It seems a lot of folks think this theater opened July 1, 1988. This is not correct. That date is the opening for the Commons Cinema across the street (99th St.) from the main Mall. The Chicago Ridge Mall Theatre was in business earlier in the 80’s. I have added in the photo section a ad showing what was playing at the theater in 1986. The theater was open earlier. I believe some of the confusion is because it became a AMC Theatre in ‘88. Same theater, different name.
Wednesday, June 19, 1957 Movie stars Peter Graves and Peggie Castle made a personal appearance at the Roosevelt for the premier of “Beginning of the End”. Autographing photos in the theater lobby.
The Liberty Theatre was recently featured on Travel Channels Ghost Adventures show. Zac Bagans and his Ghost Adventurers entered through a lower level door of the theater that took them into the tunnels that run beneath the town.
The Washington Theater is now open for special events. I was there Aug. 9, 2018. See some of the photos in the PHOTOS section that I posted. Just across the Park (Washington Park) the Quincy Museum has information on the theater on display. This was the 1st theater to show a “talkie” in Quincy, Illinois. BTW, the famous 1858 Lincoln – Douglas sixth debate took place in Washington Park.
A accurate location if you want to pinpoint were the Kansas Cyclone Picture Show was located according to todays maps would be, the N. Branch Riverwalk near the corner (West of) were W Melrose St. and Rockwell St. meet. N. Branch Riverwalk use to be known as the Pike.
The Tiffany Theater sits on the land that was originally featured on the television show 77 Sunset Strip. In real life that property was the home of the Mary Webb Davis modeling agency. In some of the photos in the PHOTO section here you can see the building to the left of the theater that was used as Dino’s Lodge on 77 Sunset Strip. Kookie (Edd Byrnes) parked cars between the two buildings on the TV show.
I just added three photos in the PHOTO section. But I am not 100% positive they belong here. First Man In Space was premiered at the State Theatre in Albuquerque. There was even a contest run by nearby hobby shop. The photos are suppose to be of this event. But the State marquee looks different from the earlier posted photos shown here. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Was there last night 10/21/2017. This drive-in is fine. A lot of people were there. Plenty of places to park. View of the screen is good. (Didn’t check out in the back sections). Sound is good. They have the old style speakers that you can attach to your car window. The bathroom was fine and clean. The people at the concession stand were very friendly. Food was good. Prices were reasonable. If your going there use a Groupon and save some money and get FREE small popcorn. Popcorn was good.
I don’t have any complaints about this drive-in. Only complaints I have are with the people coming in for the second feature while the first movie is playing, some of them drive in with their lights on.
I visited the Merle Reskin Theatre during their OHC Open House Chicago event. I got the chance to ask about movies that were shown there. The expert they had there didn’t have much knowledge about which old movies that were shown there in the early days of the theatre. Today they use a screen set up on stage for special events like this (OHC). See Photo section for a photo of this. I was told “occasionally” they had movies. But as of right now there is no history as to what movies were shown at the theatre. During times when there were no plays being performed they would open doors to civic and fraternal organizations. Some times a movie was shown.
1916 the theatre was used for Women’s Suffrage Rally and Conference.
1925 the theatre had live broadcasts of stage performances that could be heard on Chicago-area radio station WTAS.
On May 27, 1966 Ford City Cinema I & II opened at 7601 S. Cicero Ave. Boasting Chicago’s first TWIN theatre. The movies shown that day were “A Thousand Clowns” and “The Great Race”. Ford City East Cinema opened in 1981 and was located at 76th & Pulaski. This theater had three screens. The first movies shown there were “On The Right Track” starring Gary Coleman, Blake Edwards “S.O.B.”, and “Arthur” starring Dudley Moore. Ford City East Cinema was actually a separate theater not connected with the Ford City Cinema I & II that was connected to the main mall at the time. In 1990 Ford City Cinema I & II was moved to the south side of the mall in a new building (not attached to the main mall, kept the original address) and became Ford City 14. A short time after Ford City East closed. AMC Ford City 14 still in business today. (2017)
Seen Airport ‘77 at the Studio Cinema. I remember they had a fish tank in the lobby. The aquarium was filled with water with a few goldfish, and sitting at the bottom of the tank was a model of a jet. Just like in the movie.
The correct address for the Elm Theater was 7540 W. Grand Ave. In the photo above you can see the address of the store (7542) next to the theater. Also old newspaper ads show the address as 7540. See posted ad in “Photo section”.
Jeff Frank was the theater owner.
There is a article about this theater in Scary Monsters Memories #4. Article titled “The Drexel North Closes: The End Of A Era”.
Newspaper ad from Oct. 6, 1979 Chicago Sun-Times showing when the Lake Shore Theater was to re-open on Oct. 12, 1979. (see Photos section) Ad says “We are installing new seats”.
The photo of the sign is from 2009 based on all the movies mentioned on it.
It seems a lot of folks think this theater opened July 1, 1988. This is not correct. That date is the opening for the Commons Cinema across the street (99th St.) from the main Mall. The Chicago Ridge Mall Theatre was in business earlier in the 80’s. I have added in the photo section a ad showing what was playing at the theater in 1986. The theater was open earlier. I believe some of the confusion is because it became a AMC Theatre in ‘88. Same theater, different name.
This ad is for the Commons theater. Not the theater in the mall. Two separate theaters.
The Cascade Drive-In when it was featured on Chicago’s Best. Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RihTME88k0
Wednesday, June 19, 1957 Movie stars Peter Graves and Peggie Castle made a personal appearance at the Roosevelt for the premier of “Beginning of the End”. Autographing photos in the theater lobby.
Now if Cracker Barrel would just change their name.
The Liberty Theatre was recently featured on Travel Channels Ghost Adventures show. Zac Bagans and his Ghost Adventurers entered through a lower level door of the theater that took them into the tunnels that run beneath the town.
The Pickwick Drive-In was used for scenes in the 1976 movie Kiss of the Tarantula. A brief glimpse of the marquee is shown in the movie.
The Washington Theater is now open for special events. I was there Aug. 9, 2018. See some of the photos in the PHOTOS section that I posted. Just across the Park (Washington Park) the Quincy Museum has information on the theater on display. This was the 1st theater to show a “talkie” in Quincy, Illinois. BTW, the famous 1858 Lincoln – Douglas sixth debate took place in Washington Park.
Newspaper from 1985 has the address as 1012 Caroline St. But newspapers have been known to make mistakes.
(5/11/2018) The Ramona sign is being taken down.
A accurate location if you want to pinpoint were the Kansas Cyclone Picture Show was located according to todays maps would be, the N. Branch Riverwalk near the corner (West of) were W Melrose St. and Rockwell St. meet. N. Branch Riverwalk use to be known as the Pike.
Location was close to Western Ave. and Belmont were the Riverview Amusement Park was at.
Appeared briefly in a segment of Svengoolie’s television show. (2017)
The Tiffany Theater sits on the land that was originally featured on the television show 77 Sunset Strip. In real life that property was the home of the Mary Webb Davis modeling agency. In some of the photos in the PHOTO section here you can see the building to the left of the theater that was used as Dino’s Lodge on 77 Sunset Strip. Kookie (Edd Byrnes) parked cars between the two buildings on the TV show.
Original sight of the television show 77 Sunset Strip.
I just added three photos in the PHOTO section. But I am not 100% positive they belong here. First Man In Space was premiered at the State Theatre in Albuquerque. There was even a contest run by nearby hobby shop. The photos are suppose to be of this event. But the State marquee looks different from the earlier posted photos shown here. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Was there last night 10/21/2017. This drive-in is fine. A lot of people were there. Plenty of places to park. View of the screen is good. (Didn’t check out in the back sections). Sound is good. They have the old style speakers that you can attach to your car window. The bathroom was fine and clean. The people at the concession stand were very friendly. Food was good. Prices were reasonable. If your going there use a Groupon and save some money and get FREE small popcorn. Popcorn was good.
I don’t have any complaints about this drive-in. Only complaints I have are with the people coming in for the second feature while the first movie is playing, some of them drive in with their lights on.
I visited the Merle Reskin Theatre during their OHC Open House Chicago event. I got the chance to ask about movies that were shown there. The expert they had there didn’t have much knowledge about which old movies that were shown there in the early days of the theatre. Today they use a screen set up on stage for special events like this (OHC). See Photo section for a photo of this. I was told “occasionally” they had movies. But as of right now there is no history as to what movies were shown at the theatre. During times when there were no plays being performed they would open doors to civic and fraternal organizations. Some times a movie was shown.
1916 the theatre was used for Women’s Suffrage Rally and Conference.
1925 the theatre had live broadcasts of stage performances that could be heard on Chicago-area radio station WTAS.
On May 27, 1966 Ford City Cinema I & II opened at 7601 S. Cicero Ave. Boasting Chicago’s first TWIN theatre. The movies shown that day were “A Thousand Clowns” and “The Great Race”. Ford City East Cinema opened in 1981 and was located at 76th & Pulaski. This theater had three screens. The first movies shown there were “On The Right Track” starring Gary Coleman, Blake Edwards “S.O.B.”, and “Arthur” starring Dudley Moore. Ford City East Cinema was actually a separate theater not connected with the Ford City Cinema I & II that was connected to the main mall at the time. In 1990 Ford City Cinema I & II was moved to the south side of the mall in a new building (not attached to the main mall, kept the original address) and became Ford City 14. A short time after Ford City East closed. AMC Ford City 14 still in business today. (2017)
The 231 was not a twin drive-in. What you are seeing in the aerial view is the Parkway Drive-In that was butted up next to the 231 drive-In.
Seen Airport ‘77 at the Studio Cinema. I remember they had a fish tank in the lobby. The aquarium was filled with water with a few goldfish, and sitting at the bottom of the tank was a model of a jet. Just like in the movie.
The correct address for the Elm Theater was 7540 W. Grand Ave. In the photo above you can see the address of the store (7542) next to the theater. Also old newspaper ads show the address as 7540. See posted ad in “Photo section”.
Jeff Frank was the theater owner.
There is a article about this theater in Scary Monsters Memories #4. Article titled “The Drexel North Closes: The End Of A Era”.
Newspaper ad from Oct. 6, 1979 Chicago Sun-Times showing when the Lake Shore Theater was to re-open on Oct. 12, 1979. (see Photos section) Ad says “We are installing new seats”.