Old Orchard Theatre
9400 Skokie Boulevard,
Skokie,
IL
60077
9400 Skokie Boulevard,
Skokie,
IL
60077
11 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Cineplex Odeon, Loews Cineplex, Meridian Theatres, M & R Theatres, Sony Theatres
Firms: Sydney H. Morris & Associates
Previous Names: Old Orchard 1 & 2, Old Orchard 1-2-3
Nearby Theaters
The Old Orchard Theatre, located on Skokie Boulevard at Emerson Street, was opened by M & R Theaters on September 2, 1960 with Judy Holliday in “Bells Are Ringing”. In the 1970’s the theatre was used for 70mm projection. In the late-1980’s Loews acquired it (later Loews/Cineplex) and it was later operated by Meridan Theaters. The last booking at the Old Orchard Theatre was “Unbreakable” and “Bounce”.
It was closed on January 1, 2001 and demolished in March 2003. The Siena at Old Orchard condominium and retail development is now located on the site of the Old Orchard Theatre.
Contributed by
James Piscitelli, Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 39 comments)
Here is a fresh link to the Boxoffice article about the Old Orchard Theatre. The text begins on the following page, and a third page of text and photos follows two subsequent pages of advertising. An additional photo appears on the cover of that same issue.
This opened on September 2nd, 1960. I uploaded an photo and grand opening ad here.
In the pic posted here a few years ago by Catherine, I believe the Shell station is the only building still standing. View link
Original screen measured 60x25
RSH1967, the B.F. Goodrich building bnehind the Shell in your photo is still standing too. But it is a Goodyear dealer today.
That was a beautiful theatre. It’s a shame Loews Cineplex let it go.
Some VHS quality footage of the main auditorium and brief exterior footage of the Old Orchard can been seen on this news report for the Phantom Menace release in May of 1999. https://youtu.be/VcSHFMiAZng
Thanks for posting that. I re-posted it over on the McClurg Court Cinemas page courtesy of you, since a lot of the exterior is shown throughout.
The Raymond Marks and Martin Rosenfield (M&R Theatres Circuit) launched September 2, 1960 with the film, “Bells Are Ringing” a block from the Old Orchard Shopping Center. It closed January 1, 2001. An auction prior to demolition took place on February 28, 2001.
Old Orchard 1-2-3 should be added to previous names. They had 3 screen by 1977. Spring 1978 photo and print ad added.