The New Telenews, Chicago

 The Exhibitor, April 17, 1940

"In recent years the motion picture industry has seen the advent of newsreel theatres. These houses screen the industry's weekly newsreel output as the feature attraction and fill in with sufficient short subjects of merit to make up a definite program."

"Pictured here is just such a house designed by Shaw, Naess and Murphy for the Newsreel Theatres, Inc., Chicago." 

"The exterior of this newsreel house is of a design typical of that current for this type of theatre. A huge triangular marquee extends well out and across the sidewalk, gaining much attention over the neighboring stores. Prominent in this view is the stainless steel boxoffice with its automatic turnstile." 

 

"The auditorium is small as is usual with most newsreel houses. A balcony with a capacity of approximately 150  capably handles  the first floor overflow. Simple in its decoration the sidewalls of this room are of blue green painted plaster. The rear wall is acoustically treated and in the natural color of the material. The lighting fixtures are brass and were designed especially for this house."

 

"The exterior at night fully illuminated shows the attractiveness of the signwork
and the extent of the exploitation necessary for this type of theatre."

 

Telenews

165 N. State Street 

Cinema Treasures 

 

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

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Television in the Lobby, Chicago Theatre, 175 N State Street

Showmen's Trade Review
November 18, 1944:


"First Time in Theatre History"

"Shape of Things to Come?"

"Election returns via television were a theatre attraction at the B&K Chicago Theatre, Chicago. Above, how the feature was played up in newspaper advertising, and [below] the lobby crowds seeing and hearing the results.

"At television receiver, operating the dail, is A. M. Brolly, chief engineer of B&K Television Station WBKB. Standing at right of receiver is Manager William B. Holden of the Chicago.

While most other theatres were without television facilities, few indeed were those that did not, in one way or another, provide frequent information on election returns. "  

Chicago Theatre

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society.  Final volume published in September 2014.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2015: historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.  
 
Now selling "vintage" on Etsy

Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60601

Designed by architects Cornelius W. Rapp and George L. Rapp, the Chicago Theatre opened October 26, 1921, becoming the flagship of the Balaban and Katz chain.
Its vertical sign, with 6-foot letters, drawing the attention of the Exhibitors Trade Review.

Exhibitors Trade Review, December 3, 1921:
"The electric sign on the new Chicago Theatre is one of the largest hung on any theatre. It measures seventy-four feet from top to bottom and seven feet in width. A total of 2874 sockets are used in the construction, holding 75-watt lamps in the border. The entire display is made of high grade galvanized sheet iron, the face plates being 20-gauge, the interior efficiently braced and supported with steel angles and channel irons.Special cantilever construction has been used in attaching the sign to the wall of the theatre, a method which has made possible to do ways with wind braces.

"The main portion of the sign consists of the word 'CHICAGO,'  spelled in six-foot letters, extra deep grooved to take care of special lamps used. Above is 'Balaban & Katz' in twenty-four inch letters, and a four-line attraction border with alternating action goes around the display.

"The sign is more massive than would be apparent from its braces, as it weighs over seven tons. In action, the letters C-H-I-C-A-G-O spell on, burn steady, flash off and then come in solid.

"A part of the job is the four single-faced attraction panels, containing two rows of ten-inch changeable letters of special groove type. A continuous high-speed spectacular border goes around the panels.

"The strength of this sign is such that it absolutely dominates State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street and is even visible beyond the confines of the Loop. But all the brilliance of State Street only serves to emphasize the super-brilliance of this crowning achievement in sign construction. The sign was made and installed by the Thos. Cusack Co." 

  
The Chicago Theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and designated as a historic Chicago landmark on January 28, 1983. Closed in 1985, it was purchased by the Chicago Theatre Restoration Association. After  an extensive restoration, the Chicago reopened in 1986 with a performance by Frank Sinatra.

Historic Theatres and Movie Palaces of Balaban & Katz 

Chicago Theatre on WordPress

Top photograph from Exhibitors Trade Review

Bottom: Chicago Theatre, 2001. One of several photos given to Theatre Talks by Darleen MacIntosh. Thanks Darleen.

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.