Update: The metal cladding that has marred the building for probably 40 years now is now totally removed, although the framework is still up. Despite the missing cornice, terra cotta work, and windows, it still looks a lot better to me at least now that it has some architectural expression. It would take a lot of money to fully restore, though, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. As for the tag, i’m almost certain that’s been there for a couple years now.
All right, sctheaters, i’m sure you’d agree this has gone on much too long. But I do have one question for you, out of genuine curiousity. You can certainly choose not to answer it, since as you said, it’s not going to help you in business anyway. You insist repeatedly that CinemaTreasures does nothing to put money in your pocket (excerpts below). If so, why has every page you’ve posted on here – save this one – been regarding purchasing theaters? If you’re not profitting here, what are you contributing?
Well, sure it’s on-topic. The post is about avoiding inflammatory comments; we’re considering what causes these issues and brainstorming and discussing the merits of ways to avoid these situations in the future. A healthy, constructive, disscussion without personal attacks- exactly what this community needs more of! And the veering off-topic serves as an illustration of why another type of forum could be useful- keep the main thread of conversation on-topic while allowing more dialogue to spin off.
Well-put, schmadrian. What if the discussion board were a paid-member area of the site? It would give members both an incentive to financially support the site and provide a forum for greater discussion which is mainly of interest to more dedicated members anyway. I think that http://www.straightdope.com/ has an arrangement along those lines. I think the wiki idea has some merit too, but it seems like implementation could be tricky.
Such an interface would also allow members to privately message each other, regardless of whether their email is listed in their profiles. This would also keep a lot of irrelevance off the listings. However, I suppose bandwidth is an important consideration. But there does need to be some expansion of discussion forums. For example, it doesn’t seem to make much sense to have discussion of operators like Cineplex Odeon or Balaban & Katz or Loews spread out across dozens of different listings. Maybe even a wiki of some sort would be a useful edition.
It would be nice if the site had a forum to discuss more general topics, so that we had somewhere to talk about things not related to one specific thing. Sure, other theater sites that, but they are largely different communities for whatever reason.
Not that it’s relevant, but I never suggested where he might have gotten the money – I have no idea, and I don’t really care either. I know that he’s spent a lot of time playing the organ. I suppose you’d similarly indict a pianist for buying a Steinway or a violinist for a Stradivari, or any musician for buying a top-of-the-line sound system? And bringing Hitler into the argument (Godwin’s law) immediately strips you of any credibility you might have held. I never claimed to be non-judgemental, I was just shocked that such a rude comment would pop up here. No trace of arrogance? You opened your post by saying it was self-indulgence! The arrogance is in saying what someone you don’t even know or know anything about should be spending their money. The only person who has any business saying how Mark Noller should spend his money is Mark Noller. In one sentence you say I should be less self-righteous, in the next you – having never met or talked to me – state authoritatively that I have been corrupted by consumerism and tell me exactly what I need to do.
If you’re here to indict Western society, you’re in the wrong place. You asked if “a cinema could be saved” – well, why spend the money restoring a theater when there are homeless people? A black shoebox would do just as well, and old theaters certainly aren’t as economically efficient as a multiplex. Wasn’t that one of the reasons modernists hated ornamentation, that it was ostenatious and wasteful? Then again, communist societies- ones where any measure of material self-indulgence are rendered illegal – are such great places to live!
I won’t indulge you any further in this discussion. How’s the weather up there?
Well, sir, I think you have a lot of nerve to pass judgement on someone. From the article you can see this is a man who lives humbly, doing what he loves – playing the organ. How many people buy cars to reward themselves for a life of hard work? For 50k you could get, what, a nice sedan, or a Hummer H2, or something like that. For 50k you could move to something a little larger than a double-wide. But this guy decided to do something creative and enjoy what he has and what he loves doing. My opinion is weak and inconsequential? Well, at least it’s not rooted in arrogant self-righteousness.
A November 12, 1919 Mae Tinee article in the Tribune stated: “Balaban and Katz’s downtown theater will be called The Capitol, for the readon that it is to be the largest if any of their theaters and will be their executive headquarters. This theater is to be located on the east side of State street between Lake and Randolph streets. Building operations will begin early in the spring when the existing leases expire.” A July 4, 1920 ad for bonds shows a drawing of the Chicago with the name Ambassador, which persisted until at least December. In April, 1920, the Harris and Selwyn were announced (as Rapp & Rapp designs which weren’t built, but still with the near-twin theme). At the time, they were to be called the Chicago and Selwyn. By January 1921 they had recieved the Harris and Selwyn names, freeing the Chicago name.
Here is an early interior view of the Majestic Bar, which is the space that was recently incorporated into the lobby as a lounge and box office. All of it is gone now except the ceiling, but it seems that nobody realized even that was there until the restoration started.
Another sad irony is that the Gateway Plaza development there was supposed to contain multiplexes in two different iterations of the plan, but both fell through, leaving the Far North Side with only the Village North.
Here is a great shot of the Palace’s dome
Here are a couple recent shots of the theater.
Update: The metal cladding that has marred the building for probably 40 years now is now totally removed, although the framework is still up. Despite the missing cornice, terra cotta work, and windows, it still looks a lot better to me at least now that it has some architectural expression. It would take a lot of money to fully restore, though, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens. As for the tag, i’m almost certain that’s been there for a couple years now.
All right, sctheaters, i’m sure you’d agree this has gone on much too long. But I do have one question for you, out of genuine curiousity. You can certainly choose not to answer it, since as you said, it’s not going to help you in business anyway. You insist repeatedly that CinemaTreasures does nothing to put money in your pocket (excerpts below). If so, why has every page you’ve posted on here – save this one – been regarding purchasing theaters? If you’re not profitting here, what are you contributing?
Actually the Mt. Prospect still stands as a banquet hall.
Well, sure it’s on-topic. The post is about avoiding inflammatory comments; we’re considering what causes these issues and brainstorming and discussing the merits of ways to avoid these situations in the future. A healthy, constructive, disscussion without personal attacks- exactly what this community needs more of! And the veering off-topic serves as an illustration of why another type of forum could be useful- keep the main thread of conversation on-topic while allowing more dialogue to spin off.
Well-put, schmadrian. What if the discussion board were a paid-member area of the site? It would give members both an incentive to financially support the site and provide a forum for greater discussion which is mainly of interest to more dedicated members anyway. I think that http://www.straightdope.com/ has an arrangement along those lines. I think the wiki idea has some merit too, but it seems like implementation could be tricky.
Such an interface would also allow members to privately message each other, regardless of whether their email is listed in their profiles. This would also keep a lot of irrelevance off the listings. However, I suppose bandwidth is an important consideration. But there does need to be some expansion of discussion forums. For example, it doesn’t seem to make much sense to have discussion of operators like Cineplex Odeon or Balaban & Katz or Loews spread out across dozens of different listings. Maybe even a wiki of some sort would be a useful edition.
It would be nice if the site had a forum to discuss more general topics, so that we had somewhere to talk about things not related to one specific thing. Sure, other theater sites that, but they are largely different communities for whatever reason.
Fantastic! Dates to 1957, judging by the marquees
The book Here’s The Deal covers Block 37 in detail
THis ebay stores item features a fantastic photo of the Will Rogers on opening day, complete with movie camera and a ladder to the marquee.
Not that it’s relevant, but I never suggested where he might have gotten the money – I have no idea, and I don’t really care either. I know that he’s spent a lot of time playing the organ. I suppose you’d similarly indict a pianist for buying a Steinway or a violinist for a Stradivari, or any musician for buying a top-of-the-line sound system? And bringing Hitler into the argument (Godwin’s law) immediately strips you of any credibility you might have held. I never claimed to be non-judgemental, I was just shocked that such a rude comment would pop up here. No trace of arrogance? You opened your post by saying it was self-indulgence! The arrogance is in saying what someone you don’t even know or know anything about should be spending their money. The only person who has any business saying how Mark Noller should spend his money is Mark Noller. In one sentence you say I should be less self-righteous, in the next you – having never met or talked to me – state authoritatively that I have been corrupted by consumerism and tell me exactly what I need to do.
If you’re here to indict Western society, you’re in the wrong place. You asked if “a cinema could be saved” – well, why spend the money restoring a theater when there are homeless people? A black shoebox would do just as well, and old theaters certainly aren’t as economically efficient as a multiplex. Wasn’t that one of the reasons modernists hated ornamentation, that it was ostenatious and wasteful? Then again, communist societies- ones where any measure of material self-indulgence are rendered illegal – are such great places to live!
I won’t indulge you any further in this discussion. How’s the weather up there?
Well, sir, I think you have a lot of nerve to pass judgement on someone. From the article you can see this is a man who lives humbly, doing what he loves – playing the organ. How many people buy cars to reward themselves for a life of hard work? For 50k you could get, what, a nice sedan, or a Hummer H2, or something like that. For 50k you could move to something a little larger than a double-wide. But this guy decided to do something creative and enjoy what he has and what he loves doing. My opinion is weak and inconsequential? Well, at least it’s not rooted in arrogant self-righteousness.
Far greater sums have been spent on far more self-indulgent projects. It should make things interesting when it comes time to sell the house though.
A November 12, 1919 Mae Tinee article in the Tribune stated: “Balaban and Katz’s downtown theater will be called The Capitol, for the readon that it is to be the largest if any of their theaters and will be their executive headquarters. This theater is to be located on the east side of State street between Lake and Randolph streets. Building operations will begin early in the spring when the existing leases expire.” A July 4, 1920 ad for bonds shows a drawing of the Chicago with the name Ambassador, which persisted until at least December. In April, 1920, the Harris and Selwyn were announced (as Rapp & Rapp designs which weren’t built, but still with the near-twin theme). At the time, they were to be called the Chicago and Selwyn. By January 1921 they had recieved the Harris and Selwyn names, freeing the Chicago name.
Yes, it does. Hope it comes through.
Here is a late 40s view. Here is an early 60s view.
Here is an early postcard view
Here is a postcard view of the lobby
Here is a 1950s view of the glitzy Randolph Street Rialto.
Here is an early interior view of the Majestic Bar, which is the space that was recently incorporated into the lobby as a lounge and box office. All of it is gone now except the ceiling, but it seems that nobody realized even that was there until the restoration started.
Here is an early postcard view of the theater
Here is an early postcard view of the New United Masonic Temple Building/Oriental Theater
Another sad irony is that the Gateway Plaza development there was supposed to contain multiplexes in two different iterations of the plan, but both fell through, leaving the Far North Side with only the Village North.