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Movie Theater Index

What follows is a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, summary of Chicago-area movie theaters in existence during the 1920 and 1930s, a period marked by the construction of numerous "movie palaces" and the huge popularity of the new "talkies" among Chicago movie-goers.

Early Theaters | Theaters A-E | Theaters F-N | Theaters O-Z | Suburban Theaters


Theater Location Yr Built Opening Yr Razed Seats Circuits Formats Present Condition Other
Academy 16 S Halsted 1915 - - 962 - M Demolished A,B,C,P
Acme (Temple) 5241 N Clark - - - - - V,M Retail stores -
Adams 20 E Adams 1921 6/21 - 291 - M - A,B,C
Adelphi 7074 N Clark 1917 11/10/17 - 1308 AB M Closed 2002 A,B,C
Admiral 3940 W Lawrence 1925 - - 1500 - M XXX theater B,C
Alamo 3639 W Chicago 1925-26 8/18/26 - 1556 - M Demolished B,C
Albany Park (Albany) 3317 W Montrose 1915 12/9/15 - 300 AH M - A,B,C
Alcazar 69 W Madison - - - 298 - M Demolished A,B,C
Alice 34 S Halsted - - - - - M Demolished A
Alma 5352 S Wentworth - - - 292 - M - A,B,C
Alpha 5419 S Ashland - - - - - M - -
Alpha 4717 N Robey 1911-12 - - - - M - P
Alvin 1614 W Chicago 1913 - - 540 L,BK M Retail Store A,B,C
Ambassador 5825 W Division 1925 10/20/25 - 2500 MH M,V Church B,C
American 8 N Ashland 1913 - - 1220 - M Demolished C
American 1252 N Milwaukee 1904 - - 275 - M Retail store A,B,C,S2,T
Americus 3437 W Ogden - - - 664 - M - C
Apollo Randolph near Clark - - - - BK M - -
Apollo 530 E 47th 1909 - - 696 - M Renamed Earl, 1920; demolished A,B,C,D,P
Archer 2008 W 35th 1910 - - 1000 S V,M - B,C,S2
Argmore 1040 W Argyle 1913 - - 625 AH M Retail stores A,B,C,P
Aristo 2650 N Lincoln - - - 600 - M Retail stores A
Armitage 3553 W Armitage 1916 - - 943 - M - B,C,S1,S2
Arrow 1436 W Fullerton 1908 - - 250 - M Apartments A,S2,T
Ashland 1611 W Madison - - - 800 S M Demolished A,B,C
Ashland Square 1618 W 18th - - - 297 - M Demolished A,S2
Astor 10 S Clark 1922 9/2/22 - 300 - M Demolished A,B,C
Atlantic 3950 W 26th 1917 - - 1158 S M Retail stores A,B,C
Atlas 4711 S State 1914 - - 695 - M Retail store A,C,S1,S2
Auerbach's 2111 W Division - - - - - M - A
Austin 5619 W Madison 1913 - - 533 - M - A,C,S1
Avaloe 2811 W Diversey 1927 11/23/27 - 299 - M Demolished B,C,S2
Avalon 1675 E 79th 1926 8/29/27 - 2414 CB,WB M Performing arts center (closed 2003) B,C
Avenue 306 S Cicero - - - 595 - M Demolished B,C
Avenue 3110 S Indiana 1913 - - 636 - M,V Demolished B,C
Avers 3825 W 26th 1910 - - 299 - M Retail store A,S2,T
Avon 3327 W Fullerton 1914 - - 750 L M Church A,B,C
Baird 5331 W Madison - - - - - M - -
Band Box Madison, near LaSalle 1915 10/16/15 - - - M - -
Banner 1611 N Robey - - - 796 - M,V Demolished 1952 A,C,S2,P2
Barbee's Loop 57 W Monroe - - - - - M Demolished A
Beach 51st and Harper - - - - - M - -
Bell 1539 N Milwaukee 1912-13 - - 600 GB M Store S1,S2
Bell 3062-64 W Armitage - - - 570 - M Demolished A,B,C,S2
Bell 2407 W Madison - - - - - M - A
Belmont 1635 W Belmont 1925 9/13/26 - 3252 P, BK M Converted to condos, 1996-97 B,C
Bel-Park 3231 N Cicero 1926 3/11/27 - 2600 P, BK M Bingo hall C
Ben Hur 306 S Cicero 1917 9/15/17 - 530 - M Demolished S1
Bertha 4717 N Lincoln 1913 - - 591 GB M Retail stores A,B,C,P
Beverly 1545 W 95th 1935 - - 1242 WB M Church S2
Biltmore 2046 W Division 1920 1/15/21 - 1800 BK M Demolished A,C
Biograph 2433 N Lincoln 1914 - - 1000 LT, E M Movie theater A,B,C
Bishop 1815 W Ogden - - - 282 - M - C
Blaine 3743 N Southport 1912 - - 299 - M Theater A,B,C
Bonita 6435 S Halsted - - - - - M Closed 1924 A
Boulevard 1606 W Garfield 1915 11/25/15 - 971 S M Demolished A,B,C
Bowen 3021 E 92nd - - - 298 - M - A,B,C
Bridgeport 2837 S Archer 1910 - - 295 - M - A,B,C,P
Brighton (Brighton Park) 4221 S Archer 1919-20 - - - S M Closed 1991 A,C,P
Broadway 5206 N Broadway - - - - - M - -
Broadway Strand 1641 W Roosevelt 1917 11/10/17 1998 1587 E M,V Demolished B,C
Brookline 7100 S South Chicago - - - - - M - A
Bryn Mawr 1125 W Bryn Mawr 1912-13 - - 780 - M,V Grocery store A,B,C,P
Buckingham 3319 N Clark 1913 - - 965 - M Theater A,B,C
Bugg 3940 N Robey 1916-17 3/3/17 - 998 - M Demolished A,B,C,P
Burford's 202 S State - - - - - M - A
Burnside 9304 S Cottage Grove - - - 282 - M - A,B,C
Burton's 560 W Madison - - - - - M - A
Butler 518 W 26th - - - 299 - M Store A,B,C,S2
Byrd 4730 W Madison 1917 - - 1438 - M Demolished -
California 3434 W 26th 1909 8/09 - 683 - V,M - A,B,C
California 1002 N California - - - 296 - M Bar B,C
Calo 5406 N Clark 1915 11/20/15 - 880 AB M,V Theater A,B,C
Calumet 9206 S South Chicago - - - 950 - V, M Demolished A,S2
Cameo see Lowy's C
Capitol 7941 S Halsted 1923-25 1/19/25 - 2415 CB, WB M Demolished B,C
Casimir 4750 N Milwaukee - - - 290 - M - A,B,C,S2
Casino 3506 S Halsted ca. 1891 - - 275 - M Hair studio/ apartments A,B,C,S2,T
Casino 58 W Madison - - - 292 - M Demolished A,B,C
Castle 6 S State 1915-16 1/26/16 - 297 - M - A,B,C
Center 1161 W Madison - - - 279 - M - A,B,C
Central Park 3535 W Roosevelt 1917 10/27/17 - 2032 BK M,V Church A,B,C
Century 1421 W Madison - - - 797 - M Demolished A,B,C
Century see Diversey -
Charm 430 S Halsted - - - 298 - M - A,B,C
Chateau 3816 N Broadway 1916 5/19/17 - 1800 AB M,V Demolished A,B
Chatham 7536-44 S Cottage Grove - - - 1000 CB M Demolished A,B,C
Chelten 79th and Exchange - 1/15/28 - - - M - C
Chicago 175 N State 1921 10/26/21 - 4400 BK M Theater C
Chicago 614 S State 1912 - - 299 - B,M Demolished B,C,L2
Chicago United 715 W 63rd - - - - - M Demolished A
Chopin 1541 W Division 1918 - - - - M Theater A
Cicero and Lake 315 N Cicero - - - - - M - B
Cinema 151 E Chicago - - - - - M Demolished -
Circle 3241 W Roosevelt 1909 9/09 - 707 - V,M Demolished A,B,C
Claremont 3326 N Clark - - - 624 - M - A,B,C
Clark 11 N Clark - - - - - M Demolished -
Clearing 5722 W 63rd - - - - - M - B
Clifford 5930½ W Roosevelt - - - 300 - M - C
Clybourn 1607 N Clybourn - - - 298 - M - B,C
Colony 3206 W 59th 1925 8/26/26 - 997 AB M,V Disused C
Columbus 6238 S Ashland 1915 12/20/15 - 927 AB M Demolished A
Commercial 9148 S Commercial 1919-20 - - 1500 AB M,V Demolished A,B,C,S1,S2
Commodore 3105 W Irving Park 1921 - 1990 1200 GB M Demolished A,B,C
Congress 2135 N Milwaukee 1926 9/2/26 - 2988 LT, P, BK V,M Concert hall B,C
Cornell Square 1923 W 51st 1912-13 - - 299 - M - A,B,C,P,S2
Cosmopolitan (Cosmo) 7938 S Halsted 1913 - - 854 AB,CB,WB M,V Demolished A,B,C
Covent Garden 2653 N Clark 1916 - - 2065 LT, P/BK M Demolished A,B,C
Crane 4236 S Archer 1916-17 - - 296 - M Retail Store A,C,P
Crawford 19 S Pulaski 1913-14 3/21/14 - 994 LT, E M Demolished A,B,C
Crescent 2915 N Milwaukee - - - 792 - M Demolished A,B,C
Criterion 1222 N Sedgwick - - - 1221 - M Demolished A,B,C
Crown 1605-11 W Division 1909 - 1959 1458 AB M,V Demolished A,B,C
Crown 5123 S Wentworth - - - - - M Demolished A
Crown 4013 W 26th - - - 774 - M Demolished A,B,C
Crystal 4921 S Ashland - - - 298 - M - A,C
Crystal 2701 W North 1917 11/8/17 - 1824 L, P, BK M Demolished A,B,C
Crystal 1723 W 63rd 1912 - - 299 - M Demolished A,C,P
Czar's 74 W Madison - - - - - M Demolished A
Dandy 2146 W 22nd - - - - - M - -
Dante 815 W Taylor - - - 651 - M Demolished A,C
Davis see Pershing -
Dearborn (New Dearborn) 40 W Division 1913 - - 741 LT,P M Demolished A,C
De Louxe 814 E 63rd - - - - - M Closed 1922 A
Delphi 3115 S Indiana - - - - - M - A
De Luxe 1141 W Wilson 1913 - - 1023 GB M Demolished A,B,C
Devon see Knickerbocker -
Diversey (Century) 2828 N Clark 1924 7/30/25 - 3080 O,P,BK M,V Shopping mall B,C
Douglas 3236 W 22nd 1914 - - 792 BY M Demolished A,B,C
Drake (New Drake) 3546 W Montrose 1925 - - 1300 AB M Demolished B,C
Drexel 854 E 63rd 1912 - - 632 - M - A,B,C,P
Drexel Studios 801 E 40th - - - - - M - A
E.A.R. 6839 S Wentworth 1915 - - 890 - M Closed 1952 A,B,C
Earl (Apollo) 526 E 47th 1909 2/9/20 - - - M,V Demolished D,P
Eagle 3324 S Morgan - - - 299 - M - A,C,S2
East Side 10108 S Ewing 1922 11/4/22 - 800 - M - A,B,C,M2,M3
Easterly 2766 N Lincoln - - - 537 - M Retail store A,B,C
Edward 2419 S Wentworth - - - 299 - M - A,C
Eighteenth Street 1343 W 18th - - - 270 - M - A
Elba 3115 S Indiana 1912 - - - - M - P
Ellentee (Ridge) 1550 W Devon 1917 3/1/19 - 1480 LT M Hardware store A,B,C
Elmo 2406 W Van Buren 1913 - - 780 - M Demolished A,C,P,S2
Elston 3167 N Elston - - - 300 - M - B,C
Embassy 3940 W Fullerton 1926 9/2/26 - 1400 MB,E M Demolished B,C
Emmett 4340 S Wentworth - - - 556 BY M - A,B,C
Empire 673 W Madison - - - 1281 - M - A,B,C
Empress 6226 S Halsted 1912-13 - - 1440 - L,M Demolished C,P
Englewood 726 W 63rd 1912-13 - - 1589 O V,B,M Demolished B,C,P
Era 2408 N Western - - - 300 - M - C
Erie 641 N Clark - - - 610 - M Demolished A,C
Esquire E Oak near Michigan 1937 - - 1400 - M Movie theater -
Esthena 3743 N Southport - - - 299 - M Theater A,S2
Ewing 10126 S Ewing - - - 248 - M - C
Notes:
1. Locations, years built and razed, and opening dates have been compiled from a variety of sources, including theater advertisements, city directories, and fire insurance maps.
2. Seating capacities have been compiled primarily from those listed in fire insurance maps.
3. Only known circuit affiliations and entertainment formats are included in the listings; it is probable that many of the theaters listed had additional circuit affiliations and mixed formats at one time or another.
4. In most cases, theaters that relied exclusively on burlesque, vaudeville, "legitimate" drama, or some mix of the three are not listed, although I have made some exceptions.
5. The present condition of the theater is listed only if known; those for which the present condition is not listed are likely demolished.
6. This database is under constant revision; new or more accurate information is added as I complete additional research on this and related subjects.

Codes:
1. Circuits: AB=Ascher Brothers, AH=Alfred Hamburger, BK=Balaban and Katz, BY=Brunhild and Young, C=Columbia (Eastern) Burlesque Wheel, CB=Cooney Brothers/National Theaters, E=Essaness, GB=Gumbiner Brothers, JLS=Jones Linick and Schaefer, L=Lynch, LT=Lubliner and Trinz, MB=Marks Brothers, MH=M & H Corporation, O=Orpheum, P=Publix, P/BK=Publix/Balaban and Katz, R=RKO, S=Schoenstadt, WB=Warner Brothers.
2. Format: B=burlesque, L=legitimate drama, M=motion pictures, S=illustrated sing-a-longs, V=vaudeville.
3. Other: A=listed as "motion picture theater" in the 1923 edition of Polk's City Directory, B=listed as "motion picture theater" in the 1928-29 edition of Polk's City Directory, C=listed in The Film Daily 1929 Year Book; D=data from Chicago Defender; L2=build/opening date based on Billboard coverage of the event; M1=location based on Motion Picture News articles from the period; M2=opening date based on Motion Picture News coverage of the event; M3=seating capacity based on Motion Picture News articles from the period; P=construction dates based on city of Chicago building permit ledgers; P2=demolition date based on city of Chicago building permit ledgers; S1=date built from Sanborn Fire Insurance Company maps; S2=capacity from Sanborn Fire Insurance Company maps; T=date built derived from Cook County Assessor's Office records.
4. Alternative Street Names: 12th=Roosevelt, 22nd=Cermak, Armitage=Center, Crawford=Pulaski, Evanston=Broadway, Grand Blvd=South Parkway=Martin Luther King Drive, Robey=Damen.

Last updated: 31 July 2003





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Page authored: 19 March 1997 -
Copyright 2003 by Scott A. Newman