Ark Theatre
858 E. 63rd Street,
Chicago,
IL
60637
858 E. 63rd Street,
Chicago,
IL
60637
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Reopened by the Gollos Brothers (Ray, Woodlawn and Midway) as the Ark theatre on April 10th, 1940. Grand opening ad posted.
2017 I don’t even recognize 63rd Street, everything is gone! You would have to have been here in the late 30’s early 40’s to understand. A cummunity lost!
I’m looking for a possible link with any exterior pictures of the Trianon Ballroom also on 63rd St.
All that seems to ever come up is postcards of the same interior shots.
Exterior shots of the Trianon have proved quite elusive. Thanks.
A couple of interior photos of the recently remodeled Ark Theatre were published in the May 25, 1940, issue of Boxoffice Magazine. The new Art Moderne design had been done by architect Erwin G. Fredrick, in association with interior designer Hans Teichert.
In the 1940’s this was the nastiest little show ever, your feet would always stick to the floor.
Just a wild guess, Bryan: Kimbark Ave. was (is) located 1300 east.The Kimbark theatre, near 63rd and Kimbark, was open at least through mid 1960. The Kim theatre was at 62nd- Halsted. Bark would seem to be a silly name for a theatre. Perhaps new owners decided on the name Ark, which was about 4 blocks from Kimbark Ave.
The Ark theatre was open at least through mid February 1965. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings on Thursday Feb. 11,1965: ARK 858 E. 63rd- Op. 1:30 “FORT DOBBS” “MADEMOISELLE STRIPTEASE” “NEVER PUT IT IN WRITING”.
Architects were Grossman & Proskauer
The Ark theatre (aka Drexel) was in operation at least through May 1959. From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings, Friday April 19,1957: ARK -LOW PRICES ADULTS .25 CHILDREN .10.(No films are listed.) From the Sun Times Sunday, May 10, 1959: ARK –“THE VIKINGS” “BOUNTY HUNTER” “FLAMING FRONTIER”.
In the ‘50s & '60s, the Crown Propeller Lounge was located on the site of the old Drexel Theater.