Glencoe Theatre
630 Vernon Avenue,
Glencoe,
IL
60022
630 Vernon Avenue,
Glencoe,
IL
60022
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Commonwealth Amusement Corp., Suburban Theatres
Architects: Irving M. Karlin
Styles: Colonial Revival
Nearby Theaters
The Glencoe Theatre opened on October 16, 1940 with Henry Fonda in “Return of Frank James”. Originally seating around 1,000 (later seating was reduced to 847). The theatre closed in 1979 and was later demolished.
Contributed by
Eric Ellis
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
Here is a brief excerpt from a Chicago Daily Tribune article dated May 5, 1940:
Glencoe, which long has lacked a moving picture theater, now is to have two. Plans were announced last March for a 1,100 seat movie at the northeast corner of Scott avenue and Glencoe road. Yesterday it was reported that work is under way on a second playhouse, also to have 1,100 seats.
I could be mistaken, but I thought the Glencoe Theatre had toyed with idea of live music around 1980. But the village was gonna have none of it.
I don’t think nearby Glenview had a theatre, that’s why I’m thinking it was Glencoe.
I’m pretty sure I once saw something about a vintage theatre in Glenview on a list from the Theatre Historical Society archives.
There also very well might have been something on the Naval Air Station before it was demolished, similar to what is found today at Great Lakes in North Chicago.
You might be right. I can’t imagine a place the size of Glenview not having a theatre at some time.
The Glenview House tavern has been there for over a hundred years.
Thanks. I seem to remember seeing a play in Glenview around 1980.I thought it was in an older theater like building with an equally old stage.
But I could be wrong. Maybe it was strictly an old playhouse of sorts. Glenview was kind of far, and too wealthy for us to have been hangin' out there regularly.
The other proposed movie house mentioned in the Chicago Tribune article quoted by ken mc on Nov 20, 2008, must have been the one mentioned in the March 30, 1940, issue of Boxoffice Magazine. It was to have been designed by Rapp & Rapp, and the small architect’s rendering accompanying the item showed an art moderne building. The scan of the magazine is poor, but I think the name of the new house, to be operated by Sam Meyers, was the Glenwin. Does anybody know if it ever got built?
90% certain this was not built.
Architect Irving Karlin’s middle initial is M, not R.
Irving M. Karlin also designed the State Theatre at Logansport, Indiana, and the rebuilding of the Orpheum Theatre in Ottawa, Illinois.
I worked as an usher at the Glencoe Theater from 1972-1975 while in high school.The Auditorium was very large and beautiful. Some of the movies then were “Deliverance” “Jeremiah Johnson” “Godfather Part II"and "Paper Moon” and “Serpico”. I also changed the sign out front on Thursday evenings, helped at the candy counter, took tickets, etc. Carl Funk was a jovial owner, Bruce Boudreaux was the assistant manager. It had a spacious, comfortable lobby, and lounge off the candy counter, no balcony. We usually showed a cartoon before the feature.A great place to work,most fun job I ever had! My younger sister and older brother also worked there.
This opened on October 16th, 1940 with “Return of Frank James”. Grand opening ad posted.