I saw movies here when it was a CO triplex. The main floor was split from the balcony with a horizontal floor. But it was the former main floor that was split in two. The former balcony was one theatre (the largest), and they still lit the stars and some colored lights within the sidewalls. It was hacked up, to be sure. But the balcony was still a nice place to see a movie. I saw “Leviathan” up there. New screen was in front of the procenium decoration. The whole place was clean, and the staff was well-dressed (CO uniforms with bow ties, vests, name plates) and attentive. The old marquee was retained and relit, chasers and all. They replaced the 50’s attraction boards with a more modern variety. It was really a pretty nice place (if you can call a vintage triplex refit that under any circumstances).
Thanks for the explanation Theaterat. I was intrigued by the situation. Growing up when I did, it never occured to me that someone wouldn’t have a computer!! Phil Phil certainly does seem knowledgable.
Wow. Is this place cool or what? In the dictionary next to the definition of killer vintage movie theatre there is a picture of this place. That tower is the best part.
I live a ways outside Chicago. Some stories I watch in this part of the country are: the Uptown, Ramova, Patio, Gateway, Arcada, Catlow, and New Regal (all actually in Chicago).
Have you really been doing all that stuff? I am impressed.
I think you’d have a hard time with the situation. Let’s just say that I know the legal system pretty well. If I felt like being a jerk I could counter-sue you for the things you said about me. Wouldn’t that be fun? After all, I asked a few questions about you…you came right out and attacked my character. It also sounds like you have considerably deeper pockets than I do, if you are going around and buying theatre buildings.
Let’s end this conversation. I’m getting tired of having these comment notifications pop up in my email account while I am trying to get other things done. I’m sure the others watching this feel the same way. I think the escalation of this conversation was due to the fact that I didn’t see the building listings you posted on March 25. For that oversight, I apologize.
Oh, for the love of God. That’s a dumb thing to say when I’ve stated that I might be wrong. Am I supposed to be scared? It’s pretty tough to take a few questions and comments posted on a message board and turn them into full-blown slander. Plus, my friend, I hardly have the deep pockets that would make the situation lucrative for you.
Yipes…you did post some theatre sites above. Going by the time stamps, it would appear that our messages crossed. That’s a step in the right direction. Where are these newspaper articles listed on the internet? If you are legit, I might give you some leads to follow-up on.
It seems realistic to think that the remaining elements of the theatre might be incorporated into a better use than the present one. I doubt that it will ever be fully restored. It sounds like there is strong demand for secure parking. So I suppose the challenge would lie in trying to get the owner to give up this function.
Hey SNWEB: I’ve always wondered something about this place. Have they ever had a problem with plaster chunks falling onto the parking deck?
You haven’t given me an email address or named any theatres that you have worked on. Why don’t you give me these things now? I don’t view myself as being a genius. But, in my line of business, I have dispatched more than enough con men. I give Paul a hard time because I think he victimizes well-meaning community groups who don’t know how to spot a con man (or perhaps ignore warning signs out of desperation to save their theatre). It’s entirely possible that I am wrong about you. What are the links to these positive newspaper articles you mention above? I don’t think it is fair to say that I have caused any conversations on this site to be shut down. It’s also not fair to say that I create negativity wherever I go. This conversation, while arguably contentious, is not negative.
It sounds pretty weird to me that Paul agreed to stay off a message board as condition of eviction. I’ve never heard of negotiations like that in an eviction…it pretty much comes down to throwing someone off a given property. What’s more, I don’t think for a minute that Paul would abide by such an agreement!!! LOL.
You know, “LawfordTheatre,” the way you are acting is suspicious. Paul Warshaur has been curiously absent from this site lately. It leads me to believe two things:
You are Paul with a new name, due to the bad publicity generated by your real name.
You are not Paul, but your business practices are just as suspicious as his.
Either way the Rhode Theatre staff should be very careful with you, especially if they have fixtures in their lobby worth many thousands of dollars.
Well: I don’t live in the area, and I won’t have any volunteer time to contribute for at least another year, and (just to drive the point home) I don’t feel comfortable donating to an organization that doesn’t have official status (even the dreamers and charlatans of movie palace renovation accomplish this). But if you feel like there is a reason to talk on the phone for a few minutes, give me an email address. I will contact you to set something up.
Dude: the New Amsterdam, as I understand it, was not well taken care of. For whatever it’s worth I’ve heard it was about as trashed as you describe the Kings when they got started.
I think the Kings could rise again. But I think it requires a person (or people) with vision and drive. You have to get people excited about the place, raise funds, and come up with a multi-functional plan (like the Orpheum in Madison, WI…they have movies, concerts, a restaurant in the lobby, private rentals for parties and ceremonies…and they seem to be making it). You have to make people understand how cool it is that there are generations of memories in the place, and that it should continue…like some European structure that has been standing for hundreds of years. If it can’t be completely restored, a redevelopment plan like the one used at the Tivoli in Washington D.C. would be an option.
Not trying to beat you up fellas. But I don’t think being nice is going to help. You need to get your act together and start taking action if you expect to have a chance of saving this place. Otherwise, eventually, another redevelopment plan like the multiplex thing will come along. This time it will succeed…and that will be the end of it. The place will be torn apart.
If you are afraid of failure, you should get over it. Embrace the possibilty of failure. There is no better teacher.
I had to attend a banquet in Oakbrook this evening, which meant that it wasn’t particularly convenient for me to take I-88 home (my usual practice). Instead, I took York Road north to pick up the Tristate. I have never seen the York Theatre lit up at night. WOW! Does it ever enhance downtown Elmhurst.
It is straight up bullshit that they didn’t save at least the front section of this building. Just please don’t tell me that they are going to name the condos, “Adelphi Place.” Fat, opportunistic, loser developer who thinks he’s won the game of life because he has some money. Some of the biggest losers I know have millions. I hope you read this, silly little developer… I’m laughing at you wherever you are…
I saw movies here when it was a CO triplex. The main floor was split from the balcony with a horizontal floor. But it was the former main floor that was split in two. The former balcony was one theatre (the largest), and they still lit the stars and some colored lights within the sidewalls. It was hacked up, to be sure. But the balcony was still a nice place to see a movie. I saw “Leviathan” up there. New screen was in front of the procenium decoration. The whole place was clean, and the staff was well-dressed (CO uniforms with bow ties, vests, name plates) and attentive. The old marquee was retained and relit, chasers and all. They replaced the 50’s attraction boards with a more modern variety. It was really a pretty nice place (if you can call a vintage triplex refit that under any circumstances).
I sometimes drive through there. Is it open normal business hours Brian?
I thought this caption on an Oriental Theatre photo found on the Internet today says it all:
“There was so much bling inside the theatre I didn’t know what to photograph next.”
Thanks for the explanation Theaterat. I was intrigued by the situation. Growing up when I did, it never occured to me that someone wouldn’t have a computer!! Phil Phil certainly does seem knowledgable.
Wow. Is this place cool or what? In the dictionary next to the definition of killer vintage movie theatre there is a picture of this place. That tower is the best part.
I live a ways outside Chicago. Some stories I watch in this part of the country are: the Uptown, Ramova, Patio, Gateway, Arcada, Catlow, and New Regal (all actually in Chicago).
Have you really been doing all that stuff? I am impressed.
I think you’d have a hard time with the situation. Let’s just say that I know the legal system pretty well. If I felt like being a jerk I could counter-sue you for the things you said about me. Wouldn’t that be fun? After all, I asked a few questions about you…you came right out and attacked my character. It also sounds like you have considerably deeper pockets than I do, if you are going around and buying theatre buildings.
Let’s end this conversation. I’m getting tired of having these comment notifications pop up in my email account while I am trying to get other things done. I’m sure the others watching this feel the same way. I think the escalation of this conversation was due to the fact that I didn’t see the building listings you posted on March 25. For that oversight, I apologize.
Oh, for the love of God. That’s a dumb thing to say when I’ve stated that I might be wrong. Am I supposed to be scared? It’s pretty tough to take a few questions and comments posted on a message board and turn them into full-blown slander. Plus, my friend, I hardly have the deep pockets that would make the situation lucrative for you.
Yipes…you did post some theatre sites above. Going by the time stamps, it would appear that our messages crossed. That’s a step in the right direction. Where are these newspaper articles listed on the internet? If you are legit, I might give you some leads to follow-up on.
It seems realistic to think that the remaining elements of the theatre might be incorporated into a better use than the present one. I doubt that it will ever be fully restored. It sounds like there is strong demand for secure parking. So I suppose the challenge would lie in trying to get the owner to give up this function.
Hey SNWEB: I’ve always wondered something about this place. Have they ever had a problem with plaster chunks falling onto the parking deck?
You haven’t given me an email address or named any theatres that you have worked on. Why don’t you give me these things now? I don’t view myself as being a genius. But, in my line of business, I have dispatched more than enough con men. I give Paul a hard time because I think he victimizes well-meaning community groups who don’t know how to spot a con man (or perhaps ignore warning signs out of desperation to save their theatre). It’s entirely possible that I am wrong about you. What are the links to these positive newspaper articles you mention above? I don’t think it is fair to say that I have caused any conversations on this site to be shut down. It’s also not fair to say that I create negativity wherever I go. This conversation, while arguably contentious, is not negative.
It sounds pretty weird to me that Paul agreed to stay off a message board as condition of eviction. I’ve never heard of negotiations like that in an eviction…it pretty much comes down to throwing someone off a given property. What’s more, I don’t think for a minute that Paul would abide by such an agreement!!! LOL.
You know, “LawfordTheatre,” the way you are acting is suspicious. Paul Warshaur has been curiously absent from this site lately. It leads me to believe two things:
You are Paul with a new name, due to the bad publicity generated by your real name.
You are not Paul, but your business practices are just as suspicious as his.
Either way the Rhode Theatre staff should be very careful with you, especially if they have fixtures in their lobby worth many thousands of dollars.
Sounds like it is gone. Look at the comments shown on the photo posted by Lost Memory Feb 28, 2006.
Well: I don’t live in the area, and I won’t have any volunteer time to contribute for at least another year, and (just to drive the point home) I don’t feel comfortable donating to an organization that doesn’t have official status (even the dreamers and charlatans of movie palace renovation accomplish this). But if you feel like there is a reason to talk on the phone for a few minutes, give me an email address. I will contact you to set something up.
What are you talking about? I’ve never spoken to you before and I don’t see any of these items posted in the string above.
What are you talking about? I’ve never spoken to you before and I don’t see any of these items posted in the string above.
Is there a web site for Chalet Theatres?
What is the street address of your business office?
What other theatres do you run besides the Lawford?
Forming a 501©(3) is not an empty act. The funds you collect from people might not eventually be used to directly work on the theatre. Maybe you will find a large investor for that. But you can hold yourself out as a legitimate organization and use the funds to put on events and cover expenses for other worthy project-related endeavours (like flying to another city to talk with a potential donor). I might send you a donation. But I am not going to make a check out to Bruce the Loew’s Kings Guy.
Dude: the New Amsterdam, as I understand it, was not well taken care of. For whatever it’s worth I’ve heard it was about as trashed as you describe the Kings when they got started.
I think the Kings could rise again. But I think it requires a person (or people) with vision and drive. You have to get people excited about the place, raise funds, and come up with a multi-functional plan (like the Orpheum in Madison, WI…they have movies, concerts, a restaurant in the lobby, private rentals for parties and ceremonies…and they seem to be making it). You have to make people understand how cool it is that there are generations of memories in the place, and that it should continue…like some European structure that has been standing for hundreds of years. If it can’t be completely restored, a redevelopment plan like the one used at the Tivoli in Washington D.C. would be an option.
That being said, I agree with you about what has taken place so far. All I see is a bunch of people talking and that is not going to cut it. I think this Gustav guy put up a little web site. But it’s basic HTML and isn’t going to do anything by itself. I suggested months ago that a 501©(3) be formed and the idea was met with resistance. If nobody is willing to take that basic step (which is work, I admit…but is not that big a deal…I know someone who set up a 501©(3) theatre company) then I don’t see how the people having this conversation are ever going to accomplish the sizable tasks mentioned in the paragraph above. I can see the comments coming now: why don’t YOU do something? I would love to. But my volunteer efforts are currently devoted to my high school alumni association. I am an officer, it is a ton of work, and I can’t just walk away.
Not trying to beat you up fellas. But I don’t think being nice is going to help. You need to get your act together and start taking action if you expect to have a chance of saving this place. Otherwise, eventually, another redevelopment plan like the multiplex thing will come along. This time it will succeed…and that will be the end of it. The place will be torn apart.
If you are afraid of failure, you should get over it. Embrace the possibilty of failure. There is no better teacher.
Did I mention that this place rules?
What a great theatre.
Go get ‘em Mr. Loster.
I had to attend a banquet in Oakbrook this evening, which meant that it wasn’t particularly convenient for me to take I-88 home (my usual practice). Instead, I took York Road north to pick up the Tristate. I have never seen the York Theatre lit up at night. WOW! Does it ever enhance downtown Elmhurst.
It is straight up bullshit that they didn’t save at least the front section of this building. Just please don’t tell me that they are going to name the condos, “Adelphi Place.” Fat, opportunistic, loser developer who thinks he’s won the game of life because he has some money. Some of the biggest losers I know have millions. I hope you read this, silly little developer… I’m laughing at you wherever you are…
I remember the aborted attempt to redevelop the auditorium. Very weird site in that unfinished state.
I am dying to ask: who is Phil Phil and why can’t he post for himself? I have seen such comments several times…very mysterious…