Hoosier Theatre
1335 119th Street,
Whiting,
IN
46394
1335 119th Street,
Whiting,
IN
46394
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Indiana-Illinois Theaters
Architects: Edward P. Rupert
Firms: R. Levine & Co.
Functions: Movies (Classic), Movies (First Run), Movies (Silent)
Styles: Adam
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
219.659.0567
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Apr 25, 2005 — Hoosier Theatre Plans Expansion
Opened February 15, 1924, the Hoosier Theatre shared a three-story building with the Illiana Hotel (now apartments) and storefronts. It could seat around 650 and originally featured both vaudeville and movies. It was equipped with a Kimball organ, which was opened by organist John Muri.
In 1963, the 4 Manual 28 Ranks Wurlitzer organ from the massive Uptown Theatre in Chicago was moved into the Hoosier Theatre but it was never installed and eventually shipped to California where it has been restored.
In 1987, the theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Now refurbished, and still a single-screen movie house with a huge, two-story tall screen (one of the only classic movie theatres still in operation in all of Northwestern Indiana), the Hoosier Theatre now seats just over 600, and screens both first-run and classic films, as well as hosting the occasional concert or other live entertainment on its stage. Since October 2017 it has been equipped with an electronic organ to accompany silent movies.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 17 comments)
Here is an article about the Hoosier Theatre from 2005.
Update/correction on the organ:The pipe organ is inoperable. An electronic organ has been installed since Oct.2017. It is used for silent films;the most up to date information about which may be found on their facebook page.
History of the Hoosier Theatre by Anthony Borgo, published in February 2019 by the Whiting-Robertsdale Historical Society.
https://www.wrhistoricalsociety.com/the-history-of-the-hoosier-theat?fbclid=IwAR3GdGWR-zRa17m4OgzWCNOIrNbE2veHD252_J5GqJBBVQvnftYzIoboAuM
There are occasionally silent movies shown with accompaniment by Jay Warren who plays his own VTPO. The next one as of this writing is the 1924 silent “Peter Pan”. More information is at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/silent-film-sundays-peter-pan-1924-tickets-474175330177?
Link to an upcoming auction of items from the Hoosier Theatre. Description credit Badger Corporation:
Historical “Hoosier Theatre” Online Auction @ 1335 119th St, Whiting, IN 46394 www.badgercorp.com John & His Family Bought “Hoosier Theatre” Back In 1991, After It Sat Empty For Quite Some Time. John Couldn’t Let This Historical “HOOSIER THEATRE” Crumble Anymore So Him & His Family Decided To Restore The Building. After Going Through Everything In The Basement & Collecting High End Antique Theatre Pieces He Figured It Was Time To Sell. We Are Honored To Assist John & His Family By Running An Online Auction. www.badgercorp.com This Sale Features; 1980’s Ballantyne Strong 70 MM Projector, 1920’s Diener Copper & Brass Fire Extinguisher, 1920’s Elkhart Copper & Brass Fire Extinguisher, 1920’s Essanay Copper & Brass Fire Extinguisher, JBL Theatre Speaker Packages, 1930’s Copeland Galvanized Ice Box W/ Porcelain Interior, Christie 38-DLV001-01 Event Projector(Complete), TurboChef 941-004-00 Counter-Top Fire Pizza Oven, 1950’s Brenkert Projector Head 35MM, Christie 2002 38-DCP201-102 Commercial Projector(George Lucas), 1920’s Silvertone Victrola 78 Records, 1922 Elevator Dial Brass & Cast Iron W/ Button & Sooo Much More Check Out Our Website For The Full Catalog www.badgercorp.com Auction Start Date/Time: BID NOW!!! www.badgercorp.com Auction Inspection Date/Time: April 17th, 2024 from 10:00AM - 2:00PM Central Time www.badgercorp.com Auction End Date/Time: April 18th, 2024 10:30AM Central Time www.badgercorp.com Auction Removal Date/Time: April 19th & 20th, 2024 9:00AM-4:00PM Central Time www.badgercorp.com
https://badgercorp.com/auction-details/?auctionGuid=018e612e-70c4-750b-b90a-1ef54ebc5b74
Thank you for the link to the auction,David. I won one item, and was amazed at the collection. I spoke to John when I picked up my item and he said it did not go as well as he had hoped. He is still hoping to sell the theatre to someone who will care for it as he has for the past 33 years. I will try to post photos from the balcony and backstage, which most have not seen views from.
Warner Brothers moved into northwest Indiana in 1930. Warner struck a $750,000 deal in July to acquire the Indiana and the American theaters in Indiana Harbor and the Hoosier theater in Whiting from Michael Kozacik. Included was an option that Kozacik and partner Alex Manta had to build a theater at Chicago Avenue and Olcott Avenue in East Chicago, IN. First announced in April 1929, the theater at Chicago and Olcott was to become a Publix playhouse but the project stalled after the death of Publix-Fitzpatrick-McElroy’s Blair McElroy. (Publix acquired Fitzpatrick-McElroy in April 1929.)
The untimely passing of the manager of the Hoosier Theatre (https://www.baranfh.com/notices/Joseph-Pranaitis) was another nail in the coffin of the Hoosier remaining open. I spoke to John the owner and he told me he will close for business in a week or so. It is a terrible fate for this 100 year old theatre, in my opinion.
Website link is dead. Movie listings are on their Facebook page.
Back in business but for how long, I don’t know.