BTW II: A Mr. Haven’s wrote an excellent comment yesterday that posted to that current story on the home page.
Maybe CT admins can transfer it directly to this Capitola page.
I guess it’s doomed when the Mayor doesn’t consider it historic.
Then they cite the property forcing abatement due to health concerns. It’s just a route to get the owner/ developer to tear it down all the quicker.
Wonder how many of those “threatened” Eucalyptus trees will come down to build the hotel?
If the developer included plans for a small stage within the hotel, it might quell any backlash.
Though no one even commented to the newspaper’s article forum.
The link to the current status & story is on the CT Home page BTW.
Interesting. I guess the church could still rent it out to others for live events, but not sure how that would work with their tax exempt/non for profit status.
Doing so might quell some of the negativity posted in the comments on the Flathead Beacon site. If resistant community members felt it was open to other cultural events.
Taking it off the tax rolls seems the biggest complaint.
I see several mentions of the old Mill Run Theatre in some of the older posts.
Where exactly was the Mill Run located?
I know we went there a few times for various shows. Thanks to all.
Here’s a silly question.
Did the Bel-Air Drive In’s name actually have the hyphen/dash in the middle of it?
The sign appears to have taken some creative license with an extended portion of the “A”. But with the spacing between the “Bel” and the “Air”, it appears to me to really be just the “Bel Air”.
I only ask because all of the posts refer to it as the Bel-Air. Just curious. I guess only the incorporation papers might yield the answer. Just curious.
Your plans do sound great CinemarkFan. Here’s some extra food for though.
One of the problems I’ve heard/read of in the past, was that some studios and/or distributors were dictating where and what theaters their mainstream films would be released to, to play.
Particularly presumed blockbusters like say “Dark Knight”. If you don’t have the deals in place in advance, it’s possible you wouldn’t be able to secure copies and show certain films, even when or if they are NOT at other theaters nearby.
Best to do some research with other theater owners, as to how they are able to request films in advance. Both mainstream and arthouse films.
The Music Box folks might be able to steer you in the right direction. They premiered “The Break Up”, and then went back to their usual fare of art films.
As well intentioned and as welcome your plans are, there will be unforseen roadblocks that defy logic in some instances. I’m not quite sure lack of attendance was any factor in the closing of McClurg. It certainly seemed very viable up to the end.
Shouldn’t there have been annual city inspections that would have caught that stuff much earlier? Why did it take a parent’s complaint, no doubt a connected one, for the city to step in?
Ironic that it survived as an X-Rated house for so long, and then gets shut down when it’s finally booking the types of things we’d want all older theatres to host, in order to survive.
Sounds like some random CYA on that city’s part. Fire system not up to code? You’d think the city would have been on top of that way earlier, like after The Station night club fire. Chicago reinspected all it’s bars immediately after it’s own E2 tragedy.
It couldn’t hurt to bounce your ideas off of the newer 42nd Ward Alderman Brendon Reilly. He’s a younger guy, and much more in tune with the wants & needs of the neighborhood than his long time predecessor.
He was recently instrumental in the landmarking of the Village Theatre on Clark Street.
In 1970 we lived at 863 N. Dearborn. Which is directly across Bughouse Square (Washinton Park), from where the Newberry Theatre stood. You could see the theatre from our front door, but it was non descript and dwarfed by the Jocke Buick lot & signage next door to it.
The park itself is historic as many soapbox debates took place there in the 1920’s. The late Chicago author Studs Terkel would often go to the annual reenactments they still have there.
By 1970 the park was overun with winos & degenerates. There was a structure in the center where a fountain is now, that many would drink & sleep in around the clock. The Salvation Army headquarters was across from the park on Delaware, which is now condos.
Looks good, new windows and all throughout. Shame about the loss of the auditorium though.
To answer Don’s 11/08 question, demolition crews often start their demo in the middle of buildings that are being torn down. Even if surrounding structures are not to be saved.
It is a way in which to contain collateral damage, and it creates a bowl like staging area, in which to bulldoze fallen brick & materials into scoopable piles. It also eliminates “cave-ins”.
When saving partial buildings or surrounding structures is involved, it allows the crews to sort of shave off from the inside, what might otherwise undermine the structural integrity of everything else. By peeling away layers more delicately. It also prevents damage to the neighboring foundations.
FYI. Michael’s (formerly Mitchell’s), the restaurant next door now appears closed down as well. I couldn’t stop to read the sign taped to the window.
But I asked some friends and they thought it was permanent.
Fortunately the recent landmarking of the Village, can prevent any developer argument of even more dead space as a reason to demolish.
If I remember correctly, they had the 3 Penny outfitted to look like a hotel for the filming of “Public Enemies. They hung a retro distressed neon HOTEL sign over the doorways in DarkRefrain’s above picture.
Wow, that pic must be from last week. Depp & crew were just here for the premiere at the AMC theatres down on Illinois Street. WGN’s Dean Richards interviewed Depp the day of. I didn’t realize they did another promotional stint actually at the Biograph.
I didn’t think the renovated Biograph?Victory Gardens space included provisions for showing films.
FYI. Director Harold Ramis premiered his new film “Year One” at the Music Box Theatre last night. He still lives near Chicago. Some of the exterior footage may still be up on WGNTV’s website. WGN’s Dean Richards interviewed Ramis out front in the rain.
Am I the only one who noticed the SNAFU store next door? How fitting for the X rated fare at the Monroe.
Extra credit for the “Dead Head” logo in the store’s window. (cue the rim shot) Doh!
Interesting & versatile concept.
The website still advertises films, matinees etc. Albeit using 2008 dates. Plus the floor plan still looks like a theater type setting. Maybe they just haven’t updated the site for 2009 as of yet.
Great post KenC. I mentioned over on the Surf/Playboy/Chelex/Sandburg Theatre page, that some “North By Northwest” scenes were shot at the Ambassador East Hotel. And a famous still of Cary Grant peeking around an alley wall, was shot across the street almost to Astor. Behind the building at the S/W corner of Astor & Goethe.
Someone else had posted that Grant himself was at the grand opening of the Walgreen’s that replaced the Sandburg Theatre in the early `80’s.
I wonder if this Indian Lake town, was the inspiration for the Cowsills hit song “Indian Lake”?
They were frOm not too far away in Newport, Rhode Island.
You hit the nail on the head LTS. The only logic however was greed disguised at progress.
The City Of Evanston seemed to become WAY more pro-development, after those condos went up at and around Davis & Sherman.
Developers promised tons of multiple units with whatever many new individual tax bills for each. Plus that many more new citizens buying city vehicle stickers, shopping locally, blah blah etc.
Versus one or two bank buildings (or say theaters), with their solo tax bills. Or the city’s very own municipal multi level parking garage, which was deemed “unsafe”, and taking up valuable real estate itself.
I never thought I’d miss those “World’s Largest Garage Sales”, even after it had become rows & rows of new sweat socks & dog chews instead of collectables, but I do.
The Evanston downtown suffered the same fate my beloved Near North Side did under the eyes of former Alderman Natarus for 30+ years. That any & all development was a “bonus” to the neighborhood, and to hell with history and the logic of what over saturation would bring it.
In Evanston’s case, the fact the Northwestern University pays nothing in taxes, and has the most prime lakefront real estate in the city, surely comes into play. The self induced tax shortfalls, are all put on the backs of the homeowners, Some who have owned there since it was a sleepy small town.
I have an 84 year old friend there.
His taxes are between 10K-15K a year, WITH the senior freeze. On a house he paid off in 1970. Just blocks away from Wilmette, where a comparable homes' taxes are around 6K-7K WITHOUT a senior living in them.
His house is likely worth more torn down for the land, than it is now.
Evidenced by a McMansion that went up next to him.
Since both the developers and the city were probably blindsided by the economic turn down, they find themselves right where they deserve to be.
And the Evanston residents are left to suffer. Albeit while the formers get an undeserved “out” by blaming the economy. For what is basically justifiable punishment for their greed, lack of sympathy for local history, and lack of foresight that the condo bubble had to burst on somebody’s watch.
This is a little late, but I wanted to commend Wintermute on her apparent valiant efforts to buy her hometown theatre, and keep it operating as such. It’s a shame her efforts met with such resistance by her business partners.
BTW II: A Mr. Haven’s wrote an excellent comment yesterday that posted to that current story on the home page.
Maybe CT admins can transfer it directly to this Capitola page.
I guess it’s doomed when the Mayor doesn’t consider it historic.
Then they cite the property forcing abatement due to health concerns. It’s just a route to get the owner/ developer to tear it down all the quicker.
Wonder how many of those “threatened” Eucalyptus trees will come down to build the hotel?
If the developer included plans for a small stage within the hotel, it might quell any backlash.
Though no one even commented to the newspaper’s article forum.
The link to the current status & story is on the CT Home page BTW.
Interesting. I guess the church could still rent it out to others for live events, but not sure how that would work with their tax exempt/non for profit status.
Doing so might quell some of the negativity posted in the comments on the Flathead Beacon site. If resistant community members felt it was open to other cultural events.
Taking it off the tax rolls seems the biggest complaint.
I see several mentions of the old Mill Run Theatre in some of the older posts.
Where exactly was the Mill Run located?
I know we went there a few times for various shows. Thanks to all.
Here’s a silly question.
Did the Bel-Air Drive In’s name actually have the hyphen/dash in the middle of it?
The sign appears to have taken some creative license with an extended portion of the “A”. But with the spacing between the “Bel” and the “Air”, it appears to me to really be just the “Bel Air”.
I only ask because all of the posts refer to it as the Bel-Air. Just curious. I guess only the incorporation papers might yield the answer. Just curious.
Your plans do sound great CinemarkFan. Here’s some extra food for though.
One of the problems I’ve heard/read of in the past, was that some studios and/or distributors were dictating where and what theaters their mainstream films would be released to, to play.
Particularly presumed blockbusters like say “Dark Knight”. If you don’t have the deals in place in advance, it’s possible you wouldn’t be able to secure copies and show certain films, even when or if they are NOT at other theaters nearby.
Best to do some research with other theater owners, as to how they are able to request films in advance. Both mainstream and arthouse films.
The Music Box folks might be able to steer you in the right direction. They premiered “The Break Up”, and then went back to their usual fare of art films.
As well intentioned and as welcome your plans are, there will be unforseen roadblocks that defy logic in some instances. I’m not quite sure lack of attendance was any factor in the closing of McClurg. It certainly seemed very viable up to the end.
Shouldn’t there have been annual city inspections that would have caught that stuff much earlier? Why did it take a parent’s complaint, no doubt a connected one, for the city to step in?
Ironic that it survived as an X-Rated house for so long, and then gets shut down when it’s finally booking the types of things we’d want all older theatres to host, in order to survive.
Sounds like some random CYA on that city’s part. Fire system not up to code? You’d think the city would have been on top of that way earlier, like after The Station night club fire. Chicago reinspected all it’s bars immediately after it’s own E2 tragedy.
I wish you well in your pursuit CinemarkFan.
It couldn’t hurt to bounce your ideas off of the newer 42nd Ward Alderman Brendon Reilly. He’s a younger guy, and much more in tune with the wants & needs of the neighborhood than his long time predecessor.
He was recently instrumental in the landmarking of the Village Theatre on Clark Street.
In 1970 we lived at 863 N. Dearborn. Which is directly across Bughouse Square (Washinton Park), from where the Newberry Theatre stood. You could see the theatre from our front door, but it was non descript and dwarfed by the Jocke Buick lot & signage next door to it.
The park itself is historic as many soapbox debates took place there in the 1920’s. The late Chicago author Studs Terkel would often go to the annual reenactments they still have there.
By 1970 the park was overun with winos & degenerates. There was a structure in the center where a fountain is now, that many would drink & sleep in around the clock. The Salvation Army headquarters was across from the park on Delaware, which is now condos.
863 N. Dearborn is now home to Hazelden Rehab.
Looks good, new windows and all throughout. Shame about the loss of the auditorium though.
To answer Don’s 11/08 question, demolition crews often start their demo in the middle of buildings that are being torn down. Even if surrounding structures are not to be saved.
It is a way in which to contain collateral damage, and it creates a bowl like staging area, in which to bulldoze fallen brick & materials into scoopable piles. It also eliminates “cave-ins”.
When saving partial buildings or surrounding structures is involved, it allows the crews to sort of shave off from the inside, what might otherwise undermine the structural integrity of everything else. By peeling away layers more delicately. It also prevents damage to the neighboring foundations.
Shaping up nicely. Good to see they tore off that ugly wood facade.
Must be big money into it by now.
FYI. Michael’s (formerly Mitchell’s), the restaurant next door now appears closed down as well. I couldn’t stop to read the sign taped to the window.
But I asked some friends and they thought it was permanent.
Fortunately the recent landmarking of the Village, can prevent any developer argument of even more dead space as a reason to demolish.
If I remember correctly, they had the 3 Penny outfitted to look like a hotel for the filming of “Public Enemies. They hung a retro distressed neon HOTEL sign over the doorways in DarkRefrain’s above picture.
Wow, that pic must be from last week. Depp & crew were just here for the premiere at the AMC theatres down on Illinois Street. WGN’s Dean Richards interviewed Depp the day of. I didn’t realize they did another promotional stint actually at the Biograph.
I didn’t think the renovated Biograph?Victory Gardens space included provisions for showing films.
FYI. Director Harold Ramis premiered his new film “Year One” at the Music Box Theatre last night. He still lives near Chicago. Some of the exterior footage may still be up on WGNTV’s website. WGN’s Dean Richards interviewed Ramis out front in the rain.
Well, the surviving Cowsill members are performing 10 days in Branson MO. soon. Might just have to buzz down there & find out.
Am I the only one who noticed the SNAFU store next door? How fitting for the X rated fare at the Monroe.
Extra credit for the “Dead Head” logo in the store’s window. (cue the rim shot) Doh!
Interesting & versatile concept.
The website still advertises films, matinees etc. Albeit using 2008 dates. Plus the floor plan still looks like a theater type setting. Maybe they just haven’t updated the site for 2009 as of yet.
FYI,
55 Plymouth in the56 picture. I had an identical56 model, but the55 had lower tail fins as pictured.P.S. Given it’s the same year as the Stooges visit, a Croonola must have been the current fad.
Google has a “Croonola” as some type of “sub-musical instrument” in a December 1959 New Yorker article link.
Great post KenC. I mentioned over on the Surf/Playboy/Chelex/Sandburg Theatre page, that some “North By Northwest” scenes were shot at the Ambassador East Hotel. And a famous still of Cary Grant peeking around an alley wall, was shot across the street almost to Astor. Behind the building at the S/W corner of Astor & Goethe.
Someone else had posted that Grant himself was at the grand opening of the Walgreen’s that replaced the Sandburg Theatre in the early `80’s.
I wonder if this Indian Lake town, was the inspiration for the Cowsills hit song “Indian Lake”?
They were frOm not too far away in Newport, Rhode Island.
You hit the nail on the head LTS. The only logic however was greed disguised at progress.
The City Of Evanston seemed to become WAY more pro-development, after those condos went up at and around Davis & Sherman.
Developers promised tons of multiple units with whatever many new individual tax bills for each. Plus that many more new citizens buying city vehicle stickers, shopping locally, blah blah etc.
Versus one or two bank buildings (or say theaters), with their solo tax bills. Or the city’s very own municipal multi level parking garage, which was deemed “unsafe”, and taking up valuable real estate itself.
I never thought I’d miss those “World’s Largest Garage Sales”, even after it had become rows & rows of new sweat socks & dog chews instead of collectables, but I do.
The Evanston downtown suffered the same fate my beloved Near North Side did under the eyes of former Alderman Natarus for 30+ years. That any & all development was a “bonus” to the neighborhood, and to hell with history and the logic of what over saturation would bring it.
In Evanston’s case, the fact the Northwestern University pays nothing in taxes, and has the most prime lakefront real estate in the city, surely comes into play. The self induced tax shortfalls, are all put on the backs of the homeowners, Some who have owned there since it was a sleepy small town.
I have an 84 year old friend there.
His taxes are between 10K-15K a year, WITH the senior freeze. On a house he paid off in 1970. Just blocks away from Wilmette, where a comparable homes' taxes are around 6K-7K WITHOUT a senior living in them.
His house is likely worth more torn down for the land, than it is now.
Evidenced by a McMansion that went up next to him.
Since both the developers and the city were probably blindsided by the economic turn down, they find themselves right where they deserve to be.
And the Evanston residents are left to suffer. Albeit while the formers get an undeserved “out” by blaming the economy. For what is basically justifiable punishment for their greed, lack of sympathy for local history, and lack of foresight that the condo bubble had to burst on somebody’s watch.
This is a little late, but I wanted to commend Wintermute on her apparent valiant efforts to buy her hometown theatre, and keep it operating as such. It’s a shame her efforts met with such resistance by her business partners.