I was just reminded by a childhood friend, that we exited this theater quite quickly on one occasion.
Apparently with the head shops in such close proximity, their customers took the path of least resistance as to where to “light up” & test out their purchases.
The Aardvark was indeed that cheap, sparsely occupied, quite handy locale.
Since the films were often avant garde, it would go virtually unchecked.
Great pic. It’s a shame it survived 70 years, and came down so recently. Current economic conditions can’t possibly help to save a lot of these places that may still exist.
Years of no heat, who knows how much asbestos, etc. just takes the fight out of most of them.
Just to remind anyone who is interested. The Genesee’s marquee is pretty much identical to that of the Coronado in Rockford Illinois. Shape & style, minus the various colored insets.
Thanks for posting that BW. It’s nice to know that even in it’s current thrift store use, they returned the entrance area to a little more as/like original.
Nothing going on yet. “Pineapple Express” is still on the McCormick side marquee, from when it closed.
Orange city violation notice on the doors last I drove by.
I’m pretty sure we saw the Ali bio pic “The Greatest” at the Shangri-La. Before it went XXX or karate.
That black awning across the street was Govner’s Pub. They’d actually let people cash their paychecks at the bar, and then kept them there drinking. That building was also torn down a few years back as I recall.
Footage of Cabrini-Green WAS used for the “Good Times” TV show open. As well as other B-Roll of Chicago. But that was it. The interiors were filmed in California. “In front of a live studio audience”, as they said at shows end.
I was just reminded by a childhood friend, that we exited this theater quite quickly on one occasion.
Apparently with the head shops in such close proximity, their customers took the path of least resistance as to where to “light up” & test out their purchases.
The Aardvark was indeed that cheap, sparsely occupied, quite handy locale.
Since the films were often avant garde, it would go virtually unchecked.
I know, I know… check the box.
Great pic. It’s a shame it survived 70 years, and came down so recently. Current economic conditions can’t possibly help to save a lot of these places that may still exist.
Years of no heat, who knows how much asbestos, etc. just takes the fight out of most of them.
Just to remind anyone who is interested. The Genesee’s marquee is pretty much identical to that of the Coronado in Rockford Illinois. Shape & style, minus the various colored insets.
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This theatre would have been very close to the Trianon Ballroom. If anyone has pics of either they’d be greatly appreciated.
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Forgot to check the box again…Doh!
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Thanks for posting that BW. It’s nice to know that even in it’s current thrift store use, they returned the entrance area to a little more as/like original.
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Nothing going on yet. “Pineapple Express” is still on the McCormick side marquee, from when it closed.
Orange city violation notice on the doors last I drove by.
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I’m pretty sure we saw the Ali bio pic “The Greatest” at the Shangri-La. Before it went XXX or karate.
That black awning across the street was Govner’s Pub. They’d actually let people cash their paychecks at the bar, and then kept them there drinking. That building was also torn down a few years back as I recall.
Footage of Cabrini-Green WAS used for the “Good Times” TV show open. As well as other B-Roll of Chicago. But that was it. The interiors were filmed in California. “In front of a live studio audience”, as they said at shows end.