Until (and if?) The Uptown reopens, all we can do is remember its glory days as one of Chicago's premiere showplaces. Via CompassRose and the Uptown Chicago History Blog, we came across a PDF of the August 17, 1925 issue of Balaban & Katz Magazine. This special "Uptown Theatre Issue" gushes madly about the brand new venue, declaring it "Not for TODAY---But for All TIME." It contains the Inaugural Program, which included a performance by The Edgewater Beach Hotel Oriole Orchestra, an operatic stage production entitled "Under Spanish Skies," and the main feature, The Lady Who Lied, starring Lewis Stone and Virginia Valli. (Incidentally, the film is one of the estimated 90% of silent films now presumed lost forever.) more ›

Let's start with a tough question: Who is Chicago's greatest filmmaker? When it comes to experimental film some might advocate for James Fotopoulos, whose output is both prodigious and relentlessly probing. When it comes to documentaries, Steve James is more than formidable. And on the narrative end of things although neither Andrew Davis nor John Landis quite make the grade, they've both had their moments. We would argue that the title should go to Tom... more ›

Has the Uptown Been Saved Yet? more ›