Davis Theater

4614 N. Lincoln Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60625

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Showing 1 - 25 of 37 comments

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on April 9, 2020 at 9:46 am

Tom Fencl, owner of the Davis has died of lung cancer. A nice article about his work with the theatre can be found here: https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/08/tom-fencl-beloved-owner-of-davis-theater-dies-after-battle-with-lung-cancer/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 25, 2018 at 1:34 pm

November 20, 2018 article with older photos. I’ll post the photos with credit as well, in case the link goes dead.

https://chicago.curbed.com/2018/11/20/18103536/davis-theater-historic-art-deco-landmark-anniversary

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 17, 2018 at 7:20 pm

Below is a link to the Facebook page for Right Way Signs of Chicago. There are 11 photos of new interior signage they created for the theater aisle designations and the Carbon Arc Bar & Board.

https://www.facebook.com/RightWaySigns/posts/1896746577063732

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on September 9, 2017 at 2:13 pm

I didn’t realize they had opened up the front of the auditorium until viewing RickB’s article. It looks like they did a fantastic job.

My only nitpick is the smaller auditoriums in back. I never liked the look of a split vintage auditorium when they were all twinned back in the day, and I still don’t today. If it were my project I think I would have fitted out the back cinemas with drop ceilings and modern wall coverings.

But that shouldn’t be taken as negative commentary. It looks like they did an amazing renovation.

Broan
Broan on January 31, 2017 at 7:13 am

Currently seats 570 – one 300-seat, two 135-seats.

Tim O'Neill
Tim O'Neill on January 31, 2017 at 7:01 am

This theatre now has THREE auditoriums.

JudithK
JudithK on December 15, 2016 at 3:25 am

Link to a recent article about the Davis Theatre: https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150623/lincoln-square/davis-set-for-4m-upgrade-adding-restaurant-mod-vintage-touches

RickB
RickB on December 14, 2016 at 5:06 pm

Reopening tomorrow (12/15) with Rogue One. Long story with plenty of pictures here.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 12, 2016 at 7:16 am

August 29th, 1930 grand opening ad for the Byrd, Davis and the Lamar in Oak Park theatres in the photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 12, 2016 at 6:55 am

November 6th, 1918 grand opening ad in the photo section.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 7, 2016 at 3:12 pm

Link with photos of the progress of the renovations.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160907/lincoln-square/davis-theater-taking-shape-see-progress-meet-carbon-arcs-chef

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 16, 2016 at 8:19 am

Neat update.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160115/lincoln-square/davis-theater-restaurant-has-name-what-is-it-what-does-it-mean

Broan
Broan on January 8, 2016 at 3:46 pm

http://www.kennedy-mann.com/davis-theater/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 8, 2016 at 4:58 am

Closing for upcoming remodeling, reopening later in the year.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160107/lincoln-square/catch-one-last-show-at-davis-closing-this-weekend-reopening-summer?utm_source=Lincoln+Square+%26+Ravenswood&utm_campaign=6d744e4fc6-Mailchimp-CHI&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c4b440c1ea-6d744e4fc6-175160953

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 9, 2015 at 11:13 am

Original interior details in photos in below link.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20151109/lincoln-square/davis-renovation-starts-get-peek-at-grandeur-hidden-for-decades

Broan
Broan on September 21, 2015 at 4:49 pm

Opened November 6, 1918. Report from Exhibitor’s Herald in Photos section.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 23, 2015 at 12:33 pm

FYI. Makeover coming. Copy & paste to view.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150623/lincoln-square/davis-set-for-4m-upgrade-adding-restaurant-mod-vintage-touches

HughJazz
HughJazz on April 30, 2011 at 5:54 am

I lived near the Davis Theatre for 25 years ( actually, I lived in the same building where the old Bertha Theatre was located, just north of the Davis on Lincoln.) I don’t remember ever seeing a movie there, but I did take piano lessons at the Herrstrom School of Music and Dance, located in the same building on the second floor. Mrs Herrstrom was a very nice lady and a good teacher. Because my family did not own a piano, I had to practice my lessons on one of three “practice pianos” at the school. Of course I didn’t practice as much as Mrs Herrstrom wanted me to, but still I spent many hours in the Davis Building during the 1960’s.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on January 28, 2011 at 4:49 pm

Noticing the Gum on the floor reminds me when we would scrape Gum from the outside entrance into National Hills Theatre.Of Course, that was in 1974 when Theatres gave a dang.

JudithK
JudithK on May 21, 2010 at 4:34 pm

The Davis Theatre wasn’t exactly in my neighborhood (I’m from the suburbs) but when a Fred Astaire retrospective was booked there I made the pilgrimage in the early 1980s. I was there one time more, both times before the theatre was split up. It was nice, had good sight lines and sound, and was very large-sized. Nice lobby.

vicboda
vicboda on October 5, 2009 at 10:29 am

I worked for the company that distributed Caligula and we couldn’t get anyone in Chicago to play it. Then a guy named Nick DeLuca came through with the Davis. Nick was a pleasure and we had a good run there.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 14, 2009 at 1:06 pm

Reactivate Notification Status.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 6, 2008 at 9:13 pm

I was only in the Davis a few times in the late `80’s. “Look Who’s Talking” is all I remember though. Maybe “976-Evil” too. I love that they’ve maintained their huge vertical signage.
I wish them continued success.