That’s the property Sam. I know it was open from at least 1978-1984 because I saw many films there as a kid. The Outsiders, Used Cars, Stir Crazy and FireFox that I can remember. We used to bring blow up rafts to lay on. Such a shame they had to close, as the weather down there is awesome for an outdoor theater.
We only went here a few times as it was usually chaos by the early nineties. Seven of us piled into a pick-up to see Eddie or Set It Off? Who knows. It was fun and a shame teenagers today can’t have drive-ins w/o the fear of getting shot.
Sorry about all those typos. The 2 main auditoriums are still nice and big & I think one may still have a “cry room” which is sooo nice for parents w/ babies who want to see films without interupting the other viewers. Upstairs are two very nice screens that feel cozy-not cramped or poorly constructed. The 5th screen is perfect for special events and art films.
The tall grass film series used to show here and I hope that continues.
This theater was really great as a 1 screen. I remmebr the ushers lined up allong the back where they could see everything going on. I believe the last movie I saw on the single was The Great Outdoors.
After high school I worked there from 1992-1996 maybe. I need to find some photos. I think I was hired by Nan? and Scott. the mall was on the decline but what a crazy great place to work. The lobby had those giant 4'x4' portraits of cinema legends.
Classic Cinemas really really tried with this location. I think for them ge it was hard to mannage because we were so far southeast of most of their other locations.
When I was about 11 years old, this place was AWESOME. It wasn’t classic movie theater but they would have the neatest promotions. For Dick Tracy, we bought t-shirts w/ the ticket printed on the shirt and then went to the 12:01 screening. If it wasn’t action figures for sale in the lobby it was some deal w/ the popcorn. Everything from Indiana Jones, Star Wars films to The Crying Game and my first Rocky Horror night. Friday the 13th in 3D-AWFUL, but we loved going.
The layout of the lobby was always a traffic nightmare and I never understood why they hadn’t attached it to the mall from the begining.
Such a great little theater. Shame on the folks in Homewood for not keeping it going.
Melody Mart has taken over the corner now and ironically the parking is available now. If you walk behingd the downtown buildings, they have painted the wall to look like the old theater. I will post a photo one of these days.
I drank enough Dr. Nut to drown in around 1982-1984. We lived over the Rigewood Tap and went to see the double feature of Flashdance and 48 Hours about 7 times. After you could walk across the street to Three Brothers restaurant or Record Swap to buy the soundtrack.
When they reopened w/ art films I can also remember marble statues in the lobby.
“Red Plush Everything” You nailed it! We used to get dropped off at that mall and hang out at the arcade next door all day.
I remember freaking out because the ticket price to see Mosquito Coast was close to $7 near the end of it’s first run heyday. They should have never gone second run, they didn’t hire good security. I think I saw Hellraiser II near the end and the place was pretty empty. Such a shame as this was a good size theater in a decent little mall. I know somebody down here has to still have some photos of the mall or even the Diana.
I go there about twice a month. I agree, they need to spice it up a bit. The facilities are clean and nice. The staff is great but it has this empty feel to it in the lobby. I still like going there.
We still go every week w/ their $5 saver coupon. Despite the location, this place is safe and friendly. It continues to amaze me how sweet the staff of teens working box office and concession are.
Marcus has done a fine job maintaining it as a first run. there’s alway some promotion or midnight movie going on. I think this is what keeps the place fun.
Normally I love to complain about Chicago Heights, this place is one of my few exceptions. As long as they keep it clean and safe, we will keep blowing $20 at the concession stand.
Ken, thank you for that link! I saw Breathless there!!! The last film I remember seeing was Nighmare on Elmstreet 3 or 4 and it was a rough crowd.
They used to sell orange soda that was really just orange HiC or Kool-Aid. Adorable little candy counter. Perfect neighborhood theater. Not a palace like the Lincoln-Dixie, but really a small town feel.
Such a loss, but the current owners seem to be doing a great job w/ mexican concerts and private events. Cheers to them for keeping the building open.
My uncle sold at the flea market on Sunday’s from the late 70s until maybe 1989? The concession stand was awsome unless it flooded. Then it became an island in the distance. Hambergers and dogs wrapped in foil. I rememeber hanging out in the playground under the screen and swinging on the swings. Such a shame.
It was such a big deal to go to RO for a movie. Normally we would go to the Nortown in Chicago heights or theDiana in Washington Mall, the Park Forest, or Brementown mall.
But if the movie was just opening, it was either River Oaks or Lincoln Mall
This is awesome, thanks for the list. Can anyone explain the difference between the theaters hidden on the west side of Torrence Ave., the one’s attached physically to the mall, parking lot building on south end and the n the River Run location?
I saw Faces Of Death @ a midnight show back in 1990?1991? Everyone who stayed till the end recieved a certificate at the nd from a nurse.
The exterior has really taken a beating in the past few months w/ the bad storms. The aqua letters are starting to fall off. Such a shame. This would be a good place for some live events if someone did some clean up on it. The sunken lounge are is nice. I can’t understand how Glenwood has alowed all there entertainment options to fall apart.
Anyway, I think the last movie I saw on the full screen may have been 1994? I’ll have to ask a friend who worked there before Village got their hands on. Really such a waste.
That’s the property Sam. I know it was open from at least 1978-1984 because I saw many films there as a kid. The Outsiders, Used Cars, Stir Crazy and FireFox that I can remember. We used to bring blow up rafts to lay on. Such a shame they had to close, as the weather down there is awesome for an outdoor theater.
I’ll take some photos tonight on my way home and post soon.
Love this theater. Well worth the drive from Homewood or even Chicago if it’s a film in the main theater.
We only went here a few times as it was usually chaos by the early nineties. Seven of us piled into a pick-up to see Eddie or Set It Off? Who knows. It was fun and a shame teenagers today can’t have drive-ins w/o the fear of getting shot.
Wow, I had no idea there was a theater down there. Any old photos or stories would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry about all those typos. The 2 main auditoriums are still nice and big & I think one may still have a “cry room” which is sooo nice for parents w/ babies who want to see films without interupting the other viewers. Upstairs are two very nice screens that feel cozy-not cramped or poorly constructed. The 5th screen is perfect for special events and art films.
The tall grass film series used to show here and I hope that continues.
This theater was really great as a 1 screen. I remmebr the ushers lined up allong the back where they could see everything going on. I believe the last movie I saw on the single was The Great Outdoors.
After high school I worked there from 1992-1996 maybe. I need to find some photos. I think I was hired by Nan? and Scott. the mall was on the decline but what a crazy great place to work. The lobby had those giant 4'x4' portraits of cinema legends.
Classic Cinemas really really tried with this location. I think for them ge it was hard to mannage because we were so far southeast of most of their other locations.
When I was about 11 years old, this place was AWESOME. It wasn’t classic movie theater but they would have the neatest promotions. For Dick Tracy, we bought t-shirts w/ the ticket printed on the shirt and then went to the 12:01 screening. If it wasn’t action figures for sale in the lobby it was some deal w/ the popcorn. Everything from Indiana Jones, Star Wars films to The Crying Game and my first Rocky Horror night. Friday the 13th in 3D-AWFUL, but we loved going.
The layout of the lobby was always a traffic nightmare and I never understood why they hadn’t attached it to the mall from the begining.
Such a great little theater. Shame on the folks in Homewood for not keeping it going.
Melody Mart has taken over the corner now and ironically the parking is available now. If you walk behingd the downtown buildings, they have painted the wall to look like the old theater. I will post a photo one of these days.
I drank enough Dr. Nut to drown in around 1982-1984. We lived over the Rigewood Tap and went to see the double feature of Flashdance and 48 Hours about 7 times. After you could walk across the street to Three Brothers restaurant or Record Swap to buy the soundtrack.
When they reopened w/ art films I can also remember marble statues in the lobby.
“Red Plush Everything” You nailed it! We used to get dropped off at that mall and hang out at the arcade next door all day.
I remember freaking out because the ticket price to see Mosquito Coast was close to $7 near the end of it’s first run heyday. They should have never gone second run, they didn’t hire good security. I think I saw Hellraiser II near the end and the place was pretty empty. Such a shame as this was a good size theater in a decent little mall. I know somebody down here has to still have some photos of the mall or even the Diana.
I go there about twice a month. I agree, they need to spice it up a bit. The facilities are clean and nice. The staff is great but it has this empty feel to it in the lobby. I still like going there.
Only went there once as a kid. I have always loved that corner building. I miss old Dolton.
Better to be nightclub than torn down.
Love this theater, safe & clean. I hope they continue to keep it that way.
We still go every week w/ their $5 saver coupon. Despite the location, this place is safe and friendly. It continues to amaze me how sweet the staff of teens working box office and concession are.
Marcus has done a fine job maintaining it as a first run. there’s alway some promotion or midnight movie going on. I think this is what keeps the place fun.
Normally I love to complain about Chicago Heights, this place is one of my few exceptions. As long as they keep it clean and safe, we will keep blowing $20 at the concession stand.
Ken, thank you for that link! I saw Breathless there!!! The last film I remember seeing was Nighmare on Elmstreet 3 or 4 and it was a rough crowd.
They used to sell orange soda that was really just orange HiC or Kool-Aid. Adorable little candy counter. Perfect neighborhood theater. Not a palace like the Lincoln-Dixie, but really a small town feel.
Such a loss, but the current owners seem to be doing a great job w/ mexican concerts and private events. Cheers to them for keeping the building open.
My uncle sold at the flea market on Sunday’s from the late 70s until maybe 1989? The concession stand was awsome unless it flooded. Then it became an island in the distance. Hambergers and dogs wrapped in foil. I rememeber hanging out in the playground under the screen and swinging on the swings. Such a shame.
It was such a big deal to go to RO for a movie. Normally we would go to the Nortown in Chicago heights or theDiana in Washington Mall, the Park Forest, or Brementown mall.
But if the movie was just opening, it was either River Oaks or Lincoln Mall
This is awesome, thanks for the list. Can anyone explain the difference between the theaters hidden on the west side of Torrence Ave., the one’s attached physically to the mall, parking lot building on south end and the n the River Run location?
I saw Faces Of Death @ a midnight show back in 1990?1991? Everyone who stayed till the end recieved a certificate at the nd from a nurse.
Great theaters, mice and all.
I think the Janowski’s would be surprised by how much help we would give if they would just ask. I hope they reopen.
The exterior has really taken a beating in the past few months w/ the bad storms. The aqua letters are starting to fall off. Such a shame. This would be a good place for some live events if someone did some clean up on it. The sunken lounge are is nice. I can’t understand how Glenwood has alowed all there entertainment options to fall apart.
Anyway, I think the last movie I saw on the full screen may have been 1994? I’ll have to ask a friend who worked there before Village got their hands on. Really such a waste.