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Chicago Marquee UPDATE
posted by
Menutia
on
July 28, 2004 at 8:21 am
CHICAGO, IL — Here are my latest photos of the new side boards for the Chicago Theatre marquee. They are replacements of the same size as the most recently seen version.
I now can only anticipate the installation of the underside of the marquee. I can only assume that the lower version will be reinstalled. Originally this version of the sign was somewhat higher showing more portions of the building, including 4 handing light fixtures.
Comments (10)
It looks great, but I see no differnce from the old marquee and the new one.
LOL There is no difference in the “NEW” marquee and the one most recently gracing the theatre’s facade. THAT marquee, once had taller sides and a different under side “Canopy”. These were removed in earlier “renovations”.
Michael
Michael,
I’d never heard or seen anything about the marquee being higher up, or the canopy being different… I couldn’t quite tell from the photo chronology. Do you have any further info? Also, any idea what the recesses above the marquee were for? From the earliest picture I saw it looked like there were bushes there… but I can’t imagine why
Brian,
I don’t have the pics on me, or the rights to publish them, but the marquee was “lowered” by the addition of a bottom section that lowered it’s clearence to the sidewalk. At the time of this change, the facade was altered, the doors changed, and the center box office installed. The side double doors were once under an arched entry. Right now, the old celing marquee which extended into the lobby is still in place.
The little grottos or alcoves or what not were supposed to have statues. I’m not the expert here, but am going off of pics I saw last week and the story I was told by the head of the local organ club.
Michael
Ah, I see… i’d be very interested in seeing these pictures if they’re published somewhere. The chicago is what sparked my interest in movie theaters, in grade school we went to see Joeseph and were stuck in the vestibule for 3 or 4 hours after the bus that was to pick us up got in some kind of minor accident
Brian, they were published, years ago. I’ll get them for you soon.
In the meantime… look at this pic and notice the stainless steel protion of the sign. The red light are a tip off to it’s local.
This was the “lowered section” which continued through the transom over the doors and into the ticket lobby.
View link
Michael
Try this one.
View link
M~
hmm, yes, the first one worked for me after reloading. I see what you mean. And I misspelled Joseph. Whoops. Thanks!
Michael-
This article from the Chicago’s e-mail newsletter illustrates to a degree what you were talking about. The old lower marquee area really looked much better, it’s a shame they haven’t restored that as well. Indeed, if the show begins on the sidewalk, why not bring that back to the proper splendor? Also, I recieved an email reply to some questions I had asked, which brought this information: “The marquee restoration
project was started due to structural damage found last year. The
marquee has not been changed, just refurbished and strengthened to
better reflect the original look, and to make sure it is safe. The
restoration should be complete in the coming week or two. It will
officially be re-lit at the beginning of September. ”
Yes, in the second pic, you can see a part of the light fixture and the arched doors. I was there this weekend and it looks like we may be getting some of the splendor back. The New Canopy lights have been installed, and they do not have the lowered “Stainless Steel” portion. However, that lower part is still installed on the inside of the ticket lobby.
Michael