Apollo Theatre
74 W. Randolph Street,
Chicago,
IL
60601
74 W. Randolph Street,
Chicago,
IL
60601
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Notably both the buildings housing its lobbies on Clark and Randolph were rebuilt or heavily remodeled several times.
https://chicagology.com/rebuilding/rebuilding138/ - more history here.
The 1908 rebuilding was an early work by Rapp & Rapp, though it was rebuilt/redecorated many times before and after. https://archive.org/details/sim_billboard_1908-11-21_20_47/page/17/mode/1up?view=theater
Reopened by Balaban & Katz on August 22nd, 1934. Grand opening ad posted.
December 17, 1922 program for “Shuffle Along”, seen on the marquee in the above mentioned photo.
http://digital.chipublib.org/digital/collection/CPB01/id/4764/
1922 photo added courtesy Chicago History Museum. Olympic Theatre marquee and signage shown.
Here and Here are THSA pictures of the Apollo
1941 photo added. Looking East on Randolph. Apollo marquee on the left, photo courtesy of Tim O'Neill.
http://tribune-files.imagefortress.com/attachment1s/209313/medium_wm/AEI-090-CT_F.JPG?1276085002 This appears to be the Apollo in 1929.
Burling & Adler was Dankmar Adler’s firm before teaming with Louis Sullivan. Adler & Sullivan’s Schiller (Garrick) Theatre was adjacent to the Apollo, and the Borden Block, Adler & Sullivan’s first commission, was adjacent to the Schiller.
A 1999 book, “History of the Development of Building Construction in Chicago” by Frank Alfred Randall and John D. Randall says that the New Chicago Theatre was designed by the firm of Burling & Adler.
There was another fire in July 1944:
http://tinyurl.com/5fmgx9
Famed “Schmeling-Louis” fight film shown at Apollo—–
NEWS ITEM:
Chicago Daily News, Friday, June 26, 1936, p. 36, c. 1—–
FIGHT FILMS OPEN AT B-K THEATERS
The Joe Louis-Max Schmeling fight pictures, complete from beginning to end have been booked in as extra screen attractions at eight Balaban & Katz theaters starting today. In the loop the pictures will be shown at the Roosevelt and Apollo theaters; west side Marbro; south side, Tivoli and Southtown; north side, Granada, Varsity and Uptown. The pictures showing the knockdown in slow motion, also start at the Regal theater on the south side on Sunday
The Apollo was gutted by fire on June 2, 1949:
Fire Guts Vacant Theater In Chicago
The interior of the vacated Apollo theater at Randolph and Clark Streets in Chicago’s Rialto was destroyed by fire Thursday morning. The fire apparently started in the pit under the stage of the old movie theater and burned up through the roof of the building. The cause of the blaze was not determined immediately. Fire officials did not estimate damages to the structure.
In the Corner Bakery Cafe, on Randolph west of Dearborn st., you will find a pretty nice pic of the Apollo theatre(1934). It is located on the west wall of the restaurant. It is showing “JUDGE PRIEST” starring Will Rogers. Many other photos of downtown movie theatres are displayed throughout the place.
You’re right. The LOC entry said 119 N Clark, I just must not have paid attention.
Here is a 1906 photo of the Grand Opera House.
Here is a quite dramatic picture out of a series of five in the Chicago Daily News collection showing the extent of the damage of the 1907 fire.