Movie Secrets

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 27, 2005 7:31PM

Damn you, Ray Quintanilla. Thanks to your seemingly endless quest to bring “news” and “information” to the readers of the Chicago Tribune, you’ve gone and spoiled one of the best-kept secrets among Chicago’s movie geek populace.

Today’s Chicago Tribune carries a feature story on the LaSalle Bank Cinema in Portage Park. Tickets and popcorn are cheap but that’s not what pulls in the crowds. The theater runs old movies from the 30s, 40s and 50s on Saturday nights. They’re usually hard-to-find on video and even less likely to screen at a multiplex near you.

Until Mr. Quintanilla had to go and spoil all the fun, the theater was hidden better than a back alley speakeasy. Located in the LaSalle Bank building at 4901 W. Irving Park Road, the entrance is in the rear of the building. When you enter, you get the feeling that you’ve entered a secret society.

Of course, now that it’s splashed all over the Trib, we expect to see photospreads in People of Vince and Jen making out in the back row. Next thing you know the Tribune will be spilling the details on other out-of-the-way places to catch revivals and original films. Places like Chicago Filmmakers, Block Cinema, and Doc Films. Have you people no shame?

This weekend, the LaSalle Bank Cinema will run a double creature feature of Bride of Frankenstein and Dracula’s Daughter. Showtime is 8 PM on Saturday.