Highland Park Theatre
445 Central Avenue,
Highland Park,
IL
60035
445 Central Avenue,
Highland Park,
IL
60035
11 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Brotman & Sherman Theaters
Architects: William D. Mann
Styles: Tudor Revival
Previous Names: Alcyon Theatre
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- May 7, 2012 — Highland Park closes movie theater
- Sep 12, 2011 — Highland Park will ask developers for options for theater building
Located in the far-north Chicago suburb of Highland Park. The Tudor Revival style Alcyon Theatre was opened on September 24, 1925. It had 1,150-seats and was equipped with a Barton 3 manual 13 ranks organ. It was renamed Highland Park Theatre on August 14, 1965. In the 1980’s it was split into four screens.
The most striking feature of the theatre is its odd blocky marquee and the strange color blocks which decorate the entrance. Definitely a mix of styles.
It was closed on May 6, 2012 and demolition began in June 2018.
Contributed by
Dave Wiegers
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 48 comments)
Demolition to begin next week.
Chicago Tribune link.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/highland-park/news/ct-hpn-highland-park-theater-demolition-tl-0607-story.html
Such a shame it was not saved. It might have made a good performing arts venue.
Considering all the promises the city made to Apple Tree Theater, none of where were kept, who would trust the city to do anything for the arts? (This is now the fourth movie theater to be demolished in Highland Park. Such a good track record!)
November 3 – Not only is the theater gone but they are already starting on its replacement building.
Article with final photos of the place before it was demolished. https://jonrev.com/2018/06/10/highland-park-theater/
Reopened as Highland Park on August 14th, 1965. Grand opening ad poste
The Alcyon Theatre Opened On September 24, 1925.
Two images added to gallery.
Additional history below credit Highland Park Historical Society.
Shortly after the opening, owners William and Bertha Pearl executed a 15 year lease for both the Alycon and Pearl for 35,000$/year to the Highland Park Theater Co, according to the Chicago Tribune (Nov. 3, 1925), citing lawyers for both parties. The 1925 theater installed a “3/13” Barton Organ. (Junchen, David L. Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ. Pasadena, Calif: Showcase Publications, 1985.) In January 1928, a “bandit” robbed the safe and fled with $2100, 3 days income. The thief covered the assistant manager, Saul Greenberg, with a blanket before locking him in the washroom. (Chicago Daily Tribune) The Bulletin of the Chicago Medical Society V33 cites the Alycon for installing systems so the “hearing impaired” could listen to “Talkies.”
In 1940, Pearl installed additional RCA sound equipment in the (now) 1150 seat theater.“ (Motion Picture Herald. New York, N.Y: Quigley Pub. Co., vol. 140, nos. 71-113. 1940.)
Reading Matt Singers book “Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever” and this theater is named as the inspiration for their famous Balcony set. This was the childhood theater of set designer Michael Lowenstein, and he took the “Spanish design” of the theater and its original single auditorium and balcony layout
From original 1930s programs shared by the HPHSociety:
“Shortly after the opening, owners William and Bertha Pearl executed a 15 year lease for both the Alycon and Pearl for 35,000$/year to the Highland Park Theater Co, according to the Chicago Tribune (Nov. 3, 1925), citing lawyers for both parties. The 1925 theater installed a “3/13” Barton Organ. (Junchen, David L. Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ. Pasadena, Calif: Showcase Publications, 1985.) In January 1928, a “bandit” robbed the safe and fled with $2100, 3 days income. The thief covered the assistant manager, Saul Greenberg, with a blanket before locking him in the washroom. (Chicago Daily Tribune) The Bulletin of the Chicago Medical Society V33 cites the Alycon for installing systems so the “hearing impaired” could listen to “Talkies.” In 1940, Pearl installed additional RCA sound equipment in the (now) 1150 seat theater.“