Shangri-La Theater

222 N. State Street,
Chicago, IL 60601

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DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 3, 2022 at 4:45 pm

Pre 1969 photo:

https://collections.carli.illinois.edu/digital/collection/uic_pic/id/30367?fbclid=IwAR0E8yAgonvHQv-aYRnzS_wu0sSYzNKfkoysrnzWsv3uiv9f_lq7_DWvuWA

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 22, 2021 at 9:05 pm

April 3, 1979 photo credit John McCarthy/Chicago History Museum.

https://collections.carli.illinois.edu/digital/collection/chm_pp/id/1169/rec/30?fbclid=IwAR37nGYzU7J1KphQbLcuz01XlJAgBIUsmu8TLx3K0f-k3L0VEub09dRjSNE

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 6, 2021 at 5:03 pm

One not in the gallery, May 1974 photo credit MasMiguel.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/masmiguel/7998302992?fbclid=IwAR2J2YF41bnQ8gD_M6lQMQ46MCzZN5mRASw5qpMI8M_jsySdrrQFGgZNpZ4

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 21, 2020 at 7:02 am

Flickr link with proper credit for the previously posted 1964 photo. rivest266 incorrectly believed it was 1968, but Marina City pictured opened to tenants in 1963. The square hotel portion on the left opened in 1964. Other aspects of the buildings were completed by 1968. I live in Chicago and ice skated at Marina City in the `60s.

1964 photo credit Jeanette William via Flickr link below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/3552239967/in/photostream/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on May 6, 2020 at 6:18 am

Photos of Loop, Chicago & Shangri-La Theatres in below link.

https://www.pappaspost.com/vintage-greek-independence-day-parade-photos-chicago/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 14, 2019 at 7:16 pm

It appears the Shangri-La was still open in mid `79. Just added a photo that shows the State Street Mall nearing completion, and the Shangri-La still seems possibly active.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 16, 2017 at 7:23 am

“Happy Birthday Kup” in a brief glimpse of the Shangri-La marquee at the head end of this 1965 film on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_6iHXm_3Jw&feature=share

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 19, 2017 at 8:50 am

1982 photo added credit John P. Keating Jr., that shows the parking structure continued to stand operational after the demolition of the Shangri-La in 1981. Additional parking was created were it had stood as well. So the subsequent demolition of the parking structure and hotel development happened later.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 13, 2016 at 10:15 am

This opened on June 26th, 1970. Grand opening ad in the photo section. Adult programming by the end of 1970 until it closed.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 26, 2016 at 9:12 pm

1973 Tribune photo by Quentin C. Dodt in the link below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBNnW9xqS0K/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 20, 2016 at 10:35 am

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade 1959 photo added, courtesy of the Chicago’s Extinct Businesses facebook page.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 28, 2013 at 10:25 pm

I’ve added some more images to the Photos Section. One is of the Rhumba Casino that preceded the Shangri-La Restaurant, but in the same building.

jmarlo
jmarlo on March 14, 2012 at 7:05 pm

It should be noted that Jazz Legend Art Tatum was a frequent piano player at the Three Deuces Night Club on this site back in the late 1930’s. Art was then and still is now the greatest Jazz pianist of all time. And in 55 years since his passing at age 47, no one has been able to equal his extraordinary technical skills at the piano. He was one of a kind.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on February 4, 2011 at 2:35 pm

A night photo of the Shangri-La when it was still a restaurant: View link

vicboda
vicboda on October 5, 2009 at 10:03 am

I saw a John Holmes double feature at this theater. It was a little strange – not like a real movie theater. Now I know it was really a restaurant it makes more sense.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 14, 2009 at 9:41 pm

I’m pretty sure we saw the Ali bio pic “The Greatest” at the Shangri-La. Before it went XXX or karate.

That black awning across the street was Govner’s Pub. They’d actually let people cash their paychecks at the bar, and then kept them there drinking. That building was also torn down a few years back as I recall.

Footage of Cabrini-Green WAS used for the “Good Times” TV show open. As well as other B-Roll of Chicago. But that was it. The interiors were filmed in California. “In front of a live studio audience”, as they said at shows end.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on June 26, 2008 at 7:27 pm

BK,

Per your description above, I thought M&R was the last operator of the Oriental?

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on June 26, 2008 at 7:12 pm

BW

WOW was that restaurant ever GAUDY! I don’t think I’d ever be comfortable in a place like that.

Greenpoint,

No, those projects were likely Cabrini-Green on the city’s Near North Side. Fortunately, over the past decade, Cabrini-Green has largely been torn down.

Broan
Broan on January 21, 2008 at 3:29 pm

Here is a photo of the Shangri-La’s interior while it was a restaurant.

Greenpoint
Greenpoint on December 16, 2007 at 3:01 pm

Hey Paul the only thing I knew about Chicago was the projects from Good Times..were those down near the loop.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on August 8, 2007 at 3:36 pm

Here is a mid-1970s view of the Shangri-La.

View link

That the bus is in CTAs “Bi-Centennial” paint scheme would place the photo from 1974 to 1978.

I’m glad that places like this aren’t in the Loop (Chicago’s Downtown) anymore. The Loop is certainly a far nicer place than it was 25-30 years ago.