Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Theaters to visit in Chicago area

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Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-08-2015, 08:31 AM:

I'll be visiting Chicago for the first time the week after next. I know very little about the city (yet; I certainly plan on doing some research before I go). Are there any must-see theaters (cinema, not live theater) in the area? Even if there are no "classic" cinemas or palaces or anything like that, anyone know of any locations that are known for stellar presentation quality should I wish to catch a flick while I'm there?

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 10-08-2015, 09:32 AM:

You'll need to visit Steve Kraus' screening room and sit in Roger Ebert's chair.

I'm wondering if the ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Collection theater is a good multiplex. It's in downtown Chicago. It has at least 2 or more Dolby Atmos equipped screens.

Posted by Frank Bolkovac (Member # 6201) on 10-08-2015, 09:38 AM:

My opinion...if there are no "classic" or Palaces, It will be (same old=same old.

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 10-08-2015, 03:18 PM:

Definitely see if you can visit Steve.

I recommend going to the Music Box as well. They typically have great programming and it's a neat old theatre. Sure, it has its shortcomings but still a fun place to see a show.

The Chicago Theatre. At least walk by it and check out the marquee.

AJG

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-09-2015, 07:48 AM:

As it happens, I will be in Chicago on Monday and Tuesday of next week, so I am also watching this thread....

Posted by Scott Jentsch (Member # 1681) on 10-10-2015, 02:42 PM:

The Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Collection isn't walkable from downtown (most of the downtown destinations), but it's worth seeing a movie at for its Atmos installation. The restaurant there is actually pretty good, but it's not a historic or architecturally significant location.

I've not been to any of the historic theaters, such as the Music Box, but I agree that walking past the Chicago Theater at night is a sight to behold!

The best movie theater (sound and picture-wise) was the McClurg Court on Ohio, but that's long-closed. I've heard the Navy Pier IMAX is not worth going to, and the Omnimax at the Museum of Science and Industry is not any better or worse than any other museum-based dome IMAX (the museum is definitely worth a visit!).

You're almost better off visiting movie locations instead. There are so many recognizable locations in the downtown area.

It's not available at any movie theaters, but don't miss Garrett's Popcorn while you're in town!

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 10-10-2015, 04:31 PM:

Agree on the McLurg Court being excellent. Did a lot of audio work there.

Eden's was an interesting place with a floating screen. Had not seen one before early '80's.

Posted by Matt Russell (Member # 8989) on 10-11-2015, 01:03 AM:

As someone who lives close to the Chicago area, ShowPlace Icon cannot be missed! Been there on multiple occasions and it's always perfect, service is fantastic, presentation is top-notch, and seating is comfortable and even for reserved isn't that much of a hassle. If you wanna see something big in 3D, Navy Pier's IMAX is incredible and is known for being one of the best IMAX theaters in the world. Try seeing something like "The Walk" there, and it's just an immersive presentation. However, the price is high and Navy Pier is a pain to deal with in terms of parking, so I highly consider only choosing to go see a movie there if it's something you actually wanna see badly, or else I recommend skipping it. Outside of Chicago, Evanston Century 12 is a favorite of mine that shows movies properly (no cropping for scope, for example), has great food including a built in Starbucks and gourmet candies and ice cream, as well as a separate bar right next to the Cine Arts section, so it's definitely a great date-night place to go. One more is AMC River East 21, which is considered to be the "flagship" AMC theater of Chicago. It's definitely nice, but they charge a lot for tickets (2D movie prices for after matinee is over $12.50 for adult and it's not in any special PLF format). It is right in the heart of the city though, so it's a nice place to go after strolling along the town. Hope this helped! [Big Grin]

Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 10-11-2015, 05:08 PM:

You might also want to do some site seeing of Past Projector Mfgers like MOTIOGRAPH - DEVRY - AMPRO - B&H, etc., that were all Chicago based, just to see what resides where they once were... [Smile]

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 10-11-2015, 08:37 PM:

And why not visit one of the site of one of the most famous theaters
in Chicago history: The Iroquois Theater (24 West Randolph St) where
over 600 people died as the result of a fire in December of 1903.

It was the single most deadly fire in US history. Many bodies were almost
reduced to ash, making individual identification impossible & so they were
buried in mass graves. It was a horrible disaster.

But it was out of this tragedy that many safety laws were put 'on the books'
for mandating places of public assembly to have crash-bars, and exit doors
that open outward (that seems like a no-brainer!), sprinklers, lighted exit
signs, seperate emergency lighting circuits, exterior fire escape stairs from
balcony levels, and more.

The original theater burned to the ground and the one that replaced it
was torn down decades ago, but there's still a (live venue) theater
on the site today.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-12-2015, 03:30 PM:

Sam, Edens and McClurg are both gone. I believe the McClurg building may still be standing. Not 100% sure though.

Theaters to see...

Chicago Theater
Cadillac Palace Theater
Oriental Theater

Conrad's sound head and projector collection
Carey Williams projector & Camera collection (largest in world).

You should also friend Tim O'Neil on Facebook, he was Chicago's last carbon arc projectionist. He can tell you way more sites to see than anyone else can.

Oh, and if they're playing.... the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Best Pizza.... Home Run In
Lou Malnatti's is a tourist trap.

Eat pizza then let a good fart on Rogers chair!

Mark

Posted by Matt Russell (Member # 8989) on 10-12-2015, 09:51 PM:

A real tourist trap for pizza is Gino's East! No matter what anyone says, they've definitely downgraded the quality of their pizza to the point of staleness, specially when they charge around $20 for a pie. Uno's is pretty good, but a little pricy and you need to get good seating arrangements as it packs up often.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-13-2015, 09:16 PM:

I would avoid that place! Highly overrated awful pizza.

Mark

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-15-2015, 11:49 AM:

I am back and had a great time. I saw the Music Box (gorgeous) and the Gene Siskel Film Center (uninspired building, but great programming). The Northwest Chicago Film Society puts on an excellent film program at Northeastern Illinois University, though the venue itself is recently constructed and not super-exciting.

I can also recommend the Art Institute of Chicago (the large art museum) and a walk through downtown. Millennium Park is worth a visit, though I don't understand why everyone loves the giant bean sculpture.

If you have more time than I did, the film locations suggestion is probably a good one.

Public transit in Chicago is good, and I had no trouble getting around on the CTA, including to and from ORD. A rental car would be an unnecessary hassle and expense for someone looking to stay in the downtown area.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-16-2015, 11:38 AM:

Beggars Pizza in Lansing you get the grand Barton theatre organ playing as well

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 10-16-2015, 01:23 PM:

Yeah, stop by if you are in the neighborhood. Coordinate to make sure I'm there.

The Iroquois did not "burn to the ground." It was repaired, reopened as the Colonial and ran another 23 years before being razed to make way for the present Oriental Theater.

Unfortunately the Gateway, now a Polish cultural center, does not run movies anymore. The lobby was filled in with offices but the auditorium is...well...this:

I shot my Youtube video "The Last Carbon Arc Projectionist in Chicago" here.

Edited to add:

Depending on your time and ability to travel around the area two more theatres to check out are the original main screen at the Pickwick in Park Ridge (NW suburb near ORD) playing first run with occasional special events and the Tivoli in Downers Grove (western suburb) which plays sort of move-over runs a few weeks after openings. The Tiv was famous for playing 70mm on a subrun basis in the late 80's. Both are just a few hundred feet from Metra commuter train stops.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-28-2015, 03:31 PM:

Good,

I have been to Beggars Pizza a number of times but it was way back when it opened up in the early 80's under some other name. That Barton sounded really good then.

Mark

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-28-2015, 08:41 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
Public transit in Chicago is good, and I had no trouble getting around on the CTA, including to and from ORD. A rental car would be an unnecessary hassle and expense for someone looking to stay in the downtown area.

I had a friend who lived in Champaign and didn't have a car. When visiting her once, she was going to show me around Chicago. Being from Montana where you pretty much have to drive everywhere, I was a little skeptical we'd be able to get around, but we did just fine. Rode the "el" and a couple of buses and I think maybe one or two taxis and I don't remember what all else.