Downtown ChicagoÕs Historic Movie Theatres

Downtown ChicagoÕs Historic Movie Theatres PDF Author: Konrad Schiecke
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786488654
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 201

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Book Description
The story of downtown Chicago—its early development, later struggles, and current restoration—is mirrored in the history of the theatres that occupied its streets. This vivid chronicle tells the tale of the Windy City’s theatres, from mid-nineteenth century vaudeville houses to the urban decline and renewal of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Discussed are the rebuilding efforts after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the first nickel theaters showing “moving pictures,” the ornate silent movie palaces, the move to “talkies,” the challenges of the Great Depression and the introduction of television, and urban decline. Today, Chicago has preserved some of its most historic movie palaces, landmarks of cultural vibrancy in its reawakened downtown. With nearly 200 photographs from the Theatre Historical Society of America, this work brings to life all of the theatres that have enlivened Chicago’s entertainment district, reflecting the transformation of downtown Chicago itself.

Downtown ChicagoÕs Historic Movie Theatres

Downtown ChicagoÕs Historic Movie Theatres PDF Author: Konrad Schiecke
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786488654
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 201

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Book Description
The story of downtown Chicago—its early development, later struggles, and current restoration—is mirrored in the history of the theatres that occupied its streets. This vivid chronicle tells the tale of the Windy City’s theatres, from mid-nineteenth century vaudeville houses to the urban decline and renewal of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Discussed are the rebuilding efforts after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the first nickel theaters showing “moving pictures,” the ornate silent movie palaces, the move to “talkies,” the challenges of the Great Depression and the introduction of television, and urban decline. Today, Chicago has preserved some of its most historic movie palaces, landmarks of cultural vibrancy in its reawakened downtown. With nearly 200 photographs from the Theatre Historical Society of America, this work brings to life all of the theatres that have enlivened Chicago’s entertainment district, reflecting the transformation of downtown Chicago itself.

Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois, 1883Ð1960

Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois, 1883Ð1960 PDF Author: Konrad Schiecke
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476610703
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 414

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Book Description
This history and catalog of the movie theaters of Illinois follows their evolution from the early opera houses, to the storefront nickelodeons, to the awe-inspiring movie palaces, to the post—World War II theaters and the advent of the multiplex. Each theater has its own story, and together these stories make up a fascinating history of cinema viewing in Illinois. This richly illustrated book—the first dealing exclusively with Illinois theatres— contains nearly 3,000 descriptions of historic movie houses, from the early 1880s to 1960. The alphabetically arranged entries, which include such information as the theater’s name, location, number of seats, and the dates it opened and closed, cover cities and towns from Abingdon to Zion, including Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. The book opens with a history of the movie house, beginning with silent movies shown on walls and ending with the multiplex era. It also includes a chapter on television’s impact and information on renovated historic theatres in the state. Appendices include lists of Illinois-operated movie theatre circuits, theatre websites and include a bibliography.

The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and Katz

The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and Katz PDF Author: David Balaban
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
ISBN: 9780738539867
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 134

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Book Description
A pictorial history of the movie theater business of the Balaban and Katz Theater Corporation in Chicago.

A Theater of Our Own

A Theater of Our Own PDF Author: Richard Christiansen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 346

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Book Description
Who produced the first stage adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" in 1902-nearly forty years before the movie classic?

Love, Loss, and what I Wore

Love, Loss, and what I Wore PDF Author:
Publisher: Algonquin Books
ISBN: 1565124758
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 146

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Book Description
In a volume originally intended just for friends, the author reflects on her fortunes and misfortunes through the clothes she has worn, clothes that have expressed her hopes and dreams--from her Brownie uniform to her first maternity dress. Reprint.

Detroit's Downtown Movie Palaces

Detroit's Downtown Movie Palaces PDF Author: Michael Hauser
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
ISBN: 9780738541020
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description
The spokelike grid of wide grand avenues radiating out from downtown Detroit allowed for a concentration of theaters initially along Monroe Street near Campus Martius and, after the second decade of the 20th century, clustered around Grand Circus Park, all easily accessible by a vast network of streetcars. In its heyday, Grand Circus Park boasted a dozen palatial movie palaces containing an astonishing total of 26,000 seats. Of these theaters, five remain today, fully restored and operational for live entertainment. Detroit, more so than any other North American city, illustrates how demographic and economic forces dramatically changed the landscape of film exhibition in an urban setting.

Great American Movie Theaters

Great American Movie Theaters PDF Author: David Naylor
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Naylor believes that few buildings in America are as spectacular and marvelously original as movie theaters. But in many towns and cities some of these great theaters are lost forever, torn down or destroyed by neglect. In this book, Naylor recaptures the spirit of the old movie theaters, and shows where to find and see the hundreds that remain. He describes these architectural wonders in detail, providing evidence of why the picture palaces and movie houses of the past now share a treasured place in the national memory. ISBN 0-89133-127-1 (pbk.): $16.95 (For use only in the library).

Chicago Death Trap

Chicago Death Trap PDF Author: Nat Brandt
Publisher: SIU Press
ISBN: 080932721X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
A blow-by-blow account of the deadliest fire in American history retraces the final days of the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago, a supposedly indestructible building that burned killing more than six hundred people.

Ensemble

Ensemble PDF Author: Mark Larson
Publisher: Agate Publishing
ISBN: 1572848057
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 624

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Book Description
This definitive history brings Chicago’s celebrated theater and comedy scenes to life with stories from some of its biggest stars spanning sixty-five years. Chicago is a bona fide theater town, bursting with vitality that thrills local fans and produces generation after generation of world-renowned actors, directors, playwrights, and designers. Now Mark Larson shares the rich theatrical history of Chicago through first-person accounts from the people who made it. Drawing from more than three hundred interviews, Larson weaves a narrative that expresses the spirit of Chicago’s ensemble ethos: the voices of celebrities such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Asner, George Wendt, Michael Shannon, and Tracy Letts comingle with stories from designers, composers, and others who have played a crucial role in making Chicago theater so powerful, influential, and unique. Among many other topics, this book explores the early days of the fabled Compass Players and the legendary Second City in the ‘50s and ‘60s; the rise of acclaimed ensembles like Steppenwolf in the ‘70s; the explosion of storefront and neighborhood companies in the ‘80s; and the enduring global influence of the city as the center of improv training and performance.

After the Final Curtain

After the Final Curtain PDF Author: Matt Lambros
Publisher: Jonglez Photo Books
ISBN: 9782361951641
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Most of the time, there is nothing remarkable about a movie theater today; but that wasn't always the case. When the great American movie palaces began opening in the early 20th century, they were some of the most lavish, stunning buildings ever seen. However, they wouldn't last -- with the advent of in-home television, theater companies found it harder and harder to keep them open. Some were demolished, some were converted, and some remain empty to this day. After the Final Curtain: The Fall of the American Movie Theatre will take you through 24 of these magnificent buildings, revealing the beauty that remains years after the last ticket was sold.