It is interesting to hear your comments on the Iris. As I previously
stated, I do have a photograph of its Exterior and do remember viewing various films there, although I lived much closer to the
Symphony and Vet, which were both east of Laramie Avenue.
The Vet theatre was previously called the Lucille and then the
Ohio and finally after world war 2 ,, the Vet. It was located
just off of Huron and Cicero, second building on the east side of
Cicero, and the Iron support structure for the marquestill exists above the present building.
I have never seen a photo of the Vet, unfortunately.
I remember the police coming into the Symphony and dragging me out of
there on a couple of occasions. It was like a magnet to me though,
I kept going back after it shut down. I do know for a fact that it
closed in the Fall of the early fifties, probably fifty one. They
always had a hard time heating the place in the winter time, fuel being expensive and the interior was cavernous. I always kept my
coat on in the winter or left it draped over my legs for warmth.
I have a paper clipping which shows a picture of the Symphonies'
marquee being torn down, this was in the mid fifties and the article
goes on to state that although the show closed years ago the marquee
still remained and was a hazard to neighborhood pedestrians and businesses who felt it might fall and cause damage and injuries. The
byline for the story and photo was “Unfinished Symphony”..
I have a picture of the stage, as shot from the balcony and the
organ is to the left of the stage. It looks like it was white or
cream colored, and as you stated, not too large. I remember it as
being to the right of the screen, back in the late forties and early
fifties.
Also in my posession are some flyers with coming attractions
which state ,“Get the habit, five act Vaudeville and picture program
every Sunday at the Symphony"
The Marquee was enormous, with Symphony spelled out vertically
in huge block letters, which could be seen from central avenue.
Cinderella bowling and Pool room were on the Northwest corner of
Madison and Central and that is what the picture is depicting.
to the right of the picture would be Central avenue and then the
Robert Emmett grammer school playground.
There was a Sherwood Forest Restaurant on the Southwest corner which
closed down in the Fifties; I remember it had a neon sign with one
of robinHoods men stirring a big Cauldron of vittles.
I spent many a happy hour at the Symphony as a small boy. I believe
it closed in October of 1951. After it shut down my friends and I
used to sneak in through a boarded up section off the alleyway. We
would wander through the aisles and up in the balcony . The projectors were still in the projection room but they were all gutted
it was like paying respects to a deceased relative for us to be there.
I have three photos of the Symphony and one of the Iris theater which
was about a mile West on Chicago Avenue.
Bill DeMar
It is interesting to hear your comments on the Iris. As I previously
stated, I do have a photograph of its Exterior and do remember viewing various films there, although I lived much closer to the
Symphony and Vet, which were both east of Laramie Avenue.
The Vet theatre was previously called the Lucille and then the
Ohio and finally after world war 2 ,, the Vet. It was located
just off of Huron and Cicero, second building on the east side of
Cicero, and the Iron support structure for the marquestill exists above the present building.
I have never seen a photo of the Vet, unfortunately.
I remember the police coming into the Symphony and dragging me out of
there on a couple of occasions. It was like a magnet to me though,
I kept going back after it shut down. I do know for a fact that it
closed in the Fall of the early fifties, probably fifty one. They
always had a hard time heating the place in the winter time, fuel being expensive and the interior was cavernous. I always kept my
coat on in the winter or left it draped over my legs for warmth.
I have a paper clipping which shows a picture of the Symphonies'
marquee being torn down, this was in the mid fifties and the article
goes on to state that although the show closed years ago the marquee
still remained and was a hazard to neighborhood pedestrians and businesses who felt it might fall and cause damage and injuries. The
byline for the story and photo was “Unfinished Symphony”..
Tom,
I have a picture of the stage, as shot from the balcony and the
organ is to the left of the stage. It looks like it was white or
cream colored, and as you stated, not too large. I remember it as
being to the right of the screen, back in the late forties and early
fifties.
Also in my posession are some flyers with coming attractions
which state ,“Get the habit, five act Vaudeville and picture program
every Sunday at the Symphony"
The Marquee was enormous, with Symphony spelled out vertically
in huge block letters, which could be seen from central avenue.
Actually, the Byrd was open in the early sixties, I remember seeing
Hud there and also The Prize.
Bill DeMar
Cinderella bowling and Pool room were on the Northwest corner of
Madison and Central and that is what the picture is depicting.
to the right of the picture would be Central avenue and then the
Robert Emmett grammer school playground.
There was a Sherwood Forest Restaurant on the Southwest corner which
closed down in the Fifties; I remember it had a neon sign with one
of robinHoods men stirring a big Cauldron of vittles.
BillDeMar
I have a photo of the exterior of the Iris when it was in existence
as a theatre. Will post it when posting is once again available.
Bill DeMar
I spent many a happy hour at the Symphony as a small boy. I believe
it closed in October of 1951. After it shut down my friends and I
used to sneak in through a boarded up section off the alleyway. We
would wander through the aisles and up in the balcony . The projectors were still in the projection room but they were all gutted
it was like paying respects to a deceased relative for us to be there.
I have three photos of the Symphony and one of the Iris theater which
was about a mile West on Chicago Avenue.
Bill DeMar