Yeah I guess so. You’d think the excavation to pour the ramp-concrete alone, would have undermined a freestanding wall in that condition. Maybe it has specific bracing behind it. But why is the wall even left in that manner? Does keeping the building hollowed out that way have some historic significance?
There’s no visible sidewalk to the right of the ramp anyway. Why such grandiose access to an empty structure? Strange. Must have been some egress code or something.
I just remembered the 3 Penny Cinema opened it’s doors as a cooling station, during the annual “Taste Of Lincoln Avenue” street festival maybe 10 years ago. They allowed people to stp into the A/C, and to utilize the restrrom facilities.
It would have been difficult to operate normally as a theater during those 2-3 days. As Lincoln Ave. is blocked off for only those paying a hefty “donation”. And multiple band stages are set-up throughout the fair at street ends. The main entrance stage a mere 25 feet or so from the 3 Penny. People would actually scale the 3 Penny’s rooftop to see the last band of each night. Usually a big name band like Wilco, Cowboy Mouth or Big Head Todd.
Wow. One has to wonder why such an exlaborate handicap access ramp, would have been built right next to what appears as the unsafe remains of the Royal Theater’s wall.
I read somewhere that Rick Nielson of hometown Rockford band Cheap Trick, was going to be involved in the building of some giant entertainment & hotel complex in Rockford.
Maybe the restoration & reopening of the Times Theatre could be a nifty side project. It could even proceed the hotel project, and be a kicking off place for continued shows to drum up support.
The Mayan had a major role this evening on the NBC prime time show “Life”. The theater was the opening scene of the murder of the lead singer of a fictional metal cover band called Hot Lead.
They only utilized tight shots of the marquee sides. But did show the auditorium, stage & suspended mirrored ball. Along with various interior bar shots, and stage door/alley exteriors.
Since it was a new episode, it’s plausible that it was the filming that was taking place the day of ken mc’s Dec. 3rd photo.
Just to further confirm, the Skokie Theatre does have provisions to show films. Though I don’t know the projection or screen specifics, the silent film “Nosferatu” is scheduled there for 8PM on February 27th.
It is advertised along with the rest of Skokie’s full stage, comedy & music schedule for Feb. & Mar., in Street Level. A free local newspaper serving Nortside Chicago, Evanston & Skokie.
Thanks. Cheers to the new Alderman for making the landmarking happen.
That never would have happened with Natarus. If only the Esquire facade could be spared.
Yes!, exactly. But with much less obvious parking signage. I remember the one on Monroe had just small neon arrows for In & Out. Hikers took the cars from patrons once inside.
Apparently there was an article about the Village and a proposed National Historic Register status, in this past Saturday’s or Sunday’s Red Eye newspaper.
I looked for it online, but couldn’t pull it up in a search of their site.
Gone by early 1982 sounds right.
I walked up Monroe St. from State to Wacker, every evening from Sept.82-March83 for work at the old USG building. And I would have remembered a closed or boarded up theatre along my route, had it still been standing.
There was however along Monroe St., one of those old multi-level indoor parking garages, built to look from the outside like every other office building in the 1920’s.
The entrance & exit driveway doors were arched. And the upper floors had textured chicken-wire glass windows, to mask from the street that it housed cars. I believe it had an auto elevator inside too.
Sometimes I would come up early from the subway near the Chicago Theatre, and zig zag my way S/W past all the other theatres that were still standing in late `82.
The Kennedy Expressway was originally called the Northwest Expressway, when it opened in November of 1960. It was renamed the Kennedy 7 days after the assassination of JFK.
The Haymarket Theatre would have been just East of where the SkyBridge Condominium tower is now located. A Dominicks food store is the 1st floor tenant. Construction of SkyBridge began in 1999. A newly built Manufacturers Bank and local TV channel 26 the “U” are located across the street on the N/W corner of Madison & Halsted. Manufacturer’s Bank was previously on the S/W corner.
Saw “Gran Torino” at Webster Place 11 on 01/19/09.
$10.75 each for adults, plus $2.00 for validated, automated parking. (Remember to park in the multi-level lot to qualify for discount. Open air strip mall lot is apparently still not inclusive to the theaters.)
Webster Place 11 was very clean with a uniformed staff. Visibly armed security guard seemed like overkill. But I assume only they know what they might encounter on a regular basis. Carpeting & restrooms were spotless.
Typical high prices for the ever shrinking sized snack items. Potbelly across the street seemed the better value for killing time. Short of staring at the mass of treadmill users in the gym’s window.
Elevator from the parking lot had an obvious recoat of flat black paint, to combat past or ongoing graffiti. Carpet was beat, but it is mid January. Surrounding sidewalks remained unshoveled.
What’s with all the TV show & Coke commercials before the trailers? They even offer advertising opportunities within the same.
It still amazes me how much trash gets left behind, in just two hours time. Hats off to the clean-up staff for their diligence.
Footage of the “Slumdog Millionaire” cast & director at the BIG Cinema in Mumbai, was featured on TV’s “Access Hollywood” this evening. The footage was used as background for today’s Academy Award nominations for the film.
It also appeared the nominations were watched live by the above at the theater.
I vaguely remember this theatre, though I was very young. It was more visible from the lower CTA track to the West, than from the main ones up top. The lower track was used for express trains to go around others that were standing at Wilson. I also remember the many items that patrons of the Hotel for Men would routinely stack on their window sills facing the “L”.
There was a small, long time snack shop in between the two sets of tracks at street level. Just East of the De Luxe.
Even further East was a steak house of sorts at Broadway & Wilson. The CTA website has several photos of the Wilson Ave. station over the years. But none that look West towards the De LUxe.
Maybe Truman College has pictures of the De Luxe and/or it’s marquee in their archives.
Geez. Why didn’t Ald. Smith just have Live Nation show up and buy it at the auction? I read where even JAM was surprised that they themselves were the only bidders.
Why wait til JAM lays out the front money, and then attempt to dictate what they do with THEIR property?
Only in Chicago.
Wow…walkin' around with almost 5 G’s in cash in 1927? With a cop, and still getting robbed? Sounds like Mr. Hogan got set-up.
Too bad the Stratford Theater building couldn’t have hung on long enough to be appreciated more as a neighborhood landmark. And restored to it’s former glory. The Bob Hope history alone should have prevented it’s fate.
Good news! According to 42nd Ward Alderman Reilly’s Office e-newsletter, the Village Theater received final landmark status as of today.
The attached Germania Club building is next on his list.
I have the link if anyone is interested, you are welcome to e-mail me for it.
Greetings. I guess I was recollecting in general, some of what I remember discussing elsewhere on how the Triple X industry both impacted older theatres, and then took off on it’s own after basically no longer needing them. Some theatres read as rebounding after Triple X, some don’t.
I like to read all the posts when I link to an unfamiliar theatre. I guess the post from 2004 about the business & advertising/money end of the Pussycat Theater, had gotten my mind going in the direction it did.
As I read on, stream of thought went where it went.
Though my comments may not have been about this particular theatre, I thought they were somewhat relevant and might be of interest to some.
If my last reading of the Studs Theatre as a “dying breed” was an unconscious catalyst, my post might have shed some light on how/why the X industry seemed to fare elsewhere.
In Chicago, once home to many X rated theatres, I can think of only one still in existence, The Admiral. And that’s really now more of the live stage show nature. With small video booths instead of a projector and mass seating as it once had. Also open 24/7.
It spent a lot of money during a remodel years back, and stayed around long after the rest of it’s like theatres closed up. So I guess that would be the ultimate of the dying breed. That is in no danger of dying anytime soon.
Someone else reading this may now very well click to the Admiral page.
If I went off topic, I certainly apologize. But if some reading my posts have other memories triggered by them, I think that’s what CT is all about. I sometimes read posts by some who have never even been in the theatres or cities they are located in. They merely post to praise any given theatre’s architecture, history or past promotions as they come across them. Then they are maybe reminded about a different forgotten theatre, or tour like Cinerama. And they begin to search CT even more. I know I do.
Thanks for the pic. Your recent marquee close-up looks like it was nicely restored.
I found it worth the time to re-read most of what is currently available on the official website at the top of the page. Including the “Blog” link.
Seems they intend to remove the stucco they claim was put on after Oswald’s capture. And return the facade to it’s original 1931 appearance. There are a few films scheduled, but it doesn’t really say they are AT the Texas Theatre.
I just found my 07/28/93 handbill from the Oak Theatre.
Alas, I have no way to scan it.
It advertises the address in print as 2000 North Western Av. Phone 235-8502. Which still should have been a 312 area code back then I believe.
I recapped this particular July night in an earlier post.
One more little tidbit that only music fans may find of interest. The show that night was actually ELO Part II. A toring group comprised of some former ELO members from their heyday. But no Jeff Lynne, the creative force and founder.
On the handbill it clearly states “Electric Light Orchestra LIVE at Oak Theatre”. Similar versions of this type of advertising would years later rear their head as a legal issue facing ELO Part II.
Turns out some unscrupulous promoters would knowingly bill ELO Part II as ELO, in an effort to boost ticket sales. Then claimed a clerical errors when “brought” to their attention.
At the time original drummer & co-founder Bev Bevan retired and left ELO Part II in 1999, they were no longer legally allowed to use ELO in their name. They now tour as The Orchestra. After a very brief stint as, I kid you not: “Electric Light Orchestra Part II Former Members”. A mouthful indeed, that was apparently later also rejected by attorneys after Bevan’s departure. Still a dynamite show though with experienced, accomplished musicians.
Thanks for the pics and updates. Hopefully they will make their 2010 Anniversary target date. They need to dry it in though, roof wise. 30 years is a long span of inactivity.
I’m waiting to read how Chicago’s Uptown Theatre roof has faired.
Yeah I guess so. You’d think the excavation to pour the ramp-concrete alone, would have undermined a freestanding wall in that condition. Maybe it has specific bracing behind it. But why is the wall even left in that manner? Does keeping the building hollowed out that way have some historic significance?
There’s no visible sidewalk to the right of the ramp anyway. Why such grandiose access to an empty structure? Strange. Must have been some egress code or something.
I just remembered the 3 Penny Cinema opened it’s doors as a cooling station, during the annual “Taste Of Lincoln Avenue” street festival maybe 10 years ago. They allowed people to stp into the A/C, and to utilize the restrrom facilities.
It would have been difficult to operate normally as a theater during those 2-3 days. As Lincoln Ave. is blocked off for only those paying a hefty “donation”. And multiple band stages are set-up throughout the fair at street ends. The main entrance stage a mere 25 feet or so from the 3 Penny. People would actually scale the 3 Penny’s rooftop to see the last band of each night. Usually a big name band like Wilco, Cowboy Mouth or Big Head Todd.
Wow. One has to wonder why such an exlaborate handicap access ramp, would have been built right next to what appears as the unsafe remains of the Royal Theater’s wall.
The CSO will be performing live to a showing of the classic Chaplin film “Modern Times”, on March 6th 2009 at Orchestra Hall.
This is off topic, but if anyone has any links to exterior shots of the once nearby Trianon Ballroom, I’d appreciate them.
The only shots I can ever find on the web, are the same color drawings of the interior on postcards. But nothing of the outside. Thanks.
I read somewhere that Rick Nielson of hometown Rockford band Cheap Trick, was going to be involved in the building of some giant entertainment & hotel complex in Rockford.
Maybe the restoration & reopening of the Times Theatre could be a nifty side project. It could even proceed the hotel project, and be a kicking off place for continued shows to drum up support.
P.S. Two nice night time full tilts of the Mayan blue neon blade & marquee at show’s end.
The Mayan had a major role this evening on the NBC prime time show “Life”. The theater was the opening scene of the murder of the lead singer of a fictional metal cover band called Hot Lead.
They only utilized tight shots of the marquee sides. But did show the auditorium, stage & suspended mirrored ball. Along with various interior bar shots, and stage door/alley exteriors.
Since it was a new episode, it’s plausible that it was the filming that was taking place the day of ken mc’s Dec. 3rd photo.
Just to further confirm, the Skokie Theatre does have provisions to show films. Though I don’t know the projection or screen specifics, the silent film “Nosferatu” is scheduled there for 8PM on February 27th.
It is advertised along with the rest of Skokie’s full stage, comedy & music schedule for Feb. & Mar., in Street Level. A free local newspaper serving Nortside Chicago, Evanston & Skokie.
Thanks. Cheers to the new Alderman for making the landmarking happen.
That never would have happened with Natarus. If only the Esquire facade could be spared.
Yes!, exactly. But with much less obvious parking signage. I remember the one on Monroe had just small neon arrows for In & Out. Hikers took the cars from patrons once inside.
Apparently there was an article about the Village and a proposed National Historic Register status, in this past Saturday’s or Sunday’s Red Eye newspaper.
I looked for it online, but couldn’t pull it up in a search of their site.
Gone by early 1982 sounds right.
I walked up Monroe St. from State to Wacker, every evening from Sept.
82-March83 for work at the old USG building. And I would have remembered a closed or boarded up theatre along my route, had it still been standing.There was however along Monroe St., one of those old multi-level indoor parking garages, built to look from the outside like every other office building in the 1920’s.
The entrance & exit driveway doors were arched. And the upper floors had textured chicken-wire glass windows, to mask from the street that it housed cars. I believe it had an auto elevator inside too.
Sometimes I would come up early from the subway near the Chicago Theatre, and zig zag my way S/W past all the other theatres that were still standing in late `82.
The Kennedy Expressway was originally called the Northwest Expressway, when it opened in November of 1960. It was renamed the Kennedy 7 days after the assassination of JFK.
The Haymarket Theatre would have been just East of where the SkyBridge Condominium tower is now located. A Dominicks food store is the 1st floor tenant. Construction of SkyBridge began in 1999. A newly built Manufacturers Bank and local TV channel 26 the “U” are located across the street on the N/W corner of Madison & Halsted. Manufacturer’s Bank was previously on the S/W corner.
So what was torn down? Is that the actual theatre site between the other two buildings?
That tree looks way older than “Summer of 2008”.
Saw “Gran Torino” at Webster Place 11 on 01/19/09.
$10.75 each for adults, plus $2.00 for validated, automated parking. (Remember to park in the multi-level lot to qualify for discount. Open air strip mall lot is apparently still not inclusive to the theaters.)
Webster Place 11 was very clean with a uniformed staff. Visibly armed security guard seemed like overkill. But I assume only they know what they might encounter on a regular basis. Carpeting & restrooms were spotless.
Typical high prices for the ever shrinking sized snack items. Potbelly across the street seemed the better value for killing time. Short of staring at the mass of treadmill users in the gym’s window.
Elevator from the parking lot had an obvious recoat of flat black paint, to combat past or ongoing graffiti. Carpet was beat, but it is mid January. Surrounding sidewalks remained unshoveled.
What’s with all the TV show & Coke commercials before the trailers? They even offer advertising opportunities within the same.
It still amazes me how much trash gets left behind, in just two hours time. Hats off to the clean-up staff for their diligence.
Footage of the “Slumdog Millionaire” cast & director at the BIG Cinema in Mumbai, was featured on TV’s “Access Hollywood” this evening. The footage was used as background for today’s Academy Award nominations for the film.
It also appeared the nominations were watched live by the above at the theater.
I vaguely remember this theatre, though I was very young. It was more visible from the lower CTA track to the West, than from the main ones up top. The lower track was used for express trains to go around others that were standing at Wilson. I also remember the many items that patrons of the Hotel for Men would routinely stack on their window sills facing the “L”.
There was a small, long time snack shop in between the two sets of tracks at street level. Just East of the De Luxe.
Even further East was a steak house of sorts at Broadway & Wilson. The CTA website has several photos of the Wilson Ave. station over the years. But none that look West towards the De LUxe.
Maybe Truman College has pictures of the De Luxe and/or it’s marquee in their archives.
Geez. Why didn’t Ald. Smith just have Live Nation show up and buy it at the auction? I read where even JAM was surprised that they themselves were the only bidders.
Why wait til JAM lays out the front money, and then attempt to dictate what they do with THEIR property?
Only in Chicago.
Wow…walkin' around with almost 5 G’s in cash in 1927? With a cop, and still getting robbed? Sounds like Mr. Hogan got set-up.
Too bad the Stratford Theater building couldn’t have hung on long enough to be appreciated more as a neighborhood landmark. And restored to it’s former glory. The Bob Hope history alone should have prevented it’s fate.
Good news! According to 42nd Ward Alderman Reilly’s Office e-newsletter, the Village Theater received final landmark status as of today.
The attached Germania Club building is next on his list.
I have the link if anyone is interested, you are welcome to e-mail me for it.
Greetings. I guess I was recollecting in general, some of what I remember discussing elsewhere on how the Triple X industry both impacted older theatres, and then took off on it’s own after basically no longer needing them. Some theatres read as rebounding after Triple X, some don’t.
I like to read all the posts when I link to an unfamiliar theatre. I guess the post from 2004 about the business & advertising/money end of the Pussycat Theater, had gotten my mind going in the direction it did.
As I read on, stream of thought went where it went.
Though my comments may not have been about this particular theatre, I thought they were somewhat relevant and might be of interest to some.
If my last reading of the Studs Theatre as a “dying breed” was an unconscious catalyst, my post might have shed some light on how/why the X industry seemed to fare elsewhere.
In Chicago, once home to many X rated theatres, I can think of only one still in existence, The Admiral. And that’s really now more of the live stage show nature. With small video booths instead of a projector and mass seating as it once had. Also open 24/7.
It spent a lot of money during a remodel years back, and stayed around long after the rest of it’s like theatres closed up. So I guess that would be the ultimate of the dying breed. That is in no danger of dying anytime soon.
Someone else reading this may now very well click to the Admiral page.
If I went off topic, I certainly apologize. But if some reading my posts have other memories triggered by them, I think that’s what CT is all about. I sometimes read posts by some who have never even been in the theatres or cities they are located in. They merely post to praise any given theatre’s architecture, history or past promotions as they come across them. Then they are maybe reminded about a different forgotten theatre, or tour like Cinerama. And they begin to search CT even more. I know I do.
Thanks for the pic. Your recent marquee close-up looks like it was nicely restored.
I found it worth the time to re-read most of what is currently available on the official website at the top of the page. Including the “Blog” link.
Seems they intend to remove the stucco they claim was put on after Oswald’s capture. And return the facade to it’s original 1931 appearance. There are a few films scheduled, but it doesn’t really say they are AT the Texas Theatre.
I just found my 07/28/93 handbill from the Oak Theatre.
Alas, I have no way to scan it.
It advertises the address in print as 2000 North Western Av. Phone 235-8502. Which still should have been a 312 area code back then I believe.
I recapped this particular July night in an earlier post.
One more little tidbit that only music fans may find of interest. The show that night was actually ELO Part II. A toring group comprised of some former ELO members from their heyday. But no Jeff Lynne, the creative force and founder.
On the handbill it clearly states “Electric Light Orchestra LIVE at Oak Theatre”. Similar versions of this type of advertising would years later rear their head as a legal issue facing ELO Part II.
Turns out some unscrupulous promoters would knowingly bill ELO Part II as ELO, in an effort to boost ticket sales. Then claimed a clerical errors when “brought” to their attention.
At the time original drummer & co-founder Bev Bevan retired and left ELO Part II in 1999, they were no longer legally allowed to use ELO in their name. They now tour as The Orchestra. After a very brief stint as, I kid you not: “Electric Light Orchestra Part II Former Members”. A mouthful indeed, that was apparently later also rejected by attorneys after Bevan’s departure. Still a dynamite show though with experienced, accomplished musicians.
Thanks for the pics and updates. Hopefully they will make their 2010 Anniversary target date. They need to dry it in though, roof wise. 30 years is a long span of inactivity.
I’m waiting to read how Chicago’s Uptown Theatre roof has faired.