Pickwick Theatre
5 S. Prospect Avenue,
Park Ridge,
IL
60068
5 S. Prospect Avenue,
Park Ridge,
IL
60068
32 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 68 of 68 comments
Here is another link for the Pickwick:
http://www.silentfilmchicago.com/Theatres.htm
Perhaps out of all of the theaters I’ve been to, The Pickwick is by far my favorite. My parents had their first date there around 1960 and saw “The Ten Commandments”. My earliest memory is of seeing “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” sometime in the early 1970’s with my mom, dad and 2 sisters. I remember being intrigued as a kid by the art deco statues and designs by Park Ridge artist Ianelli. Somehow this place seemed like a set out of the “Wizard of Oz” and a wonder for any kid. I specifically remember seeing 1978’s “Grease” two times in a row and leaving as my sister wanted to stay with her friend for another showing. There was 1987’s “Dirty Dancing” as well as 1994’s “Forrest Gump” just to name a few. Perhaps my favorite memory is of a special screening of the Italian classic “Cinema Paradiso” in 2000. In the movie, a young boy named Toto goes to the local cinema to escape the usual duldrums of every day life. As he grows, silents turn to talkies, stars fade and times change, and Toto becomes a man. One day he comes back to the theater in his mid 40’s and remembers the theater that brought him so much joy throughout his life. Watching this one with it’s beautiful visuals and moving score brought back all of my memories of growing up at The Pickwick. “Cinema Paradiso’s” timeline is similar to that of The Pickwick’s life which I must say is pretty uncanny. In the end, like Cinema Paradiso, The Pickwick has survived it all. From silents to talkies, big band to rock n' roll, disco to punk, pop rock to grunge, and hip hop to rap. What some may not know is that locals Harrison Ford and Hillary Clinton lived just blocks from The Pickwick and I’m sure saw many films there. I myself saw countless films at The Pickwick and graduated with a degree in film from Columbia College in 1993. Since then, I’ve worked in film and television and have always dreamed that perhaps someday one of my films will be shown at The Pickwick. As I sit here at my desk, I’m looking up at the 75th anniversary plate from The Pickwick. What joy this place has brought so many people through all the years past. It is a Park Ridge treasure and a masterpiece of grandeur that I’m proud to call my favorite theater of dreams. Thanks for wowing us for all since November 26, 1928!!!
Joe Bartel, Jr.
The Pickwick is a great place to see a movie. I liked the original auditorium. I am happy they left the original auditorum alone and not chop it. Rather than chopping it the other three theaters were located in the back. I saw movies like “Independence Day”,“Phonemenon”,“Patch Adams”,and “Memento” at the Pickwick.
Nice political use of the theater’s marquee:
View link
Here is a December 8, 2004 photo of Jay Warren at the Pickwick Console
From Russell Phillips' Galleries:
Pickwick Lobby and Men’s Lounge, 1984
A STUNNING photo of the Pickwick’s Fire Curtain, 1985
The main auditorium is intact; the additional screens are behind the theater. It is much as you remember it, perhaps a bit better, perhaps a bit worse for the wear.
Regarding Brian Wolf’s posting on Jul 26, 2004 – the photos in the weblink are incredible! I grew up in Park Ridge, and all movies I saw until I was about 15, were at the Pickwick and for a short time, I went to grade school with a girl who’s family managed the Pickwick (although I don’t recall the name). I haven’t been there in about 25 years and understand it’s mow a multi-plex, including some new theaters in the back – did they divide the auditorium? That’s part of the reason I haven’t been back – so I can remember the theater in it’s beauty.
I remember feeling so small in the immense 4-aisle auditorium, staring at the beautiful velvet-like mural on the ceiling while waiting the the previews to begin, and how itchy the red velvet seats felt. I remember thinking the ladies lounge was elegant. To get to it, you had to walk DOWN a wide flight of carpeted stairs, with a beautiful wood railing running down the center. Once there, you’d be in a lounge area with velvet setees and beautiful mirrors. Everything was done in marble. The concession area itself was a small candy and popcorn counter, but the lobby area ran the width of the auditorium, and had various settees along the walls. There were some Roman/Greek style statues in alcoves in the lobby.
Thank you for helping me to relive such vivid memories.
In comparing these two photos, I notice that the starburst parts of the marquee are not actually present in the earlier picture. They must be retrofit. Interesting, the older photo looks more deco.
View link Here is a circa 1930 view of the exterior, looking almost the same as it does now. The updated URL to Bryan’s 1950s postcard view is View link
View link Here is an early interior photo of the pickwick. Elsewhere on the site is a rather extensive biography on Ianelli; View link
The Chicago Tribune’s March 13 Arts & Entertainment section contains an article detailing Harold Zook, the Pickwick’s architect. It is available at View link . Registration not required, but I expect that it will only be up temporarily.
The Pickwick is one of my favorite places to see a movie. I’ve been there at least twice a year since the early 90s to watch films. It was great seeing the re-release of “A Hard Day’s Night” on the big screen in the main auditorium a few years ago!
I was recently at the Pickwick and saw they are doing renovation to the inside. When I asked what it was, I was told the were restoring the Crown Molding.
Yeah, that could very well be. Personally, I thought the black suited it better,though. It added to the deco feel. Also, they did a rather poor job of painting-black spots are all over around the edges, and the painting looks very unprofessional. I wonder what truly is the proper paint scheme for this marquee- I can’t imagine that postcard view being correct, it looks so odd! Although it does show the eagle details painted, which may point to authenticity, since they have been whited out in the more recent paint schemes. Now, a marquee that really needs some paint is the Des Plaines… although I believe the DPTPS may be looking at replacement options.
http://www.catoe.org/Pickwick.html Shows some great pictures of the Pickwick’s incredible firescreen and console, considered by some to be among the finest examples of cubist art. It also might be noted that the black portions of the marquee were recently painted red for some reason. Here is a cute story about a wedding proposal at the Pickwick, also indicating a coming TV appearance for it.
The Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge, Illinois is an absolutely extraordinary place to see movies. As a child and throughout my college years in Chicago, it was always a bastion of comfort to the notion that movies could be “larger than life”.
I remember when I was ten years old going with my mother to see “A Christmas Story” there when it was origionally released. The theatre was packed with families on a snowy day with the town center of Park Ridge lending the perfect atmosphere outside to compliment the warm and charming feel of the movie we were watching.
Life imitated art that day and for a while my child imagination played tricks on me in the most delightful of ways. I could believe that I was Ralphie stuck in the mired world of his small town in Indiana in the 1950’s. What a fantastic ride it was.
Pickwick significantly contributed to my love affair with movies and now that I’m 30 and in the great race to make studio films in Hollywood – I am very grateful to be able to come home for holidays and recharge my reserves to make that fight in Hollywood all worth while.
Thank you Pickwick Theatre.
JWG
Is the pickwick theater in Park Ridge, Illinois having a new years eve charity event this year.
If so, please forward details.
Thank You!