The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and Katz (IL) (Images of America)

The Balaban and Katz Theater Corporation perfected the

"movie palace" concept in Chicago, reating an extremely

popular pastime that contributed greatly to Chicago's

cultural identity. The Balabans started in the movie theater

business in 1908 by leasing the 100-seat Kedzie

Nickelodeon on Kedzie Avenue. Balaban brothers Barney

and A. J. dreamed of operating 5,000-seat movie palaces,

so in 1916, they joined family friends Sam and Morris

Katz to form the Balaban and Katz Theater Corporation.

Their mission was to offer an unrivaled theater-going

experience with the finest live performances and service.

They built ornate theaters, such as the Chicago, the Uptown, and the Congress Theaters, filling them with fine

furnishings, antiques, and artwork. Balaban and Katz

produced live stage shows between the movies with

the likes of Bob Hope, Louis Armstrong, and Benny

Goodman. Sadly, only a few of these gorgeous theaters

still stand today.