John,
I remember the swimming instructor at the 111th Street YMCA was a Bob Williams…by coincindence, he was also from my home town, Denison, Texas. Do you remember him?
Doug
There were two theaters in Roseland that I attended as a young boy..One was the Verdi, on 115th Pl or 114th St and the other was The Ridge on West Pullman..do you have any information on these two Theaters?
Doug Bruton, Denison, Tx
Natalie,
I took a picture of the Normal back around 1990…it was in bad condition and Fort Apache, the Bronx was still on the marquee. Great neighborhood theater and wonderful memories
Doug
Howdy Natalie,
I agree, Gately’s was a great adventure for a young person in the 40’s. I moved back to Texas in 1946, but I have some fond memories of Roseland. I also lived around 63rd street at a couple of locations, but don’t remember the addresses…one was on St. Lawrence. I lived on Perry Ave, across the street from Scanlan Elementary and also at 23 East 118th St., just a couple of houses behind The Home Store…I spent a lot of time with a girl named Joan Rosenbloom..her family owned the store on 118th and Michigan Ave.
Would like to share memories with you when you have time..Doug
The first time I remember going to the Ridge, I was 8 years old and they played King Kong….I had to walk home in the dark and I imagined Gorillas and Monsters in every tree. What a great night.
Speaking of rats…The Verdi had it’s share too.
Doug Bruton
Does anyone remember The Ridge theater, not too far from The Normal?
It was on the fringe of my walking distance to theaters. Also, the Verdi at the bottom of the hill off Michigan Ave in Roseland? A very small theater, but always had neat give aways on Saturdays.
Doug Bruton Denison, Tx
The Normal was a nice neighborhood theater and I remember standing in line for about an hour to see Song of the South. Funny, that film has been withdrawn by Disney as racial. I thought it was a beautiful story, maybe I’m missing something. I took a picture of the Normal in 1990, it was closed and in very bad condition. Brought tears to my eyes. The Normal, Roseland, State, Parkway, Ridge and Verdi were the theaters I grew up with and still remember the first film I ever saw in 1942 at the Roseland…Boots & Saddles starring Gene Autry.
Doug Bruton Denison, Tx
Anyone who thinks it is safe to walk around Roseland at night (or even day time0 regardless of their race, is trying to become a statistic. I grew up there in the 1940’s, walked all over town at any hour of the night, ice skated on Scanlan School playground till late at night…yes, this is the same school that just a few years ago had a gang fight between Scanlan and Curtis..put over 40 twelve and under kids in the hospital.
When I lived on Perry Ave and later 23 EAst 118th Street, Roseland was beautiful. Great Theaters, shops, restaurants (although I never had money to go to one)…I loved going to the People’s Store and just looking aroung. The last time I was there, it looked as though a war had been fought there…boarded up windows, theaters gone, derelict cars abandoned. I don’t know who caused it, but when I lived there, it was a beautiful environment
Doug Bruton
Howdy to all…and thanks for sharing your memories regarding The Hitching Post Theater. Although I spent hundreds of hours in various hometown theaters, I only learned about The Hitching Post a few years ago while reading a book titled; Saturday Afternoon at the Movies. They had a photo and the Marquee displayed 8 Ken Maynard and Hoot Gibson in Wild Horse Stampede and Gene Autry in Ride Tenderfoot Ride. I thought, that has to be the greatest name I have ever heard for a theater that shows westerns. The Statler Brothers told the story the best with their song The Strand. The Strand stood for all of the hometown theaters that all of us Buckaroos attended every Saturday. My personal favorite was the Superba in Denison, Texas…that was my hitching post. Why didn’t someone save The Hitching Post in Hollywood…what a shame. Thanks again Pardners for talking about this great movie house.
Doug Bruton, Denison, Texas
I am really glad to hear the Balboa is going to be restored. I was stationed in San Diego from 1957-59 and went there many times..A great place to watch a film, but the movie I remember most was South Pacific. Great picture, sound ….very enjoyable experience. I hope to ba able to make a visit back there one day
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
OK Paul…thanks, but I am not a woman, I assume you might be referring to The Neighbor…Goodby, Good Luck, and may the Good Lord Take a Likin to You…
Doug
Ha…sounds a little like my life…my Mother would tell me she was going to the store…I wouldn’t see her for maybe 3 days…I would find enough pop bottles to get into the theater…and I would stay until the movie shut down…one time in the Parkway I went to sleep and they locked me in..I got out through the stagedoor…when people ask me how I know so much about movies..(The Old ones)…I tell them if you sat through a the features about five times a day for several days…you memorized everything.
Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Hoppy and Gene…where are you when we need you?? It is apparent Mr. Warshauer is not old enough to remember what the movies were for…to provide wholesome entertainment!
I remember when they used to open Palmer Park for the summer…they would have a big celebration….put out some white sheets, put pennies all over them and we would race and try to grab as many as we could…There was a great big church right in the middle of the boulevard near Palmer Park…I never went in it, but it intrigued me.
I remember Morgan Park Military Academy…I think it is gone now.
A kid that lived next to me on Perry Ave was an usher at Parkway Theater…his name was Ronnie Stromberg.
Wasthe junk yard next to the railroad track? That’s where I sold my newspapers….would taken in about 50 pounds and get may a dime…however, it got me into the show. I had to drag mine…I didn’t have a wagon and I wasn’t strong enough to carry them. It seems like we are about the same age or close…I turned 69 in July of this year. I moved to Texas in 1945 right after the war.
Did you see the movie Tarzan Triumphs at the Roseland? The theme of the film was the Nazi’s invade Tarzan’s jungle…he didn’t bother them until they took boy…then he grabbed his knife and with a grimace..said…“Now, Tarzan make war”…the whole theater errupted with cheers…I met Johnny Sheffield (Boy) about 5 years ago…told him about that and he got a kick out of it.
Yes, I remember the donut machine in the Peoples Store and I too would watch those donuts come out of the spout and into the grease..also loved the soft icecream. Sorry to hear that the White Castle burnt down. D you remember the Verdi theater? I thought it was at the bottom of the hill on 114th street? I am glad you mentioned the Ridge Theater..I rememered it as being close to the Normal. Went there around 1942 or 43 to see King Kong..got out around 8 pm, it was dark…I thought there was a monster behind every tree. I went to Scanlan School…they used to flood the playground every winter and we would skate all afternoon after school..I heard they had a big gang fight there a couple of years ago between Curtis and Scanlan…sent a lot of kids mostly around 11-12 to the hospital. I lived across the street from Scanlan for a couple of years.
Joe E. I am trying to remember the Ridge…was it about 4 blocks from the Normal? I remember going to a theater in that area and I thought it was the Ridge. Was the Verdi at the bottom of 114th street? A little hole in the wall, but great for Saturday features?
I left Chicago for Texas in 1945…went back several times, the last time in the 1980’s…what a terrible shame…Roseland looked like it had been through a war.
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
John….what years were you arounmd Roseland and where did you live?
I lived on Perry across from Scanlan School and then at 23 East 118th street, between Michigan Ave and State Street I was right behind the Home Store owned by the Rosenblooms…do you remember The Peoples Store? What great smells..
Doug
Howdy Bryan…It has been so long ago, I am probably thinking of another theater. The theater I am thinking of, was a small hole in the wall about 4 blocks South and West of the Normal…I also remember the Verdi, but thought it was located at the foot of 114th street off Michigan Ave.
My main theaters that I attended were the Roseland, State, Parkway and Normal
Doug
I took a photo of the Normal in the 1980’s and it has the same title on the Marquee..Fort Apache, the Bronx. Don’t know hyow to post the photo..
Doug Bruton
I lived at 23 East 118th Street, just a few blocks from the Normal Theater. At one time I lived even closer on Perry Ave, across the street from Scanlan School. I recall attending the Normal Theater several times, although my favorite movie house was the Roseland Theater on Michigan Ave. I do remember watching a first run viewing of Disney’s Song of the South at the Normal. I moved from Chicago to Texas in 1945 and didn’t return until the 1970’s…what a sad experience. I went by all of the old movie house locations, including the Normal and found them either closed or torn down. The Normal was still there although it was closed. I have a photo from that trip and I will attempt to put it on this site soon.
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
I didn’t get downtown very much, we lived off 63rd street and then moved to Roseland on 118th street. Mostly I frequented the theaters in Roseland (State, Parkway, Ridge, Normal, Roseland, Verdi)..but I do fondly recall one of the rare trips my Grandparents made to the Loop and we did the town. We went to Navy Pier, window shopped and topped the day off by going to the Chicago Theater and watching “Escape in the Desert” a remake of the Petrified Forest starring Alan Hale, Phillip Dorn, Helmet Dante and Irene Manning. Eddie Peabody (The Banjo King) was the stage show. It was a great experience for me…9 years old to sit in that magnificent structure and watch the great entertainment..even if the film was less than average. People today have missed out on a great era.
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
As a younb boy from 1936 to 1940, I lived in the 63rd street area..mostly around Cottage Grove, St. Lawrence, and a few other streets I can’t recall. I was born on Dante Ave. I do recall the Tivol and attneding a movie there on at least one occasion. Most of all, I remember being on the street car and passing the Tivoli lit up in all it’s splendor. The sad thing, is it is not safe to even go to that area anymore. But for all of you who were not fortunate to be part of the great movie theater era…you can sit in front of your one eyed monsters in the living room or pay $8.00 to attend one of the 10 to 20 cracker boxes in the things they call theaters now.
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
John,
I remember the swimming instructor at the 111th Street YMCA was a Bob Williams…by coincindence, he was also from my home town, Denison, Texas. Do you remember him?
Doug
There were two theaters in Roseland that I attended as a young boy..One was the Verdi, on 115th Pl or 114th St and the other was The Ridge on West Pullman..do you have any information on these two Theaters?
Doug Bruton, Denison, Tx
Natalie,
I took a picture of the Normal back around 1990…it was in bad condition and Fort Apache, the Bronx was still on the marquee. Great neighborhood theater and wonderful memories
Doug
Howdy Natalie,
I agree, Gately’s was a great adventure for a young person in the 40’s. I moved back to Texas in 1946, but I have some fond memories of Roseland. I also lived around 63rd street at a couple of locations, but don’t remember the addresses…one was on St. Lawrence. I lived on Perry Ave, across the street from Scanlan Elementary and also at 23 East 118th St., just a couple of houses behind The Home Store…I spent a lot of time with a girl named Joan Rosenbloom..her family owned the store on 118th and Michigan Ave.
Would like to share memories with you when you have time..Doug
John…you mentioned Two Ton Baker…I had forgotten all about him. When he went to the movies, you could hear him laughing above everyone else.
Doug
The first time I remember going to the Ridge, I was 8 years old and they played King Kong….I had to walk home in the dark and I imagined Gorillas and Monsters in every tree. What a great night.
Speaking of rats…The Verdi had it’s share too.
Doug Bruton
Does anyone remember The Ridge theater, not too far from The Normal?
It was on the fringe of my walking distance to theaters. Also, the Verdi at the bottom of the hill off Michigan Ave in Roseland? A very small theater, but always had neat give aways on Saturdays.
Doug Bruton Denison, Tx
The Normal was a nice neighborhood theater and I remember standing in line for about an hour to see Song of the South. Funny, that film has been withdrawn by Disney as racial. I thought it was a beautiful story, maybe I’m missing something. I took a picture of the Normal in 1990, it was closed and in very bad condition. Brought tears to my eyes. The Normal, Roseland, State, Parkway, Ridge and Verdi were the theaters I grew up with and still remember the first film I ever saw in 1942 at the Roseland…Boots & Saddles starring Gene Autry.
Doug Bruton Denison, Tx
Anyone who thinks it is safe to walk around Roseland at night (or even day time0 regardless of their race, is trying to become a statistic. I grew up there in the 1940’s, walked all over town at any hour of the night, ice skated on Scanlan School playground till late at night…yes, this is the same school that just a few years ago had a gang fight between Scanlan and Curtis..put over 40 twelve and under kids in the hospital.
When I lived on Perry Ave and later 23 EAst 118th Street, Roseland was beautiful. Great Theaters, shops, restaurants (although I never had money to go to one)…I loved going to the People’s Store and just looking aroung. The last time I was there, it looked as though a war had been fought there…boarded up windows, theaters gone, derelict cars abandoned. I don’t know who caused it, but when I lived there, it was a beautiful environment
Doug Bruton
Howdy to all…and thanks for sharing your memories regarding The Hitching Post Theater. Although I spent hundreds of hours in various hometown theaters, I only learned about The Hitching Post a few years ago while reading a book titled; Saturday Afternoon at the Movies. They had a photo and the Marquee displayed 8 Ken Maynard and Hoot Gibson in Wild Horse Stampede and Gene Autry in Ride Tenderfoot Ride. I thought, that has to be the greatest name I have ever heard for a theater that shows westerns. The Statler Brothers told the story the best with their song The Strand. The Strand stood for all of the hometown theaters that all of us Buckaroos attended every Saturday. My personal favorite was the Superba in Denison, Texas…that was my hitching post. Why didn’t someone save The Hitching Post in Hollywood…what a shame. Thanks again Pardners for talking about this great movie house.
Doug Bruton, Denison, Texas
I am really glad to hear the Balboa is going to be restored. I was stationed in San Diego from 1957-59 and went there many times..A great place to watch a film, but the movie I remember most was South Pacific. Great picture, sound ….very enjoyable experience. I hope to ba able to make a visit back there one day
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
OK Paul…thanks, but I am not a woman, I assume you might be referring to The Neighbor…Goodby, Good Luck, and may the Good Lord Take a Likin to You…
Doug
Ha…sounds a little like my life…my Mother would tell me she was going to the store…I wouldn’t see her for maybe 3 days…I would find enough pop bottles to get into the theater…and I would stay until the movie shut down…one time in the Parkway I went to sleep and they locked me in..I got out through the stagedoor…when people ask me how I know so much about movies..(The Old ones)…I tell them if you sat through a the features about five times a day for several days…you memorized everything.
Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Hoppy and Gene…where are you when we need you?? It is apparent Mr. Warshauer is not old enough to remember what the movies were for…to provide wholesome entertainment!
Is the YMCA still on 111th street? That’s where I learned to swim..still have the certificate they gave me.
Doug
I remember when they used to open Palmer Park for the summer…they would have a big celebration….put out some white sheets, put pennies all over them and we would race and try to grab as many as we could…There was a great big church right in the middle of the boulevard near Palmer Park…I never went in it, but it intrigued me.
I remember Morgan Park Military Academy…I think it is gone now.
A kid that lived next to me on Perry Ave was an usher at Parkway Theater…his name was Ronnie Stromberg.
Wasthe junk yard next to the railroad track? That’s where I sold my newspapers….would taken in about 50 pounds and get may a dime…however, it got me into the show. I had to drag mine…I didn’t have a wagon and I wasn’t strong enough to carry them. It seems like we are about the same age or close…I turned 69 in July of this year. I moved to Texas in 1945 right after the war.
Did you see the movie Tarzan Triumphs at the Roseland? The theme of the film was the Nazi’s invade Tarzan’s jungle…he didn’t bother them until they took boy…then he grabbed his knife and with a grimace..said…“Now, Tarzan make war”…the whole theater errupted with cheers…I met Johnny Sheffield (Boy) about 5 years ago…told him about that and he got a kick out of it.
Yes, I remember the donut machine in the Peoples Store and I too would watch those donuts come out of the spout and into the grease..also loved the soft icecream. Sorry to hear that the White Castle burnt down. D you remember the Verdi theater? I thought it was at the bottom of the hill on 114th street? I am glad you mentioned the Ridge Theater..I rememered it as being close to the Normal. Went there around 1942 or 43 to see King Kong..got out around 8 pm, it was dark…I thought there was a monster behind every tree. I went to Scanlan School…they used to flood the playground every winter and we would skate all afternoon after school..I heard they had a big gang fight there a couple of years ago between Curtis and Scanlan…sent a lot of kids mostly around 11-12 to the hospital. I lived across the street from Scanlan for a couple of years.
Joe E. I am trying to remember the Ridge…was it about 4 blocks from the Normal? I remember going to a theater in that area and I thought it was the Ridge. Was the Verdi at the bottom of 114th street? A little hole in the wall, but great for Saturday features?
I left Chicago for Texas in 1945…went back several times, the last time in the 1980’s…what a terrible shame…Roseland looked like it had been through a war.
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
John….what years were you arounmd Roseland and where did you live?
I lived on Perry across from Scanlan School and then at 23 East 118th street, between Michigan Ave and State Street I was right behind the Home Store owned by the Rosenblooms…do you remember The Peoples Store? What great smells..
Doug
Howdy Bryan…It has been so long ago, I am probably thinking of another theater. The theater I am thinking of, was a small hole in the wall about 4 blocks South and West of the Normal…I also remember the Verdi, but thought it was located at the foot of 114th street off Michigan Ave.
My main theaters that I attended were the Roseland, State, Parkway and Normal
Doug
I took a photo of the Normal in the 1980’s and it has the same title on the Marquee..Fort Apache, the Bronx. Don’t know hyow to post the photo..
Doug Bruton
I lived at 23 East 118th Street, just a few blocks from the Normal Theater. At one time I lived even closer on Perry Ave, across the street from Scanlan School. I recall attending the Normal Theater several times, although my favorite movie house was the Roseland Theater on Michigan Ave. I do remember watching a first run viewing of Disney’s Song of the South at the Normal. I moved from Chicago to Texas in 1945 and didn’t return until the 1970’s…what a sad experience. I went by all of the old movie house locations, including the Normal and found them either closed or torn down. The Normal was still there although it was closed. I have a photo from that trip and I will attempt to put it on this site soon.
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
I didn’t get downtown very much, we lived off 63rd street and then moved to Roseland on 118th street. Mostly I frequented the theaters in Roseland (State, Parkway, Ridge, Normal, Roseland, Verdi)..but I do fondly recall one of the rare trips my Grandparents made to the Loop and we did the town. We went to Navy Pier, window shopped and topped the day off by going to the Chicago Theater and watching “Escape in the Desert” a remake of the Petrified Forest starring Alan Hale, Phillip Dorn, Helmet Dante and Irene Manning. Eddie Peabody (The Banjo King) was the stage show. It was a great experience for me…9 years old to sit in that magnificent structure and watch the great entertainment..even if the film was less than average. People today have missed out on a great era.
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas
As a younb boy from 1936 to 1940, I lived in the 63rd street area..mostly around Cottage Grove, St. Lawrence, and a few other streets I can’t recall. I was born on Dante Ave. I do recall the Tivol and attneding a movie there on at least one occasion. Most of all, I remember being on the street car and passing the Tivoli lit up in all it’s splendor. The sad thing, is it is not safe to even go to that area anymore. But for all of you who were not fortunate to be part of the great movie theater era…you can sit in front of your one eyed monsters in the living room or pay $8.00 to attend one of the 10 to 20 cracker boxes in the things they call theaters now.
Doug Bruton Denison, Texas