Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State Street,
Chicago,
IL
60601
164 N. State Street,
Chicago,
IL
60601
8 people
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New director of programming Rebecca Fons. Reader article link below.
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/rebecca-fons-gene-siskel-film-center/Content?oid=86071794&fbclid=IwAR2CnViTfyeUHWp7M7ITHo_AhOwDc0ScWPAjE95quV4F-QKscxVejBrQkI8
I was in Illinois when Gene died
David – http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/film/75185/secrets-of-the-screening-room http://www.filmteknik.com/
David – http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/film/75185/secrets-of-the-screening-room http://www.filmteknik.com/
Thanks JRS40 for the clarification.
I’ll also try and find out some history of that film screening facility on Lake Street.
From what I saw of it about 10 years ago, it had been built out in the `70’s. It had it’s own projection booth, theatre seating & restrooms.
An office some then colleagues of mine had rented, shared the restrooms.
No the Siskel Film Center is just South of the old State Lake.
This thread reminded me that there is/was some type of professional screening room, in the old Loop Junior College building at 70 E. Lake St. between Wabash & Michigan Ave. Across from the Old Timers restaurant.
After the city renamed Loop Junior College the Harold Washington College, the new college was built across the street on the N/E corner of Wabash & Lake.
The old Loop College building was then presumably sold, but the 10th or 12th floor screening room remained.
I thought too that this facility had something to do with Gene Siskel. Even named after it at one time. Maybe it was the interim site until the State Street site could be built out. Is the Siskel Center in the ABC7/old State Lake Theatre building?
Catherine – I wouldn’t say the interior of the auditoriums are anything special. It’s just a nice clean place to see a movie. The small theater is VERY cozy – especially when the theater is filled. You should check the schedule often as they play lots of non-indie fare too. Look at the first post where you can see movies like “Dirty Harry” and “Chinatown” played. The lobby is very nice with tables off to one side where you can sit before the movie starts if you want. You can also buy alcohol and coffees as well.
I’ve never been here before. What is this place like, physically? Is the interior plain, ot is there some atmosphere. As it is a twin, with a seating capacity of 264, it must be even “cozier” than the old 3 Penny was! I’d like to visit this place, but the movies all seem a little “esoteric” for my tastes, even though I like some of the “art” and “indie” fare that, say. the Pipers Alley shows.
This is the perfect venue for true cinephiles. Does anyone know if they ever installed a cellphone jammer system? They have a concession area (with liquor) but snacking in this type of theater seems kind of wrong.
A fine tribute to a man I appreciated for many years. It’s too bad that Roger Ebert’s health is also problematic.
The building with the Film Center and the Borders is all part of a complex owned by the Art Institue — above the Borders in student dorms.
I have had the pleasure of attending this film center a few times to see some films from the 60’s and 70’s. I have seen “Dirty Harry”, “Chinatown”, “The Party”, and “The Ballad of Cable Hogue”. Both theaters are really nice though the smaller one can feel a little claustrophobic with a full house (as was the case with “Chinatown”). My only complaint is that sometimes the print quality is not that great. The print for “Dirty Harry” was downright terrible, especially in the first two reels which were almost unwatchable. Otherwise the seats are comfortable, the theaters clean, and the atmosphere exquisite for the movie lover.