Glen Art Theatre

540 Crescent Boulevard,
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

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DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 22, 2018 at 9:21 pm

1934 photo added via 1934 photo via Stephen Regier‎. Original marquee and a 1934 Pontiac Eight 2 door Touring Sedan parked out front.

Broan
Broan on June 24, 2018 at 5:26 pm

There was a previous Glen theater in Glen Ellyn. It opened in 1914 at 481 Main Street, designed by George Awsumb for T. Stuart Smith. It was operated by Sam Bowden. In 1923 Polka Brothers took over the lease, intending to demolish it and build a new 1000 seat theatre. However, voters shut down Sunday movies, which killed these plans, but they proceeded without Polka Brothers. Later, a theater was proposed for Main & Duane streets, but went unbuilt, as did a proposed theater in conjunction with a Masonic Lodge. The Glen opened February, 1927.

Aaron77
Aaron77 on January 15, 2013 at 3:16 pm

This theater was featured in the film ‘'Lucas’‘ (1986) Starring: Corey Haim & Charlie Sheen.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on May 25, 2010 at 7:49 pm

What a horrible movie"MONSIGNOR" we played it first run,but wasn’t charging $1.50 a seat like GlenArt was doing.

shoeshoe14
shoeshoe14 on January 17, 2007 at 7:35 pm

A scene in the movie “Lucas” (1986) was shot outside with 2 clear shots of the marquee and also inside one of the theaters.

furdougie
furdougie on May 9, 2006 at 4:13 pm

whar are the seating arrangements like at this theater? spread out? close together? arm rests?

DavidMoreau
DavidMoreau on April 30, 2006 at 7:04 am

In the late seventies, I lived in one of the small apartments above the Glen. Just before film time the smell of popcorn would waft through the building. The projectionist’s booth was a short walk across the flat roof. In the theater’s basement was a small shuttered bowling alley. That arrangement reminded me of the old Villard theater in Villa Park, designed by the same people, Betts and Holcomb.

Broan
Broan on March 21, 2005 at 10:52 pm

I’d like to know this too. Recently a large number of interior photos was posted to http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=6473 . It looks pretty blitzed to me, but you never know.

JackCoursey
JackCoursey on March 21, 2005 at 10:20 pm

Was the original auditorium entirely gutted or is it hidden behind sheetrock and drapes? The interior of the theatre looks a bit drab and uninviting.

Broan
Broan on January 13, 2005 at 9:00 pm

The Glen Art’s official website is http://glenarttheatre.com/ and includes another early picture of the theatre.
View link Shows a night view of the picture, and the ebay offerings gallery on the same page includes the above postcard and an alternate view.

Broan
Broan on January 13, 2005 at 8:43 pm

The theater was built by the same firm that built the des plaines, catlow and deerpath theaters, the latter two of which share many exterior similarities. From the looks of it, I would guess the 60s modernization craze took its toll on the Glen. In the photo on this page you can see details like divided-pane windows, scrollwork over the brick, and detailed columns adding to the unusual tudor revival look. In the current photos, the brick has been replaced with plain, non-matching brick, one-over-one windows, storefronts modernized. A shame it’s lost so much of its architectual integrity.

Patsy
Patsy on January 13, 2005 at 8:17 pm

Brian: After viewing the photos on the cinematour.com site you posted I can see the facade in color much better. I do feel that the former squared-off marquee was in better keeping with the square lines of the tudor style building and that the curved marquee lends itself more to the art deco curves ‘look’! So just wonder how this change got approved?

Patsy
Patsy on January 13, 2005 at 8:14 pm

Brian: Upon closer inspection I do now see some similarities i.e. the above windows and exterior moldings so these theatres are ‘one in the same’!

Broan
Broan on January 13, 2005 at 8:03 pm

Actually, it is. The facade has been modernized somewhat. http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=6473

Patsy
Patsy on January 13, 2005 at 7:55 pm

In Popcorn Palaces there is an art deco theatre with curved marquee listed on page 121 called the Glen which also in Glen Ellyn, Illinois at 540 Crescent Boulevard, but it is not this one!

Broan
Broan on November 26, 2004 at 2:57 pm

Firm should be Betts & Holcomb.