Adams Cinema

602 Hampshire Street,
Quincy, IL 62301

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Dickinson Theatres, Kerasotes Theatres

Functions: Bar

Styles: Neo-Classical

Previous Names: Belasco Theatre

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News About This Theater

Adams Cinema, 1995

The theatre opened in 1915 as the Belasco Theatre, complete with box seating, and closed in the early-1940’s, only to be reopened when the Dickinson chain bought it in 1949.

Kerasotes Theatres bought this theatre in 1969, and renamed it the Adams Cinema. In 1976, the theatre was split into two sections, each with 300 seats.

It closed in October 1999, and the property was donated to a local church in 2002. By 2022 it was operating as a bar.

Contributed by Jeffrey Minster, Matt Fessler, Sue Martin

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

sabbath999
sabbath999 on December 19, 2003 at 3:53 pm

I have seen many movies in the Adams theater. It spent the last few years of it’s life as a dollar theater, but was in good condition when it was closed (dispite a rather unfortunate choice of paint in the older section. The theater’s older section contained all of the original furnishings when closed. I saw Star Wars in 1977 at the Adams. I miss the old place. The newer section was in the ugly modern style, but the older section featured box seats located on a second floor. The theater was/is very ornate.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on May 14, 2010 at 6:08 am

Plans are afoot to convert this former theater to a sports bar and restaurant: View link

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 26, 2010 at 10:09 pm

Acording to the news video the new sports bar will open Sept.1st.At least they are not tearing it down.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on February 22, 2011 at 7:10 pm

I remember seeing “Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life” here. I was at Quincy College (now University) at the time. I believe that’s the only movie I’ve ever seen here.

crossstitcher
crossstitcher on July 12, 2011 at 8:36 pm

I saw Franco Zeffireli’s Romeo and Juliet at the Belasco when it came out. I remember standing in a line that went around the corner, and that there were actual ushers. I was twelve at the time. Later, when it was the Adams Cinema and I was in college, I drove my little brother there to see Star Wars—it was my third out of four times to see it that summer! I grew up an hour away so I couldn’t go very often. The theater was lovely when it was the Belasco. I am sorry that it is no longer a theater. So many have closed, and we now go to soulless multiplexes. I have very fond memories of this theater.

robboehm
robboehm on March 26, 2016 at 8:03 pm

Uploaded an advertising photo as the Belasco from the Quincy Public Library collection. Portions of the Princess and Gem ads appear. Don’t belive the Princess in on CT so will have to add it, particularly since I have a photo of the exterior.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 20, 2019 at 6:11 pm

1945 photo added credit Historical Society of Quincy & Adams County Illinois. Side of the Belasco marquee.

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