Times Theatre
Rockford, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Times Theatre is one of those buildings that practically demands your attention. Long before you notice the storefronts around it, your eyes are drawn to the tall vertical sign and classic marquee stretching out over the sidewalk. The smooth Art Deco styling gives the theater a timeless look, and even after years of sitting empty, it still feels like one of the grandest buildings on the block.

UPDATE: Below are a couple of updated photos of the Times Theatre in Rockford, IL. According to the Cinema Treasures site, the Times Theatre from 1938 was most recently used as a bar and restaurant. Many thanks to Kelly Sullivan for the latest photos. 08-10

Standing in front of the Times, it's easy to imagine what downtown Rockford must have looked like decades ago. The marquee would have been glowing, movie titles carefully arranged for everyone passing by, and people would have been gathering outside while waiting for the doors to open. Neighborhood theaters like this weren't just places to watch a movie. They were gathering places where families spent Saturday afternoons, teenagers went on first dates, and friends met for an evening out.

The Times first welcomed moviegoers in 1938, during an era when theaters were built to be destinations rather than simple buildings. Everything about the design was intended to create excitement before the movie even started. The bold vertical sign, sweeping marquee, and streamlined facade all worked together to make the theater feel larger than life. Thankfully, those features are still here today.

Times Theatre
Rockford, IL
Photos courtesy Kelly Sullivan

Like countless neighborhood theaters across America, the Times eventually found itself competing with newer multiplexes on the edge of town. As audiences moved away from downtown movie houses, many classic theaters quietly closed their doors. Some were remodeled beyond recognition. Others were demolished altogether. Every year the list seems to get a little longer, which makes finding survivors like the Times feel even more special.

Although the theater has spent years sitting quietly, it has never lost its identity. The architecture still announces exactly what the building was built to be. You don't need a history book to recognize it as a classic movie theater. One look at that vertical sign and marquee tells the whole story.

Times Theatre
Rockford, IL
Photos courtesy Kelly Sullivan

I've always enjoyed photographing places like this because every one has its own personality. Some are lavish movie palaces with elaborate ornamentation. Others rely on a simple marquee or a great neon sign to make a statement. The Times falls somewhere in between. It isn't flashy, but it has just the right combination of design and character to make it unforgettable.

UPDATE: After sitting vacant for more than two decades, the Times Theatre is undergoing a major restoration that will transform the historic movie house into a live entertainment venue. Plans call for preserving the iconic vertical sign, classic marquee, and Art Deco exterior, giving one of Rockford's finest downtown landmarks a chance to light up Main Street once again. 07-26

Olympic Theatre (Closed)
Cicero, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Olympic Theatre is the kind of place that makes you slow down for a better look. The huge marquee still hangs over the sidewalk like it's waiting to advertise the next feature, even though it was promoting office space when this photo was taken. It seemed a little strange, but at least the old marquee was still there.

UPDATE: We are re-opening the Olympic theatre in Cicero Illinois. We are going to have plays, bands and cinema production. We have remolded and added state of the art lighting and sound equipment. It will be available for rent during this summer. Many thanks to Jim Pontrelli for update. 07-07

The Olympic entertained moviegoers for decades and became one of Cicero's neighborhood landmarks. Looking at it today, it's easy to imagine the lights glowing, the ticket booth open, and people gathering outside before the evening show.

Old theaters like this are some of my favorite roadside discoveries. Even after the movies stop, they still have a personality that newer buildings just can't match.

UPDATE: The Olympic Theatre is now vacant, but the historic marquee still stands over Cermak Road. Its future remains uncertain, making this another classic neighborhood theater that's well worth photographing while it's still around. 07-26