Lyric Theatre

January 26, 2023 Reader article.

https://chicagoreader.com/film/the-lyric-theater-is-a-family-affair/?fbclid=IwAR2-mB5kUFk9F64I4h-Yt9U0yk-GoSks3T0cYKoIZ4v9jVkS7fp3arU6Qpc

Theatre should be changed to open! It is now an events venue

There was an earlier Lyric Theatre that was next door to the Grand Opera House. Evidence in the vintage postcard posted to both pages.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10833/photos/63350

Joe Vogel on April 16, 2010 at 11:25 pm Prior to its destruction by fire on St. Valentine’s Day in 1960, the Lyric was operated under lease by Publix Great States Theatres. The new house was to be leased to Square Amusement Co., a subsidiary of Great States.

I’m wondering of the seating capacity of 939 currently listed above was for the old Lyric? Two issues of Boxoffice (March 26, 1962, and February 4, 1963) each give the seating capacity of the rebuilt theater as 800. The 1962 item mentions that seats “…of the new wide variety….” were planned for the new Lyric.

The reason for the reduced seating capacity of the rebuilt theater was the new one didn’t have a balcony

The current owner is the granddaughter of the long time owner. She is rallying support to try and re-open the theatre and is eager for community activism to do so. There is an upcoming meeting at the theatre. Sorry I don’t have that information currently.

The LYRIC Theatre facade is featured toward the beginning of the 2011 picture “The Rite”, though it doesn’t figure into the plot. The letterboard in the storyline and in real life reads “Redemption Theater”.

Excellent Lyric pic from the 80’s here:

View link

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Man, I haven’t heard about this place in years. Figured it was long gone by now.

Would you believe that film and recording star Doris Day opened the new Lyric in 1962? The following item will explain:

Chicago Tribune, Sunday, December 16, 1962, s. 5, p. 10, c. 1 (item with photo of Miss Day):

FILM NOTES

Doris Day will officially open the new Lyric theater in Blue Island, by pressing a button 2,300 miles away. Next Friday, in Los Angeles, Miss Day on the lot of Universal-International pictures will press a key that will be heard at the premiere festivities of the Lyric, 12952 S. Western av., at 7:30 pm. When the sound is heard Mayor John F. Hart of Blue Island will cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the official opening of the theater.

NOTE: Most interesting, but since it was 2,300 miles away in some room somewhere at Universal, how would they know for sure that Miss Day pressed the signal, or someone else?

Try going onto Webshots.com. It’s a free photo sharing site. Search for Blue Island Il. Now you’ll see many choices one of which will be Blue Island Lyric Theater 1943. Click on that and then go to the previous photo and you’ll see a current(?) photo of The Legacy.

I spent many a summer day in the cool dark Lyric theatre as a kid in the 70’s. I couldn’t wait until Friday, because that’s when the new feature started. I saw so many “B” movies there. I must have seen James Bond’s “The Spy who Loved me” ten times just to see the Lotus submarine car. I also snuck in and saw The Exorcist- I must have been 9 years old! lol!

After the Movie I would go to Walgreens or DeMars and get a sundae. Heck, I remember when Woolworth on Western was there and they had a lunch counter. Nobody was ever there eating, but they always has someone behind the counter waiting to serve someone.