My mother told me that my Grandmother, who was born in 1900 Chicago, would go to the Charm on Tuesday nights, where they were giving away pieces of china dishware to the ladies. In the middle of the depression my grandmother ended up with a nice set of dishes for her growing family!
Big blockbuster type, especially musicals of the late 50s and early 60s, were first showcased at such grand downtown theaters as the Michael Todd,(and also the McVickers)that showed the movies at a 2PM matinee and then at 8PM. What was so unique and added to the anticipation of seeing one of these great films was that for the most part you had to purchase tickets in advance, as if they were plays. I remember in the late 50’s-early 60s, my dad going downtown and getting tickets well in advance, as special treats, so we coud go and see movies such as South Pacific, Gigi, My Fair Lady and Westside Story. I believe we saw Gigi at the Mike Todd, having gotten all dressed up for the Sunday matinee, taking a cab from the Lincoln Park area. It was magical!
Correction…looks like Barry Manilow performed at a Grand Theater in Chicago in 1972, not 1976. How sad to think that theaters that had such vibrant histories are allowed to decay and be demolished!
My mother told me that my Grandmother, who was born in 1900 Chicago, would go to the Charm on Tuesday nights, where they were giving away pieces of china dishware to the ladies. In the middle of the depression my grandmother ended up with a nice set of dishes for her growing family!
Big blockbuster type, especially musicals of the late 50s and early 60s, were first showcased at such grand downtown theaters as the Michael Todd,(and also the McVickers)that showed the movies at a 2PM matinee and then at 8PM. What was so unique and added to the anticipation of seeing one of these great films was that for the most part you had to purchase tickets in advance, as if they were plays. I remember in the late 50’s-early 60s, my dad going downtown and getting tickets well in advance, as special treats, so we coud go and see movies such as South Pacific, Gigi, My Fair Lady and Westside Story. I believe we saw Gigi at the Mike Todd, having gotten all dressed up for the Sunday matinee, taking a cab from the Lincoln Park area. It was magical!
Correction…looks like Barry Manilow performed at a Grand Theater in Chicago in 1972, not 1976. How sad to think that theaters that had such vibrant histories are allowed to decay and be demolished!
Is this the same Grand Theater that Barry Manilow performed in, in 1976 along with Leo Sayer?