Ken Theatre
1225 E. 47th Street,
Chicago,
IL
60653
1225 E. 47th Street,
Chicago,
IL
60653
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Ascher Brothers Inc., Schoenstadt
Architects: Roy B. Blass
Firms: Grossman & Proskauer
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Kenwood Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Kenwood Theatre opened in 1913, one of the early theatres in the Schoenstadt circuit, in the South Side Chicago neighborhood of the same name. It sat 885 and a Kilgen organ was added in 1926.
The Kenwood Theatre was closed in 1939, but reopened as the Ken Theatre on February 16, 1941 after being transformed by an Art Moderne remodeling from architect Roy B. Blass. It continued to operate until 1961. It was torn down soon after it closed and a parking lot is on the site today.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
Remodeling was by Roy B. Blass
That’s two, then. There’s a Ken in San Diego. A worthy name.
The original architects were Grossman & Proskauer.
Phone number in 1960 was KEnwood 6-6000.
From the Chicago Sun Times movie listings on Friday,May 17, 1957: KEN 1225 E. 47th- Open 6- .50 All Times 3 -FEATURES- 3 “ATTACK of the CRAB MONSTERS” “NOT OF THIS EARTH” “TENSION AT TABLE ROCK”.
According to the Boxoffice articles Tinseltoes linked to, the architect for the 1941 remodeling of the Ken Theatre was Roy B. Blass.
Impressive facade for a small neighborhood theater! A shame they tore it down. I think Every neighborhood in Chicago should have a theater for the community. Senior Center, Youth Center, to keep the kids off the street. I wonder if the aldermans really care. I’ve driven through the ghettos of the south and west sides of Chicago since my first trip with my Dad back in the 70’s when they were tearing down the Senate Theater at Madison and Kedzie. After 40 plus years, and Still empty lots and storefront churches with bars on their windows and landmarks like these theaters waiting for a renewal, only to be torn down………I feel sad that the people who live there will soon have no connection to the past. Might as well live in the boring burbs like I do now!!
Anyone know what happened to the Kilgen Theater Pipe Organ installed in the Kenwood in 1926?
The Ken theatre opened on February 16th, 1941. Grand opening ad posted.