Old Orchard Theatre

9400 Skokie Boulevard,
Skokie, IL 60077

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Cineplex Odeon, Loews Cineplex, Meridian Theatres, M & R Theatres, Sony Theatres

Firms: Sydney H. Morris & Associates

Previous Names: Old Orchard 1 & 2, Old Orchard 1-2-3

Nearby Theaters

Old Orchard Theatre

The Old Orchard Theatre, located on Skokie Boulevard at Emerson Street, was opened by M & R Theaters on September 2, 1960 with Judy Holliday in “Bells Are Ringing”. In the 1970’s the theatre was used for 70mm projection. In the late-1980’s Loews acquired it (later Loews/Cineplex) and it was later operated by Meridan Theaters. The last booking at the Old Orchard Theatre was “Unbreakable” and “Bounce”.

It was closed on January 1, 2001 and demolished in March 2003. The Siena at Old Orchard condominium and retail development is now located on the site of the Old Orchard Theatre.

Contributed by James Piscitelli, Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 39 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 2, 2011 at 12:19 pm

Here is a fresh link to the Boxoffice article about the Old Orchard Theatre. The text begins on the following page, and a third page of text and photos follows two subsequent pages of advertising. An additional photo appears on the cover of that same issue.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 24, 2012 at 12:14 am

This opened on September 2nd, 1960. I uploaded an photo and grand opening ad here.

RSH1967
RSH1967 on August 10, 2012 at 4:35 pm

In the pic posted here a few years ago by Catherine, I believe the Shell station is the only building still standing. View link

Broan
Broan on October 6, 2013 at 12:44 am

Original screen measured 60x25

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 6, 2013 at 2:28 am

RSH1967, the B.F. Goodrich building bnehind the Shell in your photo is still standing too. But it is a Goodyear dealer today.

Larry Wilson
Larry Wilson on October 20, 2015 at 4:55 am

That was a beautiful theatre. It’s a shame Loews Cineplex let it go.

alex35mm
alex35mm on December 8, 2015 at 11:29 pm

Some VHS quality footage of the main auditorium and brief exterior footage of the Old Orchard can been seen on this news report for the Phantom Menace release in May of 1999. https://youtu.be/VcSHFMiAZng

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 9, 2015 at 12:44 am

Thanks for posting that. I re-posted it over on the McClurg Court Cinemas page courtesy of you, since a lot of the exterior is shown throughout.

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on May 10, 2019 at 4:41 pm

The Raymond Marks and Martin Rosenfield (M&R Theatres Circuit) launched September 2, 1960 with the film, “Bells Are Ringing” a block from the Old Orchard Shopping Center. It closed January 1, 2001. An auction prior to demolition took place on February 28, 2001.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 10, 2021 at 3:42 pm

Old Orchard 1-2-3 should be added to previous names. They had 3 screen by 1977. Spring 1978 photo and print ad added.

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