I know that this is perhaps too many details when you need to try to get information on thousands of theaters. The 1940 Film Daily Yearbook lists 19,084 theaters.
The statement about the names history came from me, not Bruce. Here is the answer:
The theater was built as The Adelphi, for example, the collection of the New York Public Library has an 1873 program for the Adelphi Theater Chicago.
In 1911 it was turned into the Columbia Burlesque, hence the construction pictures. The original Adelphi didn’t have a marque.
Bruce says you could climb stairs several stories into the flies and shreds of scenery still remained.
The Clark was still changing bills weekly when Bruce got there after the war, and he developed the policy of more frequent changes until the change became daily.
I worked for Leo R. Dratfield, who in the late sixties partnered with Duncan McGregor to form the releasing firm Pathe-Contemporary. It is my understanding the Mr. McGregor parachuted into the yard of one of the Pathe daughters during World War II, and eventually they were married. He went to America to open the Paris and the 1948 date seems about right.
I was involved in the 1968 release of DiAntonio’s film “In The Year of the Pig” by Pathe-Contemporary, and had the experience of carrying a print of this title into the Chicago Police Censor Board, while the “Chicago Seven” trial was going on.
I also, in the seventies, saw “The Boy Friend” at the Paris with both Fellini and Ruby Keeler in attendence.
Brian,
I know that this is perhaps too many details when you need to try to get information on thousands of theaters. The 1940 Film Daily Yearbook lists 19,084 theaters.
The statement about the names history came from me, not Bruce. Here is the answer:
The theater was built as The Adelphi, for example, the collection of the New York Public Library has an 1873 program for the Adelphi Theater Chicago.
In 1911 it was turned into the Columbia Burlesque, hence the construction pictures. The original Adelphi didn’t have a marque.
In 1923 it was turned back into the Adelphi.
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Bruce says you could climb stairs several stories into the flies and shreds of scenery still remained.
The Clark was still changing bills weekly when Bruce got there after the war, and he developed the policy of more frequent changes until the change became daily.
My friend Bruce Trinz doesn’t do computers. He is 87 and last October he and I walked around The Loop for three hours.
He has two corrections of what is said above:
The Clark was at 11 North Clark Street.
The Late Show started at 4 am.
I would add, that the theater was the Adelphi before it became the Columbia as part of the “Columbia Burlesque Wheel”.
Bruce is very pleased about what you have said about the theater and him on this site.
Paul, I have a number of editions of Hark! The Voice of the Clark which I will gladly send you by fax or e-mail. Contact me at
I worked for Leo R. Dratfield, who in the late sixties partnered with Duncan McGregor to form the releasing firm Pathe-Contemporary. It is my understanding the Mr. McGregor parachuted into the yard of one of the Pathe daughters during World War II, and eventually they were married. He went to America to open the Paris and the 1948 date seems about right.
I was involved in the 1968 release of DiAntonio’s film “In The Year of the Pig” by Pathe-Contemporary, and had the experience of carrying a print of this title into the Chicago Police Censor Board, while the “Chicago Seven” trial was going on.
I also, in the seventies, saw “The Boy Friend” at the Paris with both Fellini and Ruby Keeler in attendence.
I would like to know if Duncan is alive?