In Don. K.’s original 2005 post, the 1952 photo shows the Cameo as being called the Rodeo. Any ideas as to how many years it operated under the Rodeo name?
It was probably chosen due to it’s inexpensive change to the marquee. Three letters versus another sign completely.
Thanks Bryan. You know, I thought that building looked like a theater. I delivered pizzas for a place called Lincoln Park Pizza on Lincoln & Altgeld in 1977 & `78. Delivering in and around DePaul was the norm.
Thanks again for finding all the extra lost chicago gems.
I happened by the site of the old Granada Theatre today on the “L”.
Geographically, there is a multi-level parking structure where the Granada formerly stood. With retail in the front.
The taller building is actually to the North of that. Where Ramblers, Minstrels & Huey’s etc. used to be.
There is also a massive condominum structure across the street where the New Old Place restaurant used to be.
It’s like a dark corridor now.
I went by the site of the old Devon Theatre today on the “L” train.
The entire span of land from the neighboring McDonalds, all the way around the corner on Granville to the “L” tracks has been developed.
A massive condo project with different levels, balconies and what not stands in it’s place. Long gone with the Devon are the corner medical center, Char-Lar Lounge, Deadwood Daves & the Eagles Nest along the Granville side.
Greetingsw Rolando. You were not dreaming that. I clearly remember the restaurant with the girl on the swing too. I posted about it ont the Oriental page I think. I mistakenly thought it was on that side of Randolph. But now as you say it, I’m pretty sure it was next to the United Artists.
I thought it was either a German or New Oleans themed place. She definately wore either Laderhosen or a short skirt/bloomers.
The facade of the restaurant building had a tall cut-away on the left side above the entrance. The swing was actually suspended inside of that. But when she swang out on it, she was over the sidewalk. The cut-away was deep enough to not have her hit the back when she swung back in.
I put a call into my barber who owned a nightclub downtown in the `60’s. I’ll post back with an answer when I get one.
That’s too bad. I think the Burger King was torn down and rebuilt once already in the same spot. Wonder why they didn’t just take it over then.
Or why DePaul didn’t buy it just to have it on hand. A family friend owned another bar & a few buildings just East of there across from Milito’s. DePaul bought everything from them all at once.
I don’t see an original number of seats posted for the Star. But from what I remember on the size of this place, if it could have sat more than 200 people I’d be surprised. It’s pretty tiny.
I had absolutely no idea that Foremost Liquors was formally a theatre. I lived on Argyle just East of here from 1980-`83.
This is why I love Cinema Treasures. There is always something new to learn.
Aside from the many times I was in Foremost, my regular “Super Mercado” was kitty corner from that.
Foremost had a rather large tin ceiling as I recall.
The neighborhood West of Sheridan was changing rapidly in 1980. From fast food & halfway houses to predominately Vietnamese. The Argyle “L” stop was remodeled with an Asian themed roof. Some dubbed the area “New Chinatown”.
Ah. I knew it looked as if it had long ago been a functioning theatre of some type when I was there.
Saw a stage version of “Pulp Fiction” there if you can imagine. Maybe 2001 or so.
I’ll assume the People’s Temple is not listed on CT, having never been a public use movie theatre.
There is also a People’s Church on Lawrence Avenue just East of Sheridan Road.
It is a huge classic building with a large theatre inside. Never showed films to my knowledge. But did have a recent showing with survivors of the Guyanna tragedy/30th anniversary.
Just to confirm, Pulaski becomes Crawford Ave. in Lincolnwood, North of Devon Ave. I think Pulaski is 3600 West.
The City of Chicago is who renamed Crawford Ave. after Casimer Pulaski. So it remained Crawford Ave. North of the city.
Irving Park Road or Blvd. is 4000 North.
A acquaintance of mine looked into buying this place quite some time ago.
I think he said the “revised” license was going to require that it include food. Since it had already closed, the bar only status was no longer an option.
The building’s small size & having to keep a food certified employee on site at all times, made it not viable to him.
Plus he was a bit of a heavy drinker. So this was a blessing in disguise.
“Never inhale the retail.”-Kevin Spacey as Mel Proffit in TV’s “Wiseguy”.
I saw “North Dallas Forty” at Old Orchard. We had also gone there to see “Animal House” when it opened, but all the later shows were sold out.
I think we drove to Golf Mill after that and got in.
Also saw “More American Graffiti” here in 1979.
The bowling alley was called Fair Lanes in 1978. I was on our league that Winter for Holiday Texaco in Evanston.
That 78-79 Winter was brutal at both.
Vogue Tyre had a showroom & garage on the S/W corner of Golf & Skokie Blvd.
For the record there is a movie theatre in the lower level of the Harold Washington Library. They often ran free films for the public during Summer months. Marx Bros. films, etc. Sometimes lectures with films.
I think the back of the old Binyon’s restaurant on Plymouth court faces the park. Now renovated with a rooftop cafe I beleive.
The folks at Facets are quite knowledgable. They’ve been able to find VHS copies of some pretty rare films over the years. “Stony Island” shot in Chicago, etc. Haven’t benn there in a while, but send people there when they are searching for the obscure. Only saw one movie in the theatre portion as I recall. An Asian spy/action film with Lesbian heroines. Maybe late 89 or90.
I drove by this address today. It appears to be rather large, older brick structure, that had a newer facade was put onto it. So possibly the original theatre building is what was converted. The entire first floor retail space is home to Sussex-Realty.
There are a couple floors of apartments above that. I’ll inquire at Sussex if it is the original building.
Since it is even numbered, it is on the North side of Roscoe.
Those LIFE pictures sure are amazing.
Talk about “safety first”, how about that band riding on a fork lift.
Also could the John Derek in the last one later be the actress Bo’s husband? I knew he was quite older than she.
But 1951 to `81 when she was a houshold name, seems quite the age difference.
FYI, Just a further tidbit about Claudia Cassidy, originally posted by BWChicago & SPearce in February of `08.
There is a theatre bearing her name, the Claudia Cassidy Theatre, located in the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 East Washington. It is located next the GAR Rotunda & GAR Hall on the Randolph St. side. I’m sure the history can be easily accessed by visiting www.chicagoculturalcenter.org
It reads as if the owner did everything right. You’d think the local taxing body would recognize the theatre’s value to the neighborhood, and help to make the inevitable tax break retroactive or something.
Or spreading the present difference across the next several years or so.
It’s not like other business owners would cry fowl.
Even a business that owns multiple companies isn’t prepared for a $25K hit. The accountants should have caught the Mills Act criteria and planned accordingly.
Ironically the future tax benefit is now a selling feature.
My brother reminded me yesterday that next to the Aardvark Theatre inside of Piper’s Alley, was a place called Charley’s General Store. It might have been bi-level inside.
It started out as a kind of kitchy, country-like antique store of sorts, but ultimately became a bit of a head shop itself. Probably because the existing head shop in Piper’s Alley was seeing all the business.
The Earl of Old Town I mentioned earlier is where Corcoran’s is located now. After a brief run in the `90’s when it was known as The Last Act.
A name chosen likely to tie itself to the Second City across the street.
And maybe in honor of Belushi and all who frequented it after work.
As the Earl, it was famous for having such folk stars as Bonnie Kolac etc. during it’s heydey in the `60’s.
Wow, what a saga. I’m all for any added safety improvements. But for the city government to mandate something so costly, without a plan to help pay for it on a place that should be grandfathered in anyway, is shameful.
My guess is that the city silently was also against the concert venue idea as well. The Coronet Theatre in Evanston Illinois suffered a similar fate over that. An initial liquor license stipulated that it could only be served in the lobby, not the auditorium. Spotters were dispatched to witness any “rule breaking”.
It eventually became such a headache to continue to build a business that was ironically a potential boon to the area, that they just threw in the towel. It was torn down and became condos & retail space.
My thoughts and hopes are with the Ioka.
Hope your film turns out well. Be sure to include the former pool area.
P.S. The Chrysler pictured is a 1956.
Chrysler designer Virgil Exner’s first year with a tail fin. Which would go crazy the following year.
In Don. K.’s original 2005 post, the 1952 photo shows the Cameo as being called the Rodeo. Any ideas as to how many years it operated under the Rodeo name?
It was probably chosen due to it’s inexpensive change to the marquee. Three letters versus another sign completely.
Thanks Bryan. You know, I thought that building looked like a theater. I delivered pizzas for a place called Lincoln Park Pizza on Lincoln & Altgeld in 1977 & `78. Delivering in and around DePaul was the norm.
Thanks again for finding all the extra lost chicago gems.
I happened by the site of the old Granada Theatre today on the “L”.
Geographically, there is a multi-level parking structure where the Granada formerly stood. With retail in the front.
The taller building is actually to the North of that. Where Ramblers, Minstrels & Huey’s etc. used to be.
There is also a massive condominum structure across the street where the New Old Place restaurant used to be.
It’s like a dark corridor now.
So, does this make Joni Mitchell a prophet?
I went by the site of the old Devon Theatre today on the “L” train.
The entire span of land from the neighboring McDonalds, all the way around the corner on Granville to the “L” tracks has been developed.
A massive condo project with different levels, balconies and what not stands in it’s place. Long gone with the Devon are the corner medical center, Char-Lar Lounge, Deadwood Daves & the Eagles Nest along the Granville side.
Greetingsw Rolando. You were not dreaming that. I clearly remember the restaurant with the girl on the swing too. I posted about it ont the Oriental page I think. I mistakenly thought it was on that side of Randolph. But now as you say it, I’m pretty sure it was next to the United Artists.
I thought it was either a German or New Oleans themed place. She definately wore either Laderhosen or a short skirt/bloomers.
The facade of the restaurant building had a tall cut-away on the left side above the entrance. The swing was actually suspended inside of that. But when she swang out on it, she was over the sidewalk. The cut-away was deep enough to not have her hit the back when she swung back in.
I put a call into my barber who owned a nightclub downtown in the `60’s. I’ll post back with an answer when I get one.
That’s too bad. I think the Burger King was torn down and rebuilt once already in the same spot. Wonder why they didn’t just take it over then.
Or why DePaul didn’t buy it just to have it on hand. A family friend owned another bar & a few buildings just East of there across from Milito’s. DePaul bought everything from them all at once.
I don’t see an original number of seats posted for the Star. But from what I remember on the size of this place, if it could have sat more than 200 people I’d be surprised. It’s pretty tiny.
I had absolutely no idea that Foremost Liquors was formally a theatre. I lived on Argyle just East of here from 1980-`83.
This is why I love Cinema Treasures. There is always something new to learn.
Aside from the many times I was in Foremost, my regular “Super Mercado” was kitty corner from that.
Foremost had a rather large tin ceiling as I recall.
The neighborhood West of Sheridan was changing rapidly in 1980. From fast food & halfway houses to predominately Vietnamese. The Argyle “L” stop was remodeled with an Asian themed roof. Some dubbed the area “New Chinatown”.
Ah. I knew it looked as if it had long ago been a functioning theatre of some type when I was there.
Saw a stage version of “Pulp Fiction” there if you can imagine. Maybe 2001 or so.
I’ll assume the People’s Temple is not listed on CT, having never been a public use movie theatre.
There is also a People’s Church on Lawrence Avenue just East of Sheridan Road.
It is a huge classic building with a large theatre inside. Never showed films to my knowledge. But did have a recent showing with survivors of the Guyanna tragedy/30th anniversary.
Just to confirm, Pulaski becomes Crawford Ave. in Lincolnwood, North of Devon Ave. I think Pulaski is 3600 West.
The City of Chicago is who renamed Crawford Ave. after Casimer Pulaski. So it remained Crawford Ave. North of the city.
Irving Park Road or Blvd. is 4000 North.
A acquaintance of mine looked into buying this place quite some time ago.
I think he said the “revised” license was going to require that it include food. Since it had already closed, the bar only status was no longer an option.
The building’s small size & having to keep a food certified employee on site at all times, made it not viable to him.
Plus he was a bit of a heavy drinker. So this was a blessing in disguise.
“Never inhale the retail.”-Kevin Spacey as Mel Proffit in TV’s “Wiseguy”.
I saw “North Dallas Forty” at Old Orchard. We had also gone there to see “Animal House” when it opened, but all the later shows were sold out.
I think we drove to Golf Mill after that and got in.
Also saw “More American Graffiti” here in 1979.
The bowling alley was called Fair Lanes in 1978. I was on our league that Winter for Holiday Texaco in Evanston.
That
78-79 Winter was brutal at both.Vogue Tyre had a showroom & garage on the S/W corner of Golf & Skokie Blvd.
For the record there is a movie theatre in the lower level of the Harold Washington Library. They often ran free films for the public during Summer months. Marx Bros. films, etc. Sometimes lectures with films.
I think the back of the old Binyon’s restaurant on Plymouth court faces the park. Now renovated with a rooftop cafe I beleive.
The folks at Facets are quite knowledgable. They’ve been able to find VHS copies of some pretty rare films over the years. “Stony Island” shot in Chicago, etc. Haven’t benn there in a while, but send people there when they are searching for the obscure. Only saw one movie in the theatre portion as I recall. An Asian spy/action film with Lesbian heroines. Maybe late
89 or90.I drove by this address today. It appears to be rather large, older brick structure, that had a newer facade was put onto it. So possibly the original theatre building is what was converted. The entire first floor retail space is home to Sussex-Realty.
There are a couple floors of apartments above that. I’ll inquire at Sussex if it is the original building.
Since it is even numbered, it is on the North side of Roscoe.
Maybe Mr. Rothacker the artist can make it out to the Ioka or Crest Theatres listed on Cinema Treasures.
One small and one big in need of some saving.
Owning a casino & the Cubs?..seems fitting. Great update. Thanks Bryan!
Those LIFE pictures sure are amazing.
Talk about “safety first”, how about that band riding on a fork lift.
Also could the John Derek in the last one later be the actress Bo’s husband? I knew he was quite older than she.
But 1951 to `81 when she was a houshold name, seems quite the age difference.
Well it’s definately not the Evanston Varsity. Too modern looking. Good luck in the hunt.
FYI, Just a further tidbit about Claudia Cassidy, originally posted by BWChicago & SPearce in February of `08.
There is a theatre bearing her name, the Claudia Cassidy Theatre, located in the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 East Washington. It is located next the GAR Rotunda & GAR Hall on the Randolph St. side. I’m sure the history can be easily accessed by visiting
www.chicagoculturalcenter.org
It reads as if the owner did everything right. You’d think the local taxing body would recognize the theatre’s value to the neighborhood, and help to make the inevitable tax break retroactive or something.
Or spreading the present difference across the next several years or so.
It’s not like other business owners would cry fowl.
Even a business that owns multiple companies isn’t prepared for a $25K hit. The accountants should have caught the Mills Act criteria and planned accordingly.
Ironically the future tax benefit is now a selling feature.
My brother reminded me yesterday that next to the Aardvark Theatre inside of Piper’s Alley, was a place called Charley’s General Store. It might have been bi-level inside.
It started out as a kind of kitchy, country-like antique store of sorts, but ultimately became a bit of a head shop itself. Probably because the existing head shop in Piper’s Alley was seeing all the business.
The Earl of Old Town I mentioned earlier is where Corcoran’s is located now. After a brief run in the `90’s when it was known as The Last Act.
A name chosen likely to tie itself to the Second City across the street.
And maybe in honor of Belushi and all who frequented it after work.
As the Earl, it was famous for having such folk stars as Bonnie Kolac etc. during it’s heydey in the `60’s.
Wow. I expect Eastwood to ride up, squint and light a cigar.
Great pic! Thanks.
Wow, what a saga. I’m all for any added safety improvements. But for the city government to mandate something so costly, without a plan to help pay for it on a place that should be grandfathered in anyway, is shameful.
My guess is that the city silently was also against the concert venue idea as well. The Coronet Theatre in Evanston Illinois suffered a similar fate over that. An initial liquor license stipulated that it could only be served in the lobby, not the auditorium. Spotters were dispatched to witness any “rule breaking”.
It eventually became such a headache to continue to build a business that was ironically a potential boon to the area, that they just threw in the towel. It was torn down and became condos & retail space.
My thoughts and hopes are with the Ioka.
Hope your film turns out well. Be sure to include the former pool area.
P.S. The Chrysler pictured is a 1956.
Chrysler designer Virgil Exner’s first year with a tail fin. Which would go crazy the following year.
I meant labor intensive at the Woods.
Their upper marquee was easily 2 stories tall.