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Illinois Movie Theatres (page 2)

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Gem Theatre
Cairo, IL

2010:
2024:
The Gem Theatre opened in 1910. The theatre was either rebuilt or remodeled in the 1920s or 1930s. It has been closed since 1978. The building was briefly occupied by a video store. The city of Cairo has owned the building since 1995 but it remains abandoned. For more, see this website. [map]

Carbondale:
Varsity Theatre

Marvel Theatre
Carlinville, IL
The Marvel Theatre opened in 1920 but then burned down in 1926. It was rebuilt in 1928. The marquee sign is from the 1960s. The theatre was twinned in 1977. This neon blade sign was installed in 2017 in the style of the original sign that was removed in the 1970s. For more, see this website. [map]

Carmi:
Carmi Cinemas [gone]

Illinois Theatre
Centralia, IL
The Illinois Theatre was built in 1922 as a vaudeville theatre. It has been closed since 2001. In 2005, the theatre was donated to the city of Centralia. It is currently being renovated for use as a live venue. For more, see this website. [map]

Orpheum Theatre
Champaign, IL
The Orpheum Theatre was built in 1904 as a vaudeville house. In 1914, it was rebuilt and reopened as the New Orpheum Theatre. In the 1920s, operating as the Orpheum, it began showing movies. In 1967, the facade was covered with aluminum siding (later removed) and this sign was added. From 1994-2020, the building housed a children's science museum. It now houses the Orpheum Champaign, an event and wedding venue. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Boardman's Art Theatre
Champaign, IL

2009:
2024:
Boardman's Art Theatre opened as the Park Theatre in 1913 and closed in 1958. It was reopened that same year by the Art Theatre Guild as the Art Theatre. It operated as an adult movie house from the late 1960s until closing in 1986. In 1987, the theatre was renovated and reopened as the New Art Theatre. It closed again in 2003 but reopened shortly thereafter as Boardman's Art Theatre. It has been closed since 2019. The sign's neon was replaced with LED tubing. The marquee below the sign also has LED tubing and the front readerboard was replaced with a plastic panel and stuck-on plastic letters. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Virginia Theatre
Champaign, IL

2009:
2024:
The Virginia Theatre opened in 1921 with live performances and silent films. In 1929, the theater began showing pictures with sound. It continued hosting vaudeville acts into the 1940s. The theatre was remodeled in 1955 with a new ticket booth, front doors and lobby. It closed in 1992 and soon thereafter began presenting stage productions. In 2000, restoration work began while the theatre remained open. The Virginia now features film festivals, live performances, and special events. During a 2010 restoration, the 1940s marquee sign was removed. It has been replaced with a replica of the original sign. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. [map]

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