Greetings BWChicago. I’ll gladly admit that I probably know next to nothing, on how the landmarking is supposed to or does work.
After surviving Ald. Natarus for over 30 years in my old ward, I only know how I would have “liked” landmarking to work.
Given everything classic that was taken down on the Near North side over the years,
landmark status sadly always seemed like a last resort that ended up not protecting anything enough anyway.
I do know though that most owners are resistant to landmark status. Because of the limitations it puts them under on how they can ever remodel in the future. However as we’ve learned in some cases though, even that status is so loose that sometimes all they need do is preserve the facade.
Even a “National Register of Historic Places” status doesn’t really protect a building in Chicago. I’ll await to see what happens to Pearson St.(Hair Loft) by Loyola.
Sometimes even an opposite “preservation overkill” is applied. Building’s that even I agree should have come down, but instead were poorly rebuilt to remain “preserved”.
The CVS at State & Division is a perfect example. They simply tore down everything except the outsides walls of it, and it’s Northbound neighbor. Then they built the CVS inside of it all. Even the upstairs in fake. A backlit hollow space over two stories tall inside. They blasted a blank brown sign right through an old concrete morter & pestal motif on the State St. side. Ironically it was originally a drug store. Then they hacked off brick work from where a door used to be, and left it that way.
Truly an eyesore “after” preservation.
I guess my interpretation of how landmarking “should” work, is that a protected building is just that.
And that only plumbing, HVAC, electric & the roof would be capable of being updated. But in a case of say the Esquire, I would have been happy if they rebuilt the interior however was needed to make it workable. Since it was already gutted when it was multi-plexed. Aty least we’d get to keep the art deco exterior & marquee.
Greetings Mpol. I posted my recollection to one of the Canadian theatres listed on CT. In hopes someone might also recall the ban I referred to.
Since our experience was in 1967, and the fire that drove the ban was recent as of then, it would have occurred after your above timeline of late 50's/early60’s. Also we were 7 & 11, and not teenagers.
My mother also recalled our Canadian encounter when I asked. Because it reminded her of a similar experience she, her mother & small brothers had at the Gold Coast(Village Theatre) at Clark & North in Chicago, in the `40’s.
Though a fire was not the reason there or then. The Gold Coast at one time just didn’t admit children to anything.
Hopefully someone will recall the Canadian theatre where the fire took place, and the subsequent ban that followed.
For how long it remained in effect, and if it was isolated to Montreal would be helpful to know too.
I just noticed a bit of a trend, that mught have been signaled by the introduction of the VCR. If you look at JRS40’s movie list from 4/28/07, basically after “Apocolypse Now” (fitting), The State Lake must have began struggling to keep an audience. As most of everything after that, was there for less than a month.
P.S. In comparing the various photos posted to CT, the extention tower coming off of the roof that supports the “T” & “E” sign portion, has been removed in stages.
First the old gazebo like structure from the very top was removed. Then the square box like support for the gazebo & the top two letters.
The 2007 photo shows that just a flat, upward support has been installed, so the top of the word TEXAS could be supported alone. I only looked back at these because the History.com piece had a full tower as support.
I guess I shouldn’t talk. We were regulars at the midnight double features at Chicago’s Playboy (later Sandburg) Theatre, when we were all of 12-13 years old.
Also once saw Jerry Vale at the Empire Room well past 10pm, when I was 10 myself.
I’m amazed that only 15 of the 58 theatres listed under Montreal, are still open.
I wonder if anyone from Canada can confirm, if there was a Canada wide ban on children from movie theatres back in the 1960’s.
While we visited Expo`67, my family & I tried to go out to the movies.
We were told at several theatres, that children were not allowed in any theatres no matter what film was playing.
Due to a terrible theatre fire not too long before that. One where the children had to be identified by their families after being layed out in the street.
Just saw a 3 minute History.com piece about the Kennedy Assassination.
The old black & white footage used in the establishing shot of the Texas Theater (Oswald’s point of capture), showed “Richard Burton’s HAMLET” on the marquee. According to IMDB and a subsequent review, this version came out in 1964. And was “essentially a videotape of a Broadway performance”. Which Burton allegedly ordered all copies destoyed after a limited theatrical run. (So it’s apparently tough to find.)
Two things of note, whoever shot that B/W Texas Theater B-Roll way back when for whatever original Kennedy piece, obviously did it the following year.
Secondly, since Burton’s HAMLET was indeed a taped Broadway performance, it was likely re-dubbed to film in order to play at movie theaters. Since it’s unlikely however many theaters it ended up playing it’s limited run at, would pay the added cost to switch out projection equipment just to play one feature.
Especially since it was likely originally shot/stored on 2-inch videotape or whatever was the norm back then for the original remote shoot.
I was a the Genesee Theatre a few years ago. I think the former site of the Academy Theatre ended up just becoming a multi level parking garage.
I don’t remember a steak house or anything else. Unless it was kitty corner from the Genesee, and not directly across the street from it.
I seem to remember taking pictures of the Genesee marquee from the 3rd level of that parking garage. This was maybe 2006 or so.
My full Genesee experience that night is on the Genesee CT page.
There was also some type of theatre building just a bit further West on Belmont on the North Side of the street. Not as far West at Clarke’s Diner.
It was torn down about 3 years ago, after standing vacant for a while. Haven’t figured out what it was called yet.
Here’s an answer that’s a little late. Yes, that location was the Guitar Center before The Alley.
The Alley was previously accessed off of what else, the alley on Belmont. West of the Dunkin Donuts parking lot.
Which I’m told you should never park in, even when you are GOING to Dunkin Donuts.
A friend of mine bought his used 12 string bass at that Guitar Center.
I think it was bi-level then, not sure about now.
Just noticed the 105th anniversary of the fire coming up in December.
And 50th for the Queen of Angels School.
There was a theatre in Montreal Canada that had a horrific fire at a children’s matinee in the early 60's. When we visited Expo67, children were still barred from most theaters. Laws were rewritten about outward opening exit doors there too. But not sure how forbidding children in the theatres was going to change anything.
Ah, thanks. I guess I got confused because I thought the Iroquois would be listed as such, because that’s what it was built as. I haven’t mastered the criteria yet on why some theatre’s get listed by their interim names.
I understand listing them by current names, but thought for recollection sake that they’d be listed for sure as their original name.
I guess that’s why there IS a “Theater Search Tool”. Thanks again.
Thanks Lost Memory for steering me in the right direction.
My grandmother told my mother that as late as the 1920’s, a woman who survived the Iroquois fire used to walk the downtown streets wearing “Widow’s Weeds”. Some type of layered black veils to hide the burns to her face.
Also apologies to whatever CT page I wrongly associated the Garrick to be the theatre that burned.
Had no idea this building ever housed a theatre. Participated in several car shows over the years, right out in front. As part of an annual street fair. Though they stopped the car show portion a few years back. Probably cause it took up all the parking. Couldn’t get an answer out of anyone.
Shot a piece about Martial Arts Master Degerberg when his studio was located down the block to the South. But same building I think. His space was two stories and had an industrial looking ceiling.
The German-American Fest is still a yearly event at the South end of Lincoln.
Wow, I never knew this place existed. And they’re building one at block 37? Awesome.
I agree it will be great if they use the same type of vintage building style.
In hindsight, the great theaters of downtown Chicago might have survived longer even vacant, if they weren’t in the Midwest. (Of course they couldn’t be great Chicago theatres then).
Constant winters with little or no heat had to greatly accelerate the downward spiral of so many of the theatre’s structural integrity.
Since everything was virtually steam heat back then, or worse yet converted from coal, many owners probably just shut everything off when they ultimately closed, and walked away. Especially if they were already losing money.
It’s truly great that the long vacant Uptown has survived as it did through so many harsh winters. Good luck JAM, we’re all behind you.
My father worked for John Colburn in the late 50's or early60’s. Before going down to Vougue Wright & Fred Niles Studios (Which Oprah eventually bought).
I was at the Wilmette a couple times in the 60's, then again in the70’s.
Thought I saw “Hot Rod” with Pernell Roberts & Robert Culp there.
But I can’t recall if that was originally a theatrical release or made for TV. Might have been a second run of “The Wanderers” with Ken Wahl.
There used to be a vintage ice cream/burger shop called Bob’s about a block away. It had dark wood walls and old style ice cream glasses. Many families would go there with kids in tow.
I was at this complex over the Summer for a car show. It’s truly a city unto itself. Didn’t see the theatres, but that makes it even more complete. You could probably by a condo there, sell your car, and never leave.
They did a nice job of incorporating the old flight tower, (which is kind of short) into the new buildings. Aero related statues, etc. Got a little Stepfordy at the Starbucks, but still plenty going on.
I could be mistaken, but I thought the Glencoe Theatre had toyed with idea of live music around 1980. But the village was gonna have none of it.
I don’t think nearby Glenview had a theatre, that’s why I’m thinking it was Glencoe.
So given the description and the odd numbered address, the Vitagraph must have been within that pointy part of the old Goldblatts property where Lincoln and Ashland meet.
Except on the Lincoln side, just South of the renovated Goldblatts building that starts at School Street.
The point where a small bank is today.
That pointy portion of the property sat vacant for a long time. The city used to set up porta-pottys there for years when the “Rock Around The Block” street fair used to start at the Belmont end.
The RATB fair has since been moved further North down Lincoln. Which caused people to simply buy their libations cheaper at Pelly’s Liquors, instead of from the fair vendors.
There was an earlier developer in the `80’s, who tried to do first what was ultimately done to the Goldblatts property. But I think they lacked money, and there were still a lot of vacant bookstores etc along Lincoln Ave. Next to the old Dub-L-Dog.
Oh, to have had some extra money in the early 80’s. It’s Yupdum now over there.
The Woolworths is condos, there’s a Whole Paychecks food store, etc.
An old bank and dance studio were recently converted into condos & retail on the West side of Lincoln.
The next pointy building just North on Lincoln Ave. across from Wishbone, is a classic vintage building that was used for the filming of “Straight Talk” starring Dolly Parton & James Woods. The building was made to look like the radio station DP’s character broadcast from. I believe there is a photography gallery & classes there now. Old time bakery Dinkl’s is North of there.
Ironic that there is a fireworks ad underneath Yucca’s “The Seven Little Foys” promo. The Foy’s are who were performing at Chicago’s Garrick Theatre when it burned killing many who were trapped.
I knew there was something cool about searching theater’s I catch a glimpse of “Snapped”.
This time I find the actual theatre facade from “The Last Picture Show”, which I always wondered about.
As I’ve posted on a few other CT links, “Snapped” is a show in constant rotation on the Oxygen network.
It routinely starts with establishing shots in the hometown of the various female killers profiled.
Those shots often include the hometown/main street like theatres. More so when the theatre is the same name as the hometown.
With this type of filmaking history, you’d think “Snapped” producers would have milked the Royal’s significance.
This time around the shot of the Royal was only the vertical neon portion of the sign at night, and from a distance for only a couple of seconds.
Had they known of it or chosen to, “The Last Picture Show” connection could have been eerily incorporated into “Snapped”.
Guess these creative opportunities disappear or get passed on, the older these movies get.
Greetings BWChicago. I’ll gladly admit that I probably know next to nothing, on how the landmarking is supposed to or does work.
After surviving Ald. Natarus for over 30 years in my old ward, I only know how I would have “liked” landmarking to work.
Given everything classic that was taken down on the Near North side over the years,
landmark status sadly always seemed like a last resort that ended up not protecting anything enough anyway.
I do know though that most owners are resistant to landmark status. Because of the limitations it puts them under on how they can ever remodel in the future. However as we’ve learned in some cases though, even that status is so loose that sometimes all they need do is preserve the facade.
Even a “National Register of Historic Places” status doesn’t really protect a building in Chicago. I’ll await to see what happens to Pearson St.(Hair Loft) by Loyola.
Sometimes even an opposite “preservation overkill” is applied. Building’s that even I agree should have come down, but instead were poorly rebuilt to remain “preserved”.
The CVS at State & Division is a perfect example. They simply tore down everything except the outsides walls of it, and it’s Northbound neighbor. Then they built the CVS inside of it all. Even the upstairs in fake. A backlit hollow space over two stories tall inside. They blasted a blank brown sign right through an old concrete morter & pestal motif on the State St. side. Ironically it was originally a drug store. Then they hacked off brick work from where a door used to be, and left it that way.
Truly an eyesore “after” preservation.
I guess my interpretation of how landmarking “should” work, is that a protected building is just that.
And that only plumbing, HVAC, electric & the roof would be capable of being updated. But in a case of say the Esquire, I would have been happy if they rebuilt the interior however was needed to make it workable. Since it was already gutted when it was multi-plexed. Aty least we’d get to keep the art deco exterior & marquee.
Greetings Mpol. I posted my recollection to one of the Canadian theatres listed on CT. In hopes someone might also recall the ban I referred to.
Since our experience was in 1967, and the fire that drove the ban was recent as of then, it would have occurred after your above timeline of late
50's/early60’s. Also we were 7 & 11, and not teenagers.My mother also recalled our Canadian encounter when I asked. Because it reminded her of a similar experience she, her mother & small brothers had at the Gold Coast(Village Theatre) at Clark & North in Chicago, in the `40’s.
Though a fire was not the reason there or then. The Gold Coast at one time just didn’t admit children to anything.
Hopefully someone will recall the Canadian theatre where the fire took place, and the subsequent ban that followed.
For how long it remained in effect, and if it was isolated to Montreal would be helpful to know too.
I just noticed a bit of a trend, that mught have been signaled by the introduction of the VCR. If you look at JRS40’s movie list from 4/28/07, basically after “Apocolypse Now” (fitting), The State Lake must have began struggling to keep an audience. As most of everything after that, was there for less than a month.
Ha. In the words of the Tivoli backwards: ILOVIT.
P.S. In comparing the various photos posted to CT, the extention tower coming off of the roof that supports the “T” & “E” sign portion, has been removed in stages.
First the old gazebo like structure from the very top was removed. Then the square box like support for the gazebo & the top two letters.
The 2007 photo shows that just a flat, upward support has been installed, so the top of the word TEXAS could be supported alone. I only looked back at these because the History.com piece had a full tower as support.
I guess I shouldn’t talk. We were regulars at the midnight double features at Chicago’s Playboy (later Sandburg) Theatre, when we were all of 12-13 years old.
Also once saw Jerry Vale at the Empire Room well past 10pm, when I was 10 myself.
I’m amazed that only 15 of the 58 theatres listed under Montreal, are still open.
I wonder if anyone from Canada can confirm, if there was a Canada wide ban on children from movie theatres back in the 1960’s.
While we visited Expo`67, my family & I tried to go out to the movies.
We were told at several theatres, that children were not allowed in any theatres no matter what film was playing.
Due to a terrible theatre fire not too long before that. One where the children had to be identified by their families after being layed out in the street.
Nice pic. Spike Jones Live.
It’s five minutes to ten though, what are those two little kids doin' out?
Just saw a 3 minute History.com piece about the Kennedy Assassination.
The old black & white footage used in the establishing shot of the Texas Theater (Oswald’s point of capture), showed “Richard Burton’s HAMLET” on the marquee. According to IMDB and a subsequent review, this version came out in 1964. And was “essentially a videotape of a Broadway performance”. Which Burton allegedly ordered all copies destoyed after a limited theatrical run. (So it’s apparently tough to find.)
Two things of note, whoever shot that B/W Texas Theater B-Roll way back when for whatever original Kennedy piece, obviously did it the following year.
Secondly, since Burton’s HAMLET was indeed a taped Broadway performance, it was likely re-dubbed to film in order to play at movie theaters. Since it’s unlikely however many theaters it ended up playing it’s limited run at, would pay the added cost to switch out projection equipment just to play one feature.
Especially since it was likely originally shot/stored on 2-inch videotape or whatever was the norm back then for the original remote shoot.
I was a the Genesee Theatre a few years ago. I think the former site of the Academy Theatre ended up just becoming a multi level parking garage.
I don’t remember a steak house or anything else. Unless it was kitty corner from the Genesee, and not directly across the street from it.
I seem to remember taking pictures of the Genesee marquee from the 3rd level of that parking garage. This was maybe 2006 or so.
My full Genesee experience that night is on the Genesee CT page.
There was also some type of theatre building just a bit further West on Belmont on the North Side of the street. Not as far West at Clarke’s Diner.
It was torn down about 3 years ago, after standing vacant for a while. Haven’t figured out what it was called yet.
Here’s an answer that’s a little late. Yes, that location was the Guitar Center before The Alley.
The Alley was previously accessed off of what else, the alley on Belmont. West of the Dunkin Donuts parking lot.
Which I’m told you should never park in, even when you are GOING to Dunkin Donuts.
A friend of mine bought his used 12 string bass at that Guitar Center.
I think it was bi-level then, not sure about now.
Just noticed the 105th anniversary of the fire coming up in December.
And 50th for the Queen of Angels School.
There was a theatre in Montreal Canada that had a horrific fire at a children’s matinee in the early
60's. When we visited Expo67, children were still barred from most theaters. Laws were rewritten about outward opening exit doors there too. But not sure how forbidding children in the theatres was going to change anything.Ah, thanks. I guess I got confused because I thought the Iroquois would be listed as such, because that’s what it was built as. I haven’t mastered the criteria yet on why some theatre’s get listed by their interim names.
I understand listing them by current names, but thought for recollection sake that they’d be listed for sure as their original name.
I guess that’s why there IS a “Theater Search Tool”. Thanks again.
Thanks Lost Memory for steering me in the right direction.
My grandmother told my mother that as late as the 1920’s, a woman who survived the Iroquois fire used to walk the downtown streets wearing “Widow’s Weeds”. Some type of layered black veils to hide the burns to her face.
Also apologies to whatever CT page I wrongly associated the Garrick to be the theatre that burned.
Had no idea this building ever housed a theatre. Participated in several car shows over the years, right out in front. As part of an annual street fair. Though they stopped the car show portion a few years back. Probably cause it took up all the parking. Couldn’t get an answer out of anyone.
Shot a piece about Martial Arts Master Degerberg when his studio was located down the block to the South. But same building I think. His space was two stories and had an industrial looking ceiling.
The German-American Fest is still a yearly event at the South end of Lincoln.
Wow, I never knew this place existed. And they’re building one at block 37? Awesome.
I agree it will be great if they use the same type of vintage building style.
In hindsight, the great theaters of downtown Chicago might have survived longer even vacant, if they weren’t in the Midwest. (Of course they couldn’t be great Chicago theatres then).
Constant winters with little or no heat had to greatly accelerate the downward spiral of so many of the theatre’s structural integrity.
Since everything was virtually steam heat back then, or worse yet converted from coal, many owners probably just shut everything off when they ultimately closed, and walked away. Especially if they were already losing money.
It’s truly great that the long vacant Uptown has survived as it did through so many harsh winters. Good luck JAM, we’re all behind you.
My father worked for John Colburn in the late
50's or early60’s. Before going down to Vougue Wright & Fred Niles Studios (Which Oprah eventually bought).I was at the Wilmette a couple times in the
60's, then again in the70’s.Thought I saw “Hot Rod” with Pernell Roberts & Robert Culp there.
But I can’t recall if that was originally a theatrical release or made for TV. Might have been a second run of “The Wanderers” with Ken Wahl.
There used to be a vintage ice cream/burger shop called Bob’s about a block away. It had dark wood walls and old style ice cream glasses. Many families would go there with kids in tow.
I was at this complex over the Summer for a car show. It’s truly a city unto itself. Didn’t see the theatres, but that makes it even more complete. You could probably by a condo there, sell your car, and never leave.
They did a nice job of incorporating the old flight tower, (which is kind of short) into the new buildings. Aero related statues, etc. Got a little Stepfordy at the Starbucks, but still plenty going on.
I could be mistaken, but I thought the Glencoe Theatre had toyed with idea of live music around 1980. But the village was gonna have none of it.
I don’t think nearby Glenview had a theatre, that’s why I’m thinking it was Glencoe.
So given the description and the odd numbered address, the Vitagraph must have been within that pointy part of the old Goldblatts property where Lincoln and Ashland meet.
Except on the Lincoln side, just South of the renovated Goldblatts building that starts at School Street.
The point where a small bank is today.
That pointy portion of the property sat vacant for a long time. The city used to set up porta-pottys there for years when the “Rock Around The Block” street fair used to start at the Belmont end.
The RATB fair has since been moved further North down Lincoln. Which caused people to simply buy their libations cheaper at Pelly’s Liquors, instead of from the fair vendors.
There was an earlier developer in the `80’s, who tried to do first what was ultimately done to the Goldblatts property. But I think they lacked money, and there were still a lot of vacant bookstores etc along Lincoln Ave. Next to the old Dub-L-Dog.
Oh, to have had some extra money in the early 80’s. It’s Yupdum now over there.
The Woolworths is condos, there’s a Whole Paychecks food store, etc.
An old bank and dance studio were recently converted into condos & retail on the West side of Lincoln.
The next pointy building just North on Lincoln Ave. across from Wishbone, is a classic vintage building that was used for the filming of “Straight Talk” starring Dolly Parton & James Woods. The building was made to look like the radio station DP’s character broadcast from. I believe there is a photography gallery & classes there now. Old time bakery Dinkl’s is North of there.
Does anyone have pictures of The Vitagraph?
Ironic that there is a fireworks ad underneath Yucca’s “The Seven Little Foys” promo. The Foy’s are who were performing at Chicago’s Garrick Theatre when it burned killing many who were trapped.
Typo: First sentence should read “On "Snapped”.
I knew there was something cool about searching theater’s I catch a glimpse of “Snapped”.
This time I find the actual theatre facade from “The Last Picture Show”, which I always wondered about.
As I’ve posted on a few other CT links, “Snapped” is a show in constant rotation on the Oxygen network.
It routinely starts with establishing shots in the hometown of the various female killers profiled.
Those shots often include the hometown/main street like theatres. More so when the theatre is the same name as the hometown.
With this type of filmaking history, you’d think “Snapped” producers would have milked the Royal’s significance.
This time around the shot of the Royal was only the vertical neon portion of the sign at night, and from a distance for only a couple of seconds.
Had they known of it or chosen to, “The Last Picture Show” connection could have been eerily incorporated into “Snapped”.
Guess these creative opportunities disappear or get passed on, the older these movies get.
Ah, you are correct. Thanks Cam!
Only in Evanston would the graffiti read “Rosebud”, on a former vintage theatre.