Are you sure about this? That Tribune story is kind of old and the alderman sent out an e-mail a couple of weeks ago that it was just a rumor and that things were being worked out. He was supposed to be a “mediator”. But things may have changed.
Of course, that may tell us just what kind of mediator he actually is. After all, this is the same guy who wanted foie gras banned. Sent all foie gras fans up to Evanston and other suburbs. Since repealed.
It sounds interesting. I didn’t know anything about this place until I heard about the Trib write-up. They have an interesting video, too, that takes you through the place.
I guess this shows how observant I have been as I ride past on the el everyday. I haven’t been up Morse Street in a long time – there must be a lot of changes…. I hope.
Is there any indication regarding what’s to be done about the parking problem there?
I remember changing buses once in Riverside and having time for a movie. I thought this was a beautiful theater. It is sad to see that it has gone the way of many the fine old houses we had here in Chicago. And so many of them are built in the Spanish style.
The problem with turning what is left of the old Evanston (I don’t know what is left of it;it’s been a long time since I was up that way) into an art or foreign film house is many of those films are shown at the Cine Arts or at the Wilmette, both within a short distance of the old Evanston.
I liked the Evanston much more before it was broken up into multiple screens. As I recall, many of the things shown at the Evanston were not the same kind of movie as was shown at the Varsity or Valencia – they were the more popular movies. At least ntil someone tried an experiment and started showing old movies at one of them (I forget which). They also had a theater in Dallas.
I, too, remember the Granada fondly. I believe this is where we first saw South Pacific and Auntie Mame. We would come to the occasional movie in the ‘50s and '60s. I guess we couldn’t wait for the movie to come to the Varsity and Valencia (they’re all gone now).
After we moved to Rogers Park in ‘70 it (and the old 400) were the closest theaters. The Granada was always preferable to the little 400.
It was a beautiful theater inside and out.
What I want to know is why it was bombed in 1928? Wasn’t that one of your photos, Brian? Was that part of the war between either the owners or projectionists or the mob or all of the above?
I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone’s comments. It brings back good memories of a wonderful theater.
And I don’t know the condition of the building at the end. It may have been in sad shape or not. But I also know that Loyola University wanted that entire area for development.
Are you sure about this? That Tribune story is kind of old and the alderman sent out an e-mail a couple of weeks ago that it was just a rumor and that things were being worked out. He was supposed to be a “mediator”. But things may have changed.
Of course, that may tell us just what kind of mediator he actually is. After all, this is the same guy who wanted foie gras banned. Sent all foie gras fans up to Evanston and other suburbs. Since repealed.
Looks like it is really moving along.
It sounds interesting. I didn’t know anything about this place until I heard about the Trib write-up. They have an interesting video, too, that takes you through the place.
I guess this shows how observant I have been as I ride past on the el everyday. I haven’t been up Morse Street in a long time – there must be a lot of changes…. I hope.
Is there any indication regarding what’s to be done about the parking problem there?
And yet beautiful. Partly because they help us remember what the Granada once looked like.
I remember changing buses once in Riverside and having time for a movie. I thought this was a beautiful theater. It is sad to see that it has gone the way of many the fine old houses we had here in Chicago. And so many of them are built in the Spanish style.
I have fond memories of my one visit to the Fox.
You know, I really enjoyed that story about the guy’s exploration into the decaying bowels of the theater. Just fascinating.
http://www.oldgranadatheatre.com/journey.html
Only one of many through the years.
The problem with turning what is left of the old Evanston (I don’t know what is left of it;it’s been a long time since I was up that way) into an art or foreign film house is many of those films are shown at the Cine Arts or at the Wilmette, both within a short distance of the old Evanston.
I liked the Evanston much more before it was broken up into multiple screens. As I recall, many of the things shown at the Evanston were not the same kind of movie as was shown at the Varsity or Valencia – they were the more popular movies. At least ntil someone tried an experiment and started showing old movies at one of them (I forget which). They also had a theater in Dallas.
This was a nice small theater, right around the corner from where I grew up.
For a short period in ‘67-68 I was a candy girl here.
During the ‘50s and '60s this was THE place to go for foreign or art films in the area.
Obviously, I have many fond memories of this theater.
Thanks, that is a relief that no bomb ever went off at OUR Granada. Even if it would have been long before most of us were around.
I, too, remember the Granada fondly. I believe this is where we first saw South Pacific and Auntie Mame. We would come to the occasional movie in the ‘50s and '60s. I guess we couldn’t wait for the movie to come to the Varsity and Valencia (they’re all gone now).
After we moved to Rogers Park in ‘70 it (and the old 400) were the closest theaters. The Granada was always preferable to the little 400.
It was a beautiful theater inside and out.
What I want to know is why it was bombed in 1928? Wasn’t that one of your photos, Brian? Was that part of the war between either the owners or projectionists or the mob or all of the above?
I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone’s comments. It brings back good memories of a wonderful theater.
And I don’t know the condition of the building at the end. It may have been in sad shape or not. But I also know that Loyola University wanted that entire area for development.
They have less people attending there every year.