The building was built in 1872, by the Hamlin family, originally snake-oil salesmen. The site had been a theater since 1860, called Beyan’s Hall, renamed Hooley’s Opera House in 1870 and then the Coliseum before falling in the Grat Chicago Fire. In 1873 the theater was added, originally a 30-table billiard hall. 1874 the billiard hall was enlarged and altered into an amusement hall with fountains, waterfalls, and refreshments; in 1878 it was converted into a theater proper, called Hamlin’s; following further renovations in 1880 by Adler and Sullivan, completely redecorating and partially rebuilding, it became the Grand Opera House; it was leased by the famed George M. Cohan in 1912; in 1926 following extensive modernizations by architect A.N. Rebori it was to become “The Four Cohans”, but a covenant in the lease said that whatever name it would tak had to include “Grand Opera House” and so for six months it was “The Four Cohans Grand Opera House” before being named back as Cohan’s Grand Opera House, later passing to the Shuberts; it became the RKO Grand in 1942, closed in March 1958 and was demolished the next month.
The building has just been dramatically cleaned and had its Terra Cotta repaired. The scaffolding is down and it looks wonderful, aside from that silly marquee.
The article I read noted that “only the outer walls and supporting columns were left standing” but also that “a second ceiling topping the store’s main and mezzanine floors was suspended by steel hangers from the theater’s old ceiling, leaving a 40 foot empty space between the two ceilings”. So probably yes, the original ceiling likely remained and I imagine that the mezzanine level of the store was the old upper lobby. I know that large amounts of the old Belmont theater were discovered intact behind the bowling renovation when that was demolished in the 90s, too.
The New Apollo must have closed some time before 1946, because a 13-year old boy discovered a skeleton there while playing in the decaying theater in 1946.
Films would show exclusively at one theater in a given city and tickets were sold as reserved seats well in advance, much like a traveling show. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_show
Well… still better than any of those look now, at any rate!
The building was built in 1872, by the Hamlin family, originally snake-oil salesmen. The site had been a theater since 1860, called Beyan’s Hall, renamed Hooley’s Opera House in 1870 and then the Coliseum before falling in the Grat Chicago Fire. In 1873 the theater was added, originally a 30-table billiard hall. 1874 the billiard hall was enlarged and altered into an amusement hall with fountains, waterfalls, and refreshments; in 1878 it was converted into a theater proper, called Hamlin’s; following further renovations in 1880 by Adler and Sullivan, completely redecorating and partially rebuilding, it became the Grand Opera House; it was leased by the famed George M. Cohan in 1912; in 1926 following extensive modernizations by architect A.N. Rebori it was to become “The Four Cohans”, but a covenant in the lease said that whatever name it would tak had to include “Grand Opera House” and so for six months it was “The Four Cohans Grand Opera House” before being named back as Cohan’s Grand Opera House, later passing to the Shuberts; it became the RKO Grand in 1942, closed in March 1958 and was demolished the next month.
There is a picture on Corbis. Search http://pro.corbis.com/default.aspx for U204954INP
Unfortunately linking to corbis doesn’t seem to work. You’d have to search for VV7531
So did the Paradise go through three marquees?
Yes, it was at the Amphitheatre.
Here is a 1910 postcard view of the then much cleaner Fine Arts Building.
Here is a shot of the building when it was new and considerably less ugly.
Here is a 1960s shot of the strip. Look at all that neon!
Here is a 1960s shot of the Oriental reflected in a restaurant across the street.
The building has just been dramatically cleaned and had its Terra Cotta repaired. The scaffolding is down and it looks wonderful, aside from that silly marquee.
The scaffolding just recently came down after over a year. Looks good. Still missing some Terra Cotta.
The article I read noted that “only the outer walls and supporting columns were left standing” but also that “a second ceiling topping the store’s main and mezzanine floors was suspended by steel hangers from the theater’s old ceiling, leaving a 40 foot empty space between the two ceilings”. So probably yes, the original ceiling likely remained and I imagine that the mezzanine level of the store was the old upper lobby. I know that large amounts of the old Belmont theater were discovered intact behind the bowling renovation when that was demolished in the 90s, too.
In 1973 the First Run Comedy Theater staged a series of plays at the Milda.
Closed by 1952
Built 1910, closed 1957, burned and demolished 1961. Manager claimed Bob Hope had once performed there.
When the theater was demolished, the seats were offered to the Democratic National Committee for their 1956 convention.
It also originally had a capacity of 650
In 1956 it was remodeled into quarters for the Shleswig-Holsteiner-Sangerbund club, one of chicago’s oldest german musical clubs.
The New Apollo must have closed some time before 1946, because a 13-year old boy discovered a skeleton there while playing in the decaying theater in 1946.
It actually closed around 1950. In 1952 it was gutted and converted to a May Sons Women’s Apparel store.
Apologies; here is the corrected link.
Here is a new article on the Ramova, with pictures.
Here is a new article on the Ramova, with pictures.
Films would show exclusively at one theater in a given city and tickets were sold as reserved seats well in advance, much like a traveling show. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_show
The Evanston was independent up until M&R, and then passed to M&R/Loews, Sony/Loews, and Loews/Cineplex.
The Varsity and Coronet were indeed Plitts.