Berwyn Theatre
6404 W. Cermak Road,
Berwyn,
IL
60402
6404 W. Cermak Road,
Berwyn,
IL
60402
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Balaban & Katz Corp., Gregory-Bernasek Theater Corp., Schoenstadt
Architects: William L. Pereira, Edward P. Rupert
Firms: R. Levine & Co.
Previous Names: Parthenon Theatre
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This theater, built for the Schoenstadt circuit as the Parthenon Theatre in the western Chicago suburb of Berwyn, opened in 1924. It was designed by architect Edward P. Rupert & architectural firm R. Levine & Co. It sat over 1,600 and contained a 4/16 Barton organ. By 1927 it was operated by the Gregory-Bernasak Theater Corp. chain.
In 1930, it was renamed the Berwyn Theatre, and its management was taken over by Balaban & Katz. The Berwyn Theatre was re-modeled by architect William L. Pereira in 1936.
The Berwyn Theatre continued to operate for another half century. After sitting vacant for several years, the theatre was heavily damaged in a blaze in 1990 and demolished afterwards.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 50 comments)
From Berwyn, a close up showing some of the remarkable detail on the since demolished Berwyn Theatre building.
The Woolwoth’s like store between Ridgeland and Culyer avenues was Neisner’s 5&10 cent store.
In the 40s and 50s, this was a second round house, that is, movies played in downtown Chicago, (1st run) then to places like the Berwyn and Olympic. Eventually they made the 3rd run shows. To compete,Berwyn, like others,had low prices until 5pm when they were increased..hey…a family of 4 could save a dollar just by going early.
In the 40s and 50s, this was a second round house, that is, movies played in downtown Chicago, (1st run) then to places like the Berwyn and Olympic. Eventually they made the 3rd run shows. To compete,Berwyn, like others,had low prices until 5pm when they were increased..hey…a family of 4 could save a dollar just by going early.
The inside of the entire theatre had been spray painted dusty rose/pink over the other coats of paint. I have some pieces of the plaster and some terra cotta from the theatre when it was being torn down. I remember my uncle taking me to get a haircut at the barbershop on the Ridgeland Avenue side of the theatre. Our family doctor was just across the street from the theatre on the Ridgeland side. Remember when the Douglas Park “L” went right by the North side of the theatre at ground lever in what is now the parking lot?
In 1924 a Barton Theater Pipe Organ 4/16 (manual/rank, keyboards/set of pipes) was shipped 180 miles from the factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to the theatre. That was a good size organ! Anyone know what happened to the organ?
RD&TD
Worked at this theatre had a lot of fun. I was 16 my mother got me the job.
1928 photo as the Parthenon added, credit Chicago Tribune.
A book called The Entrepreneurial Spirit of the Greek Immigrant in Chicago, Illinois, by Alexander Rassogianis, says that the Gregory Brothers theater circuit opened the Parthenon Theatre at Berwyn in 1924. The Gregorys were also in the construction business and built the Parthenon, as well as other houses in their circuit, and houses for other Greek theater operators in the region.
Architect was E.P. Rupert for R. Levine & Co
My wife and I went to this Theater many times when living in Berwyn on Scoville mid 1970s. Berwyn was a great town back in those days. We also loved to eat at the Ridgeland restaurant right next door to the Berwyn. X-lent Bohemian cooking for cheap $$………….