Crowds Storm Opening of New Tivoli Theater
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By Ben Hecht
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Source: Chicago Daily News, 17 February 1921, pg. 27.
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From the remodeled delicatessen store known
as the Nickelodeon to the Parnassian edifice that opened its doors last
night at East 63rd street and Cottage Grove avenue is a movie thriller
itself. Last night several thousand people endeavored to take the
Tivoli by storm.
The lure of Constance Talmadge and the forty-piece orchestra was a
secondary inspiration to the great crowds. They came hurrying from all
points of the compass for a look at the "marvelous and amazing
moving-picture palace." Movie crowds have grown a trifle blase in
the matter of marble exteriors, chiseled foyers, lighting effects and
luxurious decorations. But the Tivoli gave them something new.
Seats for 4,500 Fans.
Inside there were seats for 4,500 patrons. Applause sounded in the
auditorium continually. And the firm of Balaban & Katz, owners of
the new structure, felt that the money invested was beginning to bring
its returns.
As early as 6 o'clock the patrons began darkening the streets. By
6:30 the lines reached from 63d to 64th street. When the doors finally
opened the lines had extended to 65th street and the neighborhood
surrounding the Tivoli resembled a segment of Armistice day. Thousands
of movie enthusiasts choked all the thoroughfares leading to the
theater. Seemingly no more than a handful of the crowd was able to gain
entrance, although the interior is the largest in Chicago.
Even Lobby Gives Thrill.
But those who didn't get in were not at all disappointed. The
eye-bursting decorations of the foyer and the fanfare of marble and
crystal provided a thrill in themselves. The outsiders stood by
thrilling under the exciting magnificences of the lobby.
Inside the thousands listened to the big orchestra hurling
bewildering sounds against the vast walls. The eerie lighing of the
place converted the marble auditorium into vast pink, golden and
lavender bubbles that burst into different colors as the music played.
Constance Talmadge and her "Dangerous Business" occupied
for the first few hours a secondary place. Chicago's "wonder
theater" was the main show and under its glowing marble the movies
of the one-time nickelodeon underwent a new coronation.
[End of news article]
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Page compiled: 1 May 2005
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