Great old place, Chris Demos the manager in the 60’s was one my Dad’s best friends. Big, silent Al Wartenberg. What a great, quite man. Smoked a pipe. I loved that old office, it was like a bunker.
—-Nick Coston
Sam Coston, longtime Warners employer, Beverly Theatre operator, and Ops Manager for Plitt Theatres, Midwest, passed away suddenly while traveling in Europe with his wife, Demetra, October 8th, 2010. He was 87. Funeral arrangements in Chicago will be posted.
I remember Molly from Le Bon Bon. I was about 10, helped her put different color whipped cream on everything. I should be in Chicago the weekend of August 20th am hoping to swing by The Bev (aka Church) and arrange a weekend day in the fall when we can all meet there for a reunion. Does anyone know where we can find John Kenney, Ray’s son?
Thanks,fyi had an awesome Beverly dream a few nights ago where we re-opened it. Place looked great, and was filled up. Too many bourbons, I guess.
Nick Coston
I was in 5th grade during that storm. Ray Kenney and Al Kapp had to spend the night in the Theatre. Luckily, they had The Bon Bon next store so they had plenty of food and ice cream. I remember the igloo’s we dug out back. My Dad, Sam, had to put chains on his tires to get thru. We picked up Karl Heyl first, then headed to The Bev.
Am all in if you guys can get a Bev Theatre reunion up some weekend, I’ll get us into the theatre too.
Thanks, Jim. I remember your name.
My parents still live in Beverly, at 103rd and Leavitt.
I’ll ask my Dad in a few minutes, will call him. We live in DC.
I worked at The Beverly fro 72 to 76 when the family sold the whole corner. Sad day that was!
Stay in touch, we should talk sometime.
Nick
I have the Opening Night Program from the 30’s if anyone whould want me to email electronic copies to. My Uncles signatire is on the pass, pretty erie.
New email address for me
Go White Sox!
Nick
That’s my Uncle Jim Coston, who built the Beverly while he was zone manager with Warner’s. He built it himself, and the Coston’s always owned it until it closed in 1976. He also had the Beverly Drive In and the Car Wash, both which my Dad, Sam Coston, was there when they closed, including the theatre. My old photos indicate Rhodes and Beverly were Rapp and Rapp, but I’ll check tonight. The outside was re-done in the late 50’s, new marquee and new lights under it, state of the art ligthed panels.
We have tons of old stuff buried away that I’m only finding now while I film a documentary on my Uncle. I will contribute more as I find more.
Thanks for all the entries on here.
Nick Coston
I was the manager during the first Star Trek (we had the World Premier as well) film, where we filled the joint up for the first 2 weeks, every show, everyday. KB Theatres ran it and it had some characters. Most of the older employers claim it was haunted and never went into the theatre alone. When I moved back to DC in 1982, I managed it again when REDS played there. There was probably no theatre anywhere that had so many politicians seeign movies there. And they were regulars.
By the way, the joint was indeed haunted.
I bartended there when they used to have bands play in 1984-85 right before they fixed the place up.
It was a great single screen theatre, nice sight lines. Now it’s a CVS (the auditorium) and some inde owner bag shop in the lobby.
No parking killed this place.
I managed the State Lake summer of 1982 while we were showing An Officer and a Gentleman and The Thing. What a cool place, the best screen and sound you can find. And a very loyal staff, the place almost ran on it’s own. I used to walk across the street to The Chicago and chat with Stanley Hightower, then when he went on vacation, I took his place for a few weeks. I also manged River Oaks 1 and 2 for a year (1981) before covering for vacatining managers.
We used to pour carpet freash on the aisles every monring at the State Lake to take care of pine sol odor. Also, the State Lake had a huge side staor case that no one ever used. It went all the way up to the top balcony and only exited outside in the alley, never into the lobby. My guess is this was a famous “colored people” entrance and exit back before 1960 or so?
I have some old pictures, will scan and post them on there.
Used to see horror movies there when Dick Galvin was manager.
What a cool old, spooky place. Was a rough place in the 70’s when it was a dollar house.
I went in there in 1984, right before it closed. Theye were playing second run action flims, charging $3.00. They were taking cash at the door, the boxoffice was closed. The place was jammed!
My Dad was an usher there in the 40’s was there when it opened.
The Jeffery was operated by Warner’s, then my family, who all lived on the southside. We also had The Beverly, and leased and operated The Hamilton, which was down the street on 71st Street.
The theatre was sold to the bank in 1975, then the nice fellow who I believe ran the Clark Theatre downtown Chicago, tried to run second run films there, but it didn’t make it. The auditorium was taken down around 1998, not sure. It had 2000 seats, an old fashioned balcony, a nice sized curved screen, a huge back stage area, and was rigged for 35mm magnetic sound with tons of old surround speakers.
Probably had the best popcorn in town. The theatre had tons of old rooms, what a great place to be a kid.
I have the ticket taker box in my Dad’s basement, they still live in Beverly. Also have some speakers, the ones from the outer lobby, some scope lenses, lots of pink lights from the old light room and lots of those gold and black carpet squares.
We have the records of what movies ran there and for how long, Sound of Music ran 26 weeks, then came back after some crappy moveie called MOVE played there. I used to bring friends there on Saturday’s while Sound of Music played, and at intermission, I told them the movie was over and they would all go home sad.
The church people there have always been very friendly to me in years past, they keep it in great shape and should let you in if you need a fix.
Lots of great memories and even better, great people passed thru there. Anyone know where John Kenney is these days, haven’t spoken to him since 1987.
Thanks, keep in touch,
Nick Coston
Washington, DC
Back in 1983, this really nice guy, I forgot his name, owned a consruction company. And as a gift for his wife, he bought, then remodeled the theatre into a great concert hall. He gave my Dad and I a great tour, but didn’t run much in it. I think it closed after that, but the job he did was outstanding.
I live in DC and helped with promoting the opening of The Avalon. It’s a great testiment to the will of the people in that neighborhood who made this place open and look so original. It’s a site to behold, the entire city of DC owes these people a huge thank you.
Clear Channel runs it now, does a great job, the place looks beautiful. I was a media buyer there in 1984-85, the joint was fun, but the owners kept it a bit dank. Met Mickey Rooney backstage during Sugar Babies, along with Yul Brynner in King & I who always insisted that his dressing room be painted fresh with dark brown paint.
The Cinerama screen were still up on the sides back in the early 80’s, hidden by a false wall.
This property was owned originally James Coston (see “Beverly Theatre”, Chicago) and was part of the Standard Theatres chain until the late 80’s when the chain was sold.
I think my grandfather, Sam Coston, managed it in the 20’s.
Great old place, Chris Demos the manager in the 60’s was one my Dad’s best friends. Big, silent Al Wartenberg. What a great, quite man. Smoked a pipe. I loved that old office, it was like a bunker. —-Nick Coston
Sam Coston, longtime Warners employer, Beverly Theatre operator, and Ops Manager for Plitt Theatres, Midwest, passed away suddenly while traveling in Europe with his wife, Demetra, October 8th, 2010. He was 87. Funeral arrangements in Chicago will be posted.
I remember Molly from Le Bon Bon. I was about 10, helped her put different color whipped cream on everything. I should be in Chicago the weekend of August 20th am hoping to swing by The Bev (aka Church) and arrange a weekend day in the fall when we can all meet there for a reunion. Does anyone know where we can find John Kenney, Ray’s son?
Thanks,fyi had an awesome Beverly dream a few nights ago where we re-opened it. Place looked great, and was filled up. Too many bourbons, I guess.
Nick Coston
I was in 5th grade during that storm. Ray Kenney and Al Kapp had to spend the night in the Theatre. Luckily, they had The Bon Bon next store so they had plenty of food and ice cream. I remember the igloo’s we dug out back. My Dad, Sam, had to put chains on his tires to get thru. We picked up Karl Heyl first, then headed to The Bev.
Am all in if you guys can get a Bev Theatre reunion up some weekend, I’ll get us into the theatre too.
Anyone know where John Kenney is, Ray’s son?
All the best to all of you.
In the 60’s it was LE Bon Bon, but I think that was only open for a few years. May have been a candy store?
Thanks, Jim. I remember your name.
My parents still live in Beverly, at 103rd and Leavitt.
I’ll ask my Dad in a few minutes, will call him. We live in DC.
I worked at The Beverly fro 72 to 76 when the family sold the whole corner. Sad day that was!
Stay in touch, we should talk sometime.
Nick
Check out our web site, we’ll be posting more Beverly Theatre pics each week:
www.meetjimmycoston.com
I’ll keep trying to post on here too.
Thanks,
Nick Coston
I have the Opening Night Program from the 30’s if anyone whould want me to email electronic copies to. My Uncles signatire is on the pass, pretty erie.
New email address for me
Go White Sox!
Nick
thanks, that’s a great site.
That’s my Uncle Jim Coston, who built the Beverly while he was zone manager with Warner’s. He built it himself, and the Coston’s always owned it until it closed in 1976. He also had the Beverly Drive In and the Car Wash, both which my Dad, Sam Coston, was there when they closed, including the theatre. My old photos indicate Rhodes and Beverly were Rapp and Rapp, but I’ll check tonight. The outside was re-done in the late 50’s, new marquee and new lights under it, state of the art ligthed panels.
We have tons of old stuff buried away that I’m only finding now while I film a documentary on my Uncle. I will contribute more as I find more.
Thanks for all the entries on here.
Nick Coston
I was the manager during the first Star Trek (we had the World Premier as well) film, where we filled the joint up for the first 2 weeks, every show, everyday. KB Theatres ran it and it had some characters. Most of the older employers claim it was haunted and never went into the theatre alone. When I moved back to DC in 1982, I managed it again when REDS played there. There was probably no theatre anywhere that had so many politicians seeign movies there. And they were regulars.
By the way, the joint was indeed haunted.
I bartended there when they used to have bands play in 1984-85 right before they fixed the place up.
It was a great single screen theatre, nice sight lines. Now it’s a CVS (the auditorium) and some inde owner bag shop in the lobby.
No parking killed this place.
I managed the State Lake summer of 1982 while we were showing An Officer and a Gentleman and The Thing. What a cool place, the best screen and sound you can find. And a very loyal staff, the place almost ran on it’s own. I used to walk across the street to The Chicago and chat with Stanley Hightower, then when he went on vacation, I took his place for a few weeks. I also manged River Oaks 1 and 2 for a year (1981) before covering for vacatining managers.
We used to pour carpet freash on the aisles every monring at the State Lake to take care of pine sol odor. Also, the State Lake had a huge side staor case that no one ever used. It went all the way up to the top balcony and only exited outside in the alley, never into the lobby. My guess is this was a famous “colored people” entrance and exit back before 1960 or so?
I have some old pictures, will scan and post them on there.
Used to see horror movies there when Dick Galvin was manager.
What a cool old, spooky place. Was a rough place in the 70’s when it was a dollar house.
Nick Coston
I went in there in 1984, right before it closed. Theye were playing second run action flims, charging $3.00. They were taking cash at the door, the boxoffice was closed. The place was jammed!
My Dad was an usher there in the 40’s was there when it opened.
Nick Coston
The Jeffery was operated by Warner’s, then my family, who all lived on the southside. We also had The Beverly, and leased and operated The Hamilton, which was down the street on 71st Street.
The theatre was sold to the bank in 1975, then the nice fellow who I believe ran the Clark Theatre downtown Chicago, tried to run second run films there, but it didn’t make it. The auditorium was taken down around 1998, not sure. It had 2000 seats, an old fashioned balcony, a nice sized curved screen, a huge back stage area, and was rigged for 35mm magnetic sound with tons of old surround speakers.
Probably had the best popcorn in town. The theatre had tons of old rooms, what a great place to be a kid.
Nick Coston
I’ll add some photos, have some black and whites at home.
I have the ticket taker box in my Dad’s basement, they still live in Beverly. Also have some speakers, the ones from the outer lobby, some scope lenses, lots of pink lights from the old light room and lots of those gold and black carpet squares.
We have the records of what movies ran there and for how long, Sound of Music ran 26 weeks, then came back after some crappy moveie called MOVE played there. I used to bring friends there on Saturday’s while Sound of Music played, and at intermission, I told them the movie was over and they would all go home sad.
The church people there have always been very friendly to me in years past, they keep it in great shape and should let you in if you need a fix.
Lots of great memories and even better, great people passed thru there. Anyone know where John Kenney is these days, haven’t spoken to him since 1987.
Thanks, keep in touch,
Nick Coston
Washington, DC
Back in 1983, this really nice guy, I forgot his name, owned a consruction company. And as a gift for his wife, he bought, then remodeled the theatre into a great concert hall. He gave my Dad and I a great tour, but didn’t run much in it. I think it closed after that, but the job he did was outstanding.
I live in DC and helped with promoting the opening of The Avalon. It’s a great testiment to the will of the people in that neighborhood who made this place open and look so original. It’s a site to behold, the entire city of DC owes these people a huge thank you.
Two large, magnificant chandeliers from the Tivoli auditorium now hang in The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, on Central Ave.
I saw Nicolas and Alex there back in 1973. Great place for a wide screen flick, was in 70mm.
Clear Channel runs it now, does a great job, the place looks beautiful. I was a media buyer there in 1984-85, the joint was fun, but the owners kept it a bit dank. Met Mickey Rooney backstage during Sugar Babies, along with Yul Brynner in King & I who always insisted that his dressing room be painted fresh with dark brown paint.
The Cinerama screen were still up on the sides back in the early 80’s, hidden by a false wall.
This property was owned originally James Coston (see “Beverly Theatre”, Chicago) and was part of the Standard Theatres chain until the late 80’s when the chain was sold.