Plaza Theatre
308 W. North Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60610
308 W. North Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60610
3 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Essaness Theaters Corp., Jones, Linick & Schaefer
Previous Names: New Plaza Theatre, Plaza Art Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Plaza Theatre was one of the early theatres of the Jones, Linick & Schaefer circuit (which included such houses as the Orpheum Theatre, Bijou Dream Theatre, Rialto Theatre and Randolph Theatre), and originally opened in 1909. The Plaza Theatre, located on W. North Avenue near N. Orleans Street, in the Old Town neighbhorhood, could seat close to 1,200.
During the 1940’s and into the 1950’s, the Plaza Theatre was part of the Essaness circuit. During the 1950’s and 1960’s the theatre was known as the New Plaza Theatre and later, the Plaza Art Theatre. The theatre remained in operation at least through the 1960’s before closing, showing soft-core adult films in its later years.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
Exterior of Plaza on North Avenue, Chicago, circa 1964: Plaza.
Thanks for the pic, Compass. I remember the huge vertical sign ;had forgotten what the marquee was like. What was playing that day- HOLLYWOOD NUDIST REPORT and ADOLESCENT SHAME?? And the sidewalk sign by the curb states FREE PARKING…? Just want to make one correction- if the pic is from 1964, the Plaza was not close to demolition. I have the Sun Times movie listings from May 8, 1968- the Plaza was still open, showing AGONY OF LOVE plus THE NAKED CAPER.It may have been in operation til 1969 or even to 1970. Anyway, thanks again for posting.
Just noticed- on May 8, 1968, the nearby TOWN theatre on Armitage had ON STAGE IN PERSON TURA SATANA (star of Faster Pussycat). I heard Tura passed away recently. Met her at the Music Box not long ago….. RIP.
the plaza was reopened as an art theatr
theater in 1962. it became an adult house in 1962.nthe playmates sold popcorn and posed for photos in the lobby. the dancer were hired for the stage shows. one of the playmates wore a topless swimsuit on north avenue beach as a publicity stunt on June 20, 1964. at one time the plaza, kim, oak and town (now the park west) were all operated by the same owners. I believe that they still own the park west. a tragic homicide occurred there after hours around 1968 and 1969.
50 years ago today. July 21, 1967 Tribune movie page with an ad for the Plaza.
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1967/07/21/page/48/article/display-ad-47-no-title
This first opened as the Comedy Theatre December 15, 1909. It was apparently a huge failure initially, as crowds stuck to Sittner’s Theatre across the street. It soon reopened as the Plaza.
As the Plaza, it was apparently owned for a time by Karl Hoblitzelle of the Interstate chain, which normally did not operate in Chicago.
https://archive.org/details/variety20-1910-10/page/n151/mode/1up?view=theater