd. and Pratt. The neighbors are up in arms beacuse of the lack of parking in the area and no taxes coming from it. The building is a five story apartment building with a vacant space on the first floor corner. Too bad they didn’t buy the Granada for $400,000 (the asking price at that time) in 1990. What a beautiful Mosque that would have been. Of course since Loyola owned the lot, it probably never would have happened!!!
Scott, I heard this week-end that the organ is still at the Patio. Also the owner said he has taken good care of the building every week with the intention of going in partnership with his son and could open it on short notice. Sounds promising!!!!
I am trying to learn how to copy a picture of the Tiffin for Scott and Scrabbie and put it here. Glad to see you are back Scott. I thought maybe you were ill. I like our “chats”. Never been to the Plaza and never heard of it. I’ll ask my good friend who knows every
theater in Chicago a then some and has scores and scores of picture
books and details. I just heard that Bank of America wants to “pull
the plug” of their classic cinema series on Sat nights. It is on Irving Pk. near Cicero. Ever been there? Nice 500 seat theater built on the second floor. Building and parking lot for sale. Opened over 30 years ago as Northwest Federal Savings with Chuck Shaden.
I passed the Patio Theatre this afternoon on west Irving Pk. and they started working on repairing the marquee. It was hit by a truck or something high and smashed in on one side. The doors were opened and looked like a constuction crew was inside. So now it looks like a go. I would imagine it will be quite a few weeks before it is ready. It was closed for 9 years and will take a while to find new homes for the many rats that live there. Wonder if it still has the
organ?
Scott, Thanks for info about the Rockne. I was only there once I believe. It was converted to a church and was torn down rather recently as the neighborhood got worse, if thats possible. I can’t believe the Pulaski and Madison area getting any lower. Probably in 20 years or so, the area will be redeveloped. But I find that hard to imagine. Did you ever travel to Lawndale? I read about all the lack of grocery stores in these areas and how the people can’t shop in a decent store and that is how Walmart is needed so badly. Well,
I can tell you that we left the area with plenty of stores and churches and movie theaters and what became of those establishments
is what the new crowd did to them. There is nothing more to say…