KenC
commented about
Park Weston
Nov 5, 2006 at 6:58 pm
I have three memories of the Park West theatre. In the late 50s- early 60s ,when it was the Lane Court, it had a policy similar to the Parkway, Mode, and DeLuxe theatres: mostly triple features; 3 or 4 changes a week. Sometime in the mid 60s it went to an ADULTS ONLY policy, and a name change: Town theatre. For a VERY short period of time, it was called the Town Underground theatre. It was at this time I made my first trip there, to see Andy Warhols “THE CHELSEA GIRLS”, one of the most boring movies I’ve ever seen (although there was some funny dialogue). This was in 1967- perhaps 1968. Don’t remember much about the theatre- rather plain, with a pretty wide auditorium. My second trip was quite memorable: After being banned in Chicago for a number of months (a year?) “DEEP THROAT” had its Chicago premiere at the Town theatre. My buddy and I went on a weekday afternoon; the theatre was packed. This was sometime in 1973.So, the Park West did not come into being until 1974 -perhaps 1975. Shortly after seeing “DEEP THROAT”, the Town was raided; the police confiscated the film. I’m not sure if the Town continued operating as an adult theatre after the raid. It may very well have closed for good as a movie theatre in mid to late ‘73.
Perhaps the Plaza closed in the mid 50s, but it definitly reopened- and went through two name changes.From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings,Wed. May 1, 1963: New PLAZA 308 W. North Phone 337-4356 Last Week “LADY WITH THE DOG” Plus “GOOD NIGHT, SOCRATES” Op. 6p.m.-Last Complete Show 9:50. Not long after, the Plaza went to soft core adult films- similar to what the downtown Monroe theatre was showing at the time. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings Monday May 2,1966: PLAZA ART THEATRE FREE PARKING ADULTS ONLY Continuous Daily Noon to Midnite Midnite Show FRI. & SAT. Last 2 Days! “MUDHONEY” LEAVES A TASTE OF EVIL! IN PERSON Frisco Style GO-GO GIRLS! Plus 2nd SURPRISE ADULT HIT! I went to the Plaza once as a teenager; my memories are few:a very large neighborhood theatre, lots of empty seats on the afternoon I attended, got a box of popcorn from a young lady who looked like a Playboy bunny, sitting in the auditorium watching many trailers, mostly black and white, among them “ONE SHOCKING MOMENT” “COPENHAGEN CALL GIRLS”. To Life’s too short: I’m pretty sure the Plaza was closed for good by the late 60s; for sure by the early 70s.The Aardvark theatre opened in 1966(1967?), just a few short blocks east of the Plaza. The competition was too much for the Plaza. If memory serves, the Aardvark lasted to 1974, maybe 1975 ,showing hard core porno. The Plaza was long gone.
The Ark theatre was open at least through mid February 1965. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings on Thursday Feb. 11,1965: ARK 858 E. 63rd- Op. 1:30 “FORT DOBBS” “MADEMOISELLE STRIPTEASE” “NEVER PUT IT IN WRITING”.
The Royal theatre remained open at least through November 1966. From the Chicago Sun Times movie directory on Sunday, Nov.20, 1966: ROYAL “WEIRD,WICKED WORLD” “WAR OF COLOSSAL BEAST” “3 STOOGES MEET HERCULES” 3 Hits!
To all Chicago area residents: Try to get a copy of New City, dated 9-28-06. On page 19, there is a pic of Clark and Madison in the 1950s. There is a small but nice shot of the Clark marquee. Right next door is a Turkish Bath house; a few doors south is the Blue Note (The Bud Freeman Roy Eldridge Quartet) ,and indeed, a Wimpy’s burger joint- above it a sign: Borden’s IT’S GOT TO BE GOOD! ICE CREAM. This shot is an ad for Lee Balterman’s Lifelong (Photographic) Romance with Chicago, at Stephen Daiter Gallery. It’s at 311 W. Superior, suite 404/408. Admission is free; it runs through Oct. 28. I haven’t been there yet, but I bet there are a few more (hopefully many more) photos of Chicago area theatres. In any case, it should be interesting to all of us who grew up in Chicago.
To CinemarkFan: The Chestnut Station did not have an escalator. After buying your ticket,you entered to the left. There were two concession stands, both facing Clark street. Only one was open; usually the one at the south end of the lobby. The lobby was more wide than deep. Between the concession stands was a somewhat narrow walkway (heading west) to auditoriums 1, 2,3 and 4. Two of them faced south; two of them faced north(toward Chestnut street). They were not very large…200, maybe 240 seats each. Your brother was correct about the colors and the zig zag stuff on the walls. I have no memory of the color of the seats, but I know they were comfortable. Auditorium 5 was on the second level. To get there, you had to use a narrow staircase at the north end of the lobby. Both washrooms were up there, too. There was a very small elevator near the stairs; I never saw it in use. Auditorium 5 was by far the smallest: 80 to 100 seats, tops.
The Lex theatre, like many other theatres in Chicago in the late 60s-early 70s, switched to an “ADULTS ONLY” policy in an attempt to survive. In the late 50s through the 60s, the Lex played mostly triple features with a 4 change a week policy- very similar to the Mode theatre. Lots of westerns, horror/sci-fi, comedies, and dramas.In 1969 or 1970, there was a minor name change: LEX PLAYHOUSE. From the Chicago Sun Times movie directory,Sunday May 31, 1970: LEX PLAYHOUSE 1162 E. 63rd St. OPEN 11:30 A. M. FOR ADULTS- 18 YEARS & OLDER ONLY “BUSHWACKERS” & “HOUSE NEAR the PRADA”. I think within two years the Lex closed.
The State theatre was open at least through mid 1970. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings, Sunday May 31, 1970: abcSTATE “A MAN CALLED HORSE” plus “100 RIFLES”.
The Kimbark theatre, like the nearby Lex, played mostly triple features with a 4 change a week policy. It was open at least through June 1960. I’m pretty sure it closed soon thereafter(whereas the Lex lasted into the early ‘70s). There must have been a sizeable Hispanic population in Hyde Park and/or Woodlawn in the late 50s- early 60s. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings, Tuesday June 14,1960: KIMBARK &63rd Op. 12:30 Spanish Films! “UN MUNDO NUEVO” Rene Cardena & Manelin y Shillasky “LAS Nenas Del 7”. The other days of the week were devoted to Hollywood B films…westerns, action, horror. Also, because of the ad displays, the Lex and Kimbark had to be owned by the same company
The Royal theatre was in operation at least through May 1963, and I suspect for another few years after. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings on Friday, May 3,1963:“PIT & THE PENDULUM” Thriller “COLORADO”–“HIGH SCHOOL BIG SHOT”. Was never inside, but passed by on foot a few times. I recall a very wide area between the box office (which was connected to the front doors)and the ticket taker. Here you could see many “lobby cards” and other posters advertising upcoming films. The Royal had a 3 or 4 change a week policy- like the Mode and the Deluxe theatres. If you rode the CTA blue line at the time, you could see the Royal’s marquee as your train dipped into the subway after the Damen stop, heading south to Division. A friend, who was inside the Royal, says his one vivid memory is of the men’s room. “The walls were painted all red…I felt like I was in hell”.
The Stony theatre was open at least through June 1957. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings Tuesday, June 11, 1957: STONY “INVASION, U.S.A.” “1,000 YEARS FROM NOW” “DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS”
In the book “THEN & NOW”-CHICAGO’S LOOP" by Janice A. Knox, there is a nice shot of the Today theatre- circa 1960- on page 69. ONE HOUR PROGRAM LATE NEWS on the marquee. Just west of the theatre is the great Forum Cafeteria, which was wildly popular. On page 94, there is a shot of Madison and Dearborn -circa 1960- looking west.There is another picture (very small) of the Today.
In the book “THEN & NOW- CHICAGO’S LOOP” by Janice A. Knox, there is a small picture of the Castle -circa 1928- on page 51. “THE JAZZ SINGER” is on the marquee.
In the book “CHICAGO INTERIORS” by David Garrard Lowe, there are some really nice pictures of the Tivoli, Central Park, and Uptown theatres (pages 44 to 49).
If the Essex closed in the mid 50s, it reopened in the late 50s. This theatre was operating at least through May 1963 under the name GUILD. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings, Wed. May 1, 1963: GUILD 717 W. Sheridan Rd. 549 0117 ORIGINAL UNCUT VERSIONS- Adults Only At 7:00 “LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES” “LA DOLCE VITA” At 8:55.
The Times was open at least through October 1956. From the Chicago Tribune Wed. Oct. 10, 1956: TIMES 4847 MILWAUKEE Open 5:30 “THE TENDER TRAP” “JOHNNY GUITAR”.
The Tower theatre was open at least through October 1956. I suspect it closed soon thereafter. At any rate, from the Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1956: TOWER 1500 E. 63rd Open 5:00 “TRAPEZE” “PROUD AND PROFANE” “SEA AROUND US”. It is not listed with the other B&K theatres on the south side; I’m guessing that when the theatre was not all that profitable in its latter years, Balaban & Katz sold it to an independent. Same thing happened to the Lakeside, Pantheon, Howard, and other theatres in Chicago.
Here is one more name for this theatre- after it was called the Studio, and before it was named the Capri cinema, it was the ZIEGFELD. It played some “ADULTS ONLY” films under this name in the mid 50s.
Hi chicagomovieman- I will get a copy of “MONKEY HUSTLE” ; the views of east 63rd street will be worth it. I was never in the Maryland- but remember seeing it from the ‘L’ train on my way to 63rd- Stony. After visiting the Museum of Science and Industry, in the 60s, we would walk back to the CTA and, instead of boarding at Stony Island,walk west on 63rd. I had to get a close up view of the theatres I had passed from above. My most vivid memory is of the Lex, a small theatre about two blocks east of the Maryland. You’re so right, the area was bustling! Many people on the street; lines at the boxoffice windows (at least on Saturday/Sunday afternoons).Never had the time to venture inside; I regret it now. Since I was born and raised on the north side of Chicago, my knowledge of south side theatres is very limited. Never been to the Rhodes or Hamilton.
The Maryland theatre was open at least through April 1975. From the Chicago Tribune, Friday April 11, 1975: TWO MARYLAND “TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE” “RETURN OF THE DRAGON”. This double feature was also playing at the Ramova, Parkway, and many other Chicago theatres. The TWO was The Woodlawn Organization. I remember reading in 1969 (1970?) that the Woodlawn Organization, a civil rights community group that, among other things, battled the University of Chicago re: acquiring land and demolition, took over operation of the Maryland. They tried showing classy fare- John Schlesinger’s “SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY” played here in 1971 (‘72?). However, the Maryland soon went to action, horror, and martial arts movies. Seeing the title “MONKEY HUSTLE” brought back memories of Roger Ebert’s review in 1976. I don’t think he cared much for the movie, but he did like his surroundings: Ebert: “MONKEY HUSTLE” is doing such good business…they had to open the Roosevelt’s balcony. I haven’t been up there in years. It’s a hell of a balcony"
Starting tomorrow, the Webster Place (along with the City North 14)will be a Kerasotes theatre. If the Kerasotes chain is anything like AMC or Century theatres, I’ll be satisfied.
Starting tomorrow, the City North 14 will be part of the Kerasotes theatre chain. Goodbye, AMC. Goodbye, $5.00 Tuesdays and free popcorn. Oh well, at least Village theatres didn’t acquire the theatre!
Some of the films I remember seeing at the Clark- with a special fondness: “DIABOLIQUE” very late (1 a.m. to 3 a.m.) I got chills and goosebumps- literally! “LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES” with Jeanne Moreau-very daring and sexy for the time. “GIRL WITH A SUITCASE”– Claudia Cardinale on the beach, while the hauntingly beautiful song “Il cielo in una stanza” played. Ursula Andress in “THE TENTH VICTIM”. Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in “BEDAZZLED”. A great Peter Sellers double feature,“A SHOT IN THE DARK” plus “THE PINK PANTHER” (spring or summer of ‘65 or '66)– especially memorable because the Clark had a nearly full house. They had to open the balcony; it was the first and only time I got up there. If memory serves, the balcony had considerably more seats than the main floor. I, too, wish to thank Bruce Trinz for for running a great operation.
The Ideal theatre was in operation at least through mid 1957. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listing, Friday July 12, 1957: IDEAL 1622 N. Larrabee “BEGINNING OF THE END” “UNEARTHLY”.
The Acadia was in operation at least through May 1959. From the Chicago Sun Times, Sunday May 10, 1959: ACADIA 55th-California “INN OF THE SIXTH HAPPINESS” “SAD HORSE”.
I have three memories of the Park West theatre. In the late 50s- early 60s ,when it was the Lane Court, it had a policy similar to the Parkway, Mode, and DeLuxe theatres: mostly triple features; 3 or 4 changes a week. Sometime in the mid 60s it went to an ADULTS ONLY policy, and a name change: Town theatre. For a VERY short period of time, it was called the Town Underground theatre. It was at this time I made my first trip there, to see Andy Warhols “THE CHELSEA GIRLS”, one of the most boring movies I’ve ever seen (although there was some funny dialogue). This was in 1967- perhaps 1968. Don’t remember much about the theatre- rather plain, with a pretty wide auditorium. My second trip was quite memorable: After being banned in Chicago for a number of months (a year?) “DEEP THROAT” had its Chicago premiere at the Town theatre. My buddy and I went on a weekday afternoon; the theatre was packed. This was sometime in 1973.So, the Park West did not come into being until 1974 -perhaps 1975. Shortly after seeing “DEEP THROAT”, the Town was raided; the police confiscated the film. I’m not sure if the Town continued operating as an adult theatre after the raid. It may very well have closed for good as a movie theatre in mid to late ‘73.
Perhaps the Plaza closed in the mid 50s, but it definitly reopened- and went through two name changes.From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings,Wed. May 1, 1963: New PLAZA 308 W. North Phone 337-4356 Last Week “LADY WITH THE DOG” Plus “GOOD NIGHT, SOCRATES” Op. 6p.m.-Last Complete Show 9:50. Not long after, the Plaza went to soft core adult films- similar to what the downtown Monroe theatre was showing at the time. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings Monday May 2,1966: PLAZA ART THEATRE FREE PARKING ADULTS ONLY Continuous Daily Noon to Midnite Midnite Show FRI. & SAT. Last 2 Days! “MUDHONEY” LEAVES A TASTE OF EVIL! IN PERSON Frisco Style GO-GO GIRLS! Plus 2nd SURPRISE ADULT HIT! I went to the Plaza once as a teenager; my memories are few:a very large neighborhood theatre, lots of empty seats on the afternoon I attended, got a box of popcorn from a young lady who looked like a Playboy bunny, sitting in the auditorium watching many trailers, mostly black and white, among them “ONE SHOCKING MOMENT” “COPENHAGEN CALL GIRLS”. To Life’s too short: I’m pretty sure the Plaza was closed for good by the late 60s; for sure by the early 70s.The Aardvark theatre opened in 1966(1967?), just a few short blocks east of the Plaza. The competition was too much for the Plaza. If memory serves, the Aardvark lasted to 1974, maybe 1975 ,showing hard core porno. The Plaza was long gone.
The Ark theatre was open at least through mid February 1965. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings on Thursday Feb. 11,1965: ARK 858 E. 63rd- Op. 1:30 “FORT DOBBS” “MADEMOISELLE STRIPTEASE” “NEVER PUT IT IN WRITING”.
The Royal theatre remained open at least through November 1966. From the Chicago Sun Times movie directory on Sunday, Nov.20, 1966: ROYAL “WEIRD,WICKED WORLD” “WAR OF COLOSSAL BEAST” “3 STOOGES MEET HERCULES” 3 Hits!
To all Chicago area residents: Try to get a copy of New City, dated 9-28-06. On page 19, there is a pic of Clark and Madison in the 1950s. There is a small but nice shot of the Clark marquee. Right next door is a Turkish Bath house; a few doors south is the Blue Note (The Bud Freeman Roy Eldridge Quartet) ,and indeed, a Wimpy’s burger joint- above it a sign: Borden’s IT’S GOT TO BE GOOD! ICE CREAM. This shot is an ad for Lee Balterman’s Lifelong (Photographic) Romance with Chicago, at Stephen Daiter Gallery. It’s at 311 W. Superior, suite 404/408. Admission is free; it runs through Oct. 28. I haven’t been there yet, but I bet there are a few more (hopefully many more) photos of Chicago area theatres. In any case, it should be interesting to all of us who grew up in Chicago.
To CinemarkFan: The Chestnut Station did not have an escalator. After buying your ticket,you entered to the left. There were two concession stands, both facing Clark street. Only one was open; usually the one at the south end of the lobby. The lobby was more wide than deep. Between the concession stands was a somewhat narrow walkway (heading west) to auditoriums 1, 2,3 and 4. Two of them faced south; two of them faced north(toward Chestnut street). They were not very large…200, maybe 240 seats each. Your brother was correct about the colors and the zig zag stuff on the walls. I have no memory of the color of the seats, but I know they were comfortable. Auditorium 5 was on the second level. To get there, you had to use a narrow staircase at the north end of the lobby. Both washrooms were up there, too. There was a very small elevator near the stairs; I never saw it in use. Auditorium 5 was by far the smallest: 80 to 100 seats, tops.
The Lex theatre, like many other theatres in Chicago in the late 60s-early 70s, switched to an “ADULTS ONLY” policy in an attempt to survive. In the late 50s through the 60s, the Lex played mostly triple features with a 4 change a week policy- very similar to the Mode theatre. Lots of westerns, horror/sci-fi, comedies, and dramas.In 1969 or 1970, there was a minor name change: LEX PLAYHOUSE. From the Chicago Sun Times movie directory,Sunday May 31, 1970: LEX PLAYHOUSE 1162 E. 63rd St. OPEN 11:30 A. M. FOR ADULTS- 18 YEARS & OLDER ONLY “BUSHWACKERS” & “HOUSE NEAR the PRADA”. I think within two years the Lex closed.
The State theatre was open at least through mid 1970. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings, Sunday May 31, 1970: abcSTATE “A MAN CALLED HORSE” plus “100 RIFLES”.
The Kimbark theatre, like the nearby Lex, played mostly triple features with a 4 change a week policy. It was open at least through June 1960. I’m pretty sure it closed soon thereafter(whereas the Lex lasted into the early ‘70s). There must have been a sizeable Hispanic population in Hyde Park and/or Woodlawn in the late 50s- early 60s. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings, Tuesday June 14,1960: KIMBARK &63rd Op. 12:30 Spanish Films! “UN MUNDO NUEVO” Rene Cardena & Manelin y Shillasky “LAS Nenas Del 7”. The other days of the week were devoted to Hollywood B films…westerns, action, horror. Also, because of the ad displays, the Lex and Kimbark had to be owned by the same company
The Royal theatre was in operation at least through May 1963, and I suspect for another few years after. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings on Friday, May 3,1963:“PIT & THE PENDULUM” Thriller “COLORADO”–“HIGH SCHOOL BIG SHOT”. Was never inside, but passed by on foot a few times. I recall a very wide area between the box office (which was connected to the front doors)and the ticket taker. Here you could see many “lobby cards” and other posters advertising upcoming films. The Royal had a 3 or 4 change a week policy- like the Mode and the Deluxe theatres. If you rode the CTA blue line at the time, you could see the Royal’s marquee as your train dipped into the subway after the Damen stop, heading south to Division. A friend, who was inside the Royal, says his one vivid memory is of the men’s room. “The walls were painted all red…I felt like I was in hell”.
The Stony theatre was open at least through June 1957. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings Tuesday, June 11, 1957: STONY “INVASION, U.S.A.” “1,000 YEARS FROM NOW” “DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS”
In the book “THEN & NOW”-CHICAGO’S LOOP" by Janice A. Knox, there is a nice shot of the Today theatre- circa 1960- on page 69. ONE HOUR PROGRAM LATE NEWS on the marquee. Just west of the theatre is the great Forum Cafeteria, which was wildly popular. On page 94, there is a shot of Madison and Dearborn -circa 1960- looking west.There is another picture (very small) of the Today.
In the book “THEN & NOW- CHICAGO’S LOOP” by Janice A. Knox, there is a small picture of the Castle -circa 1928- on page 51. “THE JAZZ SINGER” is on the marquee.
In the book “CHICAGO INTERIORS” by David Garrard Lowe, there are some really nice pictures of the Tivoli, Central Park, and Uptown theatres (pages 44 to 49).
If the Essex closed in the mid 50s, it reopened in the late 50s. This theatre was operating at least through May 1963 under the name GUILD. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings, Wed. May 1, 1963: GUILD 717 W. Sheridan Rd. 549 0117 ORIGINAL UNCUT VERSIONS- Adults Only At 7:00 “LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES” “LA DOLCE VITA” At 8:55.
The Times was open at least through October 1956. From the Chicago Tribune Wed. Oct. 10, 1956: TIMES 4847 MILWAUKEE Open 5:30 “THE TENDER TRAP” “JOHNNY GUITAR”.
The Tower theatre was open at least through October 1956. I suspect it closed soon thereafter. At any rate, from the Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1956: TOWER 1500 E. 63rd Open 5:00 “TRAPEZE” “PROUD AND PROFANE” “SEA AROUND US”. It is not listed with the other B&K theatres on the south side; I’m guessing that when the theatre was not all that profitable in its latter years, Balaban & Katz sold it to an independent. Same thing happened to the Lakeside, Pantheon, Howard, and other theatres in Chicago.
Here is one more name for this theatre- after it was called the Studio, and before it was named the Capri cinema, it was the ZIEGFELD. It played some “ADULTS ONLY” films under this name in the mid 50s.
Hi chicagomovieman- I will get a copy of “MONKEY HUSTLE” ; the views of east 63rd street will be worth it. I was never in the Maryland- but remember seeing it from the ‘L’ train on my way to 63rd- Stony. After visiting the Museum of Science and Industry, in the 60s, we would walk back to the CTA and, instead of boarding at Stony Island,walk west on 63rd. I had to get a close up view of the theatres I had passed from above. My most vivid memory is of the Lex, a small theatre about two blocks east of the Maryland. You’re so right, the area was bustling! Many people on the street; lines at the boxoffice windows (at least on Saturday/Sunday afternoons).Never had the time to venture inside; I regret it now. Since I was born and raised on the north side of Chicago, my knowledge of south side theatres is very limited. Never been to the Rhodes or Hamilton.
The Maryland theatre was open at least through April 1975. From the Chicago Tribune, Friday April 11, 1975: TWO MARYLAND “TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE” “RETURN OF THE DRAGON”. This double feature was also playing at the Ramova, Parkway, and many other Chicago theatres. The TWO was The Woodlawn Organization. I remember reading in 1969 (1970?) that the Woodlawn Organization, a civil rights community group that, among other things, battled the University of Chicago re: acquiring land and demolition, took over operation of the Maryland. They tried showing classy fare- John Schlesinger’s “SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY” played here in 1971 (‘72?). However, the Maryland soon went to action, horror, and martial arts movies. Seeing the title “MONKEY HUSTLE” brought back memories of Roger Ebert’s review in 1976. I don’t think he cared much for the movie, but he did like his surroundings: Ebert: “MONKEY HUSTLE” is doing such good business…they had to open the Roosevelt’s balcony. I haven’t been up there in years. It’s a hell of a balcony"
Starting tomorrow, the Webster Place (along with the City North 14)will be a Kerasotes theatre. If the Kerasotes chain is anything like AMC or Century theatres, I’ll be satisfied.
Starting tomorrow, the City North 14 will be part of the Kerasotes theatre chain. Goodbye, AMC. Goodbye, $5.00 Tuesdays and free popcorn. Oh well, at least Village theatres didn’t acquire the theatre!
Some of the films I remember seeing at the Clark- with a special fondness: “DIABOLIQUE” very late (1 a.m. to 3 a.m.) I got chills and goosebumps- literally! “LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES” with Jeanne Moreau-very daring and sexy for the time. “GIRL WITH A SUITCASE”– Claudia Cardinale on the beach, while the hauntingly beautiful song “Il cielo in una stanza” played. Ursula Andress in “THE TENTH VICTIM”. Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in “BEDAZZLED”. A great Peter Sellers double feature,“A SHOT IN THE DARK” plus “THE PINK PANTHER” (spring or summer of ‘65 or '66)– especially memorable because the Clark had a nearly full house. They had to open the balcony; it was the first and only time I got up there. If memory serves, the balcony had considerably more seats than the main floor. I, too, wish to thank Bruce Trinz for for running a great operation.
The Ideal theatre was in operation at least through mid 1957. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listing, Friday July 12, 1957: IDEAL 1622 N. Larrabee “BEGINNING OF THE END” “UNEARTHLY”.
The Acadia was in operation at least through May 1959. From the Chicago Sun Times, Sunday May 10, 1959: ACADIA 55th-California “INN OF THE SIXTH HAPPINESS” “SAD HORSE”.