Tivoli Theatre
5021 Highland Avenue,
Downers Grove,
IL
60515
5021 Highland Avenue,
Downers Grove,
IL
60515
35 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 66 comments
I wish there were more theatres like the Tivoli in the Bay State, and in New England, generally.
I remember the bowling alley around the corner had the best hot dogs.
For any of you that didn’t know, the Tivoli has seen some recent upgrades. During 2008 a digital projection system was installed, and within a few months of that it was upgraded to give digital 3D presentations.
This looks like a wonderful theatre, both inside and out.
New url for the Russell Phillips 1984 photo. Contrast with these current views posted by John Allen of High Performance Stereo. (HPS did the sound system). The after photos are a great tribute to the Johnson’s.
AIA lists it as one of the 150 great places of Illinois. They also have the design firm listed as Van Gunten & Van Gunten and claim it was the second theater anywhere purpose designed for sound films. Does anyone know the exhibitors history? The stagehand site claims it was a B & K until 1948.
It’s a great space. Without a riser or balcony there’s no way to reference the scale. The screen fills the entire area under the proscenium but you don’t get a sense of its size until you’ve walked two-thirds of the way down to the stage. Most exterior shots only show the entrance and marquee and not the business end. Gotta love that flyhouse.
This is indeed a nice pic!
Well, yeah, it depends on the style. I meant that there was usually a pretty consistent palette.
I have to differ with BWChigago. I have no idea how colorful or not the Tivoli’s original marquee may have been, but I do know that the marquees of the 1920’s and 30’s were usually very colorful (of course there were exceptions). The Capitol Theatre in my hometown had it’s original 1920’s marquee with milk glass letters and all. The Marquee itself was dusty rose with dark blue trim, the chaser lights were red and the name “Capitol” was in white. It was quite a sight. The Capitol, by the way, was a small second run theatre, so I can only imagine how spectacular the marquee would have been on a big downtown movie house.
I’d point out, though, that there generally wasn’t a lot of color variation in marquees, so it was likely just mottled reds or greens, maybe a little yellow/gold, whatever tones matched the Spanish Renaissance look of the exterior. The B&W photos don’t look like it was ever very colorful.
The updated link for the Sept. 26, 2005 comment is http://www.organman.com/tivoli.htm
I think that Willis Johnson and THSA have pretty much done exhaustive research on all of his theaters. More power to you to find more, but I think they have all you’re likely to find.
Hi,
I’m working on drawings for a new marquee for the Tivoli. It will basicly look like the original marquee as seen in the pre-1950s photos, with some modern updates to the reader boards. I would love to be able to see any color photos, which I know are going to be hard to come by, of the original theatre marquee before the mid-century modern 1950s version.
Thanks
Here is a recent photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2pr283
Since i posted the request ive found out i have a trip to Chicago next Friday and i cant tell you how much i appreciate your travel info. Im now looking foreward to a screening sometime in the 3 days im in town. Now i will check whats on. Many, many thanks again. x
Ian,
The best way to get there is via public transportation. Metra’s BNSF line goes to Downers Grove Main Street. The theatre is visible from the station. It is considerably faster than driving, what with the usual congestion on the Eisenhower. And if you go on a weekend, you can buy a $5.00 weekend pass good for unlimited rides on Saturdays AND Sundays (Ie. It is valid for TWO days worth of rides) on all Metra trains.
This train line operates from Chicago Union Station. For schedules and information, you can go to www.metrarail.com and click on “Quick Schedules” and then “BNSF Line.”
How easy is it to get to from downdown? I visit Chicago a few times a year and would love to invest some time in a visit. Simple directions would be great guys, thanks! x
Recent photos of this theatre are HERE
It shows art/indie films frequently as part of the After Hours Film Society, special events such as ballets, and most of the time big releases some time after they’re out. For example, it is currently playing Shrek the Third.
What a delight to discover that the Tivoli is alive and well! This was where I first saw movies as a child in the late 60s/early 70s. I hope to view a film at the Tivoli while in the area on vacation this month.
Does the theater tend to show big releases? Any art or foreign films?
My girlfriend and I had the opportunity to attend the West Towns Choral JOY TO THE WORLD Christmas Concert last night (12-9-06) at the Tivoli. There was an almost capacity crowd back there. And I can tell you that the Tivoli was an absolutely spectacular place to see such a show! The Tivoli is one of the few movie theatres left in the Chicagoland Area with a full, working stage and a fully functional organ. Both were put to good use for the concert. My grilfriend told me she went to the Tivoli a few times in the 1980s and she said that it looks way better now than it did then.
As for the concer itself, it featured a full choir, some barbershop quartet singers, a choral bells ensemble, string ensemble, and brass ensemble. Quite frankly, it was about the best Christmas concert I ever attended (and I’ve been to many). Kudos to the West Towns Choral and Classic Cinemas for a job well done!
No doubt.
Well… still better than any of those look now, at any rate!
So many vintage Chicago-area theatres looked like that in the 80’s & 90’s. Reminds me of visits I made to the Milford, Adelphi (then known as North Shore Cinema), Logan, 400, Village, etc.
Here’s something! Look how garish it used to be!
Russell Phillips Photo:
Auditorium, 1984
The architects were named van guNten.
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