Wilton Theater
114 S. Water Street,
Wilmington,
IL
60481
114 S. Water Street,
Wilmington,
IL
60481
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Would be great to have photos of the original theater, both inside and out and more info too!
Open ?1940?-1950.
Owned by Anderson Theatre Circuit of 118 E. Jefferson St., Morris, Illinois. They also had theaters in such towns as Coal City, De Kalb, Morris & Naperville all in Illonois.
Manteno, Illinois
MP 47 on the IC/CN/AMTRAK “Mainline of Mid-America”
I believe this theater was featured in a 1953 theater owners' documentary about the financial devastation wrought by the 20% federal tax, plus other encroachments on the box office, such as television.
The doc is called “The Case Against the 20% Federal Admission Tax on Motion Picture Theaters” and is a treasure trove of theaters operating but in imminent trouble, including long looks at their still-open theaters, marquees, etc., and interviews with the owners.
There are also plenty of shots of already-closed theaters; the writing was really on the wall already.
TCM ran this movie on 11/1/09 at about 6am and I stumbled upon it by accident; I don’t know when it will screen again but it is well worth seeking out.