Woodstock Theatre

209 Main Street,
Woodstock, IL 60098

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Joe Moore
Joe Moore on May 31, 2021 at 5:19 pm

This is a 8 screen now

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on October 19, 2020 at 3:10 pm

The Miller Theatre Was Named After Ms. Helen Miller, Mr. John C. Miller and Mrs. John C. Miller. When The Theater Opened, The Main Theater Had Organist Of Barton Studios And An Organ Broadcaster Off Of Chicago’s WLS-AM Al Malgard, Who Played His Barton 23-Styled And 6 Rank Organ For A Half-Hour Before The Opening Of Their First Program On 35mm. The First Program Is Beljean’s 11-Piece Band (With Unknown Origination) Playing The National Anthem, Or The Star Spangled Banner With The Camera Showing The US Flag.

After The Anthem Ended, The Camera Continued To Show The Flag Fluttering In The Breeze As The Band Played “My Country Tis Of Thee” After A Moment Of Silence. The Theater Opened With A Gala Event And “A Festive Occasion For Woodstock And Vicinity” And Was Known To Be The Biggest Event For The City Of Woodstock And All Of McHenry County. Although I Can’t Find It First Attraction. I’ll Keep Looking Soon.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on March 27, 2020 at 8:30 pm

The Miller Theatre Is Known To Be The Largest Theater In McHenry County Throughout The Years. As Of January 28th, 1954, The Miller Theatre Is Known To Be The First Theater In McHenry County To Install CInemaScope.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on June 29, 2019 at 12:10 pm

Here’s A December 19th, 1939 Ad Of The Miller Theatre: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/191684714/

Here’s A March 25th, 1931 Ad Of The Miller Theatre: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/192222545/

Here’s An April 28th, 1972 Ad Of The Miller And A Few Others Surrounding Illinois: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/192129603/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on May 8, 2019 at 6:33 pm

Good news story about the Woodstock Theatre.

https://patch.com/illinois/algonquin/man-rents-out-theater-illinois-boy-special-needs-family?utm_campaign=blasts&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=illinois&fbclid=IwAR2eGRxdtLk8cQaWC_ppD7ah_Xpp7_ms42UHq7ny4-KmgwMtX8OQoKUIF3Y

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on April 29, 2019 at 1:18 pm

I’ve Been To The Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre A Few Years Ago To See “Finding Dory” In 2016, And It Has 8 Screens When I Went There. I Actually Don’t Know Why They Decreased It To 4 For Something Unorganizable. There Are TV Screens With Dasani/Coca-Cola/Coke/Diet Coca-Cola And A Few Others When I Went To The Ticket Booth With Pictures Of Classic Movie Posters From The 30s/40s On The Walls. I Also Remember Watching A Coca-Cola Commercial During The Intermission Including A Trivia With A Yellow Background And The Classic Cinemas Logo Somewhere On The Screen. The Rest Of It Is Unknown Inside My Memory Bank.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 28, 2016 at 5:07 pm

This opened as Dollarodeon on June 18th, 1976. Its grand opening ad can be found in the photo section for this theatre.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on May 12, 2016 at 8:43 pm

Updated website link: http://www.classiccinemas.com/location.aspx?house=2263

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on May 11, 2016 at 9:41 am

Opened November 8, 1927 with Helen Miller at the Barton Organ followed by WLS' organist Al Malgard.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 4, 2015 at 2:03 pm

August 2015 article below.

http://mchenrycountyliving.com/new-woodstock-theatre/

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 3, 2014 at 12:13 am

As in 2002 the Woodstock Theatre expanded into the building that was once occupied by the Beverly Theatre, at 211 Main Street, shouldn’t the name Beverly be listed as an aka?

A document prepared for the Woodstock Historic Preservation Commission (PDF here) has a history of the theaters in Woodstock. The Beverly Theatre opened in 1920, and occupied the building that had been occupied by the first Princess Theatre, so maybe Princess should also be an aka.

The second Princess Theatre, which was demolished in 1927 to make way for the Miller Theatre, had been built in 1913 and opened that year as the Palace Theatre. The Princess moved into the 429-seat building some time later. The document says that the building was demolished:

“In 1927, John Miller demolished the second Princess Theater along with the E.J. Field Hardware store that was located between the two theaters and a new, larger theater was constructed.”
However, as the Palace/second Princess Theatre building was only 14 years old in 1927, I think it’s possible that it was not entirely demolished. It was not unknown for theater buildings to be expanded sideways in those days, and I suspect that it might have happened in this case, although I’ve found no historic documentation that this was done. It was usually more economical to leave at least part of a sound structure standing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if at least the north wall of the Woodstock Theatre turned out to be a remnant of the old Palace.

Senorsock
Senorsock on May 5, 2014 at 1:49 pm

The dome has survived and the theater is being restored. http://www.thewoodstockindependent.com/August-2013/Cinema-restores-original-Woodstock-theater/

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on April 26, 2010 at 7:12 pm

Nice shot jwballer.

philbertgray
philbertgray on September 17, 2008 at 4:29 pm

The Woodstock Theatre can be seen in the 1993 film “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray. The theatre name was changed to The Alpine for the film.

MustangMike
MustangMike on July 20, 2006 at 4:56 pm

The Classic Cinemas Woodstock theatre history page has been moved to
View link

MAF
MAF on February 15, 2005 at 1:05 pm

The Woodstock Theatre currently operates 4 screens with 595 seats.

Update from the Classic Cinemas website at www.classiccinemas.com:
Classic Cinemas acquired the Woodstock Theatre in 1988. Immediate renovations included installing larger screens, Dolby surround stereo sound and decorative aisle lights. In late 1991 a new marquee was created to resemble an historic marquee. It now casts a golden glow over the street at night, contributing to the ambiance of Woodstock’s historic downtown.

More improvements were made by Classic Cinemas in late 1998. Wider and more comfortable seats were added to both auditoriums, reducing the total number of seats to 462. Other improvements included new carpeting, floor tile and wall decor in auditoriums as well as lobby décor.

One of the highlights of the theatre’s history was the filming of Groundhog Day, a romantic comedy starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. The theatre was used as a film location — the Alpine at which the character played by Murray attended a movie. Each year the theatre helps the City of Woodstock celebrate Groundhog Day with free screenings of the film. The theatre also is featured on tours of the film’s locations. On Sunday, February 4, 2001, a plaque was dedicated to the theatre, honoring it as one of the sites used in the movie.

On May 23, 2002, the Woodstock Theatre opened two additional screens by expanding into the building next door which turned out to be the Beverly Theatre from 1912. At the same time, the restrooms were completely redone and enlarged. The box office now has two ticketing stations. All auditoriums have been equipped with digital sound and HPS-4000® sound systems.

robinjoe
robinjoe on September 14, 2004 at 8:27 am

Here’s the link to their website:

View link

robinjoe
robinjoe on September 14, 2004 at 8:26 am

Here’s the link to their website:

View link

Michele
Michele on February 8, 2004 at 4:07 pm

How can I find out what movies are playing at the Woodstock Classic Cinema?