Bell Theater

The Bell Theatre closed in June of 1953. I lived in the neighborhood and actually was there on its' last operating day. When I passed by it the next day, it had on its' marquee “closed for remodeling”. They never did reopen. I believe the movies playing that Sunday afternoon fifty-five years ago was I LOVE MELVIN with Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds plus TROUBLE ALONG THE WAY with John Wayne and Donna Reed. I went to St. Sylvester’s Grammer School at that time, and would go by it often.
John Cordell

Chris1982; I have added a page for the Bell Theatre on W. Madison Street.

This item from the September 7, 1912 issue of Moving Picture World mentions the Bell Theatre and its new owners:

“F. H. and E. A. Franke, took over the Bell Theater, Armitage and Albany Avenues, this city, August 1. The Bell seats 530 people. This is the fifth vaudeville house which the Messrs. Franke have turned into successful straight picture houses. They have no doubt that the Bell will be a winner in a short time, like the four others. All the houses now controlled by them were considered ‘lemons’ at the time they purchased them. The California, one of their houses, has just been redecorated and business is excellent. The Clark, another of their houses, is also doing fine business. These enterprising proprietors and managers have just closed a contract for the erection of a new picture theater on Grand and Monticello Avenues. The new house will seat 300 people, and will be completed about November 1st. It will be one of the best appointed of its size in Chicago.”