The Exhibitor (1965)

CHRISTMAS DAY was opening day for the newest showplace of the Balaban &: Katz circuit, the com¬ pletely modern Oakbrook Theatre, adjoining the Oakbrook Shopping Center at Oak Brook, Illinois. Capacity crowds marked the opening weekend as the new theatre outgrossed all other neighborhood and suburban theatres in the circuit, according to B&K president David B. Wallerstein. Wallerstein said “It was apparent the word had spread far and wide about the comfort of our rocking chair seating. But the comments this weekend also were enthusiastic about the parking facilities and the decor and the appointments that give the Oakbrook a charm and grace as distinctive in character as the Oakbrook Center itself.” Hit of the opening program featuring “Send Me No Flow¬ ers” was a special film, the first of its kind, in which Doris Day herself extended welcome greetings to Oakbrook audi¬ ences. In the footage, shot in Hollywood two weeks earlier, the actress also complimented Balaban & Katz on its beautiful new theatre. In further comment on the Oakbrook, Wallerstein said: “We’re delighted to bring a new theatre to an area so new and yet already having a vast number of people. And its development has only just begun. We’re confident our Oak¬ brook will take its place among our leading theatres serving so many other important areas of Chicagoland. “Together with our four key downtown showplaces, the Chicago, State Lake, Roosevelt and United Artists, we believe we are now set up to serve the moviegoers of Chicago better than at any other time in the history of Balaban & Katz Theaters.” Saturday and Sunday before opening day were designated as “open house days” when the boxoffice was closed but the doors open to welcome visitors for a preview look at the theatre. Potential patrons throughout the area were urged to dis¬ cover the charm and comfort of the new theatre for them¬ selves. Many of the innovationary features of the 1200-seat Oak¬ brook must be seen to be appreciated, Wallerstein said, citing the Rocking Chair seats and vast area for parking surrounding the theatre. Initial event in the Oakbrook opening campaign was dedi¬ cation of a 50-year time capsule embedded in the entrance sidewalk with elaborate press ceremonies. Designed to be opened in the year 2014 A.D., the capsule will serve to dramatize the tremendous development that can be anticipated throughout the suburbs west of Chicago dur¬ ing the comparatively short span of 50 years. Eatontown Center Continued from page PE-6) the only advertising on the complete theatre front. There are “islands” of shrubs planted on both sides of the theatre, with the remaining area paved for parking. The outer lobby is red-brick floored, with a drum-shaped open counter for ticket dispensing. A large Colonial bronze Eagle hangs over the inner doors. The inner lobby, dominated by a mas¬ sive EarlyAmerican chandelier, is paved with a unique new Karagheusian car¬ peting of red brick design, and this same carpeting is utilized for the audi¬ torium aisles. The inner lobby contains a recessed concessions stand on one side, and rest rooms and offices on the other. Furnishings and fixtures are all of Colonial decor. The auditorium is a stadium type, on one floor. The seats are gold and white, the walls blue, and the curtain white. The extremely high vaulted ceiling, and the simplicity of walls, seating and cur¬ taining give the auditorium an unusual air of spaceousness. The last several rows in the auditorium are on raised concrete steps, and serve as a smoking loge. The theatre raises the circuit’s total to more than 50. In the past two years it has built or acquired nearly 20 theatres. PE10 PHYSICAL THEATRE • EXTRA PROFITS DEPARTMENT of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR February 17, 1965