Pickwick Theatre
5 S. Prospect Avenue,
Park Ridge,
IL
60068
5 S. Prospect Avenue,
Park Ridge,
IL
60068
32 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 68 comments
I uploaded a few early photographs. You can clearly see at least three shades of gray, and no white whatsoever (comparing to the white of the changeable letters.) So if there’s white, it can’t be the original scheme. It would have been simple to do some sampling and map the colors using these B&W photos, but that opportunity is now gone.
On the exterior, Iannelli did the marquee (just look at the faces) and the art glass window, and likely worked closely with Zook & McCaughey throughout the process. Not sure if he did the starburst fan additions to the marquee.
Grand opening ad posted in the photo section for this theatre.
The Pickwick is about 1/3 of the way through replacing the seats in the main auditorium with high-back, vinyl, rocker chairs. It’s… different.
I went here last night with my wife to see “The Descendants” in the main theater.
While it is a treasure, the place needs some work. Some of the tiles on the stairway leading to the men’s room are loose. I’d like to see the old water fountains restored too. And the men’s room needs some work.
Absolutly gorgeous theatre. I do hope that when the owner states that the new screen will be “huge” that he isn’t planning to install it in front of the procienium. But still a treasure to be loved and protected.
An unexecuted lobby scheme
The Pickwick is set for renovations:
View link
I really hope the owner tries to do this with historic accuracy. Iannelli’s work was such a total architecture, and the finishes were a crucial part of the whole. The harmony was a huge part of the power.
I’ve added a number of historic photos to http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/ctid302/
Very,Very, Nice.
Here is a November 1928 ad from the Daily Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/n9jtt5
Here is a July 1941 ad from the Daily Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/q7hq6e
Here are some 1982 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/qeaxjr
http://tinyurl.com/q4mn9c
http://tinyurl.com/qr5uhn
How wide is the screen in the main auditorium?
I haven’t been here yet, but I wonder if some 70MM revivals could be run in the future?
And the screen is bigger, the audience is better behaved, and the sound is probably better, too.
A personal recollection regarding seeing a movie (the first BATMAN w/Michael Keaton) @ the PickWick;
Took my 2 young sons here and it was (almost) their first time at a theater, and what they did spontaneously and totally on their own just bowled me over.
Because I’d long since forgotten, but I did it too when I was their age—when the movie started they just got up from their seats and sat themselves comfortably right down in the aisle! (And there remained).
On a different subject: if you find yourself frustrated, even mad when you’re at one of the chain multiplex cinemas (there’re 2 not terribly far from PW) because the big blockbuster pic that just opened is seats sold-out when you arrive there, remember the PickWick is a relatively fast drive down Greenwood/Cumberland or up Touhy Aves. And they certainly won’t be sold-out in their huge main auditorium.
I don’t think this is true: “Currently, the theater is a performing arts venue, managed by the Pickwick Theatre Council.”
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
The Pickwick will be hosting a benefit for the Des Plaines Theater Preservation Society on Thursday, April 12 at 8:00 P.M. Acclaimed theatre organist Jay Warren will accompany The Pawn Shop starring Charlie Chaplin (1916), Never Weaken starring Harold Lloyd (1921), and Sherlock Jr. starring Buster Keaton (1924). Visit www.dptheatre.org for more information.
Here are pictures of this theater
I don’t believe this photo has been posted yet:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/abbyworld/53198618/
More Russell Phillips photos:
Pickwick Exterior
Pickwick Auditorium
Pickwick Foyer
Pickwick Ladies Lounge
My greatest single cinema memory took place at the Pickwick. My father took me there to see, “Weekend at Bernie’s.” It was a pretty lame movie as far as artistic merit goes. But it was full of cheap humor. The Pickwick was packed front to back that evening. It was amazing to sit there in such cool surroundings and laugh at the same time with 1500 other people. Going to the movies is still fun. But I think we’ve lost some of what I experienced that night.
LEGENDARY FRANKIE VALENS 2006/2007 Oldies concert tour
B U L L E T I N – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “Book Frankie now – while there are concert dates open……..”
INTRODUCING,
Frankie Valens
Former legendary pop-singer FRANKIE VALENS, who toured in the late 60s and early 70s is back. Frankie has returned to provide entertainment with an ‘oldies’ show featuring songs from the 50s, 60s and early 70s and includes his recordings of “This Magic Moment,” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.”
Visit www.frankievalens.com (complete with sounds bites)
Frankie loves to entertain the crowds. The crowds can dance or just listen to the ‘golden oldies’ sung by what has been described as the ‘golden voice’ of FRANKIE VALENS. Frankie’s wife Phyllis joins him in singing famous duet songs from the past.
Frankie has been in concert with such notable acts as: THE BYRDS, CRYSTAL GALE, THE PLATTERS AND THE BOXTOPS. Frankie has appeared at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City with former President Reagan; the Waupaka Performing Art Center in Wisconsin; and the famous Orpheum Theatre in Wichita, Kansas where Red Skelton appeared.
Note: Frankie Valens will be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame later this year in Wichita, Kansas at the Museum of World Treasures, who is planning a musical exhibit and creating a special CD edition of Frankie’s greatest recordings.
BOOKING OLDIE CONCERTS FOR 2006/2007
Call 316-789-0051
Please call or e-mail us to let us know if any of these dates are available: 316-789-0051 or
From the offices of
FVM Headquarters
PMB # 322
620 N Rock Road, Ste 230
Derby, KS 67037
316-789-0051 or
913-378-6874
www.frankievalens.com
Frankie & Phyllis Valens
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/hxqpg
Hey everybody
I am a Michael LeVan. I have lived in the city of Chicago my entire life. I am a filmmaker and a attendee of Columbia College, heading into my final year. I love all the old movie palaces of Chicago. It has been my intent for sometime to Make a documentary on the history, and the ongoings of these historic theaters in the present. The means to make this documentary are finally in my grasp. I planned on featuring 3 theaters, the Copernicus Center(formally The Gateway), The Patio(Formally The Avalon), and The Uptown. While the Documentary will focus on the entire history, These are the three that will be visual examples, and the ones i would like to film in. I have spoken with the People at The Gateway Theater, and they are estatic that i am doing this. The only problem now is The Uptown and the The Patio. These two theaters seem to have ghosts of owners , or even managers. If somebody could help me in finding someone to talk too, i would be very appriciative. Also, this documentary will require interviews, and finding old information as well. If anybody would be kind enough to do either that would be fantastic. My somewhat set date to start filming is June 10 ,2006. My goal with the entire project is to help and benifit these theaters. Help alot more people to gain interest, and all the profit that i attain, if any, will be donated to help with these theaters. I am going to submit it to Wttw(Pbs Chicago) , and also the History Channel. So if anyone would like to help in anyway, they can contact me at my email.
or by phone (773)-656-5821
Well i appriciate if you read that entire thing, and hopefully i will be hearing from you
Michael Levan of Bleeding Chicago Productions
I love the Pickwick. It is the only theater of my childhood that is still running. I Remember the day so well when my Uncle,father, and i went to see Back to the Future 3. It is amazing, and i am glad that nobody can touch it