Film Society of Philadelphia buys the theater with $8 million in funding from a foundation. The venue will continue to be available for live shows; it will reopen March 18 with The Last Jimmy, a hip-hop musical. Philly.com story here.
The Met was damaged by two serious fires in the post-WWII years. On February 5, 1948, flames caused $165,000 in damage to the balconies. This was followed by a four-alarm fire on April 11, 1950, that rose from the base of the stage to the roof and caused an estimated $200,000 in damages. (From Billboard, April 22, 1950, p.25.)
In the middle of a 1972 story about Chicago’s lower-priced theaters, Dan Rottenberg takes a break to tell a tale about a visit to the Family. It’s completely in keeping with the theater’s reputation. Link; you may have to scroll a bit to center the page in your browser.
Theater closed December 18; will reopen as an AMC house after renovations, including conversion to stadium seating. The theater’s lease expired and was not renewed, but it’s unclear whether that was the operator’s decision or the landlord’s. Brief NJ.com story here.
The fire occurred in the early hours of May 12, 1975, destroying neighboring buildings as well as the theater. Here is a newspaper front page with a wire service story (site may try to sell you a subscription).
Status should be Closed/Renovating, as the theater is not operating and a nonprofit is working on restoring it. They have raised a good portion of the money they need and have received a post-Hurricane Sandy disaster grant that will go toward HVAC and electrical repair. Philly.com story here.
From February 24, 1972, a short Tribune story on the Star & Garter’s demolition, with a murky interior picture. The story says that a calendar in the box office was turned to September 1971, an indication of a probable closing date.
From February 20, 1977, a brief article on the Senate’s demolition, treating it as an example of the many theaters torn down in the city’s neighborhoods. There’s a picture, but it’s from microfilm and so not very good. The movie listings on the page are better.
The Howard disappears from the Tribune’s listings around Thanksgiving of 1975, with the last features that I found being a four-walled Sunn Classic double bill of The Outer Space Connection and Toklat. From the advertising style it looks like this was a Brotman & Sherman house in its later years, although the ads for the last couple weeks are generic listings separated from the Brotman & Sherman group.
Here is a photo of the theater as the Towne, after closing.
Link to the Tribune’s story on the Follies fire.
On November 14, 1974, the Follies was one of four Chicago adult theaters targeted by a bomber or bombers.
Followup story with more programming plans and an interior picture here.
Film Society of Philadelphia buys the theater with $8 million in funding from a foundation. The venue will continue to be available for live shows; it will reopen March 18 with The Last Jimmy, a hip-hop musical. Philly.com story here.
Up next: some exterior work and a campaign to get a liquor license. Philly.com story here.
The Met was damaged by two serious fires in the post-WWII years. On February 5, 1948, flames caused $165,000 in damage to the balconies. This was followed by a four-alarm fire on April 11, 1950, that rose from the base of the stage to the roof and caused an estimated $200,000 in damages. (From Billboard, April 22, 1950, p.25.)
Under contract for a sale to Eddie Carranza, per DNAInfo.
The St. James is the red brick building right next to the Mayfair. Perhaps it never got its own postcard.
From CBS News, a 22-picture slideshow, including some from Matt Lambros.
I’m just glad that we can still make things like this happen.
Sourwine and Sauerwein appear to be actual surnames, so my first guess would be that the theater was named for its owner.
The Admiral wins an award for being a good neighbor.
The Norshore’s opening featured bathing beauties.
The Village in 1978: an artistic and financial success, according to Gene Siskel.
In the middle of a 1972 story about Chicago’s lower-priced theaters, Dan Rottenberg takes a break to tell a tale about a visit to the Family. It’s completely in keeping with the theater’s reputation. Link; you may have to scroll a bit to center the page in your browser.
Theater closed December 18; will reopen as an AMC house after renovations, including conversion to stadium seating. The theater’s lease expired and was not renewed, but it’s unclear whether that was the operator’s decision or the landlord’s. Brief NJ.com story here.
The fire occurred in the early hours of May 12, 1975, destroying neighboring buildings as well as the theater. Here is a newspaper front page with a wire service story (site may try to sell you a subscription).
Status should be Closed/Renovating, as the theater is not operating and a nonprofit is working on restoring it. They have raised a good portion of the money they need and have received a post-Hurricane Sandy disaster grant that will go toward HVAC and electrical repair. Philly.com story here.
From February 24, 1972, a short Tribune story on the Star & Garter’s demolition, with a murky interior picture. The story says that a calendar in the box office was turned to September 1971, an indication of a probable closing date.
You really do run into interesting people when you have an interest in Chicago history! Thanks for posting, Mr. Ure.
From February 20, 1977, a brief article on the Senate’s demolition, treating it as an example of the many theaters torn down in the city’s neighborhoods. There’s a picture, but it’s from microfilm and so not very good. The movie listings on the page are better.
The Howard disappears from the Tribune’s listings around Thanksgiving of 1975, with the last features that I found being a four-walled Sunn Classic double bill of The Outer Space Connection and Toklat. From the advertising style it looks like this was a Brotman & Sherman house in its later years, although the ads for the last couple weeks are generic listings separated from the Brotman & Sherman group.
Bill introduced in City Council for a zoning change that would facilitate the facadectomy. Story at PlanPhilly.
A little more poking around on the archives site reveals on the FAQ page that it will only be free while it is in beta status, so visit while you can.
From the Chicago Tribune of April 27, 1978, a story on the ultimately unsuccessful attempt to renovate the theater building.
If you didn’t know that the Tribune had its archives online like that, neither did I until a few days ago. Who knows what treasures lie within?
Site to be redeveloped with row houses. DNAInfo story here. The story doesn’t mention the theater, but the picture matches the street view.