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HISTORICAL THEATRE IS TOUTED AS ONE OF GLEN ELLYN'S MOST UNIQUE ICON WITH A LOT OF HISTORY According to Unique Treasures, the Glen Theatre was formerly a single screen theatre, opened in February 1927. It was designed in the Tudor Revival style by architect William B. Betts of Park Ridge and not only featured motion pictures, but live stage acts as well. It has also been said by David Moreau that there was a small shuttered bowling alley in the theater’s basement. Prior to the location at 540 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, Broan, an avid theatre fan, shared that there was another theatre in Glen Ellyn that opened in 1914 at 481 Main Street. This theatre was designed by George Awsumb for T. Stuart Smith and operated by Sam Bowden. Today, the exterior of Glen Art Theatre on Crescent remains fairly the same; however, after changing ownership several times throughout the years, the 1,000-seat theatre was divided into four-200 seat auditoriums after being acquired by its current owners in the early 1980's. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on renovations and installing digital equipment over the years since. The theatre currently shows Academy Award Winning films and other blockbusters. It has also been a star of its own as it was the backdrop in the 1986 film Lucas starring Corey Haim, Charlie Sheen, and Kerri Green when they filmed on location in Glen Ellyn. Each year the theatre marquee remains a popular spot for prom proposals, wedding pictures, and the best date night in town. The Glen Art Theatre regularly draws customers from all over Chicagoland to see some of the finest films from all over the world. Fun Movie Facts from KidzWorld.com • During the Depression or the 1920s, movies cost about 27 cents. • During the swinging '60s, it cost a little less than $1 to catch a flick. • In the '80s, it cost about $4.00 to go to a movie. • It now costs around $10 to go to a film. • While the first air-conditioned movie theater was built way back in 1922, the first cup holders didn't make it into cinemas until AMC Theaters introduced them in 1981. • The first shopping mall multiplex was built in 1963. It had two screens and sat 700 people. • New Jersey was home to the very first drive-in theater, which was built in 1933. The drive-in peaked in popularity in the '50s and '60s but there are now less than 1000 of them left in North America. From Filmsite.org - Greatest Films of 1927 • The Beloved Rogue • The General • The Jazz Singer • The Kid Brother • Metropolis • Napoleon • Seventh Heaven • Sunrise • The Unknown • The Way of All Flesh • Wings - Kristen Kucharski

HISTORY MAKERS | The Glen Art Theatre

HISTORICAL THEATRE IS TOUTED AS ONE OF GLEN ELLYN'S MOST UNIQUE ICON WITH A LOT OF HISTORY According to Unique Treasures, the Glen...

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FROM THE EARLY 1920s TO NOW, STILL A WEST SUBURBAN FAVORITE The Glen Art Theatre at 540 Crescent Blvd. first opened its doors in the early 1920's and quickly became a staple of downtown Glen Ellyn. After passing through several hands the 1,000 seat theatre was acquired by its current owners in the early 1980's. The new owners seeing into the future of today's megaplexs had the theatre divided in half and then in half again into the four 200 seat auditoriums it currently has. In its over 80 years of operation, the Glen Art Theatre has had its share of moments in the sun. One of which occurred when the 1986 film Lucas starring Corey Haim, Charlie Sheen, & Kerri Green was filmed on location in Glen Ellyn. The theatre was featured in the film when the main characters went to the movies and some of the employees were even used as extras. The films midwest premier was even shown at the theatre with all of Glen Ellyn showing up in their finest for the occasion.\ It seems like every year some lucky girl gets invited to the prom or some other school dance from the marquee of the Glen Art Theatre. One couple even had some wedding photos taken under the marquee. And today the Glen Art Theatre continues its grand tradition by regularly drawing customers from all over Chicagoland to see some of the finest films from all over the world. If you have information about the early years of the Glen Art Theatre, you are invited to submit them by contacting the theatre. www.glenarttheatre.com #GlancerMagazine #ArtsEntertainment #WayBackWhen #July12017 #GlenEllyn

WAY BACK WHEN | The Glen Art Theatre

FROM THE EARLY 1920s TO NOW, STILL A WEST SUBURBAN FAVORITE The Glen Art Theatre at 540 Crescent Blvd. first opened its doors in the...

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