Comments from CathyC

Showing 8 comments

CathyC
CathyC commented about Patio Theatre on Aug 28, 2007 at 12:03 am

The film, ‘THE WIZARD OF AUSTIN BOULEVARD’ (mentioned in prior posts,), will be shown at the Portage Theater on Saturday, September 15, as part of the “Preserving Palaces” festival. For more information, go to the Portage Theater website, www.portagetheater.org Also, an entire evening will be devoted to the films of Louis Antonelli on Sunday, September 16. Just thought true Patio Theater admirers would want to know.

CathyC
CathyC commented about Patio Theatre on Jul 6, 2007 at 11:31 am

A possible remedy for impatience – enjoy a few glasses of Dago Red while humming the tune “The Ants Go Marching.”

CathyC
CathyC commented about Patio Theatre on Jun 16, 2007 at 2:13 am

Patiomike, That is very thoughtful of you, but I was hoping to see more interior shots of the Patio. There have been many exterior images shared on this site, but only one or two of the interior. It would be nice for those truly interested in the Patio to see what it looks like on the inside.

CathyC
CathyC commented about Patio Theatre on Jun 13, 2007 at 9:55 pm

Patiomike, I’m SO glad that you have been posting to the site and have been able to share your experiences and knowledge of the Patio Theatre. Any chance you have any photos to share as well?

CathyC
CathyC commented about Patio Theatre on Oct 1, 2006 at 9:42 pm

Damn! Oops! S@#*! Yikes! Alright, I think it’s all out now. Where is that chimp when you need him?! Crude, I have never been called. Straight with a captial “S” is what I’ve heard most often. Doesn’t matter. I stand by my entry. The word “ignorant” implies the lack of knowledge and education, which is as inaccurate as you can get when describing the Lou Antonelli I remember. (And for the record, I am more than a “mere” woman. Jeesh!!) As far as the rest of my entry, my words were not meant for one person in particular, but for all the armchair romantics. I saw inaccuracies in the entries and, since I have a personal connection to the Patio, I became a bit irked. (Plus I knew I would get a chuckle out of Lou!) In my entries, my intentions were innocent, although, I admit my sarcasm may have been misunderstood and unappreciated. In my ingnorance, I should have replaced “ass” with “behind” or “bottom”, which I know are the choices I prefer my kids to use.

In the early 60’s, I went to the Will Rogers theater. That was my neighborhood. I remember the stage performances before the movie and the raffles. I think I won a few times. How disappointing it was to go back so many years later and see an ugly strip mall. Unfortunately, I think we all know what the inevitable fate of the Patio is. It would be grand if, as Mr. Wolf writes, “another knight like Alex can swoop in and bring it back.” At least it is comforting to know that as long as this site is in existence, all who visit will be able to read Mr. Antonelli’s tribute to the Patio and Alex K. and know that it is true and accurate. A memory to secure in a scrapbook for posterity. This in itself makes all the emotions and ruffled feathers I seem to have stirred all worth while.

I am signing off, much to the delight of many! But I will continue to return to check on the Patio and her fate. Ciao.

CathyC
CathyC commented about Patio Theatre on Sep 29, 2006 at 10:56 pm

Well, Mr. Rankin, I have to say shame on you! You took the time to look up the word “encomium” to possibly give Mr. Antonelli a compliment, and yet threw in the word “ignorant” the way someone masks an insult by prefacing it with an expression of praise. As far as paragraphing and being brief, it is these shortcuts and get-to-the-point attitudes that miss the true beauty in the smallest and even the largest of things. You may think that I have unleashed a beast of sorts in sending these readers to seek out Mr. Antonelli, but I think that I have given you access to a much clearer and truer history of the Patio Theater. Isn’t this what you all have been asking for? Or were these entries of interest simply a passing of time; a break from the stale routine of manhandling the remote, eating a frozen dinner and scratching your ass? If you really admire the beauty of the Patio Theater and have wonderful memories of it, then you would more than appreciate the poetry of Lou’s words and how he brings to vivid life the Patio Theater. With his magic, he took black letters on a white screen and created a three-dimensional, Technicolor short film for you. A looking glass to step into and find a wonderland on the other side. Is Mr. Antonelli verbose? Maybe. Passionate? Absolutely. But how fortunate for us readers that he took the time to prepare for us this intricate meal. Something to go back to and read and re-read and digest. Something to fill our cups up with and slowly sip and savor. It is these stories that should be kept alive and passed on through the generations because it is not only part of the history of Chicago, but of a neighborhood and of a people.

CathyC
CathyC commented about Patio Theatre on Sep 4, 2006 at 11:17 pm

I forgot to mention that Louis Antonelli made a film about The Patio theater. It’s called “The Wizard of Austin Boulevard.”

CathyC
CathyC commented about Patio Theatre on Aug 23, 2006 at 11:40 pm

If anyone is truly interested in knowing more about the history and workings of the beautiful Patio Theater, you should try to locate Louis Antonelli, a local Chicago filmmaker and long-time projectionist for the Patio. I too used to live in the Portage Park area. I knew Lou in the early 90’s. He had a great love and passion for the Patio. I was fortunate enough to view movies from the projection room and watch as he changed the reels. I remember Alex, the owner, as a nice man, but crabby and cheap. (I know, not very nice to say, but true.) Someone from New York just told me about this site today and I decided to look up some favorite, old theaters, the Patio being at the top of my list. What a surprise to me that I would be contributing to the site. Lou should be easy to locate. He is a well-known Chicago filmmaker as well as a true and loyal Chicagoan. If you do have trouble locating him, you may want to try calling the Chicago Film Office. I hope the Patio can be restored and reopened. It would be a shame to lose another beautiful piece of Chicago’s history.