41 Outdoor Theatre
2500 S. Calumet Avenue,
Hammond,
IN
46323
2500 S. Calumet Avenue,
Hammond,
IN
46323
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Indiana-Illinois Theaters
Architects: Robert K. Bauerle
Firms: Rapp & Rapp
Nearby Theaters
The 41 Outdoor Theatre was opened on May 21, 1949 with Randolph Scott in 2Canadian Pacific". It was designed by Chicago based architect Robert K. Bauerle out of architectural firm Rapp & Rapp. I remember this theatre when I was a child. My parents used to go there in the 1960’s and we would sleep in the back seat after getting worn out on the swings and slides. I remember seeing “Goldfinger” and when The Beatles were popular, my older brother insisted on seeing “Help!” and “A Hard Day’s Night”.
The original screen was huge, like a building. Later, a second screen was added. The site is now occupied by a trucking business. All that is left are the concrete pillars of the second screen.
Contributed by
James Pardonek
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
I used to ride my bicyle there from the southeast side of Chicago in the early 70’s and sneak in the exit, until they figured out that trick! I went there the legal way until the late ‘70s. I would estimate it closed around 1981. (RIP)
1951 aerial photo uploaded here.
Is this definitely a Rapp and Rapp? I ask because Cornelius died in 1926, George in 1942. If it opened in 1949, they were both gone.
The above address is incorrect. It was further south.
This drive-in was located at 2751 Sheffield Ave. Hammond IN 46320. Please update.
There were 2 entrances. Hwy 41’s entrance was for southbound traffic. You could only enter northbound as well as southbound from Sheffield.
In looking at the aerial you can see that the main entrance was on 41 (Calumet Ave.) Sheffield is behind the Drive-In.
Look again at the photo above. Why would there be a sign facing Sheffield on the back of the screen itself if Sheffield was the rear of the theater? There would be no need for this signage if the actual entrance was at Highway 41.
And the sign has “41” in quotation marks as if to signify it’s not just the name but the landmark so everyone would know where the theater was.
Also when twinned like when the it was a single screen, the Box office was closer to Sheffield as were the exits.
Undated marquee photo as Hammond Outdoor Theatre 41, added courtesy of Ron Ericksen.
Grand opening ad in photo section and below:
Found on Newspapers.com
what was the last movie played at the 41out door on closing day
In September 1948 the Monta & Rose Circuit of East Chicago announced plans to construct the Hammond 41 Outdoor Theatre on Route 41. The 41 was designed by the Rapp & Rapp firm, which still existed but without the famous founding brothers.