Boston Theater Chicago
The Boston Theater was located at 79 West Madison Street. It opened in 1908. It was owned Harry Moir. It had one screen. Its seating capacity was 296.
It was demolished in 1925 along with the Rose and Alcazar Theaters to make way for expansion of the Morrison Theater.
Marquee
Marquee Today Theater
This theater was located at 62 West Madison Street. It opened on February 28, 1941. It apparently was the second theater in Chicago that used a newsreel format. During its last year’s of operation, it featured adult films. It was razed in the 1980’s. The site is now occupied by 3 First National Plaza
Casino Theater Chicago
This was a little known theater located at 58 West Madison Street, Chicago. Originally, it was called the Casino Garden Theater. It was owned by Charles Weeghman. It was managed by Harry Fitzpatrick. It operated from 1910 to 1937. It had one screen. Its capacity was 400 seats. At some time its named was changed to the Casino Theater.
Currently, its former site is occupied by Chase Plaza.
First National Bank Fort Myers
This neoclassical granite building was built for the First National Bank, Fort Myers. It was built completed on August 17, 1914. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The building is alleged to be haunted.
The building now serves as the offices of the law firm of Avery, Whigham, and Winnesett.
First National Bank Fort Myers
First National Bank Fort Myers
First National Bank Fort Myers
The Cinestage Theater was located at 180-190 N. Dearborn Street. It was originally known as the Selwyn. It was designed by C. Howard Crane in 1922 for producers Sam Harris and Edgar Selwyn. It was built in Georgian Style. After its run as a legitimate theater, it was purchased by Mike Todd.
Cinestage Michael Todd Theater
Mr. Todd converted it to the first permanent Todd AO showplace in Chicago. It opened on April 4, 1957. It was known as the Todd AO laboratory.
The theater was acquired by States Theater. It featured adult films at the Cinestage. A flat screen was installed. Porno films were shown from 1970-1980.
MR Theaters acquired the building and renamed it Dearborn Cinema in December 20, 1985. Their management was short lived. The building was abandoned. It was purchased by the city. It was demolished with the exception of its facade which was used in the new Goodman Theater Building.
McVickers Theater
Garrick Theater Chicago Photo Courtesy of Tim Schapker
The Garrick Theater was located at 64 West Randolph St. It opened in 1891 as the Schiller Theater. It was named after Friederich Schiller, a German philospher, poet and playwright. It was funded by publisher Anton Hesing and other German investors. It was to be used for German operas and cultural events.
It was designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler. On the second floor arcade, there were multiple terra cotta busts of famous Germans.
The building was one of the tallest in Chicago at the time of construction. The theater has a capacity of 1300 seats.
In the late 1890’s, the German investors backed out of the Schiller Theater. German operas and programs no longer were shown. The theater now featured touring stage shows.
From 1898–1903, the name was changed to the Dearborn. In 1903, name was changed to the Garrick Theater. Schubert Brothers assumed management of the venue.It
In 1934, the Garrick Theater was acquired by the Balaban and Katz movie chain. The firm of Rapp and Rapp was retained in the 1930’s to remodel the main entrance, ticket booth, and lobby areas in an art deco style.
From the 1940’s to the 1950’s, the theater was used for live local and later national television broadcasts.
From 1957 to 1960, Balaban and Katz resumed slowing movies at the Garrick. Ultimately, they closed the theater on May 19, 1960. It was razed a few months later. In the location a multilevel parking garage was built. This was demolished in the late 1960’s.
A portion of the Garick facade was preserved and was installed in the entry way of the Second City Theater Chicago.
Michael Todd Theater
The Michael Todd Theater was located at 180-190 North Dearborn Street. When it was originally built in 1923, it was called the Harris Theater. It was designed by C. Howard Crane as a legitimate play house for producers Sam Harris and Archie and Egdar Selwyn. The style was Italian Palladian. The theater closed and was acquired by Michael Todd in 1950.
Mr. Todd converted the building to a movie venue. It was the second Todd-AO 70 mm road show theater. There was a single large flat movie screen. The was a waterfall curtain. There was a large balcony. Seating capacity was 600 seats. There was a JJ projection booth.
Due to deteroration, the building was ultimately demolished with the exception of the facade. This was incorporated into the new Goodman Theater.
Shangri-La Theater Chicago
This theater was located at 222 N. State Street Chicago. The first business at this site was the Three Deuces night club. This operated from the mid 1920’s until 1940. It was destroyed by a fire. In 1944, this site was used by the Shangri-La Restaurant. This closed in 1968.
The building was remodeled in 1969-70. It was converted into a movie venue. It was operated by the Kohlberg Chain. It was a smaller theater with only 482 seats and one screen.
It apparently showed porno films. It operated into the mid 1970’s. The building was demolished in 1981. The site was used as a parking lot. Eventually all of the buildings on the block were demolished and the Renaissance Hotel was constructed.
Clark Theater Chicago
This theater was located at 11 North Clark Street in Chicago. It originally was named the Columbia Theater. It opened in 1911. It was a stage theater. Architect was J.E.O. Pridmore. It had 1550 seats. In 1923, it was remodeled by A.H. Woods. It was renamed the Adelphi Theater. In 1931, it was changed to a movie theater. Its name was changed to the Clark Theater. During its history, it was managed by the Lubliner and Trinz Chain and Kohlberg Theaters. It operated into the 1970’s. It was demolished in 1974.
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