Comments from balabankatz

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balabankatz
balabankatz commented about Lakeside Cinema on Oct 24, 2009 at 2:09 am

What a crime, Rich Jerry Lewis stealing Mom and Pop’s money! They totally got away with it too. They where the worst theaters of their time.

balabankatz
balabankatz commented about Niles Square Cinema on Oct 24, 2009 at 1:15 am

It was great as Kohlberg Theaters but that was when Goldbatt’s was the anchor and S&H green stamps was a big draw there. Cineplex, Loews, and the like did the buy all then go bankrupt plan on the industry then run away with your pockets full of money. Chicago lost…

balabankatz
balabankatz commented about Golf Mill Theatres 1-2-3 on Oct 24, 2009 at 12:35 am

Another 70’s – 80’s movie bliss killed off by the Cineplex Odeon buy everything and go bankrupt plan.

balabankatz
balabankatz commented about Edens I & II Theaters on Oct 24, 2009 at 12:26 am

This was a great Lubliner & Trinz theater killed off by Cineplex Odeon. They ended great Chicago cinema with help from Loews.

balabankatz
balabankatz commented about Deerpath Theatre on Oct 24, 2009 at 12:15 am

It was not a twin. It was remodeled in the very early 80’s and the organ was even restored. It was reopened as the Deerpath 2. Airline seats, private rooms (back of the main floor) good for crying babies, early satellite TV (in the lobby and private rooms), and a rockin Dolby stereo sound system. Pink Floyd The Wall was there right after it reopened. Another cool theater that died due to the Loews / CO multiplex build mania then bankruptcy.

balabankatz
balabankatz commented about Evanston 5 Theaters on Oct 23, 2009 at 11:44 pm

When the Evanston was an independent it was awesome. The quad of the big theater was an abortion. The smaller newer 70’s screen down the street (was a swimming pool/gym before). Then became the big great Evanston movie house. Aliens in 70mm with 6 track mag sound (wow it was just SO Great)! Loews and Cineplex killed the movies for Chicago. Too Sad!

balabankatz
balabankatz commented about Biograph Theater on Oct 23, 2009 at 10:46 pm

Larry Edwards loved this theater. He reopened it in the mid 70’s and ran it til the late 80’s. He brought back great art film exhibition to Chicago and did very well with it. Competition from the Fine Arts theaters and CO opening mega-theaters in the area led him to sellout to CO. Larry’s wife petitioned for the historical site status after the remodeling in the 70’s. Some history was fabricated at that point i.e. the gold painted un-upholstered chair and its location. There was NEVER a balcony and the Ritz / Roxy (small screens built with proceeds from RHPS). Where in the dance school above the store fronts, NEVER part of the Biograph theater.