Am I the only one who noticed the SNAFU store next door? How fitting for the X rated fare at the Monroe.
Extra credit for the “Dead Head” logo in the store’s window. (cue the rim shot) Doh!
Interesting & versatile concept.
The website still advertises films, matinees etc. Albeit using 2008 dates. Plus the floor plan still looks like a theater type setting. Maybe they just haven’t updated the site for 2009 as of yet.
Great post KenC. I mentioned over on the Surf/Playboy/Chelex/Sandburg Theatre page, that some “North By Northwest” scenes were shot at the Ambassador East Hotel. And a famous still of Cary Grant peeking around an alley wall, was shot across the street almost to Astor. Behind the building at the S/W corner of Astor & Goethe.
Someone else had posted that Grant himself was at the grand opening of the Walgreen’s that replaced the Sandburg Theatre in the early `80’s.
I wonder if this Indian Lake town, was the inspiration for the Cowsills hit song “Indian Lake”?
They were frOm not too far away in Newport, Rhode Island.
You hit the nail on the head LTS. The only logic however was greed disguised at progress.
The City Of Evanston seemed to become WAY more pro-development, after those condos went up at and around Davis & Sherman.
Developers promised tons of multiple units with whatever many new individual tax bills for each. Plus that many more new citizens buying city vehicle stickers, shopping locally, blah blah etc.
Versus one or two bank buildings (or say theaters), with their solo tax bills. Or the city’s very own municipal multi level parking garage, which was deemed “unsafe”, and taking up valuable real estate itself.
I never thought I’d miss those “World’s Largest Garage Sales”, even after it had become rows & rows of new sweat socks & dog chews instead of collectables, but I do.
The Evanston downtown suffered the same fate my beloved Near North Side did under the eyes of former Alderman Natarus for 30+ years. That any & all development was a “bonus” to the neighborhood, and to hell with history and the logic of what over saturation would bring it.
In Evanston’s case, the fact the Northwestern University pays nothing in taxes, and has the most prime lakefront real estate in the city, surely comes into play. The self induced tax shortfalls, are all put on the backs of the homeowners, Some who have owned there since it was a sleepy small town.
I have an 84 year old friend there.
His taxes are between 10K-15K a year, WITH the senior freeze. On a house he paid off in 1970. Just blocks away from Wilmette, where a comparable homes' taxes are around 6K-7K WITHOUT a senior living in them.
His house is likely worth more torn down for the land, than it is now.
Evidenced by a McMansion that went up next to him.
Since both the developers and the city were probably blindsided by the economic turn down, they find themselves right where they deserve to be.
And the Evanston residents are left to suffer. Albeit while the formers get an undeserved “out” by blaming the economy. For what is basically justifiable punishment for their greed, lack of sympathy for local history, and lack of foresight that the condo bubble had to burst on somebody’s watch.
This is a little late, but I wanted to commend Wintermute on her apparent valiant efforts to buy her hometown theatre, and keep it operating as such. It’s a shame her efforts met with such resistance by her business partners.
This Strand was briefly profiled in tonight’s PBS series “Lost & Found”.
A WWII era Strand employee fondly remembered the nightlife/boomtown that was Manitiwoc during it’s submarine building days.
She also was a welder at the shipyard that built the shows main subject. The USS Largato that was built in Manitiwoc, and missing in action since 1944. Found sunken recently in the Gulf of Siam. (Thailand).
The show used a B&W shot of the Strand from the `40’s, and old interior footage of the auditorium & stage. Complete with the old intermission reel of food dancing off to the lobby.
Thanks for posting those. I remember driving by this theatre not long before it was demolished. Thinking then of course how great it would be if it were refurbished.
FYI. JRS40 posted a list on 05/02/07, of films that played at the United Artist’s from 1964-1980. “West Side Story” appears to have played there on/week of 10/13/71. Albeit 10 years after it’s original release.
Another milestone I just noticed is, that the golden voice of The Turtle’s Howard Kaylan apparently graced the UA screen twice. In the theme song to “Guide For The Married Man” in 1967, and as an actor in Zappa’s film “200 Motels”. Now there is an odd distinction befitting his humor.
Wow, what was goin' on in that town in 1933? “Models In Cellophane”? “Sex To Be Determined”? Does that article say “Wife Preservers? Wonder if all that was before or after Prohibition.
Scaffolds are now down. The front of building’s first floor is still covered up during whatever remodling is ongoing. However there are new Marvin windows installed on the second floor overlooking Lincoln Ave. Shouldn’t be much longer.
I am not sure how appetizing “Flame Steaks” would have been, wedged between two XXX buildings. It looks like it even has it’s own mini-marquee.
Not to mention the next door Grocery, Candy, Cold Beer & Cigarettes.
Seems like every hedonistic base was covered, in those four stores.
Yeah I saw that one. It really shows how massive in height the building is.
Even if the screen was at the bottom & back of the building, it seems that all of the towering front space above the doors must have housed something.
I wonder if there was balcony seating possibly OVER the projection booth. I saw a similar layout in a theatre in Chicago once. Much like Cinerama, but with only one projector at that mid-hieght under a balcony overhang.
Wow. For such a narrow building, it’s pretty tall. It must have had one helluva balcony.
Don Lewis is right. With all those visible neon outlets in the crown,
it must have been an awesome sight when fully lit back in it’s hayday.
FYI. In BWChicago’s April 19th post of a 1944 photo, the word Chicago can be seen painted on the side alley wall. Directly behind the Marshall Fields clock trajectory wise.
I cut through that very alley today, and the painted remnants of the sign are still there. It says Chicago Theater Entrance, with a giant arrow pointing towards the State Street entrance. It should be noted that it spelled Theater with the “er”, and not Theatre with an “re”.
Those old signs painted directly on to brick, were usually done using lead based paints. Paint which could withstand the elements, and the porousness of brick.
It is the reason most are still visible and survive today. I unfortunately didn’t have a camera with me.
Am I the only one who noticed the SNAFU store next door? How fitting for the X rated fare at the Monroe.
Extra credit for the “Dead Head” logo in the store’s window. (cue the rim shot) Doh!
Interesting & versatile concept.
The website still advertises films, matinees etc. Albeit using 2008 dates. Plus the floor plan still looks like a theater type setting. Maybe they just haven’t updated the site for 2009 as of yet.
FYI,
55 Plymouth in the56 picture. I had an identical56 model, but the55 had lower tail fins as pictured.P.S. Given it’s the same year as the Stooges visit, a Croonola must have been the current fad.
Google has a “Croonola” as some type of “sub-musical instrument” in a December 1959 New Yorker article link.
Great post KenC. I mentioned over on the Surf/Playboy/Chelex/Sandburg Theatre page, that some “North By Northwest” scenes were shot at the Ambassador East Hotel. And a famous still of Cary Grant peeking around an alley wall, was shot across the street almost to Astor. Behind the building at the S/W corner of Astor & Goethe.
Someone else had posted that Grant himself was at the grand opening of the Walgreen’s that replaced the Sandburg Theatre in the early `80’s.
I wonder if this Indian Lake town, was the inspiration for the Cowsills hit song “Indian Lake”?
They were frOm not too far away in Newport, Rhode Island.
You hit the nail on the head LTS. The only logic however was greed disguised at progress.
The City Of Evanston seemed to become WAY more pro-development, after those condos went up at and around Davis & Sherman.
Developers promised tons of multiple units with whatever many new individual tax bills for each. Plus that many more new citizens buying city vehicle stickers, shopping locally, blah blah etc.
Versus one or two bank buildings (or say theaters), with their solo tax bills. Or the city’s very own municipal multi level parking garage, which was deemed “unsafe”, and taking up valuable real estate itself.
I never thought I’d miss those “World’s Largest Garage Sales”, even after it had become rows & rows of new sweat socks & dog chews instead of collectables, but I do.
The Evanston downtown suffered the same fate my beloved Near North Side did under the eyes of former Alderman Natarus for 30+ years. That any & all development was a “bonus” to the neighborhood, and to hell with history and the logic of what over saturation would bring it.
In Evanston’s case, the fact the Northwestern University pays nothing in taxes, and has the most prime lakefront real estate in the city, surely comes into play. The self induced tax shortfalls, are all put on the backs of the homeowners, Some who have owned there since it was a sleepy small town.
I have an 84 year old friend there.
His taxes are between 10K-15K a year, WITH the senior freeze. On a house he paid off in 1970. Just blocks away from Wilmette, where a comparable homes' taxes are around 6K-7K WITHOUT a senior living in them.
His house is likely worth more torn down for the land, than it is now.
Evidenced by a McMansion that went up next to him.
Since both the developers and the city were probably blindsided by the economic turn down, they find themselves right where they deserve to be.
And the Evanston residents are left to suffer. Albeit while the formers get an undeserved “out” by blaming the economy. For what is basically justifiable punishment for their greed, lack of sympathy for local history, and lack of foresight that the condo bubble had to burst on somebody’s watch.
This is a little late, but I wanted to commend Wintermute on her apparent valiant efforts to buy her hometown theatre, and keep it operating as such. It’s a shame her efforts met with such resistance by her business partners.
FYI. If you enlarge Lost Memory’s May 2009 pic, you can just make out the painted wall signage I mentioned above.
Correction, USS Lagarto.
This Strand was briefly profiled in tonight’s PBS series “Lost & Found”.
A WWII era Strand employee fondly remembered the nightlife/boomtown that was Manitiwoc during it’s submarine building days.
She also was a welder at the shipyard that built the shows main subject. The USS Largato that was built in Manitiwoc, and missing in action since 1944. Found sunken recently in the Gulf of Siam. (Thailand).
The show used a B&W shot of the Strand from the `40’s, and old interior footage of the auditorium & stage. Complete with the old intermission reel of food dancing off to the lobby.
Thanks for posting those. I remember driving by this theatre not long before it was demolished. Thinking then of course how great it would be if it were refurbished.
FYI. JRS40 posted a list on 05/02/07, of films that played at the United Artist’s from 1964-1980. “West Side Story” appears to have played there on/week of 10/13/71. Albeit 10 years after it’s original release.
Another milestone I just noticed is, that the golden voice of The Turtle’s Howard Kaylan apparently graced the UA screen twice. In the theme song to “Guide For The Married Man” in 1967, and as an actor in Zappa’s film “200 Motels”. Now there is an odd distinction befitting his humor.
Wow, what was goin' on in that town in 1933? “Models In Cellophane”? “Sex To Be Determined”? Does that article say “Wife Preservers? Wonder if all that was before or after Prohibition.
Scaffolds are now down. The front of building’s first floor is still covered up during whatever remodling is ongoing. However there are new Marvin windows installed on the second floor overlooking Lincoln Ave. Shouldn’t be much longer.
Apparently there is no CT page yet for the Mount Prospect Cinema at Rand Road & Central Road, whose ad is pictured in ken mc’s May 19th post.
I am not sure how appetizing “Flame Steaks” would have been, wedged between two XXX buildings. It looks like it even has it’s own mini-marquee.
Not to mention the next door Grocery, Candy, Cold Beer & Cigarettes.
Seems like every hedonistic base was covered, in those four stores.
FYI. Just noticed the 1984 picture shows “Prospect Theatre” spelled with the “RE”. Not sure if that means updating the header/bio or not for accuracy.
Yeah I saw that one. It really shows how massive in height the building is.
Even if the screen was at the bottom & back of the building, it seems that all of the towering front space above the doors must have housed something.
I wonder if there was balcony seating possibly OVER the projection booth. I saw a similar layout in a theatre in Chicago once. Much like Cinerama, but with only one projector at that mid-hieght under a balcony overhang.
Wow. For such a narrow building, it’s pretty tall. It must have had one helluva balcony.
Don Lewis is right. With all those visible neon outlets in the crown,
it must have been an awesome sight when fully lit back in it’s hayday.
Reactivate notification status.
Great pics too!
FYI. In BWChicago’s April 19th post of a 1944 photo, the word Chicago can be seen painted on the side alley wall. Directly behind the Marshall Fields clock trajectory wise.
I cut through that very alley today, and the painted remnants of the sign are still there. It says Chicago Theater Entrance, with a giant arrow pointing towards the State Street entrance. It should be noted that it spelled Theater with the “er”, and not Theatre with an “re”.
Those old signs painted directly on to brick, were usually done using lead based paints. Paint which could withstand the elements, and the porousness of brick.
It is the reason most are still visible and survive today. I unfortunately didn’t have a camera with me.
Greetings ken mc. Neither link seems to work.
I tried accessing them from a couple different servers, to no avail.
Well it is definately pre-1986. That exterior, freestanding ticket booth was gone by the time I rented the upstairs space.