Chicago Theatre

Thanks bryanb ;–) As I recall in October 1968, the Michael Todd was featuring a re-release of Mike Todd’s “Around the World in 80 Days”.
“Funny Girl” in June 1969 was already being shown in general release (non-roadshow). I really appreciate your input bryanb, but the theatre I saw “Funny Girl” in was one of the “palaces”. The experience was amazing with a movie theatre complementing the saga of Fanny Brice and her Ziegfeld days. Thanks again!

Sorry, I should have been more clear, the links are there to show a chronology, there aren’t any shots of the new marquee. I’m going to go back down there and take some later this week.

I should add that this page shows that the previous marquee was installed in 1949, and I have photos of the Chicago with the marquee stripped from earier this year.

The last film I viewed at The Chicago was Al Pacino’s “Cruising” in the late ‘70s. What a thrill getting off the the elevated train there at State & Lake and having all those theatre marquees (The Chicago,The State Lake,The Oriental,The United Artists,The Woods,The Roosevelt & The McVickor) to look at!

The fabulous CHICAGO is often mentioned as one of the ‘royalty’ in America’s collection of what was once some 30,000 palaces, according to one estimate. Opening in 1921, it was among the earliest of the truly grand Movie Palaces, and, along with Chicago’s long-lost TIVOLI movie palace, it was the harbinger of the elaborate creations of imagination and artistry to come. Rapp&Rapp may have started their real theatres with the still-going-strong AL RINGLING THEATRE in Baraboo, Wis., but it was the opening of the enormous and ornate CHICAGO that changed the way movie houses were built. It even prompted people to call such edifices ‘the Chicago style’, and many a theatre architect had to sit up and take notice —even in our large coastal cities which often smirk at the developments of the heartland. That this landmark has also had its vertical sign and now, its marquee, restored is another indicator of its preeminence. For those who have never seen this wonder, or who would like to see photos of its first and second decors (as distinguished from today’s version) there was published in 1981 (and later reprinted) a 50-page ANNUAL with color cover, titled “Chicago Theatre, A Sixtieth Anniversary Salute”. Though now listed as Out Of Print, it is possible that it could be reprinted again if enough interest is shown.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
To obtain any available Back Issue of either “Marquee” or of its ANNUALS, simply go to the web site of the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA at:
www.HistoricTheatres.org
and notice on the sidebar of their first page the link “PUBLICATIONS: Back Issues List” and click on that and you will be taken to their listing where they also give ordering details. The “Marquee” magazine is 8-1/2x11 inches tall (‘portrait’) format, and the ANNUALS are also soft cover in the same size, but in the long (‘landscape’) format, and are anywhere from 26 to 40 pages. Should they indicate that a publication is Out Of Print, then it may still be possible to view it via Inter-Library Loan where you go to the librarian at any public or school library and ask them to locate which library has the item by using the Union List of Serials, and your library can then ask the other library to loan it to them for you to read or photocopy. [Photocopies of most THSA publications are available from University Microforms International (UMI), but their prices are exorbitant.]

Note: Most any photo in any of their publications may be had in large size by purchase; see their ARCHIVE link. You should realize that there was no color still photography in the 1920s, so few theatres were seen in color at that time except by means of hand tinted renderings or post cards, thus all the antique photos from the Society will be in black and white, but it is quite possible that the Society has later color images available; it is best to inquire of them.

Should you not be able to contact them via their web site, you may also contact their Executive Director via E-mail at:
Or you may reach them via phone or snail mail at:
Theatre Historical Soc. of America
152 N. York, 2nd Floor York Theatre Bldg.
Elmhurst, ILL. 60126-2806 (they are about 15 miles west of Chicago)

Phone: 630-782-1800 or via FAX at: 630-782-1802 (Monday through Friday, 9AM—4PM, CT)

I’m a radio reporter/producer in Chicago looking for people in the area who can share their memories of the Chicago Theatre. Please contact me at

thanks

Yes, quite often the Chicago coupled a first run movie and a stage show for one admission. I remember seeing Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis at the Chicago theatre. The Chicago theatre was kept up much better than the Uptown in the 50’s but it still wasn’t as impressive.

In case you were wondering, the original sign now resides at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

Hello,
I’m a Chicagoan interested in learning what happened to the original Chicago Theatre sign.
When they renovated, where did that sign go?
Would you know who made the original sign?
Thank you so much for any information.

Whatever happend to the WOODS THEATER and the UNITED ARTISTS?
I was in downtown Chicago back in the late 80’s and both venues
were still standing – boared up and closed.

I lived in Chicago in the late fifties and remember well going down to State Street to the movies in this wonderful place.

Coming back home to shoot “Talk Soup in Chicago” at the Chicago Theatre was a terrific experience. I remember seeing “Beverly Hills Cop” there in the 1980’s when the theatre was kind of ratty and unkempt and the feeling was it was going to be torn down. Seeing it restored to its glory makes me feel anything really is possible.

A book I have in my collection says the Chicago Theatre was the ultimate in French opulence with crystal and bronze chandeliers in the lobby,the auditorium walls were lined with boxes,and the interior color scheme was in tones of blue,red and gold.It also states the theatre was famous for its lavish Balaban and Katz stage productions and six stories of dressing rooms used to be located on either side of the colossal stage.