Star and Garter Theatre
815 W. Madison Street,
Chicago,
IL
60607
815 W. Madison Street,
Chicago,
IL
60607
2 people
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Additional Info
Architects: Stephen Webster Dodge, Robert Burns Morrison
Firms: Dodge & Morrison
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This theatre was located on W. Madison Street just west of N. Halsted Street. It was originally opened in 1908 as a 1,955-seat burlesque theatre, not the burlesque of the 1940’s and 1950’s, but closer to vaudeville at this time. Later, the Star & Garter became a vaudeville house, and later still, a movie theatre. It was closed in September 1971.
Demolished, in 1973, the site of the Star & Garter Theatre is now a parking lot for Mid City National Bank in an upscale area.
Contributed by
John P Keating Jr
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Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
We lived on Halsted and Harrison. Just a stones throw from this theater. My dad used to take me there. My mom and sisters didn`t go because it was skid row. Right across the street there was this burger joint that made the best cheeseburgers and chocalate malts. I went to grade school at old st. Pats, which was in the neighborhood. The good old days.
The sale in 1946 was to my grandfather, Harold Huchberger and his partners. They operated it until the early 1970’s.
I too went to St. Patrick’s grade school during World War Two just like juanabet above. After school I attended Marillac House until my mother could pick me up after work. I lived at Morgan and Polk streets in the Italian neighborhood. My name wasn’t Baggi, it was Campo and I frequently went to the Star and Garter movie theater on Saturdays for 15 cartoons and a couple of movies. In later years my friends and I attended the ROLLER BOWL on Saturdays for roller skating. I use MIKE BAGGI for this website.
From February 24, 1972, a short Tribune story on the Star & Garter’s demolition, with a murky interior picture. The story says that a calendar in the box office was turned to September 1971, an indication of a probable closing date.
According to JAZZ AGE CHICAGO, the theater was closed from 1935-1946. You would think this theater would have been in demand during the war years, being that size, but I guess there were so many theaters during that time it didn’t matter. Still, I hope they salvaged the ornamentation for collectors during demolition.
When the final days came for the Star and Garter, the marquee read CLEVELAND WRECKING COMPANY
THE GREATEST STRIPPER OF THEM ALL.
Marquee detail photo added courtesy of Janeen Rosenberg‎.
Interesting name!!
Chicago History Museum album of Star & Garter demolition photos.
https://images.chicagohistory.org/search/?searchQuery=Star+%26+Garter&assetType=default
My family lived all over the near West Side during the 50s through the 70s: Polk, Lexington, Fillmore & Taylor Sts. So naturally, my siblings and I were frequent visitors to the Star & Garter. I think tickets during this time cost 25 cents.