Jon, I mis-spoke. The Cinerama film I saw at the Palace was “Around The World In Eighty Days.” I realized my error after making the earlier post, but didn’t think it important enough to correct.
As we get older our memories begin to play some tricks on us. Now, I’m not absolutely certain that I didn’t see my Cineraama film at the McVickers; but the film I saw was “80 Days,” and my memory has the Palace as where I saw it.
My son and I took the Oriental/Palace tour in 2005. I grew up in Chicago in the late 40’s through 50’s and often went to movies downtown. Prices were only around a dollar, and most included two full length films, a short, newsreel, and cartoon. The Oriental and Chicago theaters were especially awe inspiring from their elaborate decor.
My son grew up in the era of Multi-plex theaters, and I wanted him to glimpse the past in the tour. As we sat in the balcony of the Oriental listening to the tour guide, I found myself filling in a bit of past history for the visitors, so they could appreciate the differences between “then and now.” The tour ended with a visit to the Palace just down the street, where I had seen the Cinerama production of “How The West Was Won” years before. Most of the Palace was torn down and in disrepair, but you could still glimpse its earlier glory.
The price of the tour in 2005 was only $20., and as you can probably deduce from my earlier discussion, I highly recommend it.
It’s hard to imagine how large the Uptown really is (aside from its inner decor and beauty). One way to glimpse its size is to view the front of the theater from Braodaway avenue, where we can see the building going up about four stories, and disappearing back as far as we can see in the pic you provided; then realize that this entire structure is only its lobby!! The Uptown lobby has been used in recent movies (as described earlier in this thread), such as in “Home Alone 2,” where it was the toy store.
As a child I was dazzled as I sat in the lower orchestra area, engulfed by the immensity of the theater, and gazed up about 5-6 stories to the “stars” twinkling at me in the ceiling, as if from the starry skies themselves. It saddens me to think of the kids of recent generations going to the little boxes we call multiplex theaters, not knowing what they’re missing. Hopefully, the Uptown can be reborn so they can glimpse an age of cinema treasures otherwise lost to them in time.
I regularly went to movies at the Granada and Uptown in the ‘50s, and early '60s; and although the Granada was quite beautiful, there was no comparison to the Uptown. The Uptown is the largest freestanding theater in the entire country (larger even than Radio City Music Hall), and if/when restored will be a wonderful showcase for Chicago to the World.
Let’s keep working to see the Uptown returned to her old glory. It will be a wonderful day for me, and for those of more recent generations, to walk into a restored Uptown and marvel at, arguably,
the greatest cinema palace of all time.
Thanks mp.
With yours, Brian’s, and other peoples' reports, I feel like I’m there keeping up with the work. It helps keep me feeling connected to the home of my roots.
If you’re ever in Springfield, look me up. I have a home theater in my basement, complete with velvet motorized curtains, an 8 foot screen, and 6.1 surround sound. We can talk about Chicago cinema palaces, and movies in general. I have a film library of several hundred films of all genres for viewing; so you can take your pick. It would be nice to share our love of movies, and movie theaters, together.
If you can link to the pictures online, I’d love to see them. I have memories of the interior from the early fifties, but it would be great to see it at its prime.
Sad to hear that the building will soon be history.
Thanks for the info on the collapse. Do you know if the collapse affected the building which housed the Metro— 3308 vs. the reported collapse at 3318?
Brian— thanks for all of the info on the old and new Terminal you provided here. It was good to talk to my cousins and, together with your info, to finally get it straight :)
That seems to be the picture; but I remember the Metro closing in the early fifties rather than late fifties. I can set the date of its closing fairly closely, because I remember waiting for the movie “Superman and The Mole Men” to arrive at the Metro, which the manager had told me was coming there— this was in circa ‘53 at the latest, and the Metro closed within a year of that time.
I called my cousins who are about ten years older than me, and who regularly went to the Terminal and Metro through the Forties and Fifties, and they confirmed that you are correct— the Metro was across the street from the Terminal on the same block, not as I remembered it on the block west of Christiana. I was about 8 to 9 years old when the Metro closed, and my memory was playing tricks on me— the block I remembered going east from to the Metro was actually Christiana and not Kimball. My cousins thought that the Terminal probably moved across to the south side of the street to use the much larger auditorium there (the Metro was small and without any balcony to my memory).
The Metro theater I went to from c. 1948 to when it closed about 1953, was a block west of where you have shown the first Terminal on the map. The Metro I went to was about five or six businesses east of Kimball on the north side of the street, and as shown in the description of the Metro at the top of this page, was a reverse seated theater (you entered the auditorium at the screen side). It was a small theater.
One of the last times I was in Chicago visiting my old haunts, I walked east from Kimball down the north side of Lawrence avenue and found a theater type facade which was in the location for the Metro that I remembered (much smaller than the one that you provided in your frontal photo, shown on the next block east between Christiana and Spaulding on your map). If the original site of the Terminal was the Metro that I went to, it was not on the block that you showed on the map. However, the block that you showed om your map is the one that I knew for the Terminal I went to (shown with the large vertical marquee on the south side of Lawrence as shown in the photo on the Terminal site). If you move the frontal facade photo you provided here, from the north to the south side of Lawrence, then all of the confusion would be resolved.
That map was very helpful Brian. I’ve been confused about Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the Metro, believeing that the Terminal on the south side of Lawrence near Spaulding avenue was one Terminal, and the Metro I knew from childhood (small theater on North side of Lawrence just east of Kimball, was the earlier Terminal location referred to). But your map, and the picture of the theater front shows up on your map on the north side of Lawrence, between Christiana (where I lved) and Spaulding, a location for the Terminal I never knew existed. The small Metro near Kimball, closed in the early fifties, and its facade can still be seen (much smaller than the one shown in the photo for the first Terminal). Thanks for the map, and for finally helping me to understand the different locations for the Terminal and Metro.
The Terminal on the South side of Lawrence avenue— which I believe Brian’s front view photo shows— entered directly into a large lobby, so your guess that the store at front represents lobby space would be correct. The actual auditorium was further back from the lobby and then entered to the left (east); so it would have filled up space going east to Spaulding avenue (about 60 feet to the east of the photo showing the front of the theater, and about 50 feet back— south— from Lawrence avenue at the front).
I was asked about the Terminal on another board to which I replied. I am placing that reply here as well (where it properly belongs):
“Re the Terminal:
It was the closest theater to where I lived and the one I most often attended— the last time was in 1962. In early 1963 I went West and eventually into the Navy for 8 years. While in the Navy the Terminal (to my later sad discovery) was torn down.
Here, for you and others who may visit, I’ll tell you much of what I remember about the Terminal (inside and out)— this will be my tribute to the place where I spent many happy Saturday afternoons as a child: there was a large overhanging marquee with flashing lights that ran along the periphery, with a large vertical lighted sign rising above (about 30-40 feet high) displaying the “Terminal” name (named for the Ravenswood [now Brown Line] terminal-depot at the Western end of the block (the Terminal was on the South side of Lawrence Ave. about ½ block East of the El terminal at Kimball Ave.).
There were two ticket booths, one as an island (entered from the outside) centered directly under the marquee, and another which extended from the inside to the right-front side of the exterior. You entered the theater through large brass-windowed doors which opened into a hall area to another set of metal windowed doors you passed through to enter the theater proper. There were nice carpets and wall decorations, as well as staircases immediately on either side as you entered, rising to the second landing and balcony (from childhood memory I would estimate the theater was 1500-2000 seats).
The interior theater seating area: the screen was covered by full length curtains which opened at the start of the show, below which was a stage used for stage shows and special events during the lifetime of the theater. On either side of the interior side-walls at mezzanine level, there were small decorated alcoves giving the appearance of side seating areas (just for show-no real seats), as well as other decorations.
Most every Summer Saturday afternoon the Parental School (home for troubled kids) would walk about 20-30 of them in-line from their property on Foster Ave. West of Kimball (about a mile away) to the Terminal where the balcony was reserved just for them.
There was a small refreshment stand and Grandfather clock near the center of the main floor. The rest rooms were upstairs, and I remember looking out the Men’s Restroom window into the El-Yard which extended behind the Terminal, covering the entire block.
I especially enjoyed going to Saturday Matinees, especially when they had a Cartoon Festival. When I was about 6-12 years of age (1948-54) I’d get into Saturday Matinees for 15 cents, which then (as with all theaters of the time) included two full length movies, a short subject (often a Disney Production), a cartoon, and trailers of “Coming Attractions”— those were the days!!"
It was the closest theater to me and the one I most often attended— the last time was in 1962. In early 1963 I went West and eventually into the Navy for 8 years. While in the Navy the Terminal (to my later sad discovery) was torn down.
Here, for you and others who may visit, I’ll tell you much of what I remember about the Terminal (inside and out)— this will be my tribute to the place where I spent many happy Saturday afternoons as a child: there was a large overhanging marquee with flashing lights that ran along the periphery, with a large vertical lighted sign rising above (about 30-40 feet high) displaying the “Terminal” name (named for the Ravenswood [now Brown Line] terminal-depot at the Western end of the block (the Terminal was on the South side of Lawrence Ave. about ½ block East of the El terminal at Kimball Ave.).
There were two ticket booths, one as an island (entered from the outside) centered directly under the marquee, and another which extended from the inside to the right-front side of the exterior. You entered the theater through large brass-windowed doors which opened into a hall area to another set of metal windowed doors you passed through to enter the theater proper. There were nice carpets and wall decorations, as well as staircases immediately on either side as you entered, rising to the second landing and balcony (from childhood memory I would estimate the theater was 1500-2000 seats).
The interior theater seating area: the screen was covered by full length curtains which opened at the start of the show, below which was a stage used for stage shows and special events during the lifetime of the theater. On either side of the interior side-walls at mezzanine level, there were small decorated alcoves giving the appearance of side seating areas (just for show-no real seats), as well as other decorations.
Most every Summer Saturday afternoon the Parental School (home for troubled kids) would walk about 20-30 of them in-line from their property on Foster Ave. West of Kimball (about a mile away) to the Terminal where the balcony was reserved just for them.
There was a small refreshment stand and Grandfather clock near the center of the main floor. The rest rooms were upstairs, and I remember looking out the Men’s Restroom window into the El-Yard which extended behind the Terminal, covering the entire block.
I especially enjoyed going to Saturday Matinees, especially when they had a Cartoon Festival. When I was about 6-12 years of age (1948-54) I’d get into Saturday Matinees for 15 cents, which then (as with all theaters of the time) included two full length movies, a short subject (often a Disney Production), a cartoon, and trailers of “Coming Attractions”— those were the days!!
I’ll place this post on the “Terminal” message board as well as here.
I spent the 1950s going to the movies downtown and at the Terminal, Gateway, Riviera, Granada, Nortown, and Uptown as they were the closest to where I lived. I marvelled at theaters like the Granada and Uptown without knowing their interesting histories, which I’ve recently learned by taking the tour at the above website.
Did you know that Director Vincent Minelli and composer Victor Young (“Around The World In 80 Days”) began their careers by working on the Stageshows at the Uptown theater? Or that the Essanay Movie Studio in Uptown predated Hollywood? Or that the fire scenes in “Backdraft,” or Duncan’s Toy Store in the Movie “Home Alone2: Lost In New York” were filmed in the Uptown theater? (Duncan’s Toy Store in Uptown’s enormous front lobby). For this and much more which will probably leave you flabbergasted, spend an enjoyable couple of hours at the above site. You’ll thank me.
Brian’s 1929 picture of the Terminal linked above is actually looking East down Lawrence Ave. not West as given. The Ravenswood el terminal (for which the theater is named) can be seen in the foreground. This el terminal is on the Southeast corner of Kimball and Lawrence Ave. which will allow you to properly orient yourself to the photo. On a recent trip to Chicago for my son’s birthday weekend, I took him on an el and subway ride downtown starting at this Ravenswood terminal. Unfortunately, the terminal building in the photo has been torn down and replaced with a walk-in open-air entrance.
I forgot to mention that if you go to the area where the Metro used to be, you’ll recognize the theatre facade which yet remains at the site of the store now utilizing that location.
The Metro was a small theater (smaller than the present day multiplexes) across the street from the Terminal theater (North Side) between Christiana and Kimball Aves. (a bit closer to Kimball). It closed about 1952. I remember pestering the manager of the Metro for when the new Superman movie which was coming there would finally arrive (Superman and the Molemen). To my disappointment it came and went before I discovered it had been there. However, I continued to visit the Terminal on a regular basis throughout the 1950s and early ‘60s. I remember watching the kids from the Parental School on Foster Ave. (between Sawyer and Crawford) walking together (10 or 20 of them) nearly every Saturday to the Terminal where they were allowed to sit in the balcony area which was opened solely for them. I often wondered what it was like to be in the shoes of those kids, having the good fortune to have a good home and parents of my own.
Jon, I mis-spoke. The Cinerama film I saw at the Palace was “Around The World In Eighty Days.” I realized my error after making the earlier post, but didn’t think it important enough to correct.
As we get older our memories begin to play some tricks on us. Now, I’m not absolutely certain that I didn’t see my Cineraama film at the McVickers; but the film I saw was “80 Days,” and my memory has the Palace as where I saw it.
Thanks for setting the record straight.
My son and I took the Oriental/Palace tour in 2005. I grew up in Chicago in the late 40’s through 50’s and often went to movies downtown. Prices were only around a dollar, and most included two full length films, a short, newsreel, and cartoon. The Oriental and Chicago theaters were especially awe inspiring from their elaborate decor.
My son grew up in the era of Multi-plex theaters, and I wanted him to glimpse the past in the tour. As we sat in the balcony of the Oriental listening to the tour guide, I found myself filling in a bit of past history for the visitors, so they could appreciate the differences between “then and now.” The tour ended with a visit to the Palace just down the street, where I had seen the Cinerama production of “How The West Was Won” years before. Most of the Palace was torn down and in disrepair, but you could still glimpse its earlier glory.
The price of the tour in 2005 was only $20., and as you can probably deduce from my earlier discussion, I highly recommend it.
Hi Cam,
It’s hard to imagine how large the Uptown really is (aside from its inner decor and beauty). One way to glimpse its size is to view the front of the theater from Braodaway avenue, where we can see the building going up about four stories, and disappearing back as far as we can see in the pic you provided; then realize that this entire structure is only its lobby!! The Uptown lobby has been used in recent movies (as described earlier in this thread), such as in “Home Alone 2,” where it was the toy store.
As a child I was dazzled as I sat in the lower orchestra area, engulfed by the immensity of the theater, and gazed up about 5-6 stories to the “stars” twinkling at me in the ceiling, as if from the starry skies themselves. It saddens me to think of the kids of recent generations going to the little boxes we call multiplex theaters, not knowing what they’re missing. Hopefully, the Uptown can be reborn so they can glimpse an age of cinema treasures otherwise lost to them in time.
Cam,
I regularly went to movies at the Granada and Uptown in the ‘50s, and early '60s; and although the Granada was quite beautiful, there was no comparison to the Uptown. The Uptown is the largest freestanding theater in the entire country (larger even than Radio City Music Hall), and if/when restored will be a wonderful showcase for Chicago to the World.
Let’s keep working to see the Uptown returned to her old glory. It will be a wonderful day for me, and for those of more recent generations, to walk into a restored Uptown and marvel at, arguably,
the greatest cinema palace of all time.
Thanks mp.
With yours, Brian’s, and other peoples' reports, I feel like I’m there keeping up with the work. It helps keep me feeling connected to the home of my roots.
Thanks for the photo collage of the collapsed building. The photos seem to be c. two months old. What’s the latest status of the restoration?
Thanks Jerry
Brian,
Thanks for the photos.
If you’re ever in Springfield, look me up. I have a home theater in my basement, complete with velvet motorized curtains, an 8 foot screen, and 6.1 surround sound. We can talk about Chicago cinema palaces, and movies in general. I have a film library of several hundred films of all genres for viewing; so you can take your pick. It would be nice to share our love of movies, and movie theaters, together.
Best,
Richard
Brian,
If you can link to the pictures online, I’d love to see them. I have memories of the interior from the early fifties, but it would be great to see it at its prime.
Sad to hear that the building will soon be history.
Hi jlsii and Brian,
Thanks for the info on the collapse. Do you know if the collapse affected the building which housed the Metro— 3308 vs. the reported collapse at 3318?
Brian— thanks for all of the info on the old and new Terminal you provided here. It was good to talk to my cousins and, together with your info, to finally get it straight :)
That seems to be the picture; but I remember the Metro closing in the early fifties rather than late fifties. I can set the date of its closing fairly closely, because I remember waiting for the movie “Superman and The Mole Men” to arrive at the Metro, which the manager had told me was coming there— this was in circa ‘53 at the latest, and the Metro closed within a year of that time.
Brian,
I called my cousins who are about ten years older than me, and who regularly went to the Terminal and Metro through the Forties and Fifties, and they confirmed that you are correct— the Metro was across the street from the Terminal on the same block, not as I remembered it on the block west of Christiana. I was about 8 to 9 years old when the Metro closed, and my memory was playing tricks on me— the block I remembered going east from to the Metro was actually Christiana and not Kimball. My cousins thought that the Terminal probably moved across to the south side of the street to use the much larger auditorium there (the Metro was small and without any balcony to my memory).
The Metro theater I went to from c. 1948 to when it closed about 1953, was a block west of where you have shown the first Terminal on the map. The Metro I went to was about five or six businesses east of Kimball on the north side of the street, and as shown in the description of the Metro at the top of this page, was a reverse seated theater (you entered the auditorium at the screen side). It was a small theater.
One of the last times I was in Chicago visiting my old haunts, I walked east from Kimball down the north side of Lawrence avenue and found a theater type facade which was in the location for the Metro that I remembered (much smaller than the one that you provided in your frontal photo, shown on the next block east between Christiana and Spaulding on your map). If the original site of the Terminal was the Metro that I went to, it was not on the block that you showed on the map. However, the block that you showed om your map is the one that I knew for the Terminal I went to (shown with the large vertical marquee on the south side of Lawrence as shown in the photo on the Terminal site). If you move the frontal facade photo you provided here, from the north to the south side of Lawrence, then all of the confusion would be resolved.
That map was very helpful Brian. I’ve been confused about Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the Metro, believeing that the Terminal on the south side of Lawrence near Spaulding avenue was one Terminal, and the Metro I knew from childhood (small theater on North side of Lawrence just east of Kimball, was the earlier Terminal location referred to). But your map, and the picture of the theater front shows up on your map on the north side of Lawrence, between Christiana (where I lved) and Spaulding, a location for the Terminal I never knew existed. The small Metro near Kimball, closed in the early fifties, and its facade can still be seen (much smaller than the one shown in the photo for the first Terminal). Thanks for the map, and for finally helping me to understand the different locations for the Terminal and Metro.
The Terminal on the South side of Lawrence avenue— which I believe Brian’s front view photo shows— entered directly into a large lobby, so your guess that the store at front represents lobby space would be correct. The actual auditorium was further back from the lobby and then entered to the left (east); so it would have filled up space going east to Spaulding avenue (about 60 feet to the east of the photo showing the front of the theater, and about 50 feet back— south— from Lawrence avenue at the front).
I was asked about the Terminal on another board to which I replied. I am placing that reply here as well (where it properly belongs):
“Re the Terminal:
It was the closest theater to where I lived and the one I most often attended— the last time was in 1962. In early 1963 I went West and eventually into the Navy for 8 years. While in the Navy the Terminal (to my later sad discovery) was torn down.
Here, for you and others who may visit, I’ll tell you much of what I remember about the Terminal (inside and out)— this will be my tribute to the place where I spent many happy Saturday afternoons as a child: there was a large overhanging marquee with flashing lights that ran along the periphery, with a large vertical lighted sign rising above (about 30-40 feet high) displaying the “Terminal” name (named for the Ravenswood [now Brown Line] terminal-depot at the Western end of the block (the Terminal was on the South side of Lawrence Ave. about ½ block East of the El terminal at Kimball Ave.).
There were two ticket booths, one as an island (entered from the outside) centered directly under the marquee, and another which extended from the inside to the right-front side of the exterior. You entered the theater through large brass-windowed doors which opened into a hall area to another set of metal windowed doors you passed through to enter the theater proper. There were nice carpets and wall decorations, as well as staircases immediately on either side as you entered, rising to the second landing and balcony (from childhood memory I would estimate the theater was 1500-2000 seats).
The interior theater seating area: the screen was covered by full length curtains which opened at the start of the show, below which was a stage used for stage shows and special events during the lifetime of the theater. On either side of the interior side-walls at mezzanine level, there were small decorated alcoves giving the appearance of side seating areas (just for show-no real seats), as well as other decorations.
Most every Summer Saturday afternoon the Parental School (home for troubled kids) would walk about 20-30 of them in-line from their property on Foster Ave. West of Kimball (about a mile away) to the Terminal where the balcony was reserved just for them.
There was a small refreshment stand and Grandfather clock near the center of the main floor. The rest rooms were upstairs, and I remember looking out the Men’s Restroom window into the El-Yard which extended behind the Terminal, covering the entire block.
I especially enjoyed going to Saturday Matinees, especially when they had a Cartoon Festival. When I was about 6-12 years of age (1948-54) I’d get into Saturday Matinees for 15 cents, which then (as with all theaters of the time) included two full length movies, a short subject (often a Disney Production), a cartoon, and trailers of “Coming Attractions”— those were the days!!"
Re the Terminal:
It was the closest theater to me and the one I most often attended— the last time was in 1962. In early 1963 I went West and eventually into the Navy for 8 years. While in the Navy the Terminal (to my later sad discovery) was torn down.
Here, for you and others who may visit, I’ll tell you much of what I remember about the Terminal (inside and out)— this will be my tribute to the place where I spent many happy Saturday afternoons as a child: there was a large overhanging marquee with flashing lights that ran along the periphery, with a large vertical lighted sign rising above (about 30-40 feet high) displaying the “Terminal” name (named for the Ravenswood [now Brown Line] terminal-depot at the Western end of the block (the Terminal was on the South side of Lawrence Ave. about ½ block East of the El terminal at Kimball Ave.).
There were two ticket booths, one as an island (entered from the outside) centered directly under the marquee, and another which extended from the inside to the right-front side of the exterior. You entered the theater through large brass-windowed doors which opened into a hall area to another set of metal windowed doors you passed through to enter the theater proper. There were nice carpets and wall decorations, as well as staircases immediately on either side as you entered, rising to the second landing and balcony (from childhood memory I would estimate the theater was 1500-2000 seats).
The interior theater seating area: the screen was covered by full length curtains which opened at the start of the show, below which was a stage used for stage shows and special events during the lifetime of the theater. On either side of the interior side-walls at mezzanine level, there were small decorated alcoves giving the appearance of side seating areas (just for show-no real seats), as well as other decorations.
Most every Summer Saturday afternoon the Parental School (home for troubled kids) would walk about 20-30 of them in-line from their property on Foster Ave. West of Kimball (about a mile away) to the Terminal where the balcony was reserved just for them.
There was a small refreshment stand and Grandfather clock near the center of the main floor. The rest rooms were upstairs, and I remember looking out the Men’s Restroom window into the El-Yard which extended behind the Terminal, covering the entire block.
I especially enjoyed going to Saturday Matinees, especially when they had a Cartoon Festival. When I was about 6-12 years of age (1948-54) I’d get into Saturday Matinees for 15 cents, which then (as with all theaters of the time) included two full length movies, a short subject (often a Disney Production), a cartoon, and trailers of “Coming Attractions”— those were the days!!
I’ll place this post on the “Terminal” message board as well as here.
Time to cheer up and learn more about Uptown Chicago…Cradle of Entertainment.
I spent the 1950s going to the movies downtown and at the Terminal, Gateway, Riviera, Granada, Nortown, and Uptown as they were the closest to where I lived. I marvelled at theaters like the Granada and Uptown without knowing their interesting histories, which I’ve recently learned by taking the tour at the above website.
Did you know that Director Vincent Minelli and composer Victor Young (“Around The World In 80 Days”) began their careers by working on the Stageshows at the Uptown theater? Or that the Essanay Movie Studio in Uptown predated Hollywood? Or that the fire scenes in “Backdraft,” or Duncan’s Toy Store in the Movie “Home Alone2: Lost In New York” were filmed in the Uptown theater? (Duncan’s Toy Store in Uptown’s enormous front lobby). For this and much more which will probably leave you flabbergasted, spend an enjoyable couple of hours at the above site. You’ll thank me.
The Metro was actually between Christiana (not Spaulding) and Kimball Aves. a bit closer to Kimball. It closed around 1953.
Brian’s 1929 picture of the Terminal linked above is actually looking East down Lawrence Ave. not West as given. The Ravenswood el terminal (for which the theater is named) can be seen in the foreground. This el terminal is on the Southeast corner of Kimball and Lawrence Ave. which will allow you to properly orient yourself to the photo. On a recent trip to Chicago for my son’s birthday weekend, I took him on an el and subway ride downtown starting at this Ravenswood terminal. Unfortunately, the terminal building in the photo has been torn down and replaced with a walk-in open-air entrance.
I forgot to mention that if you go to the area where the Metro used to be, you’ll recognize the theatre facade which yet remains at the site of the store now utilizing that location.
The Metro was a small theater (smaller than the present day multiplexes) across the street from the Terminal theater (North Side) between Christiana and Kimball Aves. (a bit closer to Kimball). It closed about 1952. I remember pestering the manager of the Metro for when the new Superman movie which was coming there would finally arrive (Superman and the Molemen). To my disappointment it came and went before I discovered it had been there. However, I continued to visit the Terminal on a regular basis throughout the 1950s and early ‘60s. I remember watching the kids from the Parental School on Foster Ave. (between Sawyer and Crawford) walking together (10 or 20 of them) nearly every Saturday to the Terminal where they were allowed to sit in the balcony area which was opened solely for them. I often wondered what it was like to be in the shoes of those kids, having the good fortune to have a good home and parents of my own.