The Silent Film
Society of Chicago
4050 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 205-SFSC
Silent Film Movie Palaces
While most silent movie houses have been replaced by the mega multiplex movie
theatres in our modern world, a few still remain. The Silent Film Society of
Chicago has several screening sites — the Portage Theatre in Chicago, the
Pickwick in Park Ridge, IL, and the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. With their giant movie screens,
these historic theatres recall the bygone days of the silent era.
The Portage Theatre
4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641
The
historic Portage Theatre, located on the northwest side of Chicago, is the new
home for The Silent Film Society of Chicago. Designed by architect Henry
Newhouse, the theatre opened on December 11, 1920 with 1,938 seats as part of
the Ascher Brothers theatre chain. Pre-dating the advent of America's movie
palaces, the Portage Theatre's magaphone-shaped auditorium features a formal
beaux-arts opera house design. When the theatre was taken over by Balaban
and Katz in 1940, its marquee, entrance lobby and foyer were redecorated in a
sleek, streamlined art deco style to complement its new art deco neighbors --
the monolithic Sears department store and the five-story Klee Brothers building.
In the 1980s, the theatre underwent a dramatic change when a wall was
constructed down the middle of the existing auditorium resulting in two
oddly-shaped cinemas. After a five-year period of darkness, the theatre has
reopened to its original shape, and has been refurbished and restored to its
1920s splendor. The Silent Film Society of Chicago is pleased to be part of the
exciting revitalization of the Portage Theatre.
The Pickwick Theatre
5 South Prospect
Park Ridge, Illinois
(847) 825-5800
The Pickwick Theatre, which opened in 1928,
was designed by Roscoe Harold Zook and William F. McCaughey. It was
their only theatre design and represents one of the best examples of the
Art Deco style of architecture. The theatre's auditorium as designed in
collaboration with Alfonso Ianneli, a local artist and sculptor, noted
for his previous efforts with Frank Lloyd Wright on the design of the
now demolished Midway Gardens in Chicago.
The auditorium walls with their intricate geometric patterns were originally decorated in silver and lavender. The current color scheme was adopted during a 1965 renovation. The two-story lobby, once lowered to one story, was restored in the 1980s. The 100-foot tower, capped by an ornamental iron lantern, and the one-of-a-kind marquee, make the Pickwick Theatre one of the most handsome and imposing structures in downtown Park Ridge. The theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
The Pickwick is home to the 3 manual/11 rank Mighty Wurlitzer pipe
organ, one of the few remaining original installations by the Wurlitzer
firm. The organ was showcased f or only a short time after the Pickwick
opened. After the talkies evolved, the organ was used only for solos and
community
sing-alongs. After many years of neglect, the pipe organ was
restored in the 1960s and several concerts were presented in the years
that followed. In 1973, veteran theatre organist John Muri accompanied
the silent film classic Wings for a full week.
The Arcada Theatre
North Avenue (Rte. 64) at Fox River
St. Charles, Illinois
(630) 845-8900
The Silent Film Society of Chicago began film
screenings at the Arcada Theatre in 2002 with the showing of Buster Keaton in
The General in cooperation with CATOE, the Chicago Area Theatre Organ
Enthusiasts. The Arcada Theatre opened in 1927 with two manual, ten rank Marr &
Colton theatre pipe organ. The instrument was rebuilt and expanded into a three
manual sixteen-rank organ with a piano playable from the console and a three
rank echo division located at the rear of the balcony. The unique art deco
console was recently restored to its original black and gold motif and glows
from the orchestra pit via its own lighting. The Arcada's famous swinging
mission bells, located high above the main floor on each side of the auditorium,
are controlled by the organist when the chimes stop tablet is engaged. The
theatre seats 900 and has a full working stage.