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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE DES PLAINES THEATRE’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, opening its doors on August 9, 1925, the Des Plaines Theatre was founded by local entrepreneur Barney Winkelmann and leased and operated by the Polka Brothers circuit from Maywood; and
WHEREAS, together, they built the theatre to be one of the first large entertainment venues to be built in the Northwest suburbs as they transitioned from farm towns into commuter villages; and
WHEREAS, designed by architects Betts & Holcomb, they developed an unusual Spanish Baroque style for the theatre with the aim of creating a large theater that was both beautiful and cost-effective, in contrast to the more heavily ornamented downtown Chicago’s movie palaces; and
WHEREAS, the first patrons on Aug. 9, 1925 saw the film, “Are Parents People,” but they also saw interior decoration designed by noted Park Ridge artist Edgar Miller, including a dazzling white, gold, and blue terra cotta-lined lobby with a decorative tile floor, an auditorium lit by hidden multicolored lighting, gold-painted plaster ornament, and six large dangling lanterns; and
WHEREAS, the main attraction was always movies, with silent films accompanied by a substantial Geneva pipe organ, but in the early days a vaudeville stage entertainment show came first, with Sunday shows often featuring entertainment borrowed from downtown Chicago; and
WHEREAS, among the many early acts that played were Gene Autry, animal circuses, high school plays, political meetings, and community choirs; and
WHEREAS, the theatre was successful enough that the Polka Brothers were inspired to build the larger and more elaborate ‘Pickwick’ flagship theatre in Park Ridge a few years later; and
WHEREAS, the talking pictures came to Des Plaines in April 1929, but the Great Depression soon followed and The Polka Brothers ran into financial problems; and
WHEREAS, by 1934, the organ and sound equipment were auctioned to pay for their foreclosed mortgage and eventually H&E Balaban took over in 1935; and
WHEREAS, they quickly moved to refresh the theater with architects Pereira & Pereira in the popular art deco style, remodeling inside and adding the familiar marquee trimmed in neon, flashing lights, and a backlit attraction board; and
WHEREAS, soon the padded wooden seats were replaced with cushioned reclining chairs perfect for new permanent curved Cinemascope screen installed in 1954; and
WHEREAS, by the mid-1960s, the theater found new popularity as a half-price alternative to the new theaters built at Golf Mill, Mount Prospect Plaza, Randhurst, and the Oasis Drive-In; and
WHEREAS, on Mar. 7, 1982, the theater was almost lost to a three-alarm fire that spread from the basement of the shops to the second floor, then down to the larger store; and
WHEREAS, the major firefighting efforts were slowed by non-functioning fire hydrants due to recent water main work, and hoses had to be run across the street and railroad tracks; and
WHEREAS, thanks to the nearly 50 firefighters at work and the theatre’s thick walls, the theater was spared major damage, but repairs to the surrounding building kept it closed for almost a year with attendance never fully returning; and
WHEREAS, the theater then passed through a series of owners, and the auditorium was then “twinned” in 1987 with a wall down the center aisle and across the stage, creating two smaller cinemas that hid all remaining ornaments with flat black paint and a dropped ceiling; and
WHEREAS, in 1998 new owners attempted to upgrade the theater with new seats, carpet, and a remodeled lobby, but the changes were not enough to regain its former popularity; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, the theater was sold to a group of businessmen from India who ran both American and Indian films that similarly struggled for attendance; and
WHEREAS, In December 2002, the building was sold, with the intent of creating a new bank branch, but The Des Plaines Theater Preservation Society was formed with the goal of saving the building and creating an arts center; and
WHEREAS, through their efforts, the building was named eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and the bank withdrew its plans; and
WHEREAS, the building was then sold to Bhagwakar, who returned to showing American and Indian films and organizing a then-unknown band, Fall Out Boy, to play there as well; and
WHEREAS, Bhagwakar began work to rehabilitate the theater, removing the dividing walls, repainting the interior to resemble the original appearance, and restoring the stage to working order to reopen the theatre in November 2011 as a rental venue; and
WHEREAS, though many improvements were made, it was not enough to bring the building fully up to modern standards, and the theater closed again in January 2014; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Onesti Entertainment acquired the theatre and began working with the City of Des Plaines to renovate the venue to its former glory; and
WHEREAS, the Des Plaines Theatre reopened in 2021 and has since been host to countless stars, from Kevin Costner to the band FOREIGNER, with the location currently hosting three restaurants including Bourbon 'N Brass Speakeasy, Big Al's Saloon, and Des Pizza; and
WHEREAS, on August 9, 2025, the Des Plaines Theatre will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary with the thousands who have enjoyed the resurgence of this valued gem; and
WHEREAS, as part of the celebration, the theatre will host its Anniversary Parade happening on August 9 at 5pm at the theatre with Priscilla Presley and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees serving as Honorary Parade Marshals; and
WHEREAS, the theatre remains a historical landmark of the city of Des Plaines and continues to stand as a reminder of the city’s founding and storied history;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby offer its congratulations to the Des Plaines Theatre in honor of their 100th Anniversary on August 9, 2025; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and suitable copies be tendered to the Des Plaines Theatre.
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