A smaller but very classy operation in the 1960s where you would see the best films like “Oliver”, “Lawrence of Arabia” and “The Sting.” Movies tended to play for long runs.
The walls of the auditorium were decorated with drawings of the Arlington Park Racetrack. The screen was a bit on the small side and wasn’t true ‘scope. Still, a great place to see the show.
At the time it was a tiny little theater that you could easily miss as you drove by on Milwaukee Avenue. They had late shows and usually ran reissues or second run.
I do remember seeing the controversial “Caligula” at this theater and being surprised by the outrageous ticket price of $7.50. No other theater in the suburbs would have touched that movie with a ten foot pole.
The 53 Drive-In was located at a busy intersection that allowed a full view of the giant screen and whatever movie that happened to be playing at the time. Special $5.00 per carload promotions pretty much eliminated the need for hiding people in the trunk. I remember spending the entire night watching all five “Planet of the Apes” movies.
The programming was a curious mix of first run fare and typical drive-in trash. It became notorious for showing X-rated movies that anybody stuck at the red light on Hicks Road could see clearly. There were stories of auto accidents caused by distracted drivers.
As a high school senior I waited in line with four other underaged kids hoping to get past the ticket booth to see a real classic called “The Case of the Smiling Stiffs.”
One week you could see a real gem like “All The President’s Men” and the next week it was “The Corpse Grinders.” Only at the 53!
Big screen, great sound and one of the first theatres in the area to install full surround sound. The initial run of “Apocalypse Now” was quite impressive at the Golf Mill.
What a great place the Des Plaines Theatre was in the early to mid ‘70s. Two second-run features for 60 cents on a large, curved screen. The place wasn’t terribly fancy but the picture and sound were great and what else was really important? As this was the time before home video the Des Plaines Theatre made it easy to catch up on movies you missed in first run.
A smaller but very classy operation in the 1960s where you would see the best films like “Oliver”, “Lawrence of Arabia” and “The Sting.” Movies tended to play for long runs.
The walls of the auditorium were decorated with drawings of the Arlington Park Racetrack. The screen was a bit on the small side and wasn’t true ‘scope. Still, a great place to see the show.
At the time it was a tiny little theater that you could easily miss as you drove by on Milwaukee Avenue. They had late shows and usually ran reissues or second run.
I do remember seeing the controversial “Caligula” at this theater and being surprised by the outrageous ticket price of $7.50. No other theater in the suburbs would have touched that movie with a ten foot pole.
What a place!
The 53 Drive-In was located at a busy intersection that allowed a full view of the giant screen and whatever movie that happened to be playing at the time. Special $5.00 per carload promotions pretty much eliminated the need for hiding people in the trunk. I remember spending the entire night watching all five “Planet of the Apes” movies.
The programming was a curious mix of first run fare and typical drive-in trash. It became notorious for showing X-rated movies that anybody stuck at the red light on Hicks Road could see clearly. There were stories of auto accidents caused by distracted drivers.
As a high school senior I waited in line with four other underaged kids hoping to get past the ticket booth to see a real classic called “The Case of the Smiling Stiffs.”
One week you could see a real gem like “All The President’s Men” and the next week it was “The Corpse Grinders.” Only at the 53!
Big screen, great sound and one of the first theatres in the area to install full surround sound. The initial run of “Apocalypse Now” was quite impressive at the Golf Mill.
What a great place the Des Plaines Theatre was in the early to mid ‘70s. Two second-run features for 60 cents on a large, curved screen. The place wasn’t terribly fancy but the picture and sound were great and what else was really important? As this was the time before home video the Des Plaines Theatre made it easy to catch up on movies you missed in first run.