Southtown Theatre
610 W. 63rd Street,
Chicago,
IL
60621
610 W. 63rd Street,
Chicago,
IL
60621
15 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 124 comments
According to the Southtown Economist of Sun., Aug. 3, 1958, the Southtown Theater closed on Thursday, August 7, 1958. It’s final act as a theater was a double-bill which included “God’s Little Acre.”
George Rose, who grew up in Englewood and attended Englewood High School, signed a long-term lease with Balaban & Katz, with an option to buy.
In the 1930s, the Theater Softball League was formed among the employees of the six theaters in Englewood: the Ace, Empress, Englewood, Linden, Stratford, and Southtown. They played on Saturdays and Sundays at Ogden Park. The Englewood and Linden teams were combined to form one team, while each of the others had their own team. The reason for this is unclear. It might have been because neither the Linden and Englewood had enough to fill a roster or because both theaters were owned by the same person. In 1938, the team from the Ace was favored for the title.
Hey Johncfd. When you explored the building, did you ever get into the tower? I often wondered what, if anything, was in it.
My mistake – “Escapade” was released in the US on July 7, 1935.
MGabel
Great info! I am researching the careers of the “Three Burke Sisters” (my aunts) who were in the “Bandbox Revue” one of the stage attractions – on the screen was “Escapade”. From their picture I am guessing 1932-34 range. The newspaper article I have is trimmed and without a date etc.
Is there a way to find out more on the stage attractions? I am doing the research for my aunts grandchildren and great grandchildren, so they will know how wonderful the Burke Sisters were!
Thanks,
MGabel
Ever since I can remember my grandparents have told me their wonderful memories of the Southtown. It’s such a shame that it doesn’t exist anymore. To the previous post, my Grandpa went to Tilden Tech and was also a fireman with the Chicago Fire Dept. His name was John Herman.
Wow, I found this site strictly by accident while looking for some information about the Southtown for a friend of mine. Reading everyone’s comments has been a great trip down memory lane! I actually worked as a B&K usher at the Southtown on and off in 1953 and 54. One of you folks mentioned police officer “Big Jim” in one of your posts. I remember him very will. In fact it was Big Jim who came out to attend to me after I ran into the back of a city bus right across the street from the theater! IN MY FIRST CAR!!! My driving has improved since then. If I recall, my ushers uniform was navy blue or black trousers with a maroon colored coat. We also wore, I think, a white shirt with a black clip on bow tie. We ushers also had our own locker room. This is probably where I first picked up the smoking bad habit! We used to come in early sometime on the weekends so we could horse around and go exploring in that massive building! I also met my first sort of steady girlfriend at the Southtown. One of the “Candy Girls”. She attended my prom with me at the Sherie or Shery hotel. (Not sure of the spelling). I actually lived north of most of you folks. I lived at 56th & Lowe and attended “Saint Tilden Tech”. Went on to do 30 years with the Chicago Fire Dept. Thanks again for sharing your memories. JohnCFD
Well,
I guess we are guilty of talking about Englewood more than the Southtown.
I was in Detroit a few years ago and saw how they refurbished the old Fox theatre. The Southtown was a much more elegant palace. It would be the gem of the midwest, if it were still standing.
Melb31…The Southtown was a great show, lots of coins in the “pond,” and a great snack bar. The other shows were the Stratford, Englewood, and Linden. Dont forget the Ace & Empress on Halsted. I had a Times paper route on west side Aberdeen 63d to 67th during fall & winter 1950-51.
Roger W.
I remember the childrens play room. You never had a problem with noisy kids while enjoying a movie. Every theatre should have one.
Bryan
Thanks for the reminder.
As I said earlier, my parents took us to the Southtown very often. My favorite was the duck pond. I don’t think I have ever seen another cinema that had one inside. I suppose nowdays it wouldn’t be politically correct to have fish and ducks, etc. roaming around a cinema lobby. Where were the ducks, etc. kept at night? Were they put into cages/a special room?
Wasn’t there also a childrens play room with small slides, etc. – some sort of animal theme? I think that was there. We used to frequent other cinemas on 63rd St but I believe it was at the Southtown.
Amen!
Patties,
Like I said, only a short while on Normal Blvd. Lived with my grandfather for about five months in 1950, then moved to 60th St. Lived on 60th St. for four years. We were four houses east of Union Ave. Both the houses were two-flats. The house on Normal Bl. has been torn down; however, my house on 60th Street (built in 1893) is still standing. I went to St. Martin’s School (1950-54) and later to St. Bernard’s School at 66th and Stewart Ave., 1954-58.
I’ve lived here in Southern California for the past 38 years.
Gerry C,
Small world,isn’t it? What years were you there? Was that the big red brick apartment building(lots of apts.) Did you go to the Little Store in the basement for candy,across the street from me? Knew so many friends when I was in grammar school, but they have all scattered.
Nice to hear from you,are you still in Chicago area or out of town?
Take Care and talk later!!
Meb31,
St. Brendan’s was on the SW corner of Racine Avenue and Marquette Road, but still across from Ogden Park.
patties50,
You lived at 505 W. 60th Place? I lived at 650 W. 60th Street. Before that (for a short while) I lived at 5950 S. Normal Blvd., 157 yards away from your apartment building.
I remember the Southtown very well. My parents took us “to the show” very often. Not only to the Southtown. But I remember how beautiful the Southtown was inside. It was my favorite because of the duck pond. I threw many a penny in there, and also much pop-corn for the ducks.
I remember my mother taking us to the White Castle on Halstead too. We used to ride on the bag of laundry in the back of our wagon when my mom went to the laundro mat.
I lived a little further west at Aberdeen St. We lived at 66th and Aberdeen from when I was born 1n1948 till 1956. Then we moved to the corner of Marquette Rd. & Aberdeen, upstairs of the tailors on the corner (also upstairs of the Hollenback’s sausage factory). Across the street from Jerry & Joe’s store.
I went to St. Brendan’s. Does anyone know where there are any photos of St. Brendan’s church? It was on the corner of Morgan and Marquette Rd across the street from Ogden Park. It was a large “pink” brick church with a tall steeple and beautiful stained glass windows.
After 1962 we moved across Ashland at 65th & Paulina. I went to Harper Hs. and from 1965-1966 I worked at the Kresge’s at 63rd & Halstead. I ran the pop-corn machine for awhile!
I do remember Englewood. I used the YMCA, swam at “the tank” at Ogden Park and used to run under the sprinkler/fountain there in the summers. Ogden park had a great kid’s playground too with great monkey bars, a sand pit and a very high slide.
I loved reading about the old neighborhood. I really brought back great memories. I live in Florida now, so I can’t compare the area now to what it was then. But I will always have fond memories of it..
FLICKCHICK;
P.S. Forgot to tell you where I lived, address was 505 W. 60th Place.
Pat
Hi FLICKCHICK;
No, I haven’t found a picture of Covenant Baptist Church either, all I could fine out by going to google maps was that it is now a vacant lot by the alley there.
When were you going to Lewis ? I was there between 1941-1950. Yes, I too remember the businesses there on Normal~Drug Store~Krogers(my Mom worked there)meat market with Kroger, show repair around the corner. The other row of bussiness and apartments are still standing, but boarded up, looks like the apartments are still active though. I use to work for the cleaners there in 1952 worked for Minnie Holt, she was so good to me.
Where did you live flickchick ? Were you toward the stores or Kelly Library? I was always in that library(was a book worm)couldn’t get enough books out to read,of course, we didn’t have TV, so we had to do something. Right?
What years were you living there too. All these questions, but my mind is going a mile a minute to realize that we can remember so much and it is not there anymore, like the church, Such a shame.
Do you still live in Chicago area, saw that you drove by there in one of your letters.
Englewood High that I remember is gone too, what a beautiful school, went there too for 2 yrs then went to CVS.
Well, nice chatting with you and hope I hear back !
Thanks~~Take Care Pat
Flick,
When did you go to St. Martin’s?
patties50 and all
I went to Lewis Champlain in the first grade and then transferred to St. Martin’s school on 59th and Princeton. I was told that they tore Lewis Champlain down to make way for the new Englewood High School and track, etc.
Between 60th st and 60th pl. there were two grey apartment buildings. On the basement level there were businesses, barber shop, grocery store, maybe a cleaners. These buildings were torn down, due to fire.
I would love to see a picture of the outside of Covenant Baptist Church. I haven’t been able to find one.
Lewis-champlain was most likey torn down due to most of the neighborhood diappearing. I still remember seeing the steam engine that ran the ventilation fan for the building. The brass on that engine was polished like a fire engine. My recollections of Hamilton Park are vague at best. My grandfather used to take me to political gatherings at one of those theatres on the east side of Wentworth somewhere around 69th(?) street. I remember a small train station at Hamilton Park on the Rock Island line. I had friends from Westcott Vocational that lived in the building next to the Rock Island at 74th Street. We often took the bus from there to go swimming at Grand Crossing pool.
Did anyone live a little further south, around 70th to 74th Streets as the north/south boundaries and Wentworth and Vincennes along with Hamilton Park as the east/west boundaries of our neighborhood. We kids would go to the Southtown Theater on special occasions and loved the ornate structure with its wonderful duck pond. We went to Yale Elementary and Parker High. Our nearest movie theaters were the Sun and E.A.R. (named after the owner’s initials). Love to hear from you. For those who went to Yale, there is an active alumni group going way back.
Bob Leffingwell: So glad to hear from you, thought that Lewis was demolished as was Englewood,what a shame,such wonderful old structures. Seems like all we do is tear down and not try to keep history alive. Went to Lewis all 8 grades, from 1941 to 1950, such a
great school and wonderful teachers. We never hear why these schools were torn down and ugly buildings put up do we? I lived at 60th Pl. & Normal,right across from Covenant Baptist church which I see has been torn down and is nothing but a vacant lot, was married there. I can understand tearing a building down to make room for PROGRESS, but to just live next door to a vacant lot, think something is wrong with the people that came after us. Could have been used for a hall for the kids to learn something, constructive.
Guess you were always up to 63rd & Halsted too,everyone seems to have enjoyed that part of growing up in the Englewood area~theaters, so many to pick a good show from,White Castles,KarmelKorn shop.
We had a good time as kids, didn’t we?
Thanks so much for the info and hope to talk again !
Patricia Armon(maiden name)
Patties50, Lewis Champlain and all the other school buildings on the block are gone, with Englewood being replaced by an updated building and an athletic field. I too remember having Miss Vanderpool. Also, Miss Guinan in 1st grade, my first male teacher in 6th grade, Mrs Lewis in 7th, and Miss Oswald in 8th grade. 7th and 8th were in the Englewood building. I went there in the late forties, returning in the mid fifties. What a culture shock that was LOL. It turned totally black north of 63rd street and east of the tracks at Wallace, while south of 63rd and west of Wallace street was all white. 63rd street and Wallace were like borders for several years.