The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and KatzThe Balaban and Katz Theater Corporation perfected the "movie palace" concept in Chicago, reating an extremely popular pastime that contributed greatly to Chicago's cultural identity. The Balabans started in the movie theater business in 1908 by leasing the 100-seat Kedzie Nickelodeon on Kedzie Avenue. Balaban brothers Barney and A. J. dreamed of operating 5,000-seat movie palaces, so in 1916, they joined family friends Sam and Morris Katz to form the Balaban and Katz Theater Corporation. Their mission was to offer an unrivaled theater-going experience with the finest live performances and service. They built ornate theaters, such as the Chicago, the Uptown, and the Congress Theaters, filling them with fine furnishings, antiques, and artwork. Balaban and Katz produced live stage shows between the movies with the likes of Bob Hope, Louis Armstrong, and Benny Goodman. Sadly, only a few of these gorgeous theaters still stand today. |
Contents
Acknowledgments | 6 |
The First Balaban Theaters | 35 |
Continuous Performances | 97 |
Many Palaces Vanish Some Still Remain | 121 |
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A. J. Balaban Advertisement courtesy air-conditioning Balaban & Katz Balaban and Katz Balaban brothers Barney Balaban beautiful BENNY MEROFF Bob Balaban Broadway building Central Park Cherry Robins Chicago Historical Society Chicago Theatre Congress Theater courtesy of Balaban courtesy of Cherry courtesy of Chicago courtesy of Theatre customers David Balaban designed by Rapp Dreams Chicago LLC Elmer employees entertainment featured film Granada Illinois Image courtesy Israel Balaban John Balaban Katz Corporation Katz Historical Foundation Katz Magazine Katz theaters Katz's Kedzie live shows lobby located Loop Lubliner and Trinz managed Marbro Marks Brothers MERRY GARDEN MERRY Morris Katz movie palaces movie theater neighborhood nickelodeon Norshore operated Orchestra organization Oriental Theatre Paramount Publix patrons Photograph courtesy Plitt Rapp and Rapp Regal Roosevelt Sam Katz seats Society of America Southtown stage shows television theater business theaters in Chicago Theatre Historical Society Tivoli Uptown Theatre ushers WBKB week WURLITZER