Ark Theatre

858 E. 63rd Street,
Chicago, IL 60637

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rivest266
rivest266 on August 15, 2020 at 7:37 pm

Reopened by the Gollos Brothers (Ray, Woodlawn and Midway) as the Ark theatre on April 10th, 1940. Grand opening ad posted.

Elld
Elld on August 5, 2017 at 8:56 pm

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!

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 19, 2009 at 4:20 pm

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.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 12, 2009 at 5:43 am

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.

ellde
ellde on August 11, 2007 at 7:34 am

In the 1940’s this was the nastiest little show ever, your feet would always stick to the floor.

KenC
KenC on December 3, 2006 at 9:52 pm

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.

KenC
KenC on October 18, 2006 at 12:28 am

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”.

Broan
Broan on June 11, 2006 at 1:37 pm

Architects were Grossman & Proskauer

KenC
KenC on March 31, 2006 at 4:53 am

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”.

dvdmike
dvdmike on January 27, 2005 at 5:49 pm

In the ‘50s & '60s, the Crown Propeller Lounge was located on the site of the old Drexel Theater.