Des Plaines Theatre Prepares For 80th Birthday

posted by btkrefft on August 11, 2005 at 3:51 am

DES PLAINES, IL — The 1925 Des Plaines Theatre in downtown Des Plaines may soon have Miner Street glowing again with the neon lights of its marquee, according to the Daily Herald. Much-needed repairs on the theater’s marquee are expected to be completed by October 7-9th, when the Des Plaines will celebrate its 80th anniversary. Repairs to the sign include electrical work and a new paint job.

The Des Plaines Theatre Preservation Society is playing host to the celebration, which will feature one of the first films to play at the theater, W.C. Fields' “Sally of the Big Sawdust”, which will be accompanied by live organ music. (The Des Plaines actually opened with “The Unholy Three” starring Lon Chaney). Ticket prices for the anniversary weekend will be the same as in 1925, a quarter. Since last year, the Society has been presenting classic films and other events, while Bollywood features continue to play on the theater’s second screen.

Theaters in this post

• Des Plaines Theatre