Marbro Theatre

I wondered about Dillingers choice of theatres because, obviously, the MARBRO ain’t nowheres near (the BIOGRAPH). If I were selecting neighborhood shows strictly based on seeing a movie per se, I certainly wouldn’t pick a possibility so distant myself. A more logical 2nd choice would’ve been the COVENT Theatre, a large place not so far.

In PUBLIC ENEMIES one of Melvin’s men correctly assumes John would not go to the Marbro based on the fact it was showing a Shirley Temple pic at the time (this we hear in the films dialogue, assuming it is a booking fact). So why then would Dillinger have even considered the Marbro, by mistake? Maybe a better theory he had some (dirty) business cooking out on the city’s west side, and the theatre locale made the 2 convenient.

Warren – thanks for info. Any idea if the pics are just of the building or perhaps some are of the performers they had over the years? I am in Texas so I won’t be getting there anytime soon. However I do have a date I can look up!

I remember seeing that photo somewhere. My guess would be that I saw it either at THS or in a THS publication.

From The Austin (IL) News, dated 10/21/64:

IS CITY OVERLOOKING REVENUE SOURCE?

A Madison-Pulaski businessman made an interesting observation this week. Seems parking is still prohibited in front of 4110 Madison, site of the old Marbro theater, razed this summer. The “No Parking” signs originally served to keep the curb area in front of the theater entrance free of cars. The businessman pointed out that this space could be turned Into metered parking for the benefit of shoppers in the area.

Lois,
How cool to meet someone who saw what I saw. Hmm, those MARBRO bathrooms were really nice, all marble of course, and when I went to them at the end of my work day they were kinda spooky because no one else was down there. All sounds in a marble room echo a bit weirdly.
I was not wanting to hang around down there very much.
I was in CYO band and played at Riverview a couple times, what fun.
I went to St. Mel grammar and Providence High. How on earth did you get an operators license at 16? My grandmom, and mom were both beauticians and owned a shop. Lots of history there.
Probably best if you wrote me on my email: Talk to you soon.

Hah! It’s getting late! I am probably making typos too. I’m in Arizona now for 48 years. But I lived on the weat side of Chicago for all my girlhood. Went to Emmett Grammer school and Austin High. I owned and operated B-Trim beauty shop (at age 16 to 19 !!)near Laramie and Madison. I could walk to both theatres but probably took the Madison St.Bus. I wish I could walk in right now and you couls sell me a candy! Nice to meet you! Lois

No problem. I just wish more people took pics of the theatres. I have seen the MARBORO’S sister theater in one of the above links, but nothing on the PARADISE. I’m happy that Styx picked the PARADISE to dedicate an album to. Somebody cared.
That neighborhood was home to me for 9 years and the most memorable of my youth. I lived on Kostner and West End, walking distance to both movie houses. Good times. Thanks, Donna

Here’s the whole answer.
Well, I remember the PARADISE having the Greco-Roman statuettes in alcoves on the walls. Lots of them. It looked like an art museum.
It was way more ornate than the MARBORO which had vast expanses of marble in a long and wide hall.
The PARADISE had a distinctive feature of little semi hidden ornate stairways and staircases that could be found winding up to individual balconies of various sizes where you could watch the movie from your own private alcove so to speak. Very cool and unusual. Never saw that feature in any other theater.
The MARBORO where I was candy girl/ticket taker in the early 60’s, had a large front with ticket booth. Then you would encounter a second set of doors
(con’t from before-page length cut me off)
second set of doors, right behind that in the middle was the candy counter. Moving on to the left were the doors to the movie seats. If you went farther back in that great marble rectanglular hallway were the stairs spiraling down to the lavatories.
The whole interior of the MARBORO was vast and marbled. Whereas the PARADISE was more closely nestled with ornate artifacts and statuettes. Much gilding as well. In todays terms these theaters were both GIGUNGUS in size.
It’s amazing they were only a few blocks from each other.
The MARBORO was close to the Martinique on the northwest corner west of it that served great Tummy Busters ice cream treats. Miss that.

Which theatre, the Marbro or the Paradise had the blue lit alcoves which had white statuary in them? (At the sides of the aisles and down front.) Impressed on my memory to this day!
Which theatre, The Marbro or the Paradise had the gilt framed oil paintings to your entering right hung on a wall close to where you entered into the darkened theatre ?
I attended in the 1940s-50s To me, a little girl living behind her dad’s Radio-TV store ( Air Wave 5227 W.Madison St.) the two theatres looked like I supposed Heaven looked. They are still in my dreams—if only I could walk in once again.I could have spent eternity there. Imagine how sad,—– kids of today can’t pay a quarter and walk into such opulance. We were the lucky ones.

Thank you for helping with that question.
I said that the MARKS BROTHERS were not the MARX BROTHERS but now i can can be right in the understandind and the spelling.

Thank you keep typing :)

Just want to see if what i was told is right.

The name Marks Brothers who are listed as one of the chains, are they the Marks Brothers as in “ Harpo” Marks. i have herd that Chalie Chaplin was part of “Essannee” and i was told that is who the Marks in Marks Brothers are. is this right.

Thank You for your time.

Maybe theatre historical society may have interior shots of the Marbro. I think they are based in Elmhurst,il.