I just added a mid `30’s photo of the Booth Theater, which is the same building the current State Theater is in. Booth Theater should be added as the previous name to the State’s Overview.
Interesting that the giant ball signage spells out BOWLING in the circa 1940 photo, and TOWER in the late `40’s photo I just posted.
It is identified on the right in the 1940 photo, but I believe it is on the left. Did the bowling alley convert into the Tower Theater?
After some research it appears it originally opened as the Orpheum. Had a minor fire in 1912, then a major fire in 1920. Was rebuilt and remained the Orpheum at least through the 1920’s. It was later renamed the Rialto probably in the 30's, and finally the Rex in the40’s. Judging by the chronology of the photos I posted.
Caption and comments on the “Memories of growing up or living in Mexico, MO.” Facebook page photo I just posted, claim the theatre’s previous names were the Orpheum, Rialto then Rex.
Theatre name spelling should be changed from Center to Centre.
Buildings in the 1961 photo I just added also matched the current Google Street View that previously served as the overview image.
The above address is incorrect.
The Rush Theatre was located at 874 N. Wabash, not Rush.
Conners Park has been a park since 1848.
Google Conners Park on the www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com website for it’s history.
The Alley, Rat Fink, Scotch Mist & Candy Store listed above were also all at the Wabash address.
A photo of the Candy Store in 1976 can be found on a search of the Candy Store name, Chicago and the year on a website called Gapers Block.
Please delete this image. It is a repeat. Photo is from Flickr and actually courtesy of another. There is a clearer version of it in the comments section.
I ran into an old friend recently who told me a cool story. He worked at the Cinema in the early `70’s when “Le Boucher”(The Butcher) played there several times.
He was instructed by Mr. Usher to go up on a ladder and touch up the red paint on the marquee. Before he could finish, the can fell to the sidewalk and splattered red paint everywhere. They tried to clean up as much as they could, but being oil base paint the turpentine could only do so much as to spread it around, in the time they had.
Because of the film’s theme however, theater goers just assumed it was another of Oscar Brotman’s showman’s touch.
I just added a 1933 photo of the side of the Kedzie Theatre. Poster boxes indicate theatre is spelled with an “e” at the end, and not as theater.
Should be changed accordingly on the Overview.
Photo source unknown.
I have read in the past that the auditorium and interior of the theatre were already gutted prior to the landmark designation. So it’s only the facade that will be protected at this point.
BTW readers will not be able to open the above link as it is posted. This has been an issue ever since CT changed their website design.
Photo loaded twice due to CT error.
I’ve added some more images to the Photos Section. One is of the Rhumba Casino that preceded the Shangri-La Restaurant, but in the same building.
I just added a mid `30’s photo of the Booth Theater, which is the same building the current State Theater is in. Booth Theater should be added as the previous name to the State’s Overview.
Interesting that the giant ball signage spells out BOWLING in the circa 1940 photo, and TOWER in the late `40’s photo I just posted. It is identified on the right in the 1940 photo, but I believe it is on the left. Did the bowling alley convert into the Tower Theater?
I just added a 1948 photo of the Rialto, courtesy of the Lincoln Land Facebook page.
I just added a 1952 photo of the Campus Theater.
Just posted a 1934 poster for the Sutton Theatre. Spelling should be changed from “Theater” to “Theatre” in the Overview description.
Likely 1951 photo.
This ad is from 1926.
After some research it appears it originally opened as the Orpheum. Had a minor fire in 1912, then a major fire in 1920. Was rebuilt and remained the Orpheum at least through the 1920’s. It was later renamed the Rialto probably in the
30's, and finally the Rex in the40’s. Judging by the chronology of the photos I posted.1970 image above.
Please add George Cline as the source for the above photo, via the Facebook page I named.
Please add George Cline as the source for the photo I posted, via the Facebook page I named.
Caption and comments on the “Memories of growing up or living in Mexico, MO.” Facebook page photo I just posted, claim the theatre’s previous names were the Orpheum, Rialto then Rex.
Spelling should be changed from Theater to Theatre per the 1984 photo posted by Lost Memory on 05/16/09.
Theatre name spelling should be changed from Center to Centre. Buildings in the 1961 photo I just added also matched the current Google Street View that previously served as the overview image.
This photo was originally taken by Russell Lee.
The above address is incorrect. The Rush Theatre was located at 874 N. Wabash, not Rush. Conners Park has been a park since 1848. Google Conners Park on the www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com website for it’s history. The Alley, Rat Fink, Scotch Mist & Candy Store listed above were also all at the Wabash address. A photo of the Candy Store in 1976 can be found on a search of the Candy Store name, Chicago and the year on a website called Gapers Block.
Please delete this image. It is a repeat. Photo is from Flickr and actually courtesy of another. There is a clearer version of it in the comments section.
I ran into an old friend recently who told me a cool story. He worked at the Cinema in the early `70’s when “Le Boucher”(The Butcher) played there several times. He was instructed by Mr. Usher to go up on a ladder and touch up the red paint on the marquee. Before he could finish, the can fell to the sidewalk and splattered red paint everywhere. They tried to clean up as much as they could, but being oil base paint the turpentine could only do so much as to spread it around, in the time they had. Because of the film’s theme however, theater goers just assumed it was another of Oscar Brotman’s showman’s touch.
I just added a 1933 photo of the side of the Kedzie Theatre. Poster boxes indicate theatre is spelled with an “e” at the end, and not as theater. Should be changed accordingly on the Overview. Photo source unknown.
Source should be www.TampaTheatre.org
Or CT could just go ahead fix this, since it’s been an issue for so long…
I have read in the past that the auditorium and interior of the theatre were already gutted prior to the landmark designation. So it’s only the facade that will be protected at this point. BTW readers will not be able to open the above link as it is posted. This has been an issue ever since CT changed their website design.
I just added a 1955 photo of the Theatre Francais I found on Facebook.