Normal Theater
209 W. North Street,
Normal,
IL
61761
209 W. North Street,
Normal,
IL
61761
12 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 26 comments
Closed May 16, 1991. Town of Normal purchased the building in November 1991. Via Tom Cherry.
1937 grand opening photo added courtesy Kenneth R. Davis.
1948 photo added courtesy of Kenneth R. Davis‎.
Had two screens, which opened on May 3rd, 1985 and closed in 1991. Reopened on October 7th, 1994 with one screen.
November 18th, 1937 grand opening ad in photo section.
I took my wife on our first date over 30 years ago to The Normal. Coal Miner’s Daughter was the name of the movie. Afterwards, we stopped at Sandy’s Drive-In. on N. Main. That and I still had money left after puting gas in my car. I started out the night with 20 bucks!. If memory serves me, and sometimes it don’t, the movie was a dollar. The Normal’s greatest asset is location, location, location. Barely two blocks walk from ISU dorms.
A shot of this theater with the marquee and blade sign lit appears in a new Mitsubishi Automobile commercial.
How things continue to change…while the theater looks the same in those recent shots vs mine from 1995, the neighborhood around it has grown. In the 1995 shot, you can see a small older building next to the theater; the more recent shots, that structure is gone and something much bigger has replaced it.
1995: View link
Chuck, doesn’t look like the Normal, but the Castle in the posted link…
What a great name.What is normal.
Wow, that night shot with Planet Of The Apes is spectacular! Much more functional is this view from 1995:
View link
Very nice photo. I have friends who live in Normal so I’m sure they can attest to this theatre’s presence in that city.
Impressive night photo!
Great minds run together! LOL!
BTW, there is an old downtown theatre in St. Charles, Illinois. Can’t recall the name, but it is a CT listed theatre.
I don’t plan to be in Normal again as the reason I was there with my husband doesn’t apply anymore. The reason moved to St. Charles.
Lost: Great night marquee photo! I’ve been to Normal in years pas, but was not into old theatres then so have no memory of it.
Yes, very good news that this theatre is very much alive and well! Wish they all could say this!
I’m glad you enjoyed the photo. Good news that the theater is alive and well.
I know folks from this town and will forward to them this vintage photo. After comparing photos this theatre does not appear to have been changed that much!
ken mc: Sure love viewing these vintage photos and especially this one showing the lighted marquee with feature film! Thanks.
Here is a photo taken at the theater’s opening in 1937:
http://tinyurl.com/2o9ct7
Too bad the folks in the above photo aren’t aware that they all made it to Cinema Treasures and the internet!
I just learned of this restored theatre through friends who live in Normal Illinois. It’s a gem and I hope to see it, in person, some day!
Here is a link with additional information:
http://tinyurl.com/kdp28