Relevant article, stating from the Daily Herald that he has essentially a deal with a new operator. Supposedly Dino(theater owner) was going to announce the new operator, sometime today: https://archive.ph/YvcFq
Apparently a new operator will be taking over the Pickwick Theater, and the retiring owner was supposed to announce the new operator tonight. An unofficial quite I heard from Daily Herald, was “it was an offer I couldn’t refuse”. Five interested operators did interview with the Pickwick’s owner, such as the Arcada Theater and Des Plaines Theater concert operator, the owner of Classic Cinemas, Music Box Theater owner, the main person behind a live theater group, and one more person where I couldn’t tell what they did.
To DonaldKirk, I wish badly that could occur. Had explored this former theater several times in the past on my own, and sadly to say I’m not sure if it’ll ever get the restoration it deserves.
Speaking of John Eberson theaters, I’m glad the New Regal Theater(nee Avalon) on the southeast side of Chicago could potentially be reopened. I explored that a few years ago during Open House Chicago(architectural open house every October in Chicago), and the building was still in decent shape inside.
Any new updates, on the restoration of this theater? I hope a restoration could successfully occur, for this theater. Unlike the DuPage Theater in Lombard, which got demolished. :(
It pains me to learn that theaters as beautiful as this, were demolished. Makes me hope even more that south side theaters such as the New Regal(aka Avalon), do reopen. At least that theater was in decent condition, when I visited it a few years ago during Open House Chicago.
To SarahFreeh212, I only saw one movie here ever. I think it was in the late 80s/early 90s, when I recall seeing a kiddie movie of some sort that was playing here. Wish I could’ve visited this theater more than once, since it was an amazing theater. It’s a major shame it wasn’t saved from the wrecking ball. :(
Funny you mentioned The End of Dark Star(and am prfsnlwannabe on flickr, btw), since I know I saw what looked like a preview clip with the opening classic GCC 1977(or 1980?) preview and feature presentation clips. It was still upstairs on the floor, when I revisited this theater yesterday for the first time in 2 years.
Anyway, my album of Open House Chicago 2014 pics. Not all pics are up yet(Saturday stuff is except for one pic, as of now the only things I’ve uploaded so far. a lot, lot more to come….), and the Regal Theater pics are towards the end of the album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/prfsnlwannabe/sets/72157647007243464
I sure hope the heating and A/C issue is tackled, at some point. It’s too bad Kouvalis didn’t take up Cullerton’s(and the city of Chicago’s) grant offer to fix the A/C system, when it was offered. I wonder if his successor, will try to help the new owner(s) get that resolved, if they request that grant again?
This stood, at least as of June 2013. I keep in close touch with a few friends in the south suburbs, and I know they would’ve informed me immediately, if demolition ever occurred here. I still have a bad feeling it’ll be torn down, one of these days.
Good news about the Patio that broke today: it’s going to reopen, under a leasing agreement by the same group of people who run the Portage. I’m a little skeptical of Carranza, but at least there haven’t been any probs with the Portage, since it reopened in June of this year, so a yay for me for now, on hearing this news. I still hope to have my Patio projection booth pics added to my Flickr album I linked to one post above, at some point very soon.
So are all the Transformers(2014? I’ve lost count of the # of Transformers movies Bay has done, since I don’t care about them for the most part, since calling it quits to this series after Transformers 2) Uptown Theater scenes, only at the beginning of the film, and there aren’t any later in the plot? Interesting to know, since I’d still like to catch this movie on cable at some point, and just watch the Uptown Theater scenes outta minor curiosity.
Wow, I’d oddly never realized this used to be a theater years ago, when I was last in Bloomington(sometime during my brief Illinois State University days in the mid-2000s). Guess I should’ve guessed that, based on the exterior.
Wow, I remember the renovation of this theater occurring and that it only had just reopened, back in my brief Illinois State University days in the mid-2000s! Also recall reading about the church that had started to use the Castle, after I sadly(due to grades) was forced to drop out of Illinois State. Great to hear it’s being used as a music venue, as of now.
Wow, I had oddly almost forgotten about the incident of a thunderstorm(or high wind day, or whatever. I wonder why….), knocking down this screen. Sad pic to see, I hope they got this repaired since. And probably did, since I see it was 3 years ago as of now….
The odd thing was that when I visited the mall in June 2013, the marquee was still up. The mall entrance just to the left of this theater is now locked up post 1-6 theater demolition, as well. You oddly can still walk right up to where this theater was, or at least could as of June of that year. Not sure what it’s like now, since I hadn’t revisited in almost 11/2 years.
Is this inside the theater, or say in the lobby or one of the hallways just outside the doors into the theater? I love this backlit decoration, so much!
Gosh darnit, when I see pics like that 1928 one you posted a link to, Joe Vogel. Makes me sad that I have a strong gut feeling, that this theater will more than likely never be saved, especially considering it closed in 1972. :( At least the New Regal(nee Avalon) Theater 20 miles west on the southeast side of Chicago, might have a small chance of being saved and brought back to life. crossing fingers
Relevant article, stating from the Daily Herald that he has essentially a deal with a new operator. Supposedly Dino(theater owner) was going to announce the new operator, sometime today: https://archive.ph/YvcFq
Apparently a new operator will be taking over the Pickwick Theater, and the retiring owner was supposed to announce the new operator tonight. An unofficial quite I heard from Daily Herald, was “it was an offer I couldn’t refuse”. Five interested operators did interview with the Pickwick’s owner, such as the Arcada Theater and Des Plaines Theater concert operator, the owner of Classic Cinemas, Music Box Theater owner, the main person behind a live theater group, and one more person where I couldn’t tell what they did.
Really wish the Will Rogers hadn’t had been torn down! Sad to think it was one of those classic theaters, that faced the wrecking ball.
To DonaldKirk, I wish badly that could occur. Had explored this former theater several times in the past on my own, and sadly to say I’m not sure if it’ll ever get the restoration it deserves.
Speaking of John Eberson theaters, I’m glad the New Regal Theater(nee Avalon) on the southeast side of Chicago could potentially be reopened. I explored that a few years ago during Open House Chicago(architectural open house every October in Chicago), and the building was still in decent shape inside.
Any new updates, on the restoration of this theater? I hope a restoration could successfully occur, for this theater. Unlike the DuPage Theater in Lombard, which got demolished. :(
It pains me to learn that theaters as beautiful as this, were demolished. Makes me hope even more that south side theaters such as the New Regal(aka Avalon), do reopen. At least that theater was in decent condition, when I visited it a few years ago during Open House Chicago.
To SarahFreeh212, I only saw one movie here ever. I think it was in the late 80s/early 90s, when I recall seeing a kiddie movie of some sort that was playing here. Wish I could’ve visited this theater more than once, since it was an amazing theater. It’s a major shame it wasn’t saved from the wrecking ball. :(
What year was this pic from? Great shot, though I take it that it’s from a short video of various older theaters?
Funny you mentioned The End of Dark Star(and am prfsnlwannabe on flickr, btw), since I know I saw what looked like a preview clip with the opening classic GCC 1977(or 1980?) preview and feature presentation clips. It was still upstairs on the floor, when I revisited this theater yesterday for the first time in 2 years.
That marquee, and the theater building look so beautiful!
Anyway, my album of Open House Chicago 2014 pics. Not all pics are up yet(Saturday stuff is except for one pic, as of now the only things I’ve uploaded so far. a lot, lot more to come….), and the Regal Theater pics are towards the end of the album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/prfsnlwannabe/sets/72157647007243464
I sure hope the heating and A/C issue is tackled, at some point. It’s too bad Kouvalis didn’t take up Cullerton’s(and the city of Chicago’s) grant offer to fix the A/C system, when it was offered. I wonder if his successor, will try to help the new owner(s) get that resolved, if they request that grant again?
This stood, at least as of June 2013. I keep in close touch with a few friends in the south suburbs, and I know they would’ve informed me immediately, if demolition ever occurred here. I still have a bad feeling it’ll be torn down, one of these days.
Oooh, this was torn down? That’s too bad, I didn’t realize that at all. I wonder what future plans for this site, will be?
Good news about the Patio that broke today: it’s going to reopen, under a leasing agreement by the same group of people who run the Portage. I’m a little skeptical of Carranza, but at least there haven’t been any probs with the Portage, since it reopened in June of this year, so a yay for me for now, on hearing this news. I still hope to have my Patio projection booth pics added to my Flickr album I linked to one post above, at some point very soon.
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141120/portage-park/patio-theater-reopen-will-be-managed-by-portage-theater-crew
Wow! It’s too bad the Lawrence/Broadway area doesn’t have the neon sign charm, it used to a half century ago. Green Mill aside….
So are all the Transformers(2014? I’ve lost count of the # of Transformers movies Bay has done, since I don’t care about them for the most part, since calling it quits to this series after Transformers 2) Uptown Theater scenes, only at the beginning of the film, and there aren’t any later in the plot? Interesting to know, since I’d still like to catch this movie on cable at some point, and just watch the Uptown Theater scenes outta minor curiosity.
Wow, I’d oddly never realized this used to be a theater years ago, when I was last in Bloomington(sometime during my brief Illinois State University days in the mid-2000s). Guess I should’ve guessed that, based on the exterior.
Wow, I remember the renovation of this theater occurring and that it only had just reopened, back in my brief Illinois State University days in the mid-2000s! Also recall reading about the church that had started to use the Castle, after I sadly(due to grades) was forced to drop out of Illinois State. Great to hear it’s being used as a music venue, as of now.
Wow, I had oddly almost forgotten about the incident of a thunderstorm(or high wind day, or whatever. I wonder why….), knocking down this screen. Sad pic to see, I hope they got this repaired since. And probably did, since I see it was 3 years ago as of now….
The odd thing was that when I visited the mall in June 2013, the marquee was still up. The mall entrance just to the left of this theater is now locked up post 1-6 theater demolition, as well. You oddly can still walk right up to where this theater was, or at least could as of June of that year. Not sure what it’s like now, since I hadn’t revisited in almost 11/2 years.
Is this inside the theater, or say in the lobby or one of the hallways just outside the doors into the theater? I love this backlit decoration, so much!
Just looked up Circus World, and I see this movie came out in 1964. Such a great shot of a black and white pic.
WOW, this is so awesome!!! I sure hope this theater can be renovated and saved in time, and that it doesn’t end up being demolished.
Gosh darnit, when I see pics like that 1928 one you posted a link to, Joe Vogel. Makes me sad that I have a strong gut feeling, that this theater will more than likely never be saved, especially considering it closed in 1972. :( At least the New Regal(nee Avalon) Theater 20 miles west on the southeast side of Chicago, might have a small chance of being saved and brought back to life. crossing fingers