Biograph Theater
2433 N. Lincoln Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60657
2433 N. Lincoln Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60657
33 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 136 comments
Saw this photo posted on the CT main page. It is the Midwest Theatre in Oklahoma City OK, mocked up as the Biograph for filming of “Dillinger” in 1972.
http://cinematreasures.org/photos/404064
Facebook post with 1979 Siskel & Ebert “Sneak Previews” coverage of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Biograph.
https://www.facebook.com/windycityballyhoo/videos/1212496862873057/
1988 photo via Tumbler.
https://old-chicago.tumblr.com/post/29014613616/1988-biograph-theatre-lincoln-near-fullerton
Thanks to Tim O'Neill for the full Chicago History Museum of 1967 & 1974 Biograph photos.
https://images.chicagohistory.org/search/?searchQuery=biograph++theatre&assetType=default&fbclid=IwAR0kiBPIyLAMp7N60at-eec9Xo3t00S3ozplliYE9Pl1MT-BloHZ_AHmitU
Photos added of one time Biograph owner Jack Cooney. Below is Roger Ebert’s July 13, 1967 interview with Cooney. Via Tim O'Neill.
https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/interview-with-jack-cooney?fbclid=IwAR0RGZYQYWS0bS3Ywq1y88Psn7fTCaItf2iyjBsuSFHtvlTvOQItXKi-7MU
The Biograph Cinemas phone number during the 80’s (and probably earlier) was 348-4123. See posted ad in “Photo” section.
From the 2424 N. Lincoln Wikipedia page: “The building first opened as the Fullerton Theatre, a nickelodeon, in 1912. In 1915 it was converted into an auto garage. FBI agents took aim at John Dillinger from the roof of the building in 1934.[1]
It opened again as Crest Theater in 1938."
It says Fullerton Theatre on the Wikipedia page for Lincoln Hall.
I checked the newspaper movie section for July 22, 1934. The Fullerton Theatre is not listed. That’s because the building at 2424 N. Lincoln was an auto garage at the time. Here is a video clip in which this man mentions the address of the former movie theatre at 2424 N. Lincoln Avenue (that would later be reborn as a movie theatre; first called the Crest and then 3-Penny Cinema).
https://youtu.be/ymw4C7k754g
They may have scouted his movements from the roof, but it’s pretty well documented that agents shot him from street level. As he was shot in the back with a bullet exiting his eye.
The FBI agents who shot John Dillenger coming out of the Biograph Theatre, were on tne roof of Lincoln Hall(then called Fullerton Theatre) across the street from the Biograph Theatre.
I have been a Dillinger buff since I was knee high. I am 60 now and am just as fascinated by his story as I was then. My interest started when my Uncle Fred, a former boxer who enjoyed hanging out with 1920’s gangsters, regaled me with his his personal Chicago gangland stories. The one that enthralled me the most were his stories about his playing poker with John Dillinger. My first visit to the Biograph Theater was in the early seventies. My dad took me to a screening of 1927’s ‘Wings’ with Clara Bow and Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers (I also had always loved silent movies). At that time the Biograph was privately owned by W.L. Durant, an old movie buff, and he would only screen classic films. The theater at that time was pretty run down. The famous marquee had been revamped as' The New Biograph' and was a faded mint green color. The former tavern next door was an optomitrist’s office and the National Tea store next to the alley was now just a Ma and Pa type neighborhood grocery. The building opposite that, across the alley, was still a Chop Suey restaurant. Inside the lobby of the Biograph greeting the patrons as they walked in, was a life size stand up cutout of John Dillinger brandishing a machine gun. There was also a small display on the wall of Dillinger photos and of the Biograph from that fateful night in 1934. The walls around the lobby were plaster board panels with huge images of Chicago’s number one TV news team at the time, Fahey Flynn and Joel Daley from ABC Channel 7 posing as 1920’s gangsters complete with guns, cigars and flashy getaway cars. All in all it looked pretty cheesy. After the movie, my father and I ate at the Seminary Restaurant, a favorite of Dillinger’s, just down the street. We also walked by the Biograph Barber Shop, where Dillinger had his last shave and haircut. Hanging out with my Dad and experiencing all that great history was a happy day I will never forget. David Jendrycki Chicago
2017 photo added, credit & courtesy of Chris Cullen.
Two 2008/`09 filming of “Public Enemies” photos added, source unknown. Also a painting called Biograph-Death Of John Dillinger by Andy Thomas added.
My mistake Broan.
The Biograph opened September 5, 1914.
CStefanic. The Biograph has screened some digital presentations in its main theatre. A digital projector was temporarily installed. I’m sure anything can be screened there as long as the equipment is installed, as well as a screen.
Two 1980 photos added, photo credit Kaci Steder.
Can the main theatre at the Biograph still screen cinema?
WTTW piece about a Dillinger Museum in Crown Point Indiana. There are pics of a mini replica marquee in the link at the bottom. Copy and paste to view.
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2015/07/28/john-dillinger-returns-crown-point-opening-new-museum
The Biograph never had a balcony. Upstairs used to be a variety of things. I was told it was a pool hall, dance class space, political gathering hole, lots of things. In 1983, the owner of the Biograph converted the upstairs space into 2 small auditoriums. He left the original 1914 auditorium alone. The original auditorium never got divided when it was a movie theatre.
My wife and I went here last night to see the radio version of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. By “radio version”, I mean the actors acted it out like they were doing an old-time live radio broadcast.
I hadn’t been here since its movie theater days. Everything has changed so much. “It’s a Wonderful Life” was performed in the smaller theater upstairs (was this the old balcony for the cinema?). When the main theatre downstairs is not in use, as was the case last night, it’s completely closed off from the lobby and there’s little evidence of it being a theatre.
Okay… I’m going to answer my own question of 09/13/2011: The Biograph ran two separate classic programs. The Fox movies started 08/07/1971 with “Judge Priest” & “Sunny Side Up”. “7th Heaven”, Dantes Inferno", “Ritz Bros 3 Muskeeters”, “How Green Was My Valley”, “Hot Pepper”, “Quick Millions” “Hello Sister” were among others. Last Fox program “Sunrise” & “Me & My Gal” on 10/02/71. Then a break and on 10/30 major reissue of “Golddiggers of 1935” & “Footlight Parade” opening along with showing at the Clark Theatre. MGM movies started 11/06/70 and included “Good Earth”, “Singing In The Rain”, Meet Me In St. Louis", “American In Paris”, San Francisco" among others. Last program 12/26/71 “Tale Of Two Cities” & “Pride & Predjuce”.
In January 1972 there were three weeks of double feature Beatles movies that did exceptional business, then “Days Of Thrills & Laughter” & “L&H’s Laughing 20’s” Somewhat newer stuff followed, and I do not know how much longer the couple who ran the theatre and I had seen every week (as I attended every single program) continued operating the Biograph.
Does anyone remember attending the Biograph just before Larry Edwards took over? A somewhat elderly couple ran the theatre and presented a weekly change of double feature classic movies. Many were rare Fox films from the 30’s and 40’s. I have a program schedule somewhere buried away. “The vaults are opening” was used. The prints were all in very good condition and I would say most if not all HAD to be nitrate. One non-Fox movie I remember seeing during this time was “San Francisco”. There were others,too, however I can’t recall the titles. But, hey, it’s been a few years!
By the way Tim I just read on the Gateway Theatre page that you are the projectionist there,I knew you had to be in the business by some of your posts.I used to work for Loews in Nashville years ago,wish I still did sometimes.Thanks again for your reply.