I’m a Chicago girl! Born and Bred! I’ve been to New York a few times & actually went to the Beekman (spelling?). I would love to see the Paradise next time I’m there. What’s the area like around there? Unfortunately, the Bronx has a “less-than-stellar” reputation, perhaps undeservedly so.
I’m not all that optimistic about the Uptown Theatre. The condition of the inside is bad. The stage doors are on Lawrence Avenue (which is a fire lane—they would not be able to park the large trucks necessary for today’s shows). Customer parking would be a huge issue there. My friend and fellow Cinema Treasure fan Paul Fortini says that he moved to that area and then moved right out immediately when his lease was up. The problem, as he puts it, was parking. Especially when the Aragon and/or the Riviera were having shows. Imagine adding 1500 or more cars to the mix if the Uptown were to have a show! And there is so much competition amongst the operating venues today!
But if all of these issues can be addressed, then perhaps the Uptown will one day be a successful venue. BTW, when I was about 17 or 18 years old, I saw the J. Geils Band there when “Centerfold” and “Freeze Frame” were big hits for them. I believe that they were the last band to play at the Uptown!
In the photo set of http://www.mekong.net/random/theatres.htm if you look closely at Set 1, Photo #9 of the Granada, you will see a poster of Paul McCartney. This was for his 1989 “Flowers in the Dirt” tour and album. I had the pleasure of seeing him during that tour at the Rosemont Horizon (now called the Allstate Arena).
Oh, but if the Granada could have been saved and he could have played there….!
See my comments on the Roosevelt Theatre pertaining to this picture http://members.aol.com/citypan/BLK3791789.JPG photo of “Block 37”, on which the United Artists stood. The photo appears to be taken immediately prior to the demolition of every building seen on the block. On the right in the distance (on Randolph, the street that the taxi is not on) can be seen the blank marquee for the UA.
Volumes could be written on not only the failure of “Block 37”—indeed they have—but on the failure of State Street Mall too. But, thanks to the revivals of the Oriental and the Cadillac Palace, and the addition of the Goodman, this corner is a lot more vibrant than as shown in the picture.
(And yes, Paul F., I do remember the scene in “Adventures In Babysitting” when the car passes by the still-open UA and the Woods).
Per Paul’s and Bryan K’s comments on the http://members.aol.com/citypan/BLK3791789.JPG photo of “Block 37”, I found an old photo of a CTA bus, which my husband took. In the background can be seen the non-descript “boxes”, which stood on the Roosevelt ’s site circa 1981-1990. The stores were Shifrin-Williams, The Limited, and Kinney Shoes. Why did they bother to build these single-story stores only to tear them down a few years later? Were they supposed to be incorporated somehow into whatever what was supposed to be built there?
All of the structures in the photo http://members.aol.com/citypan/BLK3791789.JPG look like they’re awaiting demolition because of the scaffolding on them. If you look in the distance down Randolph Street (the street that the taxi is not on), you’ll see the blank marquee for the United Artists.
This photo also clearly illustrates the failure of State Street Mall. State Street was converted into a “pedestrian friendly transit mall” circa 1979. It was intended to make the street more walkable and to lure people back. Unfortunately, it was ugly. Critics panned the mall when it was built. Shoppers stayed away. Finally, in 1996 the “mall” was removed. Traffic was again allowed on the street. State Street is vibrant again, despite the loss of Carson ’s. Actually, with the re-opening of the Oriental and the Cadillac Palace and the opening of the Goodman Theatre, this is again a lively corner.
David Byrne was “The Narrator” in TRUE STORIES. Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth appeared in the “Wild Wild Life” and “Love For Sale” sequences. They also appeared in various “crowd shots”, I believe. TRUE STORIES also featured John Goodman.
I try not to be controversial on this site. So please read my entire post before you form your opinions. And this is at the risk of being ridden off this website at a rail. But I used to live in the area for many years (I still am a Northsider). And quite frankly, I wasn’t all that upset to see the Adelphi go. It had become an eyesore and I never really thought that the exterior was all that great either.
BUT…
What upsets me more is what will replace the theatre. I thoroughly agree with Paul F’s post about McMansions and blandness taking over. I saw the “artist’s concept” on the link to the READER. That new condo complex looks just like every other condo complex being built! It is totally out of scale with the rest of the area. But the wonderful alderman says in the READER article, “Current zoning permits a four-story building, this is only ‘one’ story taller.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but if a building is only “one” story taller than zoning laws permit, then doesn’t it still exceed the zoning limits?
I realize that not everything can or should be saved. Those interested in preservation should pick battles carefully. But why couldn’t the Adelphi at least have been replaced by something worthwhile?
It’s not a bad place to see a show. Certainly it’s no River East 21. Just be prepared to shell out a few bucks when you go here. Be sure to visit the wine bar on Webster Street before or after the show!
I went to the Webster Place this past weekend with a friend to see “Breach”. It was good to see a packed house for this film, thus proving when there is a good movie, people will still go to the show.
Some observations on the Webster Place:
1) I did notice a few changes since the last time I was here (when it was a Loews). The place does look somewhat cleaner. Two concession stands were open and, per Paul’s comment above, they do pop the popcorn here. But the bulk candy seems to be a thing of the past.
2) No stadium seating here. Not a big issue for me. I’m more concerned with cleanliness, sightlines (I’m almost 6' OO" tall!), and comfort and repair of the seats.
3) Parking. If you are going on a weeknight, you might have a good chance of getting a spot on Clybourn Avenue. On weekends, forget it! Be sure you park in the parking deck marked for theatre patrons, because there is no validated parking for the strip mall lot in front of the place. This could set you back $20.00. Also, the parking deck is awkwardly configured. You can spend 15-20 minutes trying to get out of the lot after the movie.
4) Public transportation. As previous posters have said, it is not close to the CTA L lines and nor is there a bus line on Clybourn. The closest bus lines are on Fullerton (#74) or Armitage (#73), ¼ mile north or south of the theatre. But the #73 doesn’t run late on weekends. There is a Metra station about ½ mile away and that would be the fastest way on public transportation from Downtown Chicago.
When under Loews' management, this was one of a handful of that chain’s cinemas which offered a free movie every Thursday night at 8pm. This was done in 2005, right before the merger with AMC, I beleive. Each month had a theme. For example, in October they showed The Excorcist, Interview with the Vampire, etc. Patrons wishing to attend did have to apply for passes on-line and each patron could bring one guest.
This plan worked for several reasons:
1) It filled seats on an otherwise lightly patronized night.
2) The rent on an older film was nominal.
3) No city or county taxes had to be paid (because the event was free).
4) And if even half the people who went bought popcorn and beverages (where the true profit is)….
This program proved to be a good idea which was very popular with movie-goers. So naturally, when the Loews-AMC merger came along, it had to be gotten rid of.
Yes, you’re right about the website http://www.villagetheatres.com/
and I’ve made that mistake more than once. Dousy lyslexia! Although I noticed that the “other” Village TheatERs also has a “Village North”. I know that their website isn’t quite “cutting edge”, but it does give showtimes and coming attractions and that’s really all I want when I go to a cinema chain’s website.
Per your comment “…under the right movies and advertising that place could and still occasially does do quite well”, you are right. My husband and I went to see CHILDREN OF MEN at the Village Art and there was a good crowd there (and it was a weeknight).
My friend and fellow CT'er Paul Fortini may have been right, I beleive, when he once said that Village Entertainment should just concentrate on running the Village Art and Village North.
Village does have a website www.villagetheaters.com which was inactive for awhile, but is now back on line. My husband and I use it whenever we go to the Village Art Theatre because they don’t advertise it in the Sun-Times or the Tribune. The website is okay, giving the showtimes and addresses of their theatres, but not much more.
I’ve seen sporadic ads for the Lincoln Village and the North Riverside, but no other Village Theatres, in the newspapers. Do they advertise in the suburban newspapers like the Daily Herald or the Southtown?
Village ALWAYS says that they will do renovations, but they never do! My then-boyfriend (now my husband) and I went to see JACKIE BROWN there in 1997 when the place was still relatively new and popular. When we went there recently to see ROCKY BALBOA, the only thing that changed was the popularity of the place. It was practically deserted—a veritable masoleum of late ‘80s cinema! Apparently Village never changes anything from the previous owners!
Also the website should be http://www.amctheatres.com/
Wow, BW Chicago, from the photos it is clear that this was a theatre!
Geo,
I’m a Chicago girl! Born and Bred! I’ve been to New York a few times & actually went to the Beekman (spelling?). I would love to see the Paradise next time I’m there. What’s the area like around there? Unfortunately, the Bronx has a “less-than-stellar” reputation, perhaps undeservedly so.
I’m not all that optimistic about the Uptown Theatre. The condition of the inside is bad. The stage doors are on Lawrence Avenue (which is a fire lane—they would not be able to park the large trucks necessary for today’s shows). Customer parking would be a huge issue there. My friend and fellow Cinema Treasure fan Paul Fortini says that he moved to that area and then moved right out immediately when his lease was up. The problem, as he puts it, was parking. Especially when the Aragon and/or the Riviera were having shows. Imagine adding 1500 or more cars to the mix if the Uptown were to have a show! And there is so much competition amongst the operating venues today!
But if all of these issues can be addressed, then perhaps the Uptown will one day be a successful venue. BTW, when I was about 17 or 18 years old, I saw the J. Geils Band there when “Centerfold” and “Freeze Frame” were big hits for them. I believe that they were the last band to play at the Uptown!
In the photo set of http://www.mekong.net/random/theatres.htm if you look closely at Set 1, Photo #9 of the Granada, you will see a poster of Paul McCartney. This was for his 1989 “Flowers in the Dirt” tour and album. I had the pleasure of seeing him during that tour at the Rosemont Horizon (now called the Allstate Arena).
Oh, but if the Granada could have been saved and he could have played there….!
I looked at the photo that Lost Memory linked to. Did Citibank occupy the space that was once the auditorium?
This theatre listing needs to be updated a little bit. The chain should be AMC, not Loews Cineplex.
See my comments on the Roosevelt Theatre pertaining to this picture http://members.aol.com/citypan/BLK3791789.JPG photo of “Block 37”, on which the United Artists stood. The photo appears to be taken immediately prior to the demolition of every building seen on the block. On the right in the distance (on Randolph, the street that the taxi is not on) can be seen the blank marquee for the UA.
Volumes could be written on not only the failure of “Block 37”—indeed they have—but on the failure of State Street Mall too. But, thanks to the revivals of the Oriental and the Cadillac Palace, and the addition of the Goodman, this corner is a lot more vibrant than as shown in the picture.
(And yes, Paul F., I do remember the scene in “Adventures In Babysitting” when the car passes by the still-open UA and the Woods).
Per Paul’s and Bryan K’s comments on the http://members.aol.com/citypan/BLK3791789.JPG photo of “Block 37”, I found an old photo of a CTA bus, which my husband took. In the background can be seen the non-descript “boxes”, which stood on the Roosevelt ’s site circa 1981-1990. The stores were Shifrin-Williams, The Limited, and Kinney Shoes. Why did they bother to build these single-story stores only to tear them down a few years later? Were they supposed to be incorporated somehow into whatever what was supposed to be built there?
All of the structures in the photo http://members.aol.com/citypan/BLK3791789.JPG look like they’re awaiting demolition because of the scaffolding on them. If you look in the distance down Randolph Street (the street that the taxi is not on), you’ll see the blank marquee for the United Artists.
This photo also clearly illustrates the failure of State Street Mall. State Street was converted into a “pedestrian friendly transit mall” circa 1979. It was intended to make the street more walkable and to lure people back. Unfortunately, it was ugly. Critics panned the mall when it was built. Shoppers stayed away. Finally, in 1996 the “mall” was removed. Traffic was again allowed on the street. State Street is vibrant again, despite the loss of Carson ’s. Actually, with the re-opening of the Oriental and the Cadillac Palace and the opening of the Goodman Theatre, this is again a lively corner.
Give JRS 40 a seegar!
David Byrne was “The Narrator” in TRUE STORIES. Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth appeared in the “Wild Wild Life” and “Love For Sale” sequences. They also appeared in various “crowd shots”, I believe. TRUE STORIES also featured John Goodman.
Name one Chicagoland Talking Heads fan that didn’t see STOP MAKING SENSE here during that film’s two-year run!
Now, can anybody name the OTHER 1980s film which featured the Talking Heads? It ran here too for quite awhile.
I vaguely remember that this theatre was in the ABC and later Plitt chains. Am I correct?
I try not to be controversial on this site. So please read my entire post before you form your opinions. And this is at the risk of being ridden off this website at a rail. But I used to live in the area for many years (I still am a Northsider). And quite frankly, I wasn’t all that upset to see the Adelphi go. It had become an eyesore and I never really thought that the exterior was all that great either.
BUT…
What upsets me more is what will replace the theatre. I thoroughly agree with Paul F’s post about McMansions and blandness taking over. I saw the “artist’s concept” on the link to the READER. That new condo complex looks just like every other condo complex being built! It is totally out of scale with the rest of the area. But the wonderful alderman says in the READER article, “Current zoning permits a four-story building, this is only ‘one’ story taller.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but if a building is only “one” story taller than zoning laws permit, then doesn’t it still exceed the zoning limits?
I realize that not everything can or should be saved. Those interested in preservation should pick battles carefully. But why couldn’t the Adelphi at least have been replaced by something worthwhile?
Easy there, Cinemark Fan, I’m married and probably twice your age!!!!
But thanks for the compliment!
Life’s Too Short—
Maybe it’s to scare away ghosts of movie-goers past! (I heard that even “Resurrection Mary” showed up, but was fooled by the lit marquee :–] !)
I am joking, of course, but is it even on during the day?
Have they begun the demolition yet?
Also:
5) It’s now $10.00 per adult ticket on weekends.
It’s not a bad place to see a show. Certainly it’s no River East 21. Just be prepared to shell out a few bucks when you go here. Be sure to visit the wine bar on Webster Street before or after the show!
I went to the Webster Place this past weekend with a friend to see “Breach”. It was good to see a packed house for this film, thus proving when there is a good movie, people will still go to the show.
Some observations on the Webster Place:
1) I did notice a few changes since the last time I was here (when it was a Loews). The place does look somewhat cleaner. Two concession stands were open and, per Paul’s comment above, they do pop the popcorn here. But the bulk candy seems to be a thing of the past.
2) No stadium seating here. Not a big issue for me. I’m more concerned with cleanliness, sightlines (I’m almost 6' OO" tall!), and comfort and repair of the seats.
3) Parking. If you are going on a weeknight, you might have a good chance of getting a spot on Clybourn Avenue. On weekends, forget it! Be sure you park in the parking deck marked for theatre patrons, because there is no validated parking for the strip mall lot in front of the place. This could set you back $20.00. Also, the parking deck is awkwardly configured. You can spend 15-20 minutes trying to get out of the lot after the movie.
4) Public transportation. As previous posters have said, it is not close to the CTA L lines and nor is there a bus line on Clybourn. The closest bus lines are on Fullerton (#74) or Armitage (#73), ¼ mile north or south of the theatre. But the #73 doesn’t run late on weekends. There is a Metra station about ½ mile away and that would be the fastest way on public transportation from Downtown Chicago.
When under Loews' management, this was one of a handful of that chain’s cinemas which offered a free movie every Thursday night at 8pm. This was done in 2005, right before the merger with AMC, I beleive. Each month had a theme. For example, in October they showed The Excorcist, Interview with the Vampire, etc. Patrons wishing to attend did have to apply for passes on-line and each patron could bring one guest.
This plan worked for several reasons:
1) It filled seats on an otherwise lightly patronized night.
2) The rent on an older film was nominal.
3) No city or county taxes had to be paid (because the event was free).
4) And if even half the people who went bought popcorn and beverages (where the true profit is)….
This program proved to be a good idea which was very popular with movie-goers. So naturally, when the Loews-AMC merger came along, it had to be gotten rid of.
A Projectionist:
Yes, you’re right about the website http://www.villagetheatres.com/
and I’ve made that mistake more than once. Dousy lyslexia! Although I noticed that the “other” Village TheatERs also has a “Village North”. I know that their website isn’t quite “cutting edge”, but it does give showtimes and coming attractions and that’s really all I want when I go to a cinema chain’s website.
Per your comment “…under the right movies and advertising that place could and still occasially does do quite well”, you are right. My husband and I went to see CHILDREN OF MEN at the Village Art and there was a good crowd there (and it was a weeknight).
My friend and fellow CT'er Paul Fortini may have been right, I beleive, when he once said that Village Entertainment should just concentrate on running the Village Art and Village North.
John Messick,
Village does have a website www.villagetheaters.com which was inactive for awhile, but is now back on line. My husband and I use it whenever we go to the Village Art Theatre because they don’t advertise it in the Sun-Times or the Tribune. The website is okay, giving the showtimes and addresses of their theatres, but not much more.
I’ve seen sporadic ads for the Lincoln Village and the North Riverside, but no other Village Theatres, in the newspapers. Do they advertise in the suburban newspapers like the Daily Herald or the Southtown?
Why was this theatre named the Diana?
So was this a General Cinema then at one time? When did Classic Cinemas take over?
Cinemark Fan and Life’s Too Short,
I believe that M&R briefly had the Esquire shortly before Sony-Loews took over. Am I correct on that one?
From what I’ve read in the DAILY HERALD, periodically there seems to be news that this theatre will close. Yet it always appears to bounce back.
Jim Piscitelli,
Village ALWAYS says that they will do renovations, but they never do! My then-boyfriend (now my husband) and I went to see JACKIE BROWN there in 1997 when the place was still relatively new and popular. When we went there recently to see ROCKY BALBOA, the only thing that changed was the popularity of the place. It was practically deserted—a veritable masoleum of late ‘80s cinema! Apparently Village never changes anything from the previous owners!