Biograph Theater

It was a Loews-Cineplex theatre from 1998 until 1999. It became a Loews-Cineplex theatre after the Cineplex Odeon/Loews merger took effect in 1998; however, by orders from the Justice Department, Loews Cineplex had to sell a bunch of their theatres to avoid a monopoly, so the Biograph was sold to the newly formed, but short-lived Meridian Theatres. Other theatres that were sold were Water Tower, Burnham Plaza, Broadway Cinema, Old Orchard, Hyde Park, and Bricktown Square. These theatres would all go out of business within a couple of years.

Thank you! This helps a lot!

Thanks. Haven’t yet settled on a particular version, but we’re open to any suggestions you have!

I do remember you BamB Im sorry you dont remember me I was the one that made those nasty Kurtis T-shirts and I was the one who stole Kurtis routine along with Dave during science fiction and of course he got angry I beleieve they called me Janet John hope you remember

I saw my first movie at the Biograph in the summer of 1975. My grandfather took me to see THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD and the theatre was packed. 29 years later, on Tuesday, September 7, 2004, I was the last manager/projectionist to put on the Biograph’s last picture show. The movie was DE-LOVELY. It was the end of an era.—Tim O'Neill

I have to admit, I had never heard of this theater until I saw the film, PUBLIC ENEMIES, this summer.

The Paramount in Aurora was not used as the interior of the Biograph. They never mentioned what theatre Dillinger was supposed to be in when he was in the Paramount. I believe they used the Portage Theatre (in Chicago) for the interior shots of the Biograph. At least it looked like the Portage to me.

Hey John, I was a regular at the Biograph for RHPS but not until the early 1980s. You were before my time.

Me too…From watching the scene, the theater looks authentic.

Wow, that pic must be from last week. Depp & crew were just here for the premiere at the AMC theatres down on Illinois Street. WGN’s Dean Richards interviewed Depp the day of. I didn’t realize they did another promotional stint actually at the Biograph.
I didn’t think the renovated Biograph?Victory Gardens space included provisions for showing films.

Does anyone have info on the rose dish set they gave away for dish night?

My mom grew up in the Biograph’s neighborhood. We drove by recently during the “Public Enemies” 1934 street recreation, and she bolted from my car to take pictures for her brothers. She said it was exact down to the street car tracks laid down the middle of Lincoln. She then remembered as a child in the `40’s, that on the Dillenger anniversaries, someone would loosely paint footsteps of where Dillinger ran from the Biograph and down the alley, where he met his demise. Neighborhood kids would run the same path while playing.

Which triggered my memory that up until 1980-something, the theater itself had one seat painted silver inside. Supposedly where Dillinger sat.
I’m pretty sure it was still painted when I saw “Tucker” there in 1988.
My last film to enjoy at the Biograph was “The Nightmare Before Christmas”.
A freebie a friend had gotten passes too. NBC’s local critic Norman Mark sat in a previously taped off seat in front of us.
I asked him if Dillinger sat there, and got my smile for the day.

P.S. The Three Penny Cinema across the street from the Biograph, was already closed down prior to the recent filming. A vintage, prop hotel sign was hung off the front.

More photos of the filming:
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