Chicago Filmmakers
5241 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60640
5241 N. Clark Street,
Chicago,
IL
60640
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Gumbiner Bros.
Architects: Eric E. Hall, Carl W. Westerlind
Firms: Hall & Westerlind
Previous Names: LeGrand Theatre, Acme Theatre, Temple Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The LeGrand Theatre opened in 1910 for the Gumbiner Brothers circuit. It was located on N. Clark Street at W. Farragut Avenue in the Andersonville neighborhood. In addition to motion pictures, the LeGrand Theatre originally featured vaudeville and other live performances. The theatre was renamed Acme Theatre in 1918 and closed two years later. In 1924, the theatre reopened as the Temple Theatre, with a movies-only policy. It closed in 1938. After closing, the building was converted into a retail store, as it remained for many years.
In the mid-1970’s, the space was taken over by the experimental filmmakers group Filmgroup at NAME Gallery, which later became known as Chicago Filmmakers. Besides serving as a venue for screening independent films and videos (including festivals, thematic series, retrospectives, and short films and animation), Chicago Filmmakers offers classes, film distribution, and community outreach.
Chicago Filmmakers is also one of the hosts of Reeling: the Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival, and also the Onion City Experimental Film and Video Festival.
In April 2018 the Chicago Filmmakers relocated to a new address at 5720 N. Ridge Avenue, a former fire house.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
i’ve heard something or other about Chicago Filmakers recently acquiring a new location, space in an old city long closed fire staion to renovate. i think in rogers park? city sold it to them for a (relative) pittance, but it certainly seems like a good fit
Tribune article
Note that Chicago Filmmakers is in the same building as the LeGrand/Temple Theatre, but most of the theatre space is taken up by the stores.
An item in the February 19, 1910, issue of The Economist said that architects Hall & Westerlind had prepared plans for a project at North Clark Street and Farragut Avenue. It was to include stores, flats, and a theater on a parcel 117x160 feet. This must be the place.
Hall & Westerlind (Eric E. Hall and Carl W. Westerlind) also designed the 1914 Ideal Theatre in the Lincoln Park district.
Address was 5241 N. Clark, confirmed via 1915 poster added courtesy Suzanne Bonhivert Kinnaird‎.