Chicago’s Once-Grand Movie Palaces

The Avalon (New Regal) Theatre

From the Avalon to the Uptown, Chicago Magazine explored five of the city’s historic theatres. Enjoy the article and great photos along with notes like the notes below about the Uptown Theatre:

“With its opening-day marquee announcing ”An Acre of Seats in a Magic City,” the 4,381-seat Uptown is the largest freestanding theatre in the country. It’s also one of the most lavish movie palaces ever built. The crown jewel of the Balaban and Katz theatre chain, the Uptown, with its marble floors, intricate frescoes, and 24-karat gold and silver leaf designs, reflects the period’s extravagances…”

Enjoy the Chicago Magazine article with photographs by Eric Holubow.

ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

Learn more about historic theatres in the THS American Theatre Architecture Archives and on our website at historictheatres.org