Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Balaban and Katz book
posted by
DBalaban
on
March 17, 2005 at 5:22 am
I’m David Balaban, Grandson of David Balaban, director of theater operations for Balaban and Katz until 1949. I’m writing a book entitled, “ The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and Katz” The book will be published in December of 2005. It will contain hundreds of pictures of Balaban and Katz theaters, people and never before seen documents about the unique company that my family operated. If you have a Balaban and Katz memory or picture, please email it to me for possible inclusion in the book. Thanks!
Comments (12)
Hi David,
I do have an old ticket book which I think is from the 1940s. It’s a “Balaban & Katz Theaters Happiness Book” which originally sold for $5. On the back are listed the theatres located in the Chicago area, 49 in all. A scan of it can be found on a signature drive I’m hosting for the Uptown Theatre in Chicago. In the past few weeks we’ve added several more new and old photographs of the interior of the theatre. If you’re interested, I can send you a better scan of the ticket book.
View link
Joanne
yes Joanne that would be great. My grand father David managed the uptown theater, the rivera and the north shore for quite a while
I really appreciate your help. and the preservation work your group is involved in.
I am producing a television documentary about b and K as well
david balaban
Balaban Family Pictures
I don’t have any memories of Balaban & Katz theatres because I didn’t grow up in Chicago, but I sure would like to know when the book comes out!
Don’t forget to include info on the theaters in Detroit they once had, the Michigan and the Adams. I can provide history and photos if needed.
at Cinematheque Quebecoise’s library I photocopied a book called
the
fundamental Principles
of
Balabain & Katz
Theatre Management
copyright 1926
the forward was written by Barney Balaban and Sam Katz
the book is about 115 pages
Hi David
If you are interested, I can provide you with a personal critique of Chicago Theater usher operations in 1955 & 56, which included the last year of the stage shows and commencing with the movie format.
I was employed as an usher during those years.
Please let me know if you are interested and I will be more then happy to compose it.
Jim Huffman
Yes Jim I would be very happy to hear about your memories of the usher operations at the Chicago theater in those years. My uncle John was in charge and had his office upstairs. I believe he died in 1955 . Thank you very much!
David Balaban
Mike revest, I have a copy of that book about B and K theater management . Its interesting that yours was from a Canadian library!
David,
I’m sorry I don’t have anything to contribute, but I wish you the best of luck with your book. Looking forward to reading it.
Hello David:
My Grandmother and Grandaunt Capitola & Georgette De Wolf repectively, performed as headliners in many of your Grandfather’s theatres, including the State-Lake Theatre. I have a playbill of one of their performances there (probably 1916-ish). Much to my family’s shagrin, the collection of playbills and reviews was detroyed, leaving only the one I mention. Fortunately, we do have a fabulous collection of professional photographs!!
Do you know where the Vaudeville era playbills, posters, and other promotional materials from B&K theatres can be found? Specifically years 1890-1920.
With gratitiude for any help you can offer,
AJG
CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS: the State-Lake Theatre playbill I have would be 1919 or ‘20.
David, here it is December 2005 and I’m just seeing this thread. A good friend was one of the last general managers (1978 to 1982) of the Chicago Theatre for Plitt. He was also General Manager of Loop Operation which included the State Lake, United Artists and Oriental. He received a lot of the oral history of the place. Is the book finished, or is there still time for you to talk with him before the book goes to press?