Comments from Jackbruchert

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Jackbruchert
Jackbruchert commented about Calo Theatre on Mar 25, 2009 at 4:54 pm

Hi everyone! I forgot to mention that the Calo has a sister
theatre “The Portage Park” that was opened by the Ascher Brothers
in 1920. The Portage is larger, but is simuler to the Calo.
Thanks, Jack, the “mechanic”

Jackbruchert
Jackbruchert commented about Calo Theatre on Mar 20, 2009 at 9:53 am

Hi everyone! I worked at the Calo Theatre from 1954 to 1957. I was
a young teenager. I was there when they installed the Cinemascope
screen. It was reopened by Ray Geraci and Harry Goldsmith. The
Motiograph projectors were rebuilt at this time. The theatre was opened in 1915 as a vauldville house. There was still a full size
stage and a dressing room underneath it when I worked there. They
would have adult and and kid raffles. The stores in the area would
donate the prizes. I would get stuck running the raffle. You could
speak in a normal voice and everyone would hear you. In a room next
to the projection booth is where the organ pipes were.Pipes were
long gone when I was there. The wall was covered by a cheesecloth
type material for the sound to pass through.The admission prices
were Early Bird $.50, $.75 at show time, and $.25 for kids.
I learned how to run the projectors there. I joined the Air Force
1n 1957. I had a part time job running the projectors at the base
thestre. I also worked at the Patio Theatre in Chicago as a part
time projectionst for 5 years till it closed in 2001. So sad!
I am open to any questions you may have about the Calo or Patio.
Thanks, Jack, the “mechanic”