Pickwick Theatre
5 S. Prospect Avenue,
Park Ridge,
IL
60068
5 S. Prospect Avenue,
Park Ridge,
IL
60068
32 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 68 comments
Still showing movies. Jan 2024
It seems odd that the Copernicus Foundation is running it. I would’ve thought the 2,000 seat Gateway Theater would be enough for their needs.
Being converted to a combination live theatre and movie house. Story here
The theatre management changed their closing date to sometime in late April 2023.
Very good News indeed. While tonight 12 January they showed gone with the wind and the original large theater. Movies will live on at the Pickwick theater. The general manager who has been there since she was 17 will be taking over movie operations of the theater a week from Friday the 13th. Then sometime in the spring yet to be determined. A new operator will take over at the Pickwick theater complex. $8 million will be spent in doing upgrades. So this is very good news
They will probably do a mix of Movies and live events when the $8 million renovation is finished or before then with the new operators. Theaters can’t make money just selling tickets to Movies nowadays.
Relevant article, stating from the Daily Herald that he has essentially a deal with a new operator. Supposedly Dino(theater owner) was going to announce the new operator, sometime today: https://archive.ph/YvcFq
Apparently a new operator will be taking over the Pickwick Theater, and the retiring owner was supposed to announce the new operator tonight. An unofficial quite I heard from Daily Herald, was “it was an offer I couldn’t refuse”. Five interested operators did interview with the Pickwick’s owner, such as the Arcada Theater and Des Plaines Theater concert operator, the owner of Classic Cinemas, Music Box Theater owner, the main person behind a live theater group, and one more person where I couldn’t tell what they did.
It is a shame that the Pickwick is closing. I remember coming here with my cousins (who lived within walking distance) to see kids' matinees on Saturday afternoons.
Classic Cinemas is the only possible chain I can think of to take over the theater. But they may have their hands full with the recent take over of the LaGrange.
CORRECTION: Two small auditoriums opened in 1990, making the Pickwick a triplex. A fourth screen was added, upstairs, in 1994. The fifth auditorium opened in 2017.
Terrible news about the theater closing. The original theater is stunning with 900 seats. The smaller for Theatre‘s in the back of the building are decent as well. Such nice people running this theater. They’ve been losing money since they opened up again after the virus restrictions were lifted. Limited films and not having attendance as good as it used be. The owner 63 said he wants to retire and be able to go to bed at 10 PM. But this is a terrible loss. Once beautiful movie palaces like this close the usually close forever. I can’t see someone else coming to lease theater to have to pay rent and then deal with operating expenses where they’ll also be losing money. It would be great if Quentin Tarantino or some other wealthy filmmaker or fan of films would come and save this theater
Closing in January barring a miracle.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/park-ridge/ct-prh-pickwick-closing-tl-1208-20221206-efuvojzgxvasbov645x5ophedm-story.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Don%27t%20miss%3A%20News%20%2B%20Business&utm_content=5701670369795
Reel Chicago link with promo of the “Chicago Fire” episode featuring the Pickwick.
https://reelchicago.com/article/chicago-fire-promo-for-pickwick-theatre-episode-completely-shattered/?fbclid=IwAR0pU3cHCo6zZP3YimjD19ZDQrqTVHCPxkWJ7wg24ReraPs2tQJpFXa1KlY
Reel Chicago article with photos of upcoming filming preparation of “Chicago Fire” at the Pickwick.
https://reelchicago.com/article/chicago-fire-prepping-to-film-at-the-historic-pickwick-theatre-in-park-ridge/?fbclid=IwAR2TlmST_qUCmoXsuIGubdEeYzotU16l—DZTL9-UO-UzIibRzl3ntItcY
News piece of the Pickwick coping with the current circumstances.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/686144?fbclid=IwAR3gJ3kkS5sl2zdjA3WHRjDC8LV5KCWDS_ugxfpyG_j3X99qbcL0oHwLK6s
the marquee pictured in the linked article looks beautiful!
My favorite place to see a film. Matt’s classic film series once a month is a must for movie lovers. His comments about the movie are a must and adds to the knowledge of the movie. Jay Warren’s prelude on the pipe organ before the film is a wonderful touch!!! Bravo Pickwick!!
In a Facebook thread about the same article, it was noted that 6 other Illinois theatres already have laser projection.
Now 5 screens. http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/park-ridge/news/ct-prh-pickwick-new-theater-tl-0831-20170825-story.html
Nope
Is that a blimp mooring on top of the building? It sure looks like one.
The photos tab – http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/302/photos/52019
To: BROAN, where do I find the photo of the seats?
Added a picture of the original seats. Yes I believe they were replaced in 1948.
Here is a 1949 picture featuring the original teaser curtain.
BROAN; Tell me more about the original seats. When were they replaced? Was it the 1948 reference? Where can I find more information and pictures? This was my childhood theater…
Added a photo of the detail in primer coat. The detail is much, much more legible now, but again it should be the correct colors. The primer coat illustrates well that this is meant to be a darker color, not white.