Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W. Randolph Street,
Chicago,
IL
60601
151 W. Randolph Street,
Chicago,
IL
60601
24 people
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 100 of 109 comments
Would you believe that the famed stage actor Bela Lugosi once graced the stage at the RKO Palace? Yes, as the following news item will explain:
Chicago Daily News, Wednesday, February 28, 1940, p. 23, c. 4:
WORLD PREMIERES AT PALACE TOMORROW; STARS WILL ATTEND
Arrangements have been completed for Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price and Margaret Lindsay to make personal appearances at four of the performances at the Palace tomorrow in conjunction with the double world premiere of the Universal pictures, “Black Friday” and “The House of Seven Gables.”
Bela Lugosi, who is co-starred with Boris Karloff in “Black Friday,” will arrive in Chicago tomorrow morning from San Francisco to join Vincent Price, who is scheduled to arrive today from Hollywood, and Margaret Lindsay, also arriving today or tomorrow by plane from Massachusetts. Price and Miss Lindsay are starred in “The House of Seven Gables.”
The showing of these attractions is an event in entertainment circles of Chicago, in that for the first time in motion picture history two attractions are to be given their initial world showing at the same time and on the same program.
A couple seconds of the palace’s marquee, along with the marquees of the oriental and united artists, from about 1927 are visible about :43 seconds into the video at http://www.archive.org/details/Behindth1935
The Palace had actually reopened in July 1994 with a Tori Amos concert., prior to its restoration.
Here is a 1999 article from the Doylestown Intelligencer, edited for length:
Bob Hope and Jack Benny played the Palace. So did Mae West, Jimmy Durante and Sophie Tucker, in an era when vaudeville was the lifeblood of a thriving theater district in downtown Chicago.
Seventy years later, that theater is back as the Cadillac Palace â€"
the latest chapter in the city’s push to recreate past glory by restoring once-grand showplaces and building new ones.
“This is an opportunity to evoke that historical love of theater that
Chicago’s always had,” said Marj Halperin, executive director of the
League of Chicago Theaters. “We would love to see theater be so
much of the Chicago experience that you wouldn’t come to the city
without seeing a show.” The Cadillac Palace recently reopened with the Elton John-Tim Rice revamp of “Aida.”
As the western anchor of the district along Randolph Street, the
the Cadillac is the third downtown theater to reopen after costly renovations. The Chicago Theater reopened in the mid-‘80s and the
Oriental reopened last year as the Ford Center for the Performing
Arts.
The Palace was modeled after the French palaces of Fontainbleau
and Versailles. In restoring it, architect Daniel P. Coffey sought to retain the theater’s former grace while meeting the demands of Broadway productions.
Seating was slightly reduced for comfort, to 2,370, and its stage
enlarged. Its interior remains decorated with gold leaf and marble.
Built in 1926, the Palace was once part of one of the liveliest
theater districts in the country. “There was a time when there
were dozens of theaters in and around the north Loop,” said Becky Carroll, a spokeswoman for the city’s Planning Department. “To play the Palace in Chicago was to play the big time,” added Richard Sklenar, head of the Theater Historical Society of America.
But the district was hit hard by the Depression and never recovered.
Many of the once-great theaters were demolished. Others, including the Oriental and Chicago, became run-down movie houses, while surrounding downtown blocks, a center of business,finance and government, were usually deserted at night. The city hopes the Randolph Street theater district will change all that.
“It’s our hope that theaters will continue to build off and around
Randolph Street,” Carroll said of the city’s push to give the Big
Apple a run for its money. Architect Coffey, who’s had a hand in the renovations of the Palace, Oriental and Chicago theaters, said the new theater district secures “Chicago’s place as a world city with the best of everything.”
My photograph of the PALACE.
www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/293514498
In 1970, this theatre was called the Bismarck, after the adjoining hotel. I saw Patton there on a first run, exclusive engagement. This is the only time I can remember ever seeing a film where there was reserved seating instead of general admission.
Great film, but shortly afterwards I got a job at the Montclare as an usher, and the only film they ran during my entire six weeks of employment was- you guessed it- Patton.
Here is a great shot of the Palace’s dome
WHEN I WENT TO GO SEE THE LION KING I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE A SHOW FOR JUST CHILDREN, BUT ITS GOOD FOR ALL AGES TO SEE. THE COSTUMES WERE VERY COLORFUL AND DETAILED. I WOULD LIKE TO HERE SECOND OPINION ON THIS. EMAIL ME AT
does anyone in here truely appreciate art.
When i first set my foot inside the cadillac building it took my breath away. I couldint believe the detail and beauty. I plan on returning soon.
I’m wondering if this is the theatre (Cadillac Palace in Chicago) where I went with a women’s convention grou around 1965-6. I just recall the theatre was very ornate and we ate in a dining room (within the theatre) then went to one of several theatres within the theatre. The show we saw was a mariotette show. I don’t recall that much about it, except that everything was like nothing I had ever encountered before in my life…I was in total AWE! I’d love to visit that magnificent theatre again, but don’t recall the name. If this is the theatre, then just a visit (regardless of what’s playing) would be worth any ticket price!!!
cthomps
The Palace Theatre opened on Monday, October 4th, 1926.
I saw the world premiere of Polar Express at the Cadillac Palace Theater in October of 2004. When I caught a clip of the movie “Save the Last Dance” (2001) on TV, the Chicago theater that Julia Stiles dances in toward the end looks remarkibly (if not exactly) like the Cadillac Palace. Does anyone know if scenes were shot there? Thanks!
What do Chicagoans call this in ordinary conversation? The Palace, or the Cadillac Palace?
I saw several Cinerama films at Eitel’s Palace, “Cinerama Holiday”, “Seven Wonders of the World” and “South Seas Adventure”.
I recall it being very impressive and got me started in my appreciation of large format cinema.
We sometimes would dine next door at the Bismarck. My grandfather had retired after working fifty years at the Bismarck Hotel (the Eitel family owned both the Bismarck Hotel and the Palace Theater.)
I’m happy to hear the theater still stands. I’ll have to visit it next time I’m in Chicago.
Thank you for deleting the comment that was laced with four letter words. It does not really deserve a comment, but I want to come to the defense of Cinema Treasures. The statement was made that they could not find the phone number (Jim, I agree that this is not the purpose of CT) anywhere on the net for the Cadillac Palace. You can go to the link to the official web site for “Broadway In Chicago” located on this page. Click on theatre info and then click on contact, its that simple. With the language that this individual used in the comment, it is obvious that he does not have the intelligence to surf the web.
If one cannot find a phone number on the net, one is always permitted to phone Directory Assistance (dial 411) or to contact his local library which will have directories for other cities. With all due respect, this site is primarily an historical reference, not a booking agency or ticket office. With a little patience, we can all appreciate the great amount of work that the founders of CT have gone to and applaud that.
Paul B. needs to get a life and go back on his Ritalin medication….
Saw “Camelot” here in the 60’s – and by the way-don’t be afraid of our city..
ar you people all isane? USE YOUR BRAIN…..and stop asking questions HERE that can easily be answered by phoning or emailig the theatre…..cimmatreasures is not a holiday info site AS YOU ALL KNOW….for gods sake!………..and thankyou for your patience, Bryan………I am just aghast at the stupid questions above………
I am flying to Chicago from Azrizona in March to see the Phantom. I am trying to see if anyone has information about the Hotels that are near to the Theater. I will be staying outside Chicago, but will be taking the train in, and would like to stay the night. Thanks
I will purchase tickets for the Phantom in March ‘04. Can someone tell me what section/row/seats are better than others? Thank you.
I saw Nicolas and Alex there back in 1973. Great place for a wide screen flick, was in 70mm.
The last reserved seat exclusive run to play the Bismrak was in the early 1970’s.The picture was called “Nicolas and Alexandra”. I took my own tour of the theatre in the late 90’s before it was restored. It was in pretty good condition since it had been a banquet facility for the Bismark Hotel for a number of years. brucec
Two questions please.
I am traveling to a show at the Cadillac Theater in Chicago this summer, can anyone tell me the names of hotels that are close to the theater?
I am traveling to Chicago with my children and have NO desire to drive into Chicago; therefore I will be taking Greyhound or Van Galder to Chicago. Does anyone know whether either bus stops near the hotel/theater?
Thank you for whatever assistance you can offer.