Awesome drive in. I drive an hour to attend every other week. This is the only time I attend a theatre. I do not bother with walk ins any longer. This place is clean, well maintained, and has great food and features. The best place to be in the summer, the Capri Drive in in Coldwater Michigan.
Admission this year, 2008 is $8.00 per adult. Still cheaper than the walk ins. !!! and you get 2 movies, its great to attend a double feature in these days of cram them in and get them out,and cram for the next showing.
Please attend this historic wonderful drive in, with a screen that
is 75 ft tall and 150 ft wide. No walk in can claim that.
The presentation is crystal clear and the FM sound in your car is the best.
With the 3 bulb street lights, you were supposed to see Hollywood Boulevard from space. I figured with the energy cost, that is the reason the 3 bulb lights were taken away. Too bad, they could of changed the bulbs and made them more efficient.
When I lived there in 1981, those nasty trees were all trimmed in a cone shape and well cared for, the whole length of the Boulevard, Graumans to the Pantages, and past to the east.
When I was there in 2001, they looked as if they had not seen a trim in 20 years, it was a sad look for the Boulevard. In fornt of the Pacific and Fox. Shabby and overgrown. The Vouge marquee was mostly hidden behind a large over growth.
This ‘church’ is in the heart of Hollywood, in a Hollywood Movie Palace, what do they expect?, No tourists? They should move to Bakersfield to cut out the tourist traffic.
I have always been wry of these pop up churches anyway.
I bet the next time they will have you bite the head off a live chicken.:)
Long live the Warner Pacific.
Check out the Castro Theatre in SF, the Michigan theatre in Ann Arbor MI, the State in Ann Arbor, and the Redford in Detroit, they all have a great schedule of classic and non mainstream films. Good Luck !!
In later years the vestibule was to be converted to office rooms. The opera house is now an empty shell-stripped of its beauty-to the bare walls. Henry Rennick’s great grandnephew, Charles Rennick, visited here in 1978 to reminisce of the glamour and happiness created be Henry’s “surprise to Clinton.â€
Taken from the book:
CLINTON 1835-1985
De Witt County Illinois
RENNICK’S OPERA HOUSE
Henry Rennick, for a number of years, had promised that someday he would surprise Clinton. On Sept. 6, 1894 he did just that with the opening of his Rennick’s Opera House on the town square. Henry was born at Farnascullogne, near Lisnaskea, County Farmanaugh, Northern Ireland on Nov.27, 1842, came to America at age 6 and fought in the Civil War when he was 20. In 1862 Henry came to Clinton as a partner of “ Sackett & Rennick†grocery store.
Sometime in the 1870’s Henry bought DeWitt Hall- the only place in Clinton suitable for public gatherings. His plan for an Opera House was to honor his wife who loved the theatre and opera.
In 1893 Henry removed the front of DeWitt Hall, added another floor and lengthened the entire structure to the rear street. Red sandstone was laid up to enhance the front facade with a stone at the top which reads “Renneck Opera House.â€
A wide front entry stairway was installed to the second floor vestibule. The Opera House could be entered by either of two doors. The main floor sloped to the stage providing a good view for every seat, including those in the gallery. From the parquet floor to the ceiling it was thirty-five feet with a done for ventilation in the center which was fitted on the interior circle with incandescent lamps. Some two hundred electric lamps graced the interior of the house proper-quite a spectacular sight for Clinton in 1894. There were high windows on the exterior walls which could be opened from the top to allow for cool air.
The stage measured 42x24 feet with an 18x24 foot proscenium and was fitted with the latest in elegant scenery. Dressing rooms, with rear door exits, were located in back of the stage. The hall was acoustically treated.
The house would seat 700 people in comfortable opera chairs. They could relax in the splendor of its handsomely done interior as decorated by Mr. Lowery, a Farmer City boy who made his mark as an artistic decorator of public buildings and private homes in Chicago.
Carpentry work was done be Esban and Fred Edberton, plastering by Charles Sloat, painting be William Kohm and electrical work by Lute Davis. Fitting up the stage was under supervision of the Opera House manager, Mr. Arthurs.
Before it wa completed, the project was to cost Henry Rennick upwards of $14,000, a great sum of for that time.
The audience was on dress parade for the most fashionable night of the season. Ladies were without hats and in their finest gowns, men displayed broad expanses of white shirt bosoms and low cut vests. Diamonds sparkled on male shirt fronts and at the throats of the ladies. And so began the era of Rennick’s Opera House of Clinton, Illinois.
For years Clinton’s residents thrilled to the plays and programs that echoed on and on within the walls of Henry’s dream come true. Stories are still told of the once exciting plays, city programs, and school graduations held there.
Grand Opening night was celebrated by presentation of the fashionable comedy, “The Charity Ball†under the management of Bew York’s well known dramatic managers, the Frohman Company. There was not a large audience for the opening which was attributed to wet weather and the high $2.00 price of admission.
However the play was a success, of high literary merit and artistically represented-a tribute to the new opera house and Mr. Rennick and Manager Arthur.
In later years the vestibule was to be converted to office rooms. The opers house is now an empty shell-stripped of its beauty-to the bare walls. Henry Rennick’s great grandnephew, Charles Rennick, visited here in 19 to reminisce of the glamour and happiness created be Henry’s “surprise to Clinton.â€
Submitted to the book by Charles L. Rennick, the Rennick Family Historian and Genealogist Bremerton, Washington and Palm desert, California.
Book published in 1985
There is no mention of the Kaye Theatre in my book, but I do have a news paper from 1946 that has movie ads for both the Clintonia and Kaye Theatres, I will post here soon.
Taken from the book:
CLINTON 1835-1985-DeWitt County Illinois
THE NEW CLINTONIA THEATRE
In 1903 a new industry, motion pictures, was spreading throughout the United States. The New Clintonia was built by A.B. McCollum, designed by architect Alex C. Classon of Chicago and opened in Clinton on January 28, 1937 under the management of J.C.Nelson. It presented all that was new in theatre construction and offered all the comforts and luxuries available for modern screen enjoyment.
J.C. Nelson managed the New Clintonia until 1965 when he purchased it from A.B. McCollum. In 1973 he retired and sold the Clintonia and the Clinton Drive-In Theatres to Merle Wagner who still operates the Clintonia.
Submitted for the book by J.C. Nelson
Geo I agree, and I also want to mention that the ticket price is one of the most appauling bits to going to a movie. $ 7, 8, 9, 13, for a movie, in a 200 seat box, minimal projection, noisy patrons who think they are at home. Any more I just wait for the DVD,( thank you NETFLIX), I cannot afford to be paying 9 and 10 $ to see a movie, and I work hard for my money, and one like Jackass,, well, I rest my case.
I have only gone to 3 movies this year and one was a hour and half drive to see in IMAX. It was Poseidon, ok but it was good in IMAX. lol
United 93 and World Trade Center were the others that got my dollars, on a bargain matinee. And when was $6 a bargain matinee. Bargain matinees were 1.50 to my knowledge. I have not purchased ANY concession items in the past 4 years, with the box office price constinally climbing up, who can then afford to pay $5 for a small Coke ?
Pardon me! for being SO incorrect. Let me take a step back and bow to the all knowing. It has been 26 years since I have laid eyes on that intersection, so pick a finger.
Anyone take any photos of the new marquee??? please post. thanks
Is this the same AERO theatre shown in the movie DONNIE DARKO?
New photos taken Aug 30 2008
View link
New photos taken on Aug 30, 2008.
This should take you to photo link.
View link
Isnt the Hoosier still running film in Whiting ?
Renovated and OPEN !!!! www.trriviera.com
View link
this should take you to my photo file of the Capri.
Awesome drive in. I drive an hour to attend every other week. This is the only time I attend a theatre. I do not bother with walk ins any longer. This place is clean, well maintained, and has great food and features. The best place to be in the summer, the Capri Drive in in Coldwater Michigan.
Admission this year, 2008 is $8.00 per adult. Still cheaper than the walk ins. !!! and you get 2 movies, its great to attend a double feature in these days of cram them in and get them out,and cram for the next showing.
Please attend this historic wonderful drive in, with a screen that
is 75 ft tall and 150 ft wide. No walk in can claim that.
The presentation is crystal clear and the FM sound in your car is the best.
I think it was the Rodney King riots.
With the 3 bulb street lights, you were supposed to see Hollywood Boulevard from space. I figured with the energy cost, that is the reason the 3 bulb lights were taken away. Too bad, they could of changed the bulbs and made them more efficient.
When I lived there in 1981, those nasty trees were all trimmed in a cone shape and well cared for, the whole length of the Boulevard, Graumans to the Pantages, and past to the east.
When I was there in 2001, they looked as if they had not seen a trim in 20 years, it was a sad look for the Boulevard. In fornt of the Pacific and Fox. Shabby and overgrown. The Vouge marquee was mostly hidden behind a large over growth.
Not living in Hollywood any longer, I appreciate any (current, past) photos. Thank you !!
This ‘church’ is in the heart of Hollywood, in a Hollywood Movie Palace, what do they expect?, No tourists? They should move to Bakersfield to cut out the tourist traffic.
I have always been wry of these pop up churches anyway.
I bet the next time they will have you bite the head off a live chicken.:)
Long live the Warner Pacific.
Great !! Im looking for it now, hope to find one. I just ordered it from Amazon.com, looking forward to its arrival :) Thanks ken mc
what book are you scanning from?
Theatre appears to be closing Sept 3, 2007.
Check out the Castro Theatre in SF, the Michigan theatre in Ann Arbor MI, the State in Ann Arbor, and the Redford in Detroit, they all have a great schedule of classic and non mainstream films. Good Luck !!
In later years the vestibule was to be converted to office rooms. The opera house is now an empty shell-stripped of its beauty-to the bare walls. Henry Rennick’s great grandnephew, Charles Rennick, visited here in 1978 to reminisce of the glamour and happiness created be Henry’s “surprise to Clinton.â€
*typo corrections
Taken from the book:
CLINTON 1835-1985
De Witt County Illinois
RENNICK’S OPERA HOUSE
Henry Rennick, for a number of years, had promised that someday he would surprise Clinton. On Sept. 6, 1894 he did just that with the opening of his Rennick’s Opera House on the town square. Henry was born at Farnascullogne, near Lisnaskea, County Farmanaugh, Northern Ireland on Nov.27, 1842, came to America at age 6 and fought in the Civil War when he was 20. In 1862 Henry came to Clinton as a partner of “ Sackett & Rennick†grocery store.
Sometime in the 1870’s Henry bought DeWitt Hall- the only place in Clinton suitable for public gatherings. His plan for an Opera House was to honor his wife who loved the theatre and opera.
In 1893 Henry removed the front of DeWitt Hall, added another floor and lengthened the entire structure to the rear street. Red sandstone was laid up to enhance the front facade with a stone at the top which reads “Renneck Opera House.â€
A wide front entry stairway was installed to the second floor vestibule. The Opera House could be entered by either of two doors. The main floor sloped to the stage providing a good view for every seat, including those in the gallery. From the parquet floor to the ceiling it was thirty-five feet with a done for ventilation in the center which was fitted on the interior circle with incandescent lamps. Some two hundred electric lamps graced the interior of the house proper-quite a spectacular sight for Clinton in 1894. There were high windows on the exterior walls which could be opened from the top to allow for cool air.
The stage measured 42x24 feet with an 18x24 foot proscenium and was fitted with the latest in elegant scenery. Dressing rooms, with rear door exits, were located in back of the stage. The hall was acoustically treated.
The house would seat 700 people in comfortable opera chairs. They could relax in the splendor of its handsomely done interior as decorated by Mr. Lowery, a Farmer City boy who made his mark as an artistic decorator of public buildings and private homes in Chicago.
Carpentry work was done be Esban and Fred Edberton, plastering by Charles Sloat, painting be William Kohm and electrical work by Lute Davis. Fitting up the stage was under supervision of the Opera House manager, Mr. Arthurs.
Before it wa completed, the project was to cost Henry Rennick upwards of $14,000, a great sum of for that time.
The audience was on dress parade for the most fashionable night of the season. Ladies were without hats and in their finest gowns, men displayed broad expanses of white shirt bosoms and low cut vests. Diamonds sparkled on male shirt fronts and at the throats of the ladies. And so began the era of Rennick’s Opera House of Clinton, Illinois.
For years Clinton’s residents thrilled to the plays and programs that echoed on and on within the walls of Henry’s dream come true. Stories are still told of the once exciting plays, city programs, and school graduations held there.
Grand Opening night was celebrated by presentation of the fashionable comedy, “The Charity Ball†under the management of Bew York’s well known dramatic managers, the Frohman Company. There was not a large audience for the opening which was attributed to wet weather and the high $2.00 price of admission.
However the play was a success, of high literary merit and artistically represented-a tribute to the new opera house and Mr. Rennick and Manager Arthur.
In later years the vestibule was to be converted to office rooms. The opers house is now an empty shell-stripped of its beauty-to the bare walls. Henry Rennick’s great grandnephew, Charles Rennick, visited here in 19 to reminisce of the glamour and happiness created be Henry’s “surprise to Clinton.â€
Submitted to the book by Charles L. Rennick, the Rennick Family Historian and Genealogist Bremerton, Washington and Palm desert, California.
Book published in 1985
Taken from the book:
CLINTON 1835-1985-DeWitt County Illinois
THE NEW CLINTONIA THEATRE
In 1903 a new industry, motion pictures, was spreading throughout the United States. The New Clintonia was built by A.B. McCollum, designed by architect Alex C. Classon of Chicago and opened in Clinton on January 28, 1937 under the management of J.C.Nelson. It presented all that was new in theatre construction and offered all the comforts and luxuries available for modern screen enjoyment.
J.C. Nelson managed the New Clintonia until 1965 when he purchased it from A.B. McCollum. In 1973 he retired and sold the Clintonia and the Clinton Drive-In Theatres to Merle Wagner who still operates the Clintonia.
Submitted for the book by J.C. Nelson
book published in 1985
There are only upper balcony pics inside the theatre, there was a function going on in the auditorium so I was only in the balcony.
Geo I agree, and I also want to mention that the ticket price is one of the most appauling bits to going to a movie. $ 7, 8, 9, 13, for a movie, in a 200 seat box, minimal projection, noisy patrons who think they are at home. Any more I just wait for the DVD,( thank you NETFLIX), I cannot afford to be paying 9 and 10 $ to see a movie, and I work hard for my money, and one like Jackass,, well, I rest my case.
I have only gone to 3 movies this year and one was a hour and half drive to see in IMAX. It was Poseidon, ok but it was good in IMAX. lol
United 93 and World Trade Center were the others that got my dollars, on a bargain matinee. And when was $6 a bargain matinee. Bargain matinees were 1.50 to my knowledge. I have not purchased ANY concession items in the past 4 years, with the box office price constinally climbing up, who can then afford to pay $5 for a small Coke ?
I have finally been able to get all my State photos uploaded to a Flickr web site, this link should take you to them.
View link
Beautiful job!, very awesome theatre, I am jealous that it is not in my city.
Pardon me! for being SO incorrect. Let me take a step back and bow to the all knowing. It has been 26 years since I have laid eyes on that intersection, so pick a finger.