We’re in a similar situation here in Los Angeles. Lots of gentrification in the downtown area, but some of the theaters on Broadway have been out of commission for so long that it’s doubtful films could ever be shown again.
Lost Memory mentioned an address of 37-27 82nd Street back in September 2006. That’s the listing for the theater in the 1959 yellow pages. It looks like the current occupant at 37-27 is a women’s clothing store. http://tinyurl.com/5t6apc
That was an interesting video. I can see why those old machines were always bursting into flames. I can also remember some not so good projectionists that could not “seamlessly segue” from reel to reel. Sometimes there was a jump and some scratchy film when the new reel started.
Here is part of an article from the Montana Independent Record dated 8/31/53:
Explosion Rocks Chicago Area; One Man Killed
Chicago â€" (AP) â€" An explosion rocked a west side neighborhood early Monday, killing one man and demolishing a 1,000-seat movie theater. The dead man was identified as Joseph Lochansky, the owner of a shoe shop adjoining the Oakley Theater. Cause of the blast was unknown.
Sections of several buildings on both sides of the theater were blown apart. At least nine cars parked in garages and the alley behind the theater were damaged. The blast shattered numerous windows in surrounding apartment buildings. A rear wall and roof of the theater were blown off. No immediate damage estimate was made.
The theater was showing a boxing match last night:
http://tinyurl.com/6kzo7c
http://tinyurl.com/6lxalt
http://tinyurl.com/6oaof8
Here are two photos taken yesterday:
http://tinyurl.com/5uhgmt
http://tinyurl.com/5erjj3
Here is a photo taken yesterday:
http://tinyurl.com/67lmm9
Here are some photos taken last night:
http://tinyurl.com/5smsnd
http://tinyurl.com/5pjokq
http://tinyurl.com/6agjv5
Theater banner:
http://tinyurl.com/6aww52
Here is a photo of the marquee taken last night. Bonus photo is the creepy Scientology Christmas party next door.
http://tinyurl.com/5q4xum
http://tinyurl.com/6q96ua
The theater can be seen on the left in this October 1959 photo from Life Magazine:
http://tinyurl.com/6rzj6b
We’re in a similar situation here in Los Angeles. Lots of gentrification in the downtown area, but some of the theaters on Broadway have been out of commission for so long that it’s doubtful films could ever be shown again.
Here is the theater website:
http://tinyurl.com/6ztk77
Listed in 1958 yellow pages: LindnBl StAlb LAurltn 5-9455.
Lost Memory mentioned an address of 37-27 82nd Street back in September 2006. That’s the listing for the theater in the 1959 yellow pages. It looks like the current occupant at 37-27 is a women’s clothing store.
http://tinyurl.com/5t6apc
The Temple of what?
I assume the Starbucks is in the lobby. Is the back of the house still suitable for showing films?
That was an interesting video. I can see why those old machines were always bursting into flames. I can also remember some not so good projectionists that could not “seamlessly segue” from reel to reel. Sometimes there was a jump and some scratchy film when the new reel started.
Here is a view of the current location from Google maps:
http://tinyurl.com/6jeq4z
Here is a 1936 photo of Radner Pratsch, one time owner of the Realart Theater:
http://tinyurl.com/5b23s6
Also advertised as the Landmark Soo Theatre, referring to the chain.
Small photo here:
http://tinyurl.com/5zd9qg
There was a story in the Austin (IL) News on 3/3/65 about the impending demolition of the Symphony:
http://tinyurl.com/5j2mta
Interior photo on the restaurant website:
http://www.johnnyfarina.com/gallery.htm
Current occupant:
http://tinyurl.com/5bxbq2
Here is the restaurant website:
http://www.ritzonmain.com/
I believe that part of the property is now underneath the Ronald Reagan Freeway.
I just bought tickets to see Nixon/Frost tomorrow night. The last movie I saw at the Cinerama Dome was “Arachnophobia”, so it’s been a while.
Here is part of an article from the Montana Independent Record dated 8/31/53:
Explosion Rocks Chicago Area; One Man Killed
Chicago â€" (AP) â€" An explosion rocked a west side neighborhood early Monday, killing one man and demolishing a 1,000-seat movie theater. The dead man was identified as Joseph Lochansky, the owner of a shoe shop adjoining the Oakley Theater. Cause of the blast was unknown.
Sections of several buildings on both sides of the theater were blown apart. At least nine cars parked in garages and the alley behind the theater were damaged. The blast shattered numerous windows in surrounding apartment buildings. A rear wall and roof of the theater were blown off. No immediate damage estimate was made.