TIVOLI THEATRE, Chicago Capacity 3414 / Opened: February 16, 1921 Architect: C.W. & George L. Rapp Organ: Wurlitzer 3/16 Style 260 Speculation on what theatre deserves After the circuit became a major compon­ to be called the first movie palace is made ent of Publix Theatres in 1925, they de­ difficult, if not pointles.s, by the universality signed most of the new Paramounts, start­ of the phenomenon: it was happening ing with New York. everywhere at about the same time. Never­ Often thought of as twins, the Tivoli theless, the importance of these two - and Chicago were in fact quite different in summations of everything which had come both layout and decor. The first truly before and standards for everything to "grand" lobby anywhere, the Tivoli's, freely follow - cannot be overstated. modeled after the chapel at Versailles, sat The pair propelled Rapp & Rapp into beneath the balcony. The Chicago's smaller the front rank of movie house architects, lobby is freestanding, with offices above. and their client, Balaban & Katz Theatres , Both had tall arched windows above the to the top of Chicago exhibition. Impressed doors and tiers of staircases at the far end. by the architects ', Al Ringling Theatre in The Tivoli pioneered the use of ambula­ Baraboo , B & K engaged them to design tories to separate incoming and outdoing the Central Park (1917) on Chicago's West traffic; this feature was repeated at the Side and the Riviera (1919) on the North. Chicago and in most subsequent Rapp & The Tivoli, on the South Side, and the Rapp lobbies. Chicago, in the Loop, filled out the pattern. The Tivoli 's smaller auditorium was Rapp & Rapp were responsible for many the more conventional; the Chicago's, more B & K houses , most notably the constrained by the site, is wider than it is Uptown (1925) and the Oriental (1926). deep. The Rapps ' characteristic trio of

20 • JULY/ AUGUST 1991 THEATRE ORGAN CHICAGO THEATRE, Chicago Capacity 3880 / Opened: October 26, 1921 Architect: C.W. & George L. Rapp Organ: Wurlitzer 4/25(?) Now 4/29

sidewall arches appeared in both, as did phone, in the main, perhaps in place of the fixed stage sets and orchestra pits set into Salicional. To augment the Brass, a second the stage. Overall, the ornament in the Tuba Mirabilis and English Horn were more graceful Tivoli was lighter than the later moved from the Uptown, bringing Chicago's, particularly around the organ the organ to its present 29 ranks. After openings. decades of neglect, the organ was brought The Tivoli lasted until September 19, back to life by Chicago Area Chapter in 1963. The Chicago, along with most of the early '70s. the other Loop houses, remained profitable The present console, the third, was in­ a good deal longer. A long and complex stalled in 1923, along with a slave conceived battle in the early '80s saved it from the with Jesse Crawford's new bride, Helen wrecker's ball. Following a so-so renova­ Anderson, in mind. (Given their success tion, it reopened in September 1986. The at the Chicago , one wonders why the going since has not been smooth, but the New York Paramount was not at first so Chicago still stands. equipped.) Although Crawford is more For the Tivoli, Wurlitzer built the first closely associated with the Chicago, he Style 260, although the organ was larger, also opened the Tivoli and played there by a string, then what became the standard until the larger house opened. Steve Levin model. The Chicago organ appears to For membership information write: have been shipped with 25 ranks. Later THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIEIT additions by the builder included a Tibia OF AMERICA and Vox in the Solo and a second Saxo- 2215 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

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