Here is the corrected link. That’s right, the facade is all that is left of the Heidelberg, which is somewhat ironic, as it was a new facade for the Randolph Theater, none of which still exists. The Argo Tea is in the former Noble Fool space.
Here is the postcard view Bryan posted earlier. [url=http://bp1.blogger.com/_NtgXlrcvXZA/Rp47zQzwq_I/AAAAAAAACz0/GAcRvApMkN8/s1600-h/POSTCARD+–+CHICAGO+–+CHICAGO+HEIGHTS+–+LINCOLN-DIXIE+THEATER.jpg]Here[/ir;] is another.
Also, the description of this theater is based an an erroneous comment I made earlier; the Schiller’s name was changed to the Garrick in 1903 following an 1898-1903 stint as the Dearborn Theater (this, too, should be listed in prior names). The Garrick name came from the Shuberts, who named it after the famed British actor and his namesake theater.
I might have a photo of them somewhere, if you drop me an email (click my name). They were removed in one of the theater’s several renovations, well before the theater’s demolition.
I believe Bock was responsible for the main sculpture on the interior were lunettes above the boxes on the sides. Over the left hand boxes was “Homer, ‘The father of poetry,’ surrounded by listeners-a bride and her love, a mother and her babe, a warrior and a tiller of the soil-all apparently absorbed in the utterances of the poet. In one upper corner is an allegorical representation of Art, and in the other a representation of Music. Over the right hand boxes is a representation of Schiller mounted upon Pegasus, led by Genius and followed by representatives of terpischore, drama, and the muses. The figures in the corner representing Strength and Beauty respectively.” I seem to recall that the original plans called for statuettes within the boxes as well but these were not executed.
The exterior busts were sculpted by Frederick Almenroder.
Also, Gizmodo has a description of the projectors.
Anyone want to figure out what the architectural inspiration was? I’m thinking the Paradise; particularly with how the pediment is topped by a Pegasus thing like the Pardise’s proscenium.
I have also read that this design will be the template for future Muvico projects, rather than creating a new design for each.
But do standard 35-millimeter movies look better via 4K digital than regular film projection?
The answer is complex, local film projection technician James Bond said, because there are so many variables. A 35 mm print that comes directly from the camera negative and is projected under optimal conditions can’t be beat, he said, but most Hollywood movies are reproduced by the thousands with a resultant drop in quality.
Digital projection removes human error from the equation (the movies are files), but because studios do their postproduction work at a lower level of resolution than 4K, you can’t necessarily see the difference on screen. Also affecting the experience are such factors as overly bright exit signs.
“It’s a delicate recipe that has followed precisely in order to realize this exciting format’s full potential,” Bond said.
The $50 million Muvico project is actually surprisingly similar to one proposed for the same site by Regal in 1998. Just before the plans for Rosemont’s casino were announced, Regal announced plans for a 22-screen theater with then-innovative highback stadium seating with cupholders, VIP seats, a concession stand with two express counters and a gourmet cafe with “espresso, cappuccino, baked goods, teas and hot chocolates. The lobby will also feature a video arcade”. Also valet parking. In all, not very different from what Muvico built.
The site was originally industrial property, but became center of a proposed entertainment district including the theater, Rosemont Theater, and a proposed OTB parlor, and most importantly the Emerald Casino. Even before the Casino plan was announced the area was slated for redevelopment with “office buildings, stores, a hotel, health club and ice rink”, as well as ideas like a Dave & Busters and high-end bowling complex by John Buck Co., a plan that was dropped when the casino was announced. The Buck plan would have been called West Bridge, to tie in with their North Bridge development on Michigan Avenue. The 3500-car addition to the 2000-car Rosemont parking garage was built in anticipation of the casino and entertainment development. Later scrapped ideas included a Hard Rock Cafe/Hotel, automobile museum (likely a relocated Volo), a mid-size music venue, graduate school, and indoor go-cart track. The Regal plan was dead by September 2001, and with no certain anchors the entertainment district was shelved. In early 2005, as casino plans again were looking up, the mayor said theaters would not be part of the plan because of the possible exposure of youth to gambling.
In late 2005, Muvico’s plan was announced. The initial plan was more ambitious, with 24 screens and 4750 seats, several restaurants, and a 36-lane bowling alley across the street. They purchased both parcels from the village (who had earlier planned on owning and building the Regal complex) for $8-11 million. In 2006, the rest of the Rosemont Walk plan was revealed, sans casino and with the theater now pegged at 22 screens. Also planned are: Le Meridien Hotel, the now-on-hold Grizzly Falls hotel and water park (which may be replaced by a Nickelodeon resort), Aloft hotel, restaurants by Phil Stefani, Rick Tramonto (Osteria del Tramanto), McCormick and Schmick’s, and John Baleycorn (sure to attract crowds after Depaul games) a bookstore, possibly the Muvico bowling lanes, more retaurants and retail, office space, and a possible ice rink on the south side of Balmoral. As the theater opened, the village announced its willingness to convert the 10-year-old Rosemont Theater to a casino.
The theaters themselves also feature the first all Sony 4k digital projection in the world (previous plexes like Century Stratford Square are 2k). The childcare center is apparently run by certified teachers. It features a large arcade and party rooms, and mini-prosceniums are duplicated at the ends of hallways. The theater opened with a preview weekend of free sub-run films on September 7-9 with $1 pop and popcorn benefitting make-a-wish, with a private gala on Tuesday, September 11 and a public grand opening Wednesday, September 12. The Premier theater seats 130 and should probably be considered a 19th screen. Also notable is that the menus of the 24-register concession stand with full fast food kitchen are plasma screens, tickets are available online only through Muvico.com, Bogart’s with its 18-stool bar got its name just days before opening, all-custom woven thick pile carpet with muvico and film symbolism, a guest services office resembling the box offices of classic theaters in the middle of the lobby, and major soundproofing to account for the O'Hare flights.
Other interesting aspects: as Des Plaines was vying for a casino, its plans included a multiplex near Devon and River roads. The theater actually contains more seats than the population of Rosemont. Although a Pedway connection is shown on the site plan for Rosemont Walk to the VIP level of the theater, this has not been built. It appears that provision has been made to add four more screens to the front of the theater on the east side of the building; these were simply lopped off the plan. The rusted steel structure of the casino has now been removed. Just yesterday, Bill Zwecker’s Tribune column reported: “MOVIE TIME: MUVICO, the big Florida upscale movie theater chain that just had its splashy first area opening in Rosemont last week, is also planning a downtown facility either in the Block 37 complex (where CBS, Morningstar and a retail mall are going) or at the Navy Pier site being vacated by the Chicago Children’s Museum. Also, a North Shore outpost in Northbrook is being eyed.” Meanwhile, Muvico’s founder’s new company, I-Pic, is also eyeing sites in the region.
I think there may have been more than one iteration of the Mohawk. I have a 1916 ad giving the address as 649 W North. I have also seen the address given as 531 W North (This would put it directly in the middle of Mohawk street, so unless the street was extended and the theater moved, this must be incorrect) or 1617 N Larrabee (this would have been wiped out for the most part by the now-removed extension of Ogden Avenue), or simply North & Larrabee (one would think the theater would be at North & Mohawk). All four are slightly different locations within the same block. I’m not sure what to make of it. Also a 1924 Real Estate article states that the Mohawk was around 600 Seats and located at 541-45 W North (next door to the address given here), and was being taken as a furniture store. Also nearby were the Janet at 617 W North, a 1911 299-seat Nickelodeon, and the 448-seat Orchard at 659-661 W North. My best guess would be that the Mohawk started at 539 W North and then moved next door as a larger theater.
The Geneva and its sister Polka Brothers circuit theaters in Sycamore and [/theaters/1660/]Dekalb[/url] were built by former Geneva Mayor (1903-04, 1907-10) and State Representative (1910-1912) Henry B. Fargo. A 2002 Daily Herald letter notes that owners Carol and Jerry Boose renovated the Geneva at a cost of 3 times what demolition would have cost, and restored the marquee as a community events sign. The letter also states that it was built in 1924 and built by the Wilson Brothers.
Former Geneva Mayor (1903-04, 1907-10) and State Representative (1910-1912) Henry B. Fargo died in 1932, so it must have been sold by his estate if the sale took place in 1940. The Sycamore State’s web page is http://sycamoremovietheater.com/default.aspx
It opened in the Chicago, Carnegie, Lincoln Village, Hillside Square, Morton Grove, Norridge, Yorktown, Stratford Square, Bremen, Edens, Coronet, Evergreen, River Oaks, Town N Country, Lincoln Mall, Griffith Park, Double Drive-In, Bel Air Drive-In, 53 Drive In, and Halsted Twin Drive-In. After it closed at the Chicago in mid-September, it moved to the United Artists, which I bet is what you remember.
The cornice has recently been repainted to match the terra cotta and the old lighting sockets in it were covered over, so it’s unlikely we’ll ever see that lighting function again. I’m not sure if the color is historically accurate or not.
Originally a 2-screen built around 1972, it was increased to 4 around 1980, and 3 more were added in the late 80s. The 8th screen was the old El Tovar/Raue Center downtown. The old complex was demolished in 1996 after the 16 opened. I have to wonder if the 2-screen was originally a Kerasotes as the Showplace name is generally theirs.
Here is the corrected link. That’s right, the facade is all that is left of the Heidelberg, which is somewhat ironic, as it was a new facade for the Randolph Theater, none of which still exists. The Argo Tea is in the former Noble Fool space.
The 3 Penny is now apparently being gutted for retail use of some sort
Here is a vintage postcard view
Here is a postcard view.
Here is that second link again
Here is the postcard view Bryan posted earlier. [url=http://bp1.blogger.com/_NtgXlrcvXZA/Rp47zQzwq_I/AAAAAAAACz0/GAcRvApMkN8/s1600-h/POSTCARD+–+CHICAGO+–+CHICAGO+HEIGHTS+–+LINCOLN-DIXIE+THEATER.jpg]Here[/ir;] is another.
Here is a nice, albeit low resolution early postcard view of the Palace.
Also, the description of this theater is based an an erroneous comment I made earlier; the Schiller’s name was changed to the Garrick in 1903 following an 1898-1903 stint as the Dearborn Theater (this, too, should be listed in prior names). The Garrick name came from the Shuberts, who named it after the famed British actor and his namesake theater.
I might have a photo of them somewhere, if you drop me an email (click my name). They were removed in one of the theater’s several renovations, well before the theater’s demolition.
I believe Bock was responsible for the main sculpture on the interior were lunettes above the boxes on the sides. Over the left hand boxes was “Homer, ‘The father of poetry,’ surrounded by listeners-a bride and her love, a mother and her babe, a warrior and a tiller of the soil-all apparently absorbed in the utterances of the poet. In one upper corner is an allegorical representation of Art, and in the other a representation of Music. Over the right hand boxes is a representation of Schiller mounted upon Pegasus, led by Genius and followed by representatives of terpischore, drama, and the muses. The figures in the corner representing Strength and Beauty respectively.” I seem to recall that the original plans called for statuettes within the boxes as well but these were not executed.
The exterior busts were sculpted by Frederick Almenroder.
Also, Gizmodo has a description of the projectors.
Anyone want to figure out what the architectural inspiration was? I’m thinking the Paradise; particularly with how the pediment is topped by a Pegasus thing like the Pardise’s proscenium.
I have also read that this design will be the template for future Muvico projects, rather than creating a new design for each.
But do standard 35-millimeter movies look better via 4K digital than regular film projection?
The answer is complex, local film projection technician James Bond said, because there are so many variables. A 35 mm print that comes directly from the camera negative and is projected under optimal conditions can’t be beat, he said, but most Hollywood movies are reproduced by the thousands with a resultant drop in quality.
Digital projection removes human error from the equation (the movies are files), but because studios do their postproduction work at a lower level of resolution than 4K, you can’t necessarily see the difference on screen. Also affecting the experience are such factors as overly bright exit signs.
“It’s a delicate recipe that has followed precisely in order to realize this exciting format’s full potential,” Bond said.
-http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-0909_pop1sep09,1,4386579.story
A review of the food (when was the last time you saw a food review for a theater?) is at View link
The $50 million Muvico project is actually surprisingly similar to one proposed for the same site by Regal in 1998. Just before the plans for Rosemont’s casino were announced, Regal announced plans for a 22-screen theater with then-innovative highback stadium seating with cupholders, VIP seats, a concession stand with two express counters and a gourmet cafe with “espresso, cappuccino, baked goods, teas and hot chocolates. The lobby will also feature a video arcade”. Also valet parking. In all, not very different from what Muvico built.
The site was originally industrial property, but became center of a proposed entertainment district including the theater, Rosemont Theater, and a proposed OTB parlor, and most importantly the Emerald Casino. Even before the Casino plan was announced the area was slated for redevelopment with “office buildings, stores, a hotel, health club and ice rink”, as well as ideas like a Dave & Busters and high-end bowling complex by John Buck Co., a plan that was dropped when the casino was announced. The Buck plan would have been called West Bridge, to tie in with their North Bridge development on Michigan Avenue. The 3500-car addition to the 2000-car Rosemont parking garage was built in anticipation of the casino and entertainment development. Later scrapped ideas included a Hard Rock Cafe/Hotel, automobile museum (likely a relocated Volo), a mid-size music venue, graduate school, and indoor go-cart track. The Regal plan was dead by September 2001, and with no certain anchors the entertainment district was shelved. In early 2005, as casino plans again were looking up, the mayor said theaters would not be part of the plan because of the possible exposure of youth to gambling.
In late 2005, Muvico’s plan was announced. The initial plan was more ambitious, with 24 screens and 4750 seats, several restaurants, and a 36-lane bowling alley across the street. They purchased both parcels from the village (who had earlier planned on owning and building the Regal complex) for $8-11 million. In 2006, the rest of the Rosemont Walk plan was revealed, sans casino and with the theater now pegged at 22 screens. Also planned are: Le Meridien Hotel, the now-on-hold Grizzly Falls hotel and water park (which may be replaced by a Nickelodeon resort), Aloft hotel, restaurants by Phil Stefani, Rick Tramonto (Osteria del Tramanto), McCormick and Schmick’s, and John Baleycorn (sure to attract crowds after Depaul games) a bookstore, possibly the Muvico bowling lanes, more retaurants and retail, office space, and a possible ice rink on the south side of Balmoral. As the theater opened, the village announced its willingness to convert the 10-year-old Rosemont Theater to a casino.
The theaters themselves also feature the first all Sony 4k digital projection in the world (previous plexes like Century Stratford Square are 2k). The childcare center is apparently run by certified teachers. It features a large arcade and party rooms, and mini-prosceniums are duplicated at the ends of hallways. The theater opened with a preview weekend of free sub-run films on September 7-9 with $1 pop and popcorn benefitting make-a-wish, with a private gala on Tuesday, September 11 and a public grand opening Wednesday, September 12. The Premier theater seats 130 and should probably be considered a 19th screen. Also notable is that the menus of the 24-register concession stand with full fast food kitchen are plasma screens, tickets are available online only through Muvico.com, Bogart’s with its 18-stool bar got its name just days before opening, all-custom woven thick pile carpet with muvico and film symbolism, a guest services office resembling the box offices of classic theaters in the middle of the lobby, and major soundproofing to account for the O'Hare flights.
Other interesting aspects: as Des Plaines was vying for a casino, its plans included a multiplex near Devon and River roads. The theater actually contains more seats than the population of Rosemont. Although a Pedway connection is shown on the site plan for Rosemont Walk to the VIP level of the theater, this has not been built. It appears that provision has been made to add four more screens to the front of the theater on the east side of the building; these were simply lopped off the plan. The rusted steel structure of the casino has now been removed. Just yesterday, Bill Zwecker’s Tribune column reported: “MOVIE TIME: MUVICO, the big Florida upscale movie theater chain that just had its splashy first area opening in Rosemont last week, is also planning a downtown facility either in the Block 37 complex (where CBS, Morningstar and a retail mall are going) or at the Navy Pier site being vacated by the Chicago Children’s Museum. Also, a North Shore outpost in Northbrook is being eyed.” Meanwhile, Muvico’s founder’s new company, I-Pic, is also eyeing sites in the region.
I think there may have been more than one iteration of the Mohawk. I have a 1916 ad giving the address as 649 W North. I have also seen the address given as 531 W North (This would put it directly in the middle of Mohawk street, so unless the street was extended and the theater moved, this must be incorrect) or 1617 N Larrabee (this would have been wiped out for the most part by the now-removed extension of Ogden Avenue), or simply North & Larrabee (one would think the theater would be at North & Mohawk). All four are slightly different locations within the same block. I’m not sure what to make of it. Also a 1924 Real Estate article states that the Mohawk was around 600 Seats and located at 541-45 W North (next door to the address given here), and was being taken as a furniture store. Also nearby were the Janet at 617 W North, a 1911 299-seat Nickelodeon, and the 448-seat Orchard at 659-661 W North. My best guess would be that the Mohawk started at 539 W North and then moved next door as a larger theater.
The Geneva and its sister Polka Brothers circuit theaters in Sycamore and [/theaters/1660/]Dekalb[/url] were built by former Geneva Mayor (1903-04, 1907-10) and State Representative (1910-1912) Henry B. Fargo. A 2002 Daily Herald letter notes that owners Carol and Jerry Boose renovated the Geneva at a cost of 3 times what demolition would have cost, and restored the marquee as a community events sign. The letter also states that it was built in 1924 and built by the Wilson Brothers.
Former Geneva Mayor (1903-04, 1907-10) and State Representative (1910-1912) Henry B. Fargo died in 1932, so it must have been sold by his estate if the sale took place in 1940. The Sycamore State’s web page is http://sycamoremovietheater.com/default.aspx
Recent photos are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ctid5960
It opened in the Chicago, Carnegie, Lincoln Village, Hillside Square, Morton Grove, Norridge, Yorktown, Stratford Square, Bremen, Edens, Coronet, Evergreen, River Oaks, Town N Country, Lincoln Mall, Griffith Park, Double Drive-In, Bel Air Drive-In, 53 Drive In, and Halsted Twin Drive-In. After it closed at the Chicago in mid-September, it moved to the United Artists, which I bet is what you remember.
I believe lost memory is sourcing this great info from the database at theatreorgans.com . I’m glad to see someone cross-referencing this.
The State-Lake closed June 28, 1984. Purple Rain opened at the Chicago July 27, and played there through mid-September. It also played the Carnegie.
It does indeed appear to have opened in 1919, from the Tribune. This makes more sense with the Brighton’s architecture as well.
The cornice has recently been repainted to match the terra cotta and the old lighting sockets in it were covered over, so it’s unlikely we’ll ever see that lighting function again. I’m not sure if the color is historically accurate or not.
The project was started in 1996 and opened in 1997, not 2001. Kerasotes built it.
Originally a 2-screen built around 1972, it was increased to 4 around 1980, and 3 more were added in the late 80s. The 8th screen was the old El Tovar/Raue Center downtown. The old complex was demolished in 1996 after the 16 opened. I have to wonder if the 2-screen was originally a Kerasotes as the Showplace name is generally theirs.
It opened November 15 1996 as a Second Run house with 1.50 tickets. It also offered free refills and a small cafe.