A 1927 video clip of the Chicago’s marquee can be seen by searching for 26130 at http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php 1951 views by searching for 25327, 25328, or 25330. 1954 views by searching 26438 or 26439.
Short 1927 video clips of the United Artists marquee can be seen by searching http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php for 26128 or 26129. A 1954 color view can be seen by searching for 25332.
Video clips of the Telenews Marquee from 1951 are available at http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php by searching for 25327 or 25328. 1954 views of the Loop marquee are found by searching for 26438 or 26439.
The Stadium opened April 17, 1937. The original facade was in blue, white and gold, Terra Cotta from the American Terra Cotta Co. and boasted “Mirrophonic sound, hearing aids, a $10,000 ultra-modernistic lobby, and deluxe seating comfort”. It closed in July 1952 and was reopened by Evanston actress Hope Summers. Finding the acoustics ‘phenomenal’, she rounded up backers, moved the curtain forward, enlarged the stage, and built dressing rooms. From December 1952-1954, a legitimate playhouse called the Showcase, featuring Summer stock theater, later expanded to year-round. It closed following a minor on-stage fire that caused about $2,500 damage, but not enough to keep it from planning to reopen the next night. It was afterward, reopening July 1 1955, that it adopted the Evanston name. The remodeling to its current appearance took place in August and September, 1960, adding the Indiana Limestone and blue glazed brick facade. Also added were walnut paneling in the vestibule and a glass wall separating the inner and outer lobbies, as well as the marquee and new storefronts. Radio station WEAW was located in the building at that time. Architect for these renovations was Louis E. Fideler, Jr. An art gallery was also run out of the lobby for some time. The manager for the theater for some time after 1955 was Lester Stepner, a former film booking agent who drew considerable praise for maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere, including the approval of 22 PTA organizations. He ran many children’s matinees, adjusted schedules to fit patrons needs. He ran it for at least 20 years, opening the Evanston II in June, 1969. Also noteworthy is that the shops adjoining the theater predate the theater itself.
Here is a recent view of the Harper. The decision was announced: the Music Box proposal lost out. The theater will be demolished in about 6 months; the retail section of the building along 53rd will remain. The facade of that will be extended along the former site of the theater, with two towers imitating the style of the theater. There will be more offices and retail. See here
But… lts… the tag is visible in that last shot, which was taken in August of 2005.
Here’s another shot, incidentally from the same show that auditorium photo came from. http://www.flickr.com/photos/senor_codo/296432845/ And another, from a third user, and that same show. How strange. I guess there is a lot of overlap between Decemberists fans and Flickr users. Wish I was there.
Apparently, before Todd decided to use the Harris, he was in negotiations to use the Garrick, but that fell through and B&K made it back into a theater. I wonder, if Todd had gone in there, maybe we’d still have it.
A 1927 video clip of the Chicago’s marquee can be seen by searching for 26130 at http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php 1951 views by searching for 25327, 25328, or 25330. 1954 views by searching 26438 or 26439.
1927 views of the Oriental Marquee can be seen by searching http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php for 26128 or 26129.
Short 1927 video clips of the United Artists marquee can be seen by searching http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php for 26128 or 26129. A 1954 color view can be seen by searching for 25332.
A 1927 view of the Rialto can be seen by searching http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php for 26001
A 1954 clip of the Clark marquee can be seen by searching http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php for 26461
A 1954 video clip of the Granada can be seen by searching for 26434 at http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php
Video clips of the Telenews Marquee from 1951 are available at http://www.wttwdigitalarchives.com/searchres.php by searching for 25327 or 25328. 1954 views of the Loop marquee are found by searching for 26438 or 26439.
Scratch that, 459 in the largest 2, 129 in the smallest.
The full capacity is claimed as 3264, and the ‘big units’ actually are closer to 460 seats.
Actually the cigar store at this location appears to be new construction.
The Stadium opened April 17, 1937. The original facade was in blue, white and gold, Terra Cotta from the American Terra Cotta Co. and boasted “Mirrophonic sound, hearing aids, a $10,000 ultra-modernistic lobby, and deluxe seating comfort”. It closed in July 1952 and was reopened by Evanston actress Hope Summers. Finding the acoustics ‘phenomenal’, she rounded up backers, moved the curtain forward, enlarged the stage, and built dressing rooms. From December 1952-1954, a legitimate playhouse called the Showcase, featuring Summer stock theater, later expanded to year-round. It closed following a minor on-stage fire that caused about $2,500 damage, but not enough to keep it from planning to reopen the next night. It was afterward, reopening July 1 1955, that it adopted the Evanston name. The remodeling to its current appearance took place in August and September, 1960, adding the Indiana Limestone and blue glazed brick facade. Also added were walnut paneling in the vestibule and a glass wall separating the inner and outer lobbies, as well as the marquee and new storefronts. Radio station WEAW was located in the building at that time. Architect for these renovations was Louis E. Fideler, Jr. An art gallery was also run out of the lobby for some time. The manager for the theater for some time after 1955 was Lester Stepner, a former film booking agent who drew considerable praise for maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere, including the approval of 22 PTA organizations. He ran many children’s matinees, adjusted schedules to fit patrons needs. He ran it for at least 20 years, opening the Evanston II in June, 1969. Also noteworthy is that the shops adjoining the theater predate the theater itself.
M&R took over the Evanston in October, 1984.
Here is a recent photo.
Here is a recent photo of the Music Box’s second screen.
Here is a recent view of the Harper. The decision was announced: the Music Box proposal lost out. The theater will be demolished in about 6 months; the retail section of the building along 53rd will remain. The facade of that will be extended along the former site of the theater, with two towers imitating the style of the theater. There will be more offices and retail. See here
Here is the marquee in its ‘Wicked’ glory.
Here’s a great recent shot of the Portage. In fact, it’s so recent, it says it was taken tomorrow.
But… lts… the tag is visible in that last shot, which was taken in August of 2005.
Here’s another shot, incidentally from the same show that auditorium photo came from. http://www.flickr.com/photos/senor_codo/296432845/ And another, from a third user, and that same show. How strange. I guess there is a lot of overlap between Decemberists fans and Flickr users. Wish I was there.
Also some more good photos from a few days earlier at View link . And at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashwinnair/293415187/ . How strange that there’s such a sudden influx.
Here are a few good recent photos of the Riviera.
The Palace had actually reopened in July 1994 with a Tori Amos concert., prior to its restoration.
Apparently, before Todd decided to use the Harris, he was in negotiations to use the Garrick, but that fell through and B&K made it back into a theater. I wonder, if Todd had gone in there, maybe we’d still have it.
I think so.
Guess it’s time for someone to submit a new entry
Good point. But Friday’s showtimes even look like 10 or 11 screens.
Notice this is only 10 screens, so 2 must not be finished. I’m guessing it’s the two 500-seat “Big Units”