KB: If my memory serves me correctly Early mid 1980s to Early mid 1990s. It was constant in the 80s and slightly interrupted in the 90s I believe it bounced back and forth to The Waverly. HEH :)
I can’t remember – I was usually spaced out on sensation – among other exotic things. :)
This just in: According to my friend who claims to know the Montsenior at St. Pascal’s Church – just up the road from The Patio: The owner went on vacation, and the business license expired. When he tried to get it renewed, the City of Chicago said “To run a movie theatre, you need to have parking space for at least 25 cars.” Because the license already expired, he missed the grandfather clause. Now I’m sure if that’s the case: There are several businesses with ample parking just a block from the theatre that for the right price would love to hire out 25 spots, and would probably do it for the advertising alone. They should be approached. Anyone know how to Mowemy Po Polsku? :)
AH HA!! I knew that building used to be a theatre! I could tell by the look of it. I can feel the vibes of a movie palace :)
My friend told me “You got theatres on the brain! Anyone can see that was just a decorative old hotel…” HAHA He owes me an apology. :)
The Bel-Air was great. You never could get the frequency on the radio, so you had to use the speakers. The last film we saw at The Bel-Air was Pet Cemetary. I always remember that at about 10:15 they’d interrupt you with the annoucement that the consession stand is closing in 15 minutes, and that means the restrooms will be closed too. One young man was cute one night and said “So if you need to use the restroom, go now or forever hold your pees”
So, Wal-Mart eh? Not a place I would ever shop, not even for the $4 prescriptions.
RE THE CORRECTION: You’re right. That was Park’s Pharmacy – another beautiful terra-cotta treasure the victim of the Cermak Corner Firebug. :( Hosek’s was closer to Lombard I think.
My mum seems to think it was called Carmel Corn or something. It was a little black & white design sign, but she remembers it well. :) She thinks it may have been a chain of stores. Ah the fire that destroyed ONLY the apartments above the theatre and a few of the shops below. All the same prevented it from being declared a landmark. The then mayor gave into the almighty greenback of ABN AMRO now known as LaSalle Bank. :( The theatre itself suffered no more than minor smoke damage. Nothing a fresh coat of Highland Rose colour paint couldn’t have cared for.
>>>If anyone knows how to repair the cooling units used on WW2 Liberty Ships, we could get the A/C working again.<<<
Patiomike, I’m on a quest for this now!! :)
I have Navy people at my disposal that will try to go through their archives and find any blueprints, schmatics, or manuals on this type of thing. :)
Thanks BWChicago :)
I guess that was from the original GoogleEarth huh? :)
Evanstone Ave? Which was Evanstone? The curved street just off the motorway?
CORRECTION: That was HOSEK Pharmacy. Nosek Pharmacy was on the corner of Austin and Cermak in Cicero. it’s an Hispanic Medical Centre now. I used to live in the flats above the Central Federal S&L :) It’s funny because when I moved into my current flat, the refrigerator was so old there was a 1967 Calendar in the back of it from HOSEK Pharmacy. LOL – But the Neumode Hosiery and the Singer Sewing Centre is correct. A 1957 Ad for Singer Sewing machine said: Put $12 down, and make time payment for as little as $1.27 a week.
WOW! Times have changed. :)
KB: If my memory serves me correctly Early mid 1980s to Early mid 1990s. It was constant in the 80s and slightly interrupted in the 90s I believe it bounced back and forth to The Waverly. HEH :)
I can’t remember – I was usually spaced out on sensation – among other exotic things. :)
I just saw pictures of the new Victory Garden Theatre. I can’t believe it. I’m not sure if I should laugh or cry.
Well, I hope someone does something with it. I’d love to have a tour of the inside. Can we arrange it? Pretty please? :)
Drop me a note:
Hey Lev1,
Get in touch with me. I’d love to hear more of your personal story for my webpage which is a tribute to The Granada :)
Thanks josephdkovarik :)
It would help a lot.
Someone somewhere must have pictures of the interior of The Ritz! The Theatre Historical Society has nothing at all. :(
Nice :)
Thanks, Life :) That answered my question to Brian too.
This just in: According to my friend who claims to know the Montsenior at St. Pascal’s Church – just up the road from The Patio: The owner went on vacation, and the business license expired. When he tried to get it renewed, the City of Chicago said “To run a movie theatre, you need to have parking space for at least 25 cars.” Because the license already expired, he missed the grandfather clause. Now I’m sure if that’s the case: There are several businesses with ample parking just a block from the theatre that for the right price would love to hire out 25 spots, and would probably do it for the advertising alone. They should be approached. Anyone know how to Mowemy Po Polsku? :)
AH HA!! I knew that building used to be a theatre! I could tell by the look of it. I can feel the vibes of a movie palace :)
My friend told me “You got theatres on the brain! Anyone can see that was just a decorative old hotel…” HAHA He owes me an apology. :)
Life’s Too Short: I can’t find the virtual tour page – Please post an URL, and thanks.
Brian K: Thanks for the update. I was told they ripped all the seats out and replaced them with folding chairs. Is it true?
The Bel-Air was great. You never could get the frequency on the radio, so you had to use the speakers. The last film we saw at The Bel-Air was Pet Cemetary. I always remember that at about 10:15 they’d interrupt you with the annoucement that the consession stand is closing in 15 minutes, and that means the restrooms will be closed too. One young man was cute one night and said “So if you need to use the restroom, go now or forever hold your pees”
So, Wal-Mart eh? Not a place I would ever shop, not even for the $4 prescriptions.
RE THE CORRECTION: You’re right. That was Park’s Pharmacy – another beautiful terra-cotta treasure the victim of the Cermak Corner Firebug. :( Hosek’s was closer to Lombard I think.
My mum seems to think it was called Carmel Corn or something. It was a little black & white design sign, but she remembers it well. :) She thinks it may have been a chain of stores. Ah the fire that destroyed ONLY the apartments above the theatre and a few of the shops below. All the same prevented it from being declared a landmark. The then mayor gave into the almighty greenback of ABN AMRO now known as LaSalle Bank. :( The theatre itself suffered no more than minor smoke damage. Nothing a fresh coat of Highland Rose colour paint couldn’t have cared for.
>>>If anyone knows how to repair the cooling units used on WW2 Liberty Ships, we could get the A/C working again.<<<
Patiomike, I’m on a quest for this now!! :)
I have Navy people at my disposal that will try to go through their archives and find any blueprints, schmatics, or manuals on this type of thing. :)
Thanks BWChicago :)
I guess that was from the original GoogleEarth huh? :)
Evanstone Ave? Which was Evanstone? The curved street just off the motorway?
Kevincon, please email me directly for my postal address
email me at And thank you so much in advance. :)
I wonder what the inside looks like?
I ride past this on the el every morning. :) It looks so run down from the outside. Nice to know it’s still functioning. :)
I ride past this on the bus every morning. The marquis said “renovating.” Anyone have any news?
Yes it’s back to being called The Olympic Theatre again. Amazing isn’t it?
CORRECTION: That was HOSEK Pharmacy. Nosek Pharmacy was on the corner of Austin and Cermak in Cicero. it’s an Hispanic Medical Centre now. I used to live in the flats above the Central Federal S&L :) It’s funny because when I moved into my current flat, the refrigerator was so old there was a 1967 Calendar in the back of it from HOSEK Pharmacy. LOL – But the Neumode Hosiery and the Singer Sewing Centre is correct. A 1957 Ad for Singer Sewing machine said: Put $12 down, and make time payment for as little as $1.27 a week.
WOW! Times have changed. :)
I am interested in a tour of the SanFillippo house. How do I get on the list? :)
Thanks again, AKC :) Where was this Doug Deutchler guy when I was doing all my research? :)
What year did this close?