Ah what memories. Growing up in Elmwood Park in the 70’s and 80’s, you had a choice of the Mercury or MontClare. Had my first real makeout session with my girlfriend there. Was adouble feature featuring “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” and “Sleepaway Camp.” Was so sad to see this grand old theater in such disaray. When my girlfriend and I took a break we noticed something walking up the aisle. My girlfriend said, “Look, it’s a cat.” We then noticed this was no cat. It was a huge rat! It is such a shame that this place couldn’t be rehabbed.
Sorry it’s been so long since my reply. It’s so nice to have someone agree with someone when it comes to the old movie houses. I really miss my position with Cineplex Odeon. It was such a joy to go to work everyday at Oak Brook 1-4. Had no idea about Norridge. Just what we need, another big box retail outlet. I hardly ever go out to the movies anymore. I was just at AMC Woodridge to see Sweeney Todd. That theater is a nightmare! Oak Brook would have been a great theater for that movie.
Sorry to say it is true aek316. I hoped and prayed for a long time that someone would buy Oak Brook 1-4 and turn it into an art house or something along those lines. All the theaters you mentioned I went to as well. If you visted Oakbrook 1-4 between 1993 and 1997, I probably sold you a ticket. My first job was at the Mercury in Elmwood Park, and I also worked at Forest Park and North Riverside Mall before becoming the manager at Oak Brook. It was such a nice theater, as a manager I knew all my regular customers. Now a days with these ridiculous 20 and 30 screen houses, it is impossible. Such a waste.
I am proud to say that I managed the Oak Brook Mall Cinemas 1-4 from December 1993 to October 1997. I belive I was the 3rd manager. I was so sad when she was shut down. We had so many good times there. The theater was beautiful. Theater #1 was among the first to have DTS and SDDS sound systems. Unfortunately when Loews Cineplex was born, they lost interest in the beautiful gal and shut her down. I heard somewhere that the piece of artwork in the lobby entitled, “The Comfort of Food” sold for $175,000 at auction. I beleive the mall is in the process of converting the space into retail lots. A very sad end for a beautiful movie house.
I am so glad I found this site. I am proud to say that I worked the final year of the Mercury in 1988 as an usher. That theatre was built so well. Like a fortress. It took a long time to demolish. Somewhere I have demolition pictures. I will share them with you when I find them. I also have 3 seats. They were just throwing them out in a huge dumpster. So sad. My first place of employment. I miss it very much.
Ah what memories. Growing up in Elmwood Park in the 70’s and 80’s, you had a choice of the Mercury or MontClare. Had my first real makeout session with my girlfriend there. Was adouble feature featuring “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” and “Sleepaway Camp.” Was so sad to see this grand old theater in such disaray. When my girlfriend and I took a break we noticed something walking up the aisle. My girlfriend said, “Look, it’s a cat.” We then noticed this was no cat. It was a huge rat! It is such a shame that this place couldn’t be rehabbed.
Hello aek316,
Sorry it’s been so long since my reply. It’s so nice to have someone agree with someone when it comes to the old movie houses. I really miss my position with Cineplex Odeon. It was such a joy to go to work everyday at Oak Brook 1-4. Had no idea about Norridge. Just what we need, another big box retail outlet. I hardly ever go out to the movies anymore. I was just at AMC Woodridge to see Sweeney Todd. That theater is a nightmare! Oak Brook would have been a great theater for that movie.
Sorry to say it is true aek316. I hoped and prayed for a long time that someone would buy Oak Brook 1-4 and turn it into an art house or something along those lines. All the theaters you mentioned I went to as well. If you visted Oakbrook 1-4 between 1993 and 1997, I probably sold you a ticket. My first job was at the Mercury in Elmwood Park, and I also worked at Forest Park and North Riverside Mall before becoming the manager at Oak Brook. It was such a nice theater, as a manager I knew all my regular customers. Now a days with these ridiculous 20 and 30 screen houses, it is impossible. Such a waste.
I am proud to say that I managed the Oak Brook Mall Cinemas 1-4 from December 1993 to October 1997. I belive I was the 3rd manager. I was so sad when she was shut down. We had so many good times there. The theater was beautiful. Theater #1 was among the first to have DTS and SDDS sound systems. Unfortunately when Loews Cineplex was born, they lost interest in the beautiful gal and shut her down. I heard somewhere that the piece of artwork in the lobby entitled, “The Comfort of Food” sold for $175,000 at auction. I beleive the mall is in the process of converting the space into retail lots. A very sad end for a beautiful movie house.
I am so glad I found this site. I am proud to say that I worked the final year of the Mercury in 1988 as an usher. That theatre was built so well. Like a fortress. It took a long time to demolish. Somewhere I have demolition pictures. I will share them with you when I find them. I also have 3 seats. They were just throwing them out in a huge dumpster. So sad. My first place of employment. I miss it very much.