Olympic Theater

I am working on a pictorial history of Cicero, Illinois, for the Arcadia Publications “Images of America” series. I have done books for them on Berwyn, Oak Park, and Maywood. I am so fond of old theaters that I really was hoping to find some scenes or photos showing theaters in Cicero but so far nothing has turned up. If anyone out there has pictures or postcards of Cicero movie theaters or ads from Cicero “shows,” please get in touch with me. I have no money to pay a usage fee but I would credit you in the caption and provide you with a book when it is published in September. (I have a June 12 deadline.) Thanks….Doug Deuchler (Oak Park) 708/524-0370

Hello! My grandfather decorated the Olympic Theater (1930s?). He was a Czech born artist who mostly did church decorations (more than 100 churches) but also decorated Czech banks, theaters, as well as several rooms in the Cuneo Museum in Vernon Hills, Illinois. I have some black and white photos of the Olympic Ballroom Interior from the 1930s I believe, including a description of the work: “The ceiling and walls are done in light ivories, pinks, and greys. The walls are finished in a texstone effect. The picture above the proscenium arch is painted on canvas and represents music, art and literature.” In the pictures for the current restored theater (named the Concordia now) on the website mentioned above look like the mural and other decorations might have been preserved, but I need to go see for myself. Has anyone been to the theater after the renovations?

Kathy Mallin

Was this theater in Cicero or Berwyn?

Current info on The Olympic http://www.concordia-ent.com/

I spent so many hours at this theater in the late 60’s and throughout the 70’s. The Olympic had the best double features. At times the film choices were a little odd. What I remember is the large staircase going up to the theater. I believe a red carpet. Walking past the theater, I could always smell popcorn. The auditorium was large and well lit with a classical mural above the screen. There was a lighted clock in the upper right corner of the screen which could be a distraction especially in boring movies. The large balcony was rarely open. I think I only sat up there once. The bathrooms were downstairs and had a large lounge area. The projection sometimes overlapped onto the stucco to the left and right of the screen. The theater actually had a stereophonic system that was used once in a while. I remember quite well that the thunder scenes in Ben Hur scared me when the sound boomed from the surround speakers. The theater played just about any movie…from kid flicks to the occasional adult film (Deep Throat, Fritz the Cat). I saw a marathon Planet of the Apes here which was about 8 hours long. The ticket seller was usually a woman with bleached hair and glasses..I believe in her 50’s or 60’s. She would always sell me tickets to R rated movies when I was only in my early teens. By doing this I got to see some of the great 70’s flicks. I used to look forward to going past the theater on Fridays to look at the new posters and lobby cards and to see what posters were posted for the upcoming week(s).

yes i live here in cicero i think it will be good if it can stay a movie theatre and reopen as one. thank you