Wow. Just seeing (Jim) Colosimo’s name, reminded me today is the 80th anniversary of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. And not a word of it mentioned on the evening news.
I think Omni was outright owned by Dominick’s from the get-go. It was Safeway that later bought/merged with Dominick’s long after Omni was history.
Omni was Dominick’s foray into the bulk discount and multi purpose store game. Omni house brands of food products had Dominick’s colors on their labels. In addition they sold stereos, and other household stuff like Wal-Mart does now. There was also an Omni on Clybourn at Wellington in Chicago.
There used to be a regular police presence for traffic control, when Avon employees left in mass every afternoon after work.
Not sure whether Avon or a drive-in would accumulate more cars at a given time. But it goes without saying that the 1940’s & `50’s would have had way less cars on the road.
You may want to try contacting Rich Koz at TV Channel 26 the “U”, in Chicago.
He runs a show called “Stoogapalooza” every Saturday evening on that channel. I assume he is a Stooge historian as well.
I just happened to catch that the New York Drive-In’s website submitted by Lost Memory on Sept. 12th 2008, lists the opening of the Finger Lakes Drive-In as July 15th 1947, as opposed to 1950.
Not sure if that requires further research, and/or warrants an update or not. At least it’s still listed as open, so someone might be able to verify the correct opening year.
As an aside, “The Four Musketeers” was actually filmed the same time as “The Three Musketeers”, a year or so earlier. Apparently the length of the initial project, prompted the studio to cut and release it as two films instead. I read where a lawsuit was filed by the actors, as they were initially paid for only the first film. They supposedly won and were later compensated for the second film.
The Playboy Theatre in Chicago ran both films together during some of their midnight double features in the `70’s. Yesterday would have been Oliver Reed’s 71st birthday. A star on both Musketeer films.
Running two completely different themed films at the Brynn Marr for their grand opening, made good business sense as to appeal to a wider audience.
Ha! Very good. I will admit, it does look cool.
I’d have filled the front windows with multiple stills from “The Last Picture Show”. So visitors could do their own comparisons on the property.
Wonder if that old Texaco is still down the street. Have to go out West again someday.
Yeah I guess so. You’d think the excavation to pour the ramp-concrete alone, would have undermined a freestanding wall in that condition. Maybe it has specific bracing behind it. But why is the wall even left in that manner? Does keeping the building hollowed out that way have some historic significance?
There’s no visible sidewalk to the right of the ramp anyway. Why such grandiose access to an empty structure? Strange. Must have been some egress code or something.
I just remembered the 3 Penny Cinema opened it’s doors as a cooling station, during the annual “Taste Of Lincoln Avenue” street festival maybe 10 years ago. They allowed people to stp into the A/C, and to utilize the restrrom facilities.
It would have been difficult to operate normally as a theater during those 2-3 days. As Lincoln Ave. is blocked off for only those paying a hefty “donation”. And multiple band stages are set-up throughout the fair at street ends. The main entrance stage a mere 25 feet or so from the 3 Penny. People would actually scale the 3 Penny’s rooftop to see the last band of each night. Usually a big name band like Wilco, Cowboy Mouth or Big Head Todd.
Wow. One has to wonder why such an exlaborate handicap access ramp, would have been built right next to what appears as the unsafe remains of the Royal Theater’s wall.
I read somewhere that Rick Nielson of hometown Rockford band Cheap Trick, was going to be involved in the building of some giant entertainment & hotel complex in Rockford.
Maybe the restoration & reopening of the Times Theatre could be a nifty side project. It could even proceed the hotel project, and be a kicking off place for continued shows to drum up support.
The Mayan had a major role this evening on the NBC prime time show “Life”. The theater was the opening scene of the murder of the lead singer of a fictional metal cover band called Hot Lead.
They only utilized tight shots of the marquee sides. But did show the auditorium, stage & suspended mirrored ball. Along with various interior bar shots, and stage door/alley exteriors.
Since it was a new episode, it’s plausible that it was the filming that was taking place the day of ken mc’s Dec. 3rd photo.
Just to further confirm, the Skokie Theatre does have provisions to show films. Though I don’t know the projection or screen specifics, the silent film “Nosferatu” is scheduled there for 8PM on February 27th.
It is advertised along with the rest of Skokie’s full stage, comedy & music schedule for Feb. & Mar., in Street Level. A free local newspaper serving Nortside Chicago, Evanston & Skokie.
Thanks. Cheers to the new Alderman for making the landmarking happen.
That never would have happened with Natarus. If only the Esquire facade could be spared.
Yes!, exactly. But with much less obvious parking signage. I remember the one on Monroe had just small neon arrows for In & Out. Hikers took the cars from patrons once inside.
Apparently there was an article about the Village and a proposed National Historic Register status, in this past Saturday’s or Sunday’s Red Eye newspaper.
I looked for it online, but couldn’t pull it up in a search of their site.
Gone by early 1982 sounds right.
I walked up Monroe St. from State to Wacker, every evening from Sept.82-March83 for work at the old USG building. And I would have remembered a closed or boarded up theatre along my route, had it still been standing.
There was however along Monroe St., one of those old multi-level indoor parking garages, built to look from the outside like every other office building in the 1920’s.
The entrance & exit driveway doors were arched. And the upper floors had textured chicken-wire glass windows, to mask from the street that it housed cars. I believe it had an auto elevator inside too.
Sometimes I would come up early from the subway near the Chicago Theatre, and zig zag my way S/W past all the other theatres that were still standing in late `82.
The Kennedy Expressway was originally called the Northwest Expressway, when it opened in November of 1960. It was renamed the Kennedy 7 days after the assassination of JFK.
The Haymarket Theatre would have been just East of where the SkyBridge Condominium tower is now located. A Dominicks food store is the 1st floor tenant. Construction of SkyBridge began in 1999. A newly built Manufacturers Bank and local TV channel 26 the “U” are located across the street on the N/W corner of Madison & Halsted. Manufacturer’s Bank was previously on the S/W corner.
Saw “Gran Torino” at Webster Place 11 on 01/19/09.
$10.75 each for adults, plus $2.00 for validated, automated parking. (Remember to park in the multi-level lot to qualify for discount. Open air strip mall lot is apparently still not inclusive to the theaters.)
Webster Place 11 was very clean with a uniformed staff. Visibly armed security guard seemed like overkill. But I assume only they know what they might encounter on a regular basis. Carpeting & restrooms were spotless.
Typical high prices for the ever shrinking sized snack items. Potbelly across the street seemed the better value for killing time. Short of staring at the mass of treadmill users in the gym’s window.
Elevator from the parking lot had an obvious recoat of flat black paint, to combat past or ongoing graffiti. Carpet was beat, but it is mid January. Surrounding sidewalks remained unshoveled.
What’s with all the TV show & Coke commercials before the trailers? They even offer advertising opportunities within the same.
It still amazes me how much trash gets left behind, in just two hours time. Hats off to the clean-up staff for their diligence.
Wow. Just seeing (Jim) Colosimo’s name, reminded me today is the 80th anniversary of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. And not a word of it mentioned on the evening news.
I think Omni was outright owned by Dominick’s from the get-go. It was Safeway that later bought/merged with Dominick’s long after Omni was history.
Omni was Dominick’s foray into the bulk discount and multi purpose store game. Omni house brands of food products had Dominick’s colors on their labels. In addition they sold stereos, and other household stuff like Wal-Mart does now. There was also an Omni on Clybourn at Wellington in Chicago.
Insert giant cartoon Monty Python foot, with Shoe Carnival boot & SFX, squashing the Morton Grove Theatre here.
There used to be a regular police presence for traffic control, when Avon employees left in mass every afternoon after work.
Not sure whether Avon or a drive-in would accumulate more cars at a given time. But it goes without saying that the 1940’s & `50’s would have had way less cars on the road.
You may want to try contacting Rich Koz at TV Channel 26 the “U”, in Chicago.
He runs a show called “Stoogapalooza” every Saturday evening on that channel. I assume he is a Stooge historian as well.
I just happened to catch that the New York Drive-In’s website submitted by Lost Memory on Sept. 12th 2008, lists the opening of the Finger Lakes Drive-In as July 15th 1947, as opposed to 1950.
Not sure if that requires further research, and/or warrants an update or not. At least it’s still listed as open, so someone might be able to verify the correct opening year.
As an aside, “The Four Musketeers” was actually filmed the same time as “The Three Musketeers”, a year or so earlier. Apparently the length of the initial project, prompted the studio to cut and release it as two films instead. I read where a lawsuit was filed by the actors, as they were initially paid for only the first film. They supposedly won and were later compensated for the second film.
The Playboy Theatre in Chicago ran both films together during some of their midnight double features in the `70’s. Yesterday would have been Oliver Reed’s 71st birthday. A star on both Musketeer films.
Running two completely different themed films at the Brynn Marr for their grand opening, made good business sense as to appeal to a wider audience.
Local619, do you have another link to the 1920 picture? The one you recently posted comes up “Page Not Found”.
Ha! Very good. I will admit, it does look cool.
I’d have filled the front windows with multiple stills from “The Last Picture Show”. So visitors could do their own comparisons on the property.
Wonder if that old Texaco is still down the street. Have to go out West again someday.
Yeah I guess so. You’d think the excavation to pour the ramp-concrete alone, would have undermined a freestanding wall in that condition. Maybe it has specific bracing behind it. But why is the wall even left in that manner? Does keeping the building hollowed out that way have some historic significance?
There’s no visible sidewalk to the right of the ramp anyway. Why such grandiose access to an empty structure? Strange. Must have been some egress code or something.
I just remembered the 3 Penny Cinema opened it’s doors as a cooling station, during the annual “Taste Of Lincoln Avenue” street festival maybe 10 years ago. They allowed people to stp into the A/C, and to utilize the restrrom facilities.
It would have been difficult to operate normally as a theater during those 2-3 days. As Lincoln Ave. is blocked off for only those paying a hefty “donation”. And multiple band stages are set-up throughout the fair at street ends. The main entrance stage a mere 25 feet or so from the 3 Penny. People would actually scale the 3 Penny’s rooftop to see the last band of each night. Usually a big name band like Wilco, Cowboy Mouth or Big Head Todd.
Wow. One has to wonder why such an exlaborate handicap access ramp, would have been built right next to what appears as the unsafe remains of the Royal Theater’s wall.
The CSO will be performing live to a showing of the classic Chaplin film “Modern Times”, on March 6th 2009 at Orchestra Hall.
This is off topic, but if anyone has any links to exterior shots of the once nearby Trianon Ballroom, I’d appreciate them.
The only shots I can ever find on the web, are the same color drawings of the interior on postcards. But nothing of the outside. Thanks.
I read somewhere that Rick Nielson of hometown Rockford band Cheap Trick, was going to be involved in the building of some giant entertainment & hotel complex in Rockford.
Maybe the restoration & reopening of the Times Theatre could be a nifty side project. It could even proceed the hotel project, and be a kicking off place for continued shows to drum up support.
P.S. Two nice night time full tilts of the Mayan blue neon blade & marquee at show’s end.
The Mayan had a major role this evening on the NBC prime time show “Life”. The theater was the opening scene of the murder of the lead singer of a fictional metal cover band called Hot Lead.
They only utilized tight shots of the marquee sides. But did show the auditorium, stage & suspended mirrored ball. Along with various interior bar shots, and stage door/alley exteriors.
Since it was a new episode, it’s plausible that it was the filming that was taking place the day of ken mc’s Dec. 3rd photo.
Just to further confirm, the Skokie Theatre does have provisions to show films. Though I don’t know the projection or screen specifics, the silent film “Nosferatu” is scheduled there for 8PM on February 27th.
It is advertised along with the rest of Skokie’s full stage, comedy & music schedule for Feb. & Mar., in Street Level. A free local newspaper serving Nortside Chicago, Evanston & Skokie.
Thanks. Cheers to the new Alderman for making the landmarking happen.
That never would have happened with Natarus. If only the Esquire facade could be spared.
Yes!, exactly. But with much less obvious parking signage. I remember the one on Monroe had just small neon arrows for In & Out. Hikers took the cars from patrons once inside.
Apparently there was an article about the Village and a proposed National Historic Register status, in this past Saturday’s or Sunday’s Red Eye newspaper.
I looked for it online, but couldn’t pull it up in a search of their site.
Gone by early 1982 sounds right.
I walked up Monroe St. from State to Wacker, every evening from Sept.
82-March83 for work at the old USG building. And I would have remembered a closed or boarded up theatre along my route, had it still been standing.There was however along Monroe St., one of those old multi-level indoor parking garages, built to look from the outside like every other office building in the 1920’s.
The entrance & exit driveway doors were arched. And the upper floors had textured chicken-wire glass windows, to mask from the street that it housed cars. I believe it had an auto elevator inside too.
Sometimes I would come up early from the subway near the Chicago Theatre, and zig zag my way S/W past all the other theatres that were still standing in late `82.
The Kennedy Expressway was originally called the Northwest Expressway, when it opened in November of 1960. It was renamed the Kennedy 7 days after the assassination of JFK.
The Haymarket Theatre would have been just East of where the SkyBridge Condominium tower is now located. A Dominicks food store is the 1st floor tenant. Construction of SkyBridge began in 1999. A newly built Manufacturers Bank and local TV channel 26 the “U” are located across the street on the N/W corner of Madison & Halsted. Manufacturer’s Bank was previously on the S/W corner.
So what was torn down? Is that the actual theatre site between the other two buildings?
That tree looks way older than “Summer of 2008”.
Saw “Gran Torino” at Webster Place 11 on 01/19/09.
$10.75 each for adults, plus $2.00 for validated, automated parking. (Remember to park in the multi-level lot to qualify for discount. Open air strip mall lot is apparently still not inclusive to the theaters.)
Webster Place 11 was very clean with a uniformed staff. Visibly armed security guard seemed like overkill. But I assume only they know what they might encounter on a regular basis. Carpeting & restrooms were spotless.
Typical high prices for the ever shrinking sized snack items. Potbelly across the street seemed the better value for killing time. Short of staring at the mass of treadmill users in the gym’s window.
Elevator from the parking lot had an obvious recoat of flat black paint, to combat past or ongoing graffiti. Carpet was beat, but it is mid January. Surrounding sidewalks remained unshoveled.
What’s with all the TV show & Coke commercials before the trailers? They even offer advertising opportunities within the same.
It still amazes me how much trash gets left behind, in just two hours time. Hats off to the clean-up staff for their diligence.