The Wonder Theatre of the World
The Wonder Theatre of the World
We live in a world of relentless hype. “All sizzle and no steak” seems to be the norm. But there are exceptions.
In 1921, Abe and Barney Balaban, together with Sam and Morris Katz hyped their new downtown Chicago Theater as “the wonder theatre of the world.” 104 four years later, visitors still stand in awe of its grandeur.
A. J. Balaban and his brother-in-law Sam Katz founded the Balaban and Katz (B&K) theater corporation in 1916. Along with their brothers, they eventually owned 28 theaters in the city of Chicago and over 100 others in the Midwest. B&K operated them in conjunction with the Paramount Publix chain.
The Chicago Theater near the intersection of State and Lake Streets was planned as the flagship of their empire, and they spared no expense. Cornelius and George Rapp, renowned for their opulent movie palace designs, were the architects. The final construction cost was $4 million ($69 million in 2025 dollars)!
When it opened On October 26, 1921, the 3,880-seat theater was a frenzy of activity. Poet Carl Sandburg, reporting for the Chicago Tribune, wrote that mounted police were required for crowd control. Opening week featured First National Pictures The Sign on the Door starring Norma Talmadge.
Besides movies, other attractions included a 50-piece orchestra. A 26-rank Wurlitzer Theater organ featured the "Poet of the Organ," famed organist Jesse Crawford. B&K’s strategy of enticing movie patrons with a plush environment, top-notch service, and something new called air conditioning was copied nationwide.
By the 1970s, economic and social changes slowed business for the new owners, the Plitt chain. In a 1983 leap of faith by famous producer Lou Volpano, stage shows came to the Theater. According to Volpano, "When I first scouted the location, there were bullet holes in the picture sheet and they were showing Shaft, but it was so magnificent a venue I knew it'd be a hit."
For the next two years, stars such as Liza Minnelli, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, Bob Hope, and Sarah Vaughn graced the stage. In 1984, the Chicago Theater Preservation Group purchased the theater and adjoined Page Brothers Building for $11.5 million.
The group attempted to maintain the venue as a picture theater but failed. The doors closed on September 19, 1985. The last films screened there were American Ninja and Teen Wolf. Demolition was a possibility.
Fortunately, the Chicago Theater Preservation Group renovated the buildings in 1986 at a cost of $9 million. It was beautifully restored to its 1930s appearance with a seating capacity of 3,600.
The grand reopening on September 10, 1986, featured Frank Sinatra. Since then, countless stars have performed on its stage. The Theater is currently owned by New York's Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Inc.
The Shot
If you live in or visit Chicago, sign up for a tour of this majestic building to experience the golden age of movies. And it is a magnificent space to attend shows.
I recently toured the building with the Chicago Streets and Beyond photo Meetup group. I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.
The marquee.
A peek through the staircase leading to the balcony.
A view from the balcony. Notice the “ghost light” on the left of the stage. A ghost light enables you to navigate the Theater to find the lighting control console and to avoid accidents. A popular theatrical superstition holds that every Theater has a ghost. The lamp is there to keep them away. The ghost light is often a union requirement.
.
The lobby ceiling.
A view of the lobby window from the second floor.
The B&K coat of arms. Pay attention to the yellow film stock at the bottom and the film reels forming a frame around the coat of arms.
The staircase to the balcony.
Backstage, there’s a tradition of performers signing and/or decorating the walls. You get one guess to name this artist.
One of my favorite entertainers, Carol Burnett.
Johhny Mathis is still performing at age 89!
“Thanks Chicago” from Dean Martin and the Rat Pack
Thanks for looking,
Chuck Derus