Took a photo of it in the late 80’s (which today, along with the entire collection of Chicago neighborhood theatre photos I took) can be found at the Theatre Historical Society. It was a church and had a pretty lame 50’s facade at the time. You can spot the building (if it still stands, that is) from the Dan Ryan.
I passed this place on the way home last night. Given that I had just been discussing it, decided to drive off of Harlem Ave. and take a look. It seems pretty cool. Reminds me a lot of the original Old Orchard, which is cool because I saw many great films there. There was a big crowd coming out of the place. This was something like 11:45 at night.
One day somebody is going to get angry enough with Paul to organize all the people out there who have reported being taken for 3 or 4 thousand dollars. If you aggregate tons of 3 or 4 thousand dollar claims it adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is a claim big enough to interest an attorney, as well as the Treasury Department (because I would venture to guess that Paul has not been filing proper tax returns). Paul will be served. This time he better show up: unlike the little court cases he has been involved in before, he will end up in jail for blowing off these court orders. Once the trial starts Paul will destroy himself rather quickly. Think about it: can you imagine Paul on the witness stand? My God! He contradicts himself constantly. He always has to have the last word and comes off like a jerk. That may be fine and good when he is dealing with a small town community-based theatre organization. But it’s not going to work in a legal trial in Downtown Chicago. Paul will be found guilty, and then it will most likely be a matter of a couple years in jail. Of course, he will be a model prisoner and get released after a year or so. But he will spend years paying off the judgment (starting with the wages he earns while working in prison), and walk the Earth as a convicted felon. It is also worthy of note that his time in prison will be most uncomfortable if the accusations of child indiscretions are discovered by his fellow inmates. It doesn’t matter whether or not they are true. All it would take would be somebody inside the prison recognizing Paul (which seems like a good probability) and mentioning it to another inmate.
Stop wasting your life, Paul, and use your skills to do something with it.
It seems that M&R got into all kinds of side-business. They had a car wash next to the Old Orchard Theatre. Now I know they had roller rinks. What other business lines did they get into?
I believe the M&R corporate entity still exists. But they don’t get into entertainment anymore. I think it’s basically a real estate speculation outfit now. I actually made a business call to the outfit one day years ago, and the guy who picked up the phone got into the story with me.
I believe that old theatres can rise again as centers of the surrounding community. You just have to make people realize how cool it is that so many generations of people have created memories in the building: first dates, first movies, graduations, whatever.
Go to Europe, you know? How cool is it to be in some of those structures that have been standing for so many hundreds of years. We aren’t ever going to get there if we turn all of our buildings into condos.
It’s not flaming. I am trying to help Paul. I really think that if Paul ever decides to stop acting like a door-to-door kitchen knife salesman that he will do great things. He is intelligent, persuasive, creative and (obviously) never quits. That’s what you need to be successful.
Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that Paul has any intention of working on his life issues.
I’m sure the Mayan marquee will be cool. But that well-maintained 50’s marquee with it’s tracers is cool too. If they have other projects they might spend money on, I say leave the marquee alone!
I came around the bend where Oak Street hits Lake Shore Drive the other night, and there was the Esquire’s vertical sign blazing away. It may be a multiplex now. But it is still very cool to look at during the night.
The fact is that you suck. So I don’t see what the problem is.
The real tragedy of your existence, Paul, is that I think you are extraordinarily creative and persuasive. If you used your talents for legitimate enterprise I think you would contribute greatly to the world.
Here’s an honest comment (it really is): I would be happy to give you the name of a good counselor. It is never too late to turn your life around.
Several generations of my family made their living running an architecture firm, and in the process they created some of the nation’s best know theatres. While my grandfather closed the firm in the late 60’s, and I work in an entirely different business, I have been surronded by these places since I was a little kid in one way or another. You might say that I had no choice in the matter!
The people in Elmhurst have been around for a long time, at least since the 70’s. They have a massive archive of photos, news clippings, records and artifacts (a photo of Eddie Murphy signing autographs at the Varsity for instance). This web site I know less about. I think it’s been up for about five years, and it serves as multi-purpose forum for preservationists.
I was in the neighborhood on business today. It is indeed still quietly sitting there, with a “retail space for lease” sign out front.
What a bummer. I can remember going to this place with a gang of friends to see some premier when I was youger. The screen was huge, the sound was great, and the theatre was packed. Don’t remember the movie. But this would have been the mid-90’s. It was great. One of my best movie-going experiences ever.
Not an Evanston resident these days. But that’s where I grew up. I remember seeing movies at the Varsity while it was still open, and I remember when they tore the marquee off and turned into stores. It was a great house. I clearly recall looking at the stars on the ceiling while watching “the Neverending Story” and “2001”. That was the thing that made it the coolest theatre in Evanston. The Coronet and Evanston Theatres were just big rooms. The Varsity was kind of a magical thing for a little kid, even in the 80’s when I am sure it had seen better days. The Theatre Historical Society in Elmhurst has all kinds of pictures of it, through the stages of it’s life. I have been told by more than one person that the interior is completely intact above the first floor, balcony, seats and all. Perhaps you can shed some light on that. Of course, it would be great to see it return to theatrical use some day. But I also realize that business is business. I wish you success in your venture, and hope that you will keep the theatre’s past in mind if any redevelopment is on the horizon. Even condos can use a nice exterior.
You suck Paul. Only a complete &$&* would get into the middle of a nice conversation like this and bring it down.
Come to think of it, only a complete &*($*(# would sue a non-profit theatre restoration group with limited funds in an effort to seize control of the property after jerking them around to begin with.
Oops! Did I say that?!?
I can hear the Cinema Treasures storm troopers coming for me now…
I think you are right about the General Cinemas lease. I seem to recall old newspaper listings under that banner. While the Belvidere was open in the late 80’s, unlike many Chicago second run houses, they never advertised in the newspapers. I think movie listings were free for theatres until recently, making it even more bizarre.
What can you expect? If you make a habit of buying ancient sites that others no longer find profitable (THE BELVIDERE IN WAUKEGAN??!?!? I can’t believe that place lasted into the new millenium), you are going to have problems. To make it in the exhibition business today you either need sparkling new cinemas with stadium seating and great sound (Century in Evanston) or an intelligent and creative business plan (Music Box on Southport). There are a few exceptions (Webster Place on Clybourn). But that is the basic overview.
Village has neither one of those things. They really are a phenomonon.
I don’t understand the way Village does business: lame web site, no newspaper ads, poor maintenance policies, no customer service. It’s almost like they operate the business to generate a tax loss for a second business!
Yeah: that is a pretty good article. Sums it all up. I hadn’t been aware of the legal battle over the theatre’s ownership.
Can someone clarify who all these groups are (Friends of the Uptown, Uptown Theatre and Center for the Arts, Uptown Theatre Renovation Project, etc) and what role they play in the efforts to reuse the theatre?
Yeah, that’s pretty much my thought process as well. I am not nearly as up on the status of Chicago’s remaining theatres as I was fifteen years ago. But there may be some others still kicking around in various neighborhoods, being used different ways (or not used at all).
By the way Brian, I’ve been meaning to mention that your research is impressive. Keep it up. You’ll be running a redevelopment agency one day.
Regarding the post of April 16, 2004: what do you mean when you say that there is no ornamentation left in the lobby? Is that to say that the fixtures are gone? Or have they stripped all the plater decoration off the walls as well?
Go get ‘em Bruce. I believe there is a solution. I KNOW that enthusiastic, intelligent people can accomplish amazing things when they band together and stick with something.
Took a photo of it in the late 80’s (which today, along with the entire collection of Chicago neighborhood theatre photos I took) can be found at the Theatre Historical Society. It was a church and had a pretty lame 50’s facade at the time. You can spot the building (if it still stands, that is) from the Dan Ryan.
This guy seems to get a lot of email:
http://www.crackd.net/
send PAUL WARSHAUER email! but if you’re looking for info about lawsuits Leave me alone. And stop msg'g me.
I’m NOT that Paul Warshauer! If you want that dude, Try this.
or this, or this, or use f***ing google like I did.
I passed this place on the way home last night. Given that I had just been discussing it, decided to drive off of Harlem Ave. and take a look. It seems pretty cool. Reminds me a lot of the original Old Orchard, which is cool because I saw many great films there. There was a big crowd coming out of the place. This was something like 11:45 at night.
Here’s how I think things are going to end up:
One day somebody is going to get angry enough with Paul to organize all the people out there who have reported being taken for 3 or 4 thousand dollars. If you aggregate tons of 3 or 4 thousand dollar claims it adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is a claim big enough to interest an attorney, as well as the Treasury Department (because I would venture to guess that Paul has not been filing proper tax returns). Paul will be served. This time he better show up: unlike the little court cases he has been involved in before, he will end up in jail for blowing off these court orders. Once the trial starts Paul will destroy himself rather quickly. Think about it: can you imagine Paul on the witness stand? My God! He contradicts himself constantly. He always has to have the last word and comes off like a jerk. That may be fine and good when he is dealing with a small town community-based theatre organization. But it’s not going to work in a legal trial in Downtown Chicago. Paul will be found guilty, and then it will most likely be a matter of a couple years in jail. Of course, he will be a model prisoner and get released after a year or so. But he will spend years paying off the judgment (starting with the wages he earns while working in prison), and walk the Earth as a convicted felon. It is also worthy of note that his time in prison will be most uncomfortable if the accusations of child indiscretions are discovered by his fellow inmates. It doesn’t matter whether or not they are true. All it would take would be somebody inside the prison recognizing Paul (which seems like a good probability) and mentioning it to another inmate.
Stop wasting your life, Paul, and use your skills to do something with it.
It seems that M&R got into all kinds of side-business. They had a car wash next to the Old Orchard Theatre. Now I know they had roller rinks. What other business lines did they get into?
I believe the M&R corporate entity still exists. But they don’t get into entertainment anymore. I think it’s basically a real estate speculation outfit now. I actually made a business call to the outfit one day years ago, and the guy who picked up the phone got into the story with me.
By the way, again, good luck to the Grand.
I believe that old theatres can rise again as centers of the surrounding community. You just have to make people realize how cool it is that so many generations of people have created memories in the building: first dates, first movies, graduations, whatever.
Go to Europe, you know? How cool is it to be in some of those structures that have been standing for so many hundreds of years. We aren’t ever going to get there if we turn all of our buildings into condos.
It’s not flaming. I am trying to help Paul. I really think that if Paul ever decides to stop acting like a door-to-door kitchen knife salesman that he will do great things. He is intelligent, persuasive, creative and (obviously) never quits. That’s what you need to be successful.
Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that Paul has any intention of working on his life issues.
I’m sure the Mayan marquee will be cool. But that well-maintained 50’s marquee with it’s tracers is cool too. If they have other projects they might spend money on, I say leave the marquee alone!
I came around the bend where Oak Street hits Lake Shore Drive the other night, and there was the Esquire’s vertical sign blazing away. It may be a multiplex now. But it is still very cool to look at during the night.
The fact is that you suck. So I don’t see what the problem is.
The real tragedy of your existence, Paul, is that I think you are extraordinarily creative and persuasive. If you used your talents for legitimate enterprise I think you would contribute greatly to the world.
Here’s an honest comment (it really is): I would be happy to give you the name of a good counselor. It is never too late to turn your life around.
You think I am messing with you. But I am not.
Several generations of my family made their living running an architecture firm, and in the process they created some of the nation’s best know theatres. While my grandfather closed the firm in the late 60’s, and I work in an entirely different business, I have been surronded by these places since I was a little kid in one way or another. You might say that I had no choice in the matter!
The people in Elmhurst have been around for a long time, at least since the 70’s. They have a massive archive of photos, news clippings, records and artifacts (a photo of Eddie Murphy signing autographs at the Varsity for instance). This web site I know less about. I think it’s been up for about five years, and it serves as multi-purpose forum for preservationists.
I was in the neighborhood on business today. It is indeed still quietly sitting there, with a “retail space for lease” sign out front.
What a bummer. I can remember going to this place with a gang of friends to see some premier when I was youger. The screen was huge, the sound was great, and the theatre was packed. Don’t remember the movie. But this would have been the mid-90’s. It was great. One of my best movie-going experiences ever.
I think if you guys are going to succeed that you will need both:
enthusiasm and someone around to throw cold water when necessary.
That being said, I don’t understand your resistance to forming a legal entity Bruce. It isn’t that big of a deal and will legitimize your efforts.
Not an Evanston resident these days. But that’s where I grew up. I remember seeing movies at the Varsity while it was still open, and I remember when they tore the marquee off and turned into stores. It was a great house. I clearly recall looking at the stars on the ceiling while watching “the Neverending Story” and “2001”. That was the thing that made it the coolest theatre in Evanston. The Coronet and Evanston Theatres were just big rooms. The Varsity was kind of a magical thing for a little kid, even in the 80’s when I am sure it had seen better days. The Theatre Historical Society in Elmhurst has all kinds of pictures of it, through the stages of it’s life. I have been told by more than one person that the interior is completely intact above the first floor, balcony, seats and all. Perhaps you can shed some light on that. Of course, it would be great to see it return to theatrical use some day. But I also realize that business is business. I wish you success in your venture, and hope that you will keep the theatre’s past in mind if any redevelopment is on the horizon. Even condos can use a nice exterior.
You suck Paul. Only a complete &$&* would get into the middle of a nice conversation like this and bring it down.
Come to think of it, only a complete &*($*(# would sue a non-profit theatre restoration group with limited funds in an effort to seize control of the property after jerking them around to begin with.
Oops! Did I say that?!?
I can hear the Cinema Treasures storm troopers coming for me now…
I think you are right about the General Cinemas lease. I seem to recall old newspaper listings under that banner. While the Belvidere was open in the late 80’s, unlike many Chicago second run houses, they never advertised in the newspapers. I think movie listings were free for theatres until recently, making it even more bizarre.
What can you expect? If you make a habit of buying ancient sites that others no longer find profitable (THE BELVIDERE IN WAUKEGAN??!?!? I can’t believe that place lasted into the new millenium), you are going to have problems. To make it in the exhibition business today you either need sparkling new cinemas with stadium seating and great sound (Century in Evanston) or an intelligent and creative business plan (Music Box on Southport). There are a few exceptions (Webster Place on Clybourn). But that is the basic overview.
Village has neither one of those things. They really are a phenomonon.
This may be the most unique cinema I have ever seen.
I don’t understand the way Village does business: lame web site, no newspaper ads, poor maintenance policies, no customer service. It’s almost like they operate the business to generate a tax loss for a second business!
Yeah: that is a pretty good article. Sums it all up. I hadn’t been aware of the legal battle over the theatre’s ownership.
Can someone clarify who all these groups are (Friends of the Uptown, Uptown Theatre and Center for the Arts, Uptown Theatre Renovation Project, etc) and what role they play in the efforts to reuse the theatre?
I saw it standing as I passed through the neighborhood one day. I think it was in the 90’s. It looked to be closed and in pretty rough shape.
Yeah, that’s pretty much my thought process as well. I am not nearly as up on the status of Chicago’s remaining theatres as I was fifteen years ago. But there may be some others still kicking around in various neighborhoods, being used different ways (or not used at all).
By the way Brian, I’ve been meaning to mention that your research is impressive. Keep it up. You’ll be running a redevelopment agency one day.
Regarding the post of April 16, 2004: what do you mean when you say that there is no ornamentation left in the lobby? Is that to say that the fixtures are gone? Or have they stripped all the plater decoration off the walls as well?
Nice interior photos here:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=21660
I think this is the best remaining example of a theatre from this era in the Chicagoland area.
It seems to be thriving. Not sure, but I heard once that the guy who runs the Aragon Ballroom also has an interest in this place.
Go get ‘em Bruce. I believe there is a solution. I KNOW that enthusiastic, intelligent people can accomplish amazing things when they band together and stick with something.