AMC Norridge 6
4520 N. Harlem Avenue,
Norridge,
IL
60706
4520 N. Harlem Avenue,
Norridge,
IL
60706
12 people
favorited this theater
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Broan: to quote Vinnie Barbarino…“I’m so confused!!!”
Here is an updated link to Box Office Magazine of November 2, 1970. I’m adding photos I took about 5 years ago and a couple from last night.
BREAKING NEWS!!! Norridge closes tonight, Sunday, July 15.
June 26th, 1970 grand opening ad has been uploaded in the photo section for this cinema.
After the 10p.m. showing of STRAW DOGS last night, I asked an employee about the possibility of the Norridge closing. Low attendance (8 people in auditorium 1 ; perhaps 24 cars in the parking area at 9:45) did not look promising. He said every year there are rumors re: the theatre closing. But every year AMC renews the lease. Most important, they recently invested $10,000. for new air-conditioning. So, it looks like the theatre will remain open for at least the near future. Good news.
Cinemark Fan,
Thanks for the shout out. It is amazing how this cinema has survived the other M&Rs and even outlived its supposed competitor, the Bricktown.
It’s too bad Kerasotes bailed so quickly on the cinema biz. Imagine what they could have done to this place, ala the Webster Place.
Any idea which building it is when you look at the Google satellite image? Usually they have these buildings marked, but I can’t tell which is the theatre.
It has just dawned on me that the Norridge’s 40th birthday is Saturday June 26th. It is doubtful that I’ll be able to finally visit, but you never know.
It’s life is really something. It went from two screens to ten. The movies that have played here cannot be measured. Right now, it is showing the remake of “Karate Kid”, and the original played here when it had 5 screens. And Like Paul Fortini said earlier in this thread, it has outlived its predecessors like the Old Orchard, the original Golf Mill, and the Lawrencewood aka Niles Square. And even in the face of its supposed successors (Bricktown, Cinemark Melrose, Rosemont etc.), it stands. Whether or not it still stands later this year or next remains to be seen. But it looks like Costco has moved on from its plans at Norridge, so we’ll see.
I must ask people who know the place, how big are the screens in #1, 2, 5 and 6? Do some screens in the 5-10 section have top-down masking?
Three photos and a brief description of the original Norridge Twin can be seen in Boxoffice, November 2, 1970.
Does this theater still use the LOEWS name or has it changed?
Cinemark Fan,
A little off-topic, but it stinks that Kiddieland closed. That place was still profitable up until the end. I went there with my wife and my sister and her boyfriend the next-to-last weekend and we had a great time.
I just saw on the news that Costco is looking to build a store on the site of the now-closed Kiddieland in nearby Melrose Park. If that goes through, then that’s more hope for Norridge.
Anyway, does all the screens have side-masking for scope films? I ask because I think of another M&R turned Loews theater, the Evergreen. And its original 2 screens were split to make 4, and all of them were pretty big screens. I’m wondering if Norridge’s split auditoriums have the same effect.
Would anybody be willing to describe the theaters themselves to me? Like the color of the seats, walls etc.. And do all the screens have side-masking?
Went to the Norridge on Saturday to see “Drag Me to Hell.” Hadn’t been there in ages. Used to go there all the time when I was a kid (because the neighborhood theaters were falling apart and the downtown theaters were scary), so I’m happy it’s still around and in pretty good shape, as far as I can tell.
CinemarkFan- I have never been to Chicago Ridge Mall; it’s unlikely I’ll get there. Haven’t been to the Lake in some time. Will try to get there in early June…it’s a great theatre.
KenC,
If you can, could you get the seat count for Chicago Ridge Mall and the Lake in Oak Park?
A correction: The employee who gave me the seating capacity for each auditorium was selling tickets and working the concession stand for theatres 1,2,3 and 4. This section is the one nearest to Harlem Ave. A little west is another section of the theatre, which houses auditoriums 5 through 10. This is where an employee is IN the boxoffice, and two more are working the concession…facing south. Across from the popcorn and candy is the managers stand- facing north. Even though the Norridge lacks stadium seating, it’s still a very comfortable place. Lots of leg room, very high ceilings, and pretty wide auditoriums will make me come back. One negative- the marquee on Harlem is NOT inviting; one might think the theatre is closed or has only 5 screens. A very minor complaint- a few water stains on the ceiling of a few auditoriums. But, generally speaking, I give this decades old theatre a thumbs up. Hope it lasts!
Thank you for posting the info KenC. Multiplexes these days only have about 2 big rooms, and the rest are little screening rooms with 80-90 seats. I hope Costco will go elsewere, so Norridge may soldier on.
Who knows, maybe when my chain kicks off, perhaps I’ll pick it up from AMC and give it a much needed facelift.
The Norridge has a grand total of 3,952 seats. Auditorium #1-600 seats, #2-581, #3-304, #4-286, #5- 500, #6-524, #7-363, #8-365, #9-210, and #10- 219. The seating capacity is NOT posted outside each auditorium ;therefore, many thanks to the employee working the concession stand for screens 7 to 10 for the information.
Well, the newspaper articles quoted Costco as having no interest in the site, and said that the surrounding planned lifestyle center hinged upon it
Unfortunately, big companies don’t care about history, and see everything in dollar signs.
I still hope Costco will go elsewere. This theater has too much history to just vanish in the wind.
I mean, look at how many classic films played here in it’s almost 39 year history. “Halloween”, “Alien” etc…
I think costco still has the space, but for whatever reason decided to hold off on buildong for another year. But this time, when they do decide to close, we will be given 3 months notice. That way, we won’t have to worry about wether we need to order more items or find new jobs. But we still don’t know if we’re closing after our year is up. Because of that, the higher-ups won’t find it worth their while to renovate. If that keeps people from returning to our theatre then they can to to the movico in rosemont. Much nicer there for the same cost. As for ‘how’s business’, the only times we’re really busy nowadays is for kids movies and those stupid PG-13 horror movies that teens go see thinking they’re getting into a rated R movie (i.e. the unborn).
Thanks for the good news nightshadezero! Based on what you said about your job, they must’ve just told you! I remember at this time last year I asked the manager if they were closing, and he said it depended on Costco building on the site. If they said no, the theater would remain open. Apparently, Costco has passed on the space. I’m so glad! Nightshadezero, how’s business? Do you know if the property is still for sale? The theater still looks fairly busy when I drive by it at night. I really think with some proper renovations, this theater could thrive for a long time. Good location, big screening rooms. It’s good to see history prevail over blah big box retail for once (at least for now)! Thanks for the update nightshadezero, and good luck with your new job!
I currently work at AMC norridge and I can tell you that it is staying open for at least another year! It’s too bad they took so long to tell us that since i’ve already found another job!