Urban was also the designer for Zigfield Follies and the Follies often rehersed in this theatre and did their preview performances here. He also was the architect for Maralago, the Merriwether Post estate in PB and spent a lot of time in the town.
Pity its gone but with the competition of the Opera house it would be impossible to survive.
In the late 40’s the theatre had a movie/stage show policy that I remember seeing as a child.
The interior of the theatre was in the Skouras style so popular at the time .
It also had a nursery room for small children. The stage show appeared to be to be of the big band type.
I doubt that the stage had a fly house as the main curtain was a venetian puff although what did they do with the screen during the stage shows??
There is a segment in NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOWBUSINESS that takes place in the Hippodrome. Probobly special effects but very well done and showing the water tank effects.
The Ridge theatre was on Broadway next to the drug store. There was an alley behind both buildings and on the west side of the alley and on Ridge Road was the Glen.
The Ridge was an older theatre and designed in the movie palace style with lots of Stucco work on the facade and on the interior. It did have a balcony also and a working full stage although I never did see live entertainment in either theatre.
The Glen was a Deco style theatre and newer. in the mid 40’s I went to both as they were around the corner from where my family lived so I knew them well.
When the Ridge was converted to the furniture store I investigated the stage that was being ripped out. It had several dresing rooms and a fly grid although it was a hemp and rope system.
The Glen being a smaller theatre was probably a more profitable operation at that time with the advent of TV.
The Glen was similar to the Miller Theatre at miller beach and it alternated films with stage shows for a time. It also had a nursery on the balcony level where children could be left while their parents saw the film show. It did not last very long though and it closed not may years after opening. TV again killed it.
NO! They were two separate theatres. The Ridge beacme a furniture store in the 50’s and the Glen still exists. The Glen was a smaller modern style movie house while the Ridge was a larger movie palace style house. It did have a stage as I remember, with a fly tower although it was not counterweighted.
Urban was also the designer for Zigfield Follies and the Follies often rehersed in this theatre and did their preview performances here. He also was the architect for Maralago, the Merriwether Post estate in PB and spent a lot of time in the town. Pity its gone but with the competition of the Opera house it would be impossible to survive.
In the late 40’s the theatre had a movie/stage show policy that I remember seeing as a child. The interior of the theatre was in the Skouras style so popular at the time . It also had a nursery room for small children. The stage show appeared to be to be of the big band type. I doubt that the stage had a fly house as the main curtain was a venetian puff although what did they do with the screen during the stage shows??
jase
In the 59’s it became a furniture store.
Thanks for all the great pix!!! jase
The theatre is owned by Batista Soler and leased to Stage Entertainment as is the Lope de Vega accross the street.
the orchestra is on a hydralic lift, one of the few in Madrid, and takes 3 min. to reach stage level.
The theatre is owned by Batista Soler and leased to Stage Entertainment as is the Coliseum accross the street.
There is a segment in NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOWBUSINESS that takes place in the Hippodrome. Probobly special effects but very well done and showing the water tank effects.
A question for thoose of you that know or remember.
Did any of the Chicago theatres have the fabulous stage machinery that Radio City Music Hall has and the the Roxy and the Center Theater had?
The Ridge theatre was on Broadway next to the drug store. There was an alley behind both buildings and on the west side of the alley and on Ridge Road was the Glen.
The Ridge was an older theatre and designed in the movie palace style with lots of Stucco work on the facade and on the interior. It did have a balcony also and a working full stage although I never did see live entertainment in either theatre.
The Glen was a Deco style theatre and newer. in the mid 40’s I went to both as they were around the corner from where my family lived so I knew them well.
When the Ridge was converted to the furniture store I investigated the stage that was being ripped out. It had several dresing rooms and a fly grid although it was a hemp and rope system.
The Glen being a smaller theatre was probably a more profitable operation at that time with the advent of TV.
The Glen was similar to the Miller Theatre at miller beach and it alternated films with stage shows for a time. It also had a nursery on the balcony level where children could be left while their parents saw the film show. It did not last very long though and it closed not may years after opening. TV again killed it.
NO! They were two separate theatres. The Ridge beacme a furniture store in the 50’s and the Glen still exists. The Glen was a smaller modern style movie house while the Ridge was a larger movie palace style house. It did have a stage as I remember, with a fly tower although it was not counterweighted.
jase
Splinterfoot is correct. The Ridge was on Broadway and was converted into a furniture store in the 50’s.
As a child in the 40’s I remember it as being a large movie palace type theatre and it did have a full stage which the Glen Park did not.
jase