I stand corrected. The Ritz somehow got put in the same archives as The Oakwyn. – The Oakwyn is now a Teamsters HQ. I’m going to let The Theatre Historical Society know that they have some errors.
Thanks to Doug Deuthler’s books. I only own Berwyn, but I want to get a copy of Cicero too. I just can’t find it now, nor afford it.
I’m undergoing cancer treatments, and my insurance isn’t covering much. (Hey, we’re in Illinois, we take what we can get.) Thank you for the correction AKC Bob Jensen.
Hello Bob V.
My website, although undergoing major revamping is a tribute to The Granada. I would like to interview you. Please email me directly.
Also, anyone else with a personal Granada story, I’d like to hear it. :)
No, The Marks Brothers were two men who had theatres all around the US. The Harpo, Grouch, Chico, Zeppo variety spelled it MARX.
The Marx Brothers, no doubtedly met the Marks brothers many times on the vaudevillian circuit. :)
CHI74, someone lead you down the garden path, so allow me to help you stop and smell the roses. :) Just help me pull the weeds would you? :)
Oh yes, the apartments and offices of the Berwyn theatre had a fire. The theatre itself wasn’t touched. But some Berwyn official decided that “Since the building is not in it’s entirety, we cannot give it landmark status.” [ACTIVATE CAPTAIN SUBTEXT]
“Since LaSalle Bank has offered to provide their services to The City Of Berwyn, thus giving over $100 Million to our city every month, we can clear space for them to open a branch.” [DEACTIVATE CAPTAIN SUBTEXT] :–(
The Theatre Historical society is located in Elmhurst IL on York Rd, just South of Palmer. They are upstairs of the York Theatre. :)
The interior of the Marboro was much like The Granada Theatre. The Marboro was Granada’s red-haired twin sister once removed. I have interior shots of The Granada, but not The Marboro.
corvetteguy1963,
You are correct. That used to be a McDonald’s Restaurant. The movie palace was replaced by something that claims to have killed over a billion cows to serve a nation’s indigestion. I had forgotten that it’s an insurance agency now. Today the site of the old movie palace is covering people’s personal “assets”
The correct address of the Ritz theatre was 6337 – Whoever put the info in the database has a typo. 6337 W Roosevelt Rd, now known as ONE ATRIUM COURT. – Kevincon, thanks for the info. Come on people, someone must have pictures. The Theatre Historical Society would love them, and The Berwyn Historical society only has tickets from The RITZ. :(
Life’s too short:
Yes, “Granada Plaza” or “Fordham Hall” as the students from Loyola University call it. http://www.luc.edu/reslife/llcs/ford/
What was supposed to be residential property turned into exactly what Senior Lifestyles promised it wouldn’t.
A residence hall where yuppie college students who’s wealthy parents are paying for them to reside.
Hrm, my cage is rattling… :P No, seriously, the Century type thing was suggested, or at least using the façade as the entry way, or the lobby for the lobby to the building. BUT the head of Senior Lifestyles answered each question the same: “Can’t it’s too rotton!”
All of these ideas were put up for consideration, but the Senior Lifestyles people were too inconsiderate.
Paul :)
You make the rounds of all my favourites. The Berwyn tried to rise from the ashes of the fire that destroyed it’s lovely apartments. Kris Kristofferson did play there. Other acts were booked, but cancelled due to something not being up to fire code – Those political fingers, in the political pies again. The Berwyn stood empty for about 10 years, and in 1985 I think it was finally razed to give way to The LaSalle Bank. – Arcitecural Preservationists (me) tried to get it declared a landmark, but unfortunately – with the apartments and shops destroyed in the fire – more than 50% of the building was gone, and therefore the request to give it landmark status was (rubber stamp sound) DENIED! :(
The Will Rogers Theatre used to stand on the corner near Belmont & Central – Friends of mine in the Dr. Who set owned a little store called “The New Fantasy Shop” famous for Dr. Who, and Sci-Fi related items. I do believe I saw a film there before the almighty wrecking ball made way for a new strip mall, or condos or whatever took it’s place. :( I haven’t been up that way in a while.
Hi Paul,
Yes www.oldgranadatheatre.com is my webpage :) It seems there were a lot of political fingers, in a lot of political pies back in that day. So who got who paid off is hard to say. The Granada had her fate sealed. Those who were very active on the “Save The Granada” committee disappeared faster than yesterdays trash. – Mayor Harold Washington was going to sign paperwork to have it labled “Landmark,” The papers were still on his desk when he suffered his fatal heart attack. His successor’s first order of business was to put that document through the paper shredder. It was bigger than Greylord Scandal if you ask me.
BUT….. THAT’S CHICAGO! :(
That vintage photo was actually taken in 1978 – shortly before the restoration which would open it up to ROCKY HORROR, and CONCERTS, and DR. WHO CONVENTIONS. :)
Thanks Paul :)
You’re a true Chicagoan that knows we got the best ward alderen money can buy. M&M was well in the black when I saw their books, and pending SBA Loan Application. The liquor license was all it needed. :(
There doesn’t seem to be any pictures of this theatre either interior, or exterior. All the Theatre Historical Society has is a folder with about 2 pages of info, and it was mainly newspaper advertising for what’s playing, and the realty info for when it was converted to the condos (Called ONE ATRIUM COURT) The original name of The Ritz was the Oakwyn – because it’s on Roosevelt Rd, or “Roosey” as some of the locals call it and it boarders Oak Park, and Berwyn. :) I’d love to see some photos.
MarkNYLA: Thanks for the correction. The condos are in the same area as where the theatre stood. My coordinates were just a little off. You have to remember that at that time my brain was spaced out on sensation (among other things) :)
I saw the inside of the theatre not long before it was demolished. The owners were creeps! I wanted to try and rent it out, and make a go of it, but they basically wanted to “unload” the place. Unfortunately, I lacked backing and couldn’t write them a cheque for $1,175,000. Here’s a tidbit though: The interior of the theatre was seen in the movie Back Draft. The owners were amazed that I recognised it. :) The interior was intact, with it’s beautiful white, and blue marbled lobby. Full working stage. They wanted to take out the first 9 rows to build the stage out further as they had dreams of a concert hall type thing, or live venue. Most shows now require a larger stage depth. The whole thing was just beautiful. Now it stands no more. Just a vacant lot where a beautiful movie palace once stood. It’s truly a sin!
The mural is still there, but the new owners don’t have it on their list of “priorities” It wasn’t originally a theatre. It was a Czech dance hall / bingo parlour / Banquet facility. It was converted to a theatre around 1950 something. Sokol (or gymnastics) is still held in that building. I got a whole brief history of it when I went there ISO a venue for a show. :) Still very beautiful. The carpeting on the stairs leading into the theatre is blue with sort of a tile like design on it. Now renamed “The Concordia” it is serving the Latin culture that populates the town of Cicero now.
BUT, like The Berwyn theatre – your shoes still stuck to the floor here as well. :)
Ah, the 8th St. Playhouse. Made famous for showing Rocky Horror, and is seen in the movie “Fame” when a Doris, and Ralph attend Rocky
Sal Piro – president of The RHPS Fan Club played himself – The best Rocky Horror MC there ever will be. – All the regulars got their face on film too. – Somehow the fact that it’s been replaced by luxurious condos doesn’t seem right. I bet no one in unit 3B is doing The Time Warp. Perhaps the only rice, cards, or tp that gets thrown is by the couple in 12A who are always bitchin' in the kitchen, and cryin' in the bedroom all night. BUT I digress. :)
To me, it’s another classic theatre lost to the almighty green-back.
I stand corrected. The Ritz somehow got put in the same archives as The Oakwyn. – The Oakwyn is now a Teamsters HQ. I’m going to let The Theatre Historical Society know that they have some errors.
Thanks to Doug Deuthler’s books. I only own Berwyn, but I want to get a copy of Cicero too. I just can’t find it now, nor afford it.
I’m undergoing cancer treatments, and my insurance isn’t covering much. (Hey, we’re in Illinois, we take what we can get.) Thank you for the correction AKC Bob Jensen.
Hello Bob V.
My website, although undergoing major revamping is a tribute to The Granada. I would like to interview you. Please email me directly.
Also, anyone else with a personal Granada story, I’d like to hear it. :)
No, The Marks Brothers were two men who had theatres all around the US. The Harpo, Grouch, Chico, Zeppo variety spelled it MARX.
The Marx Brothers, no doubtedly met the Marks brothers many times on the vaudevillian circuit. :)
CHI74, someone lead you down the garden path, so allow me to help you stop and smell the roses. :) Just help me pull the weeds would you? :)
Oh yes, the apartments and offices of the Berwyn theatre had a fire. The theatre itself wasn’t touched. But some Berwyn official decided that “Since the building is not in it’s entirety, we cannot give it landmark status.” [ACTIVATE CAPTAIN SUBTEXT]
“Since LaSalle Bank has offered to provide their services to The City Of Berwyn, thus giving over $100 Million to our city every month, we can clear space for them to open a branch.” [DEACTIVATE CAPTAIN SUBTEXT] :–(
No fire that I know of.
The Theatre Historical society is located in Elmhurst IL on York Rd, just South of Palmer. They are upstairs of the York Theatre. :)
The interior of the Marboro was much like The Granada Theatre. The Marboro was Granada’s red-haired twin sister once removed. I have interior shots of The Granada, but not The Marboro.
Grand Mogul,
Do you have a copy of this ad?
Yikes!! I remember Battlestar Gallactica and the attack of the falling celing plaster. Thanks G.Feret for the memories :)
corvetteguy1963,
You are correct. That used to be a McDonald’s Restaurant. The movie palace was replaced by something that claims to have killed over a billion cows to serve a nation’s indigestion. I had forgotten that it’s an insurance agency now. Today the site of the old movie palace is covering people’s personal “assets”
And your shoes will remain forever glued to the floor. :)
The correct address of the Ritz theatre was 6337 – Whoever put the info in the database has a typo. 6337 W Roosevelt Rd, now known as ONE ATRIUM COURT. – Kevincon, thanks for the info. Come on people, someone must have pictures. The Theatre Historical Society would love them, and The Berwyn Historical society only has tickets from The RITZ. :(
Life’s too short:
Yes, “Granada Plaza” or “Fordham Hall” as the students from Loyola University call it.
http://www.luc.edu/reslife/llcs/ford/
What was supposed to be residential property turned into exactly what Senior Lifestyles promised it wouldn’t.
A residence hall where yuppie college students who’s wealthy parents are paying for them to reside.
Hrm, my cage is rattling… :P No, seriously, the Century type thing was suggested, or at least using the façade as the entry way, or the lobby for the lobby to the building. BUT the head of Senior Lifestyles answered each question the same: “Can’t it’s too rotton!”
All of these ideas were put up for consideration, but the Senior Lifestyles people were too inconsiderate.
The Marbro was actually the blond haired twin sister of The Grandada How I’d love to see interior pictures. :)
Condos stand here now. – What else? :(
No one seems to have any pictures of The Roxy – nor do I think The Theatre Historical Society has any info.
Paul :)
You make the rounds of all my favourites. The Berwyn tried to rise from the ashes of the fire that destroyed it’s lovely apartments. Kris Kristofferson did play there. Other acts were booked, but cancelled due to something not being up to fire code – Those political fingers, in the political pies again. The Berwyn stood empty for about 10 years, and in 1985 I think it was finally razed to give way to The LaSalle Bank. – Arcitecural Preservationists (me) tried to get it declared a landmark, but unfortunately – with the apartments and shops destroyed in the fire – more than 50% of the building was gone, and therefore the request to give it landmark status was (rubber stamp sound) DENIED! :(
The Will Rogers Theatre used to stand on the corner near Belmont & Central – Friends of mine in the Dr. Who set owned a little store called “The New Fantasy Shop” famous for Dr. Who, and Sci-Fi related items. I do believe I saw a film there before the almighty wrecking ball made way for a new strip mall, or condos or whatever took it’s place. :( I haven’t been up that way in a while.
Hi Paul,
Yes www.oldgranadatheatre.com is my webpage :) It seems there were a lot of political fingers, in a lot of political pies back in that day. So who got who paid off is hard to say. The Granada had her fate sealed. Those who were very active on the “Save The Granada” committee disappeared faster than yesterdays trash. – Mayor Harold Washington was going to sign paperwork to have it labled “Landmark,” The papers were still on his desk when he suffered his fatal heart attack. His successor’s first order of business was to put that document through the paper shredder. It was bigger than Greylord Scandal if you ask me.
BUT….. THAT’S CHICAGO! :(
That vintage photo was actually taken in 1978 – shortly before the restoration which would open it up to ROCKY HORROR, and CONCERTS, and DR. WHO CONVENTIONS. :)
Thanks Paul :)
You’re a true Chicagoan that knows we got the best ward alderen money can buy. M&M was well in the black when I saw their books, and pending SBA Loan Application. The liquor license was all it needed. :(
Cicero. Cermak just ¼ block East of Laramie
There doesn’t seem to be any pictures of this theatre either interior, or exterior. All the Theatre Historical Society has is a folder with about 2 pages of info, and it was mainly newspaper advertising for what’s playing, and the realty info for when it was converted to the condos (Called ONE ATRIUM COURT) The original name of The Ritz was the Oakwyn – because it’s on Roosevelt Rd, or “Roosey” as some of the locals call it and it boarders Oak Park, and Berwyn. :) I’d love to see some photos.
BobT: Congrats! You are a true Rocky/Shocky fan.
MarkNYLA: Thanks for the correction. The condos are in the same area as where the theatre stood. My coordinates were just a little off. You have to remember that at that time my brain was spaced out on sensation (among other things) :)
Current info on The Olympic http://www.concordia-ent.com/
I saw the inside of the theatre not long before it was demolished. The owners were creeps! I wanted to try and rent it out, and make a go of it, but they basically wanted to “unload” the place. Unfortunately, I lacked backing and couldn’t write them a cheque for $1,175,000. Here’s a tidbit though: The interior of the theatre was seen in the movie Back Draft. The owners were amazed that I recognised it. :) The interior was intact, with it’s beautiful white, and blue marbled lobby. Full working stage. They wanted to take out the first 9 rows to build the stage out further as they had dreams of a concert hall type thing, or live venue. Most shows now require a larger stage depth. The whole thing was just beautiful. Now it stands no more. Just a vacant lot where a beautiful movie palace once stood. It’s truly a sin!
The mural is still there, but the new owners don’t have it on their list of “priorities” It wasn’t originally a theatre. It was a Czech dance hall / bingo parlour / Banquet facility. It was converted to a theatre around 1950 something. Sokol (or gymnastics) is still held in that building. I got a whole brief history of it when I went there ISO a venue for a show. :) Still very beautiful. The carpeting on the stairs leading into the theatre is blue with sort of a tile like design on it. Now renamed “The Concordia” it is serving the Latin culture that populates the town of Cicero now.
BUT, like The Berwyn theatre – your shoes still stuck to the floor here as well. :)
Ah, the 8th St. Playhouse. Made famous for showing Rocky Horror, and is seen in the movie “Fame” when a Doris, and Ralph attend Rocky
Sal Piro – president of The RHPS Fan Club played himself – The best Rocky Horror MC there ever will be. – All the regulars got their face on film too. – Somehow the fact that it’s been replaced by luxurious condos doesn’t seem right. I bet no one in unit 3B is doing The Time Warp. Perhaps the only rice, cards, or tp that gets thrown is by the couple in 12A who are always bitchin' in the kitchen, and cryin' in the bedroom all night. BUT I digress. :)
To me, it’s another classic theatre lost to the almighty green-back.