Dolton Cinema
14112 Chicago Road,
Dolton,
IL
60419
14112 Chicago Road,
Dolton,
IL
60419
4 people
favorited this theater
This small movie house opened in 1913 with 300 seats. It was enlarged in the late-1940’s and closed in 1999. It now is home to a nightclub, initially called Secrets Lounge and now Deja Vu.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
To add to “former Doltonite” Via the history book, “Dolton 1892-1976” the first theatre in Dolton was in Lund’s Hall (about 140th and Lincoln Ave)in 1907, showing “magic lantern” and nickelodeon fares—operated by the Hruby brothers. They opened the Dolton Theatre (correct name) in 1913, catering to movies and community gatherings. The building was rehabbed and enlarged around 1949 (forcing Riverdale’s—then—Dale Theatre out of business), and closed for a period in the late fifties. The west end of the structure has a section raised a few feet higher than the rest—this to accomdate the riggings mostly used for vaudevillian acts. A pic today: View link
Here is an August 1948 ad from the Riverdale Pointer:
http://tinyurl.com/ralw7v
It should be available?
I turned it off at one point but it seems to be working from the above links.
Cool photos cbnight.
Only went there once as a kid. I have always loved that corner building. I miss old Dolton.
Better to be nightclub than torn down.
When I visited the theater in the late ‘80’s the owner said that this used to be a vaudville theater before becoming a 100% movie theater. I have some images behind the screen I’ll try to find. There were crowsnests and a full wooden stage back there.
The Dolton Theatre (14112 Chicago Rd) was built in 1913 and managed by John G. Hruby, who was involved with many other theatres. As with many theatres then, it had a stage and was used for vaudeville and community events. Note the higher end of the building—that was not for the screen, but for rigging and pulleys used for stage play props. The theatre was rehabbed in 1949. I added a picture of the theatre from the 1988 era.
The original theatre in Dolton was in Lunds Hall in 1909—more a hall for community events than a true theatre and located kitty-corner from the Dolton on Lincoln Avenue.
If I remember correctly, didn’t the Dolton have a middle aisle in the middle of the theatre so patrons could cross over to the other aisles?
I recall seeing The Black Stallion here in late 1979 or early 1980 with my future wife.
Can anyone validate this or offer insight?
Thanks
“The Black Stallion” played at the Dolton for two weeks in the summer of 1980, from July 11-24 (see ad in Photos section).