Bryn Mawr Theatre

Just added a batch of pics to my blog! :–) http://mitchoconnell.blogspot.com/2018/02/chicagos-new-bryn-mawr-theatre.html

The Gar Wah was open at least into 1988, as I saw both “Robocop” and “Action Jackson” there. The latter was released February 12, 1988, and it was not first run at the Gar Wah.

The lobby storefront and theater are currently available for lease.

O worked at the Bryn Mawr theater from 1975 until 1980. Mr. Praught was the manager, and the projectionist was named Maurey. It was owned by the Balaban Brothers. The AMAZING thing about this theater was behind the curtain. Back in the day, it was an old vaudeville theater. There were all kinds of old props in the caverns behind the screen. Thousands of old posters rolled up and in little cubbies. We used to go back there all the time. Until we got chased out by a rat the size of my shoe. That pretty much ended our trips back there. There was nothing better in the world…back then…then walking down Brym Mawr in the hot, city summer….and feel the cold air blow on you…just like an invitation to come on in.

It’s too bad they can’t reopen the theater. Outside of the 400 Theater a few miles north, that area of the city is severely under screened. The 80’s lost The Granada, Devon, Adelphi, Howard. That’s a LOT of seats. Bryn Mawr east of Kenmore is looking a lot better than those seedy days of the 80’s. Just push for improvements west all the way to Broadway! It can look like Lincoln Ave north of Fullerton!!

I went there in 1976 (I was 11)when we first moved to the North Side. I remember when it cost .75 to see a movie! We were neighborhood kids who frequented there a lot. I loved, loved, loved it!! I remember everyone being upset because the price went up to .90!!! I attended Senn High School right down the street and had many dates there. Great memories!

Warmergrad ;Tim hit it right on the head. Actually the lobby was rather small. No balcony and the sound system was ok . We actually had to go to the alley side of the building and go under neath theater to turn marquee lights on and off until a timer was installed , which gives you an idea of the age of the building.

I was never there, but the sanborn maps indicate no balcony.

I managed the New Bryn Mawr theater in the early 80s.We had a mixture of customers from winthrop ave.to sheridan drive.We were always packed on the weekends and never had a problem in the theater.We did have security on the weekends but it was more for crowd control than anything else.I remember when we had E.T. the lines were around the corner to get in. The majority of our money was made from the concession stand and the rest from ticket sales.Our projectionist was making great pay as he was a union projectionist.When the theater was run as the Garwah theater they werent using a union projectionist and they had a fire in the auditorium.Hmm wonder how that happened.The theater,chairs, screen, projector, all had to be replaced or repaired and the theater was reopened under the name The New Bryn Mawr Theater.Those were great days for me and I have life long memories of the clientel, and staff that we had.

A few other streets than run parallel to Bryn Mawr in that general area have suburban Philadelphia-connected names like Ardmore and Rosemont (and Devon, although the Pennsylvanians pronounce it differently). I think even Hollywood was once the name of an estate near the Main Line.

Interesting Name… Its Welsh.. Bryn means Hill or mont Mawr means Big or Great… There must have been settlers from Wales…

I walked down the alley today. One of the original exit doors was cracked open a little bit. I peaked inside. It looks like the auditorium is being used as a storage space. Perhaps some type of auto repair garage. The door wasn’t open too much but I did hear some noise if as though it was a repair garage. Lots of junk inside. Hopefully, one day, the door will be propped open some more so I can get a better view. There is a church somewhere in the building but definitely not in the auditorium space.