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Music Box celebrates 75 years |
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Written by LUKAS SZYMANEK / Photos by DANNO MONTES
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Tuesday, 15 June 2004 |
I went to see "Day after Tomorrow" at the multiplex in Evanston last week, and all those special effects - watching the digitally real spectacle of Manhattan being devoured by a massive flood - from the third row of seats still did not beat the time Parker Posey emerged out of nowhere next to my seat at the Music Box Theatre.
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Music Box Theatre
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3733 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773) 871-6604
www.musicboxtheatre.com
Regular admission – $8.75
Weekend matinee – $6.75
Midnight movies Friday and Saturday night
Parking available one block north at Blaine Elementary School - $7 |
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She strolled down the aisle up to the front of the room where she answered the bewildered audience’s questions regarding her just screened movie, "Personal Velocity." I guess it all depends on your own definition of a thrill, a good movie, or a good theater. To me the Music Box is as close to a great movie experience as "Day after Tomorrow" is to great Hollywood kitsch.
Located in the culturally flourishing neighborhood of West Lakeview, the historic Music Box Theatre is the only playhouse in the city you could have recently seen films like the original "Sabrina" or "Godzilla" in – if you were lucky to sift through all the LOEWS movie listings in your newspaper’s arts section of course. The last current "Hollywood" movie that was played at the Music Box was 1977’s "Exorcist." The theatre has made its unique reputation by showcasing old classical productions, as well as new smaller ones by acclaimed local or foreign directors, and attracting a regular movie fan base ranging from traditional matinee-lovers, indie fans to midnight camp enthusiasts.
Opened in 1929, the theatre has undergone many reconstructions and eventually became a two-screening-rooms building with a unique inside décor. The red carpet and antique chairs in the lobby are just a primer to what the main auditorium holds. Styled as an "Italian courtyard," the inside of the main room, which seats 800 people, is a fabulous artistic esthetic, with ornamented side walls, round towers and organs chambers, and a ceiling sparkling with mechanical but enchanting star-like lights. The second, less glamorous auditorium is considerably smaller holding only 100 people.
Outside snacks are not allowed into the theatre, but the concession stand by the cashier provides your typical movie munchies.
Currently the Music Box theatre is playing its Spring Film Schedule, brochure available at the location. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
