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CNN Live Today
Chicago's Uptown Theater to See Heavy Renovations
Aired September 05, 2002 - 13:52 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It was a place where dreams were born, and where other dreams came true. But Chicago's famous Uptown Theater has fallen onto hard times. Is there still a chance to give this movie palace a storybook ending?
I'm sure Chicago bureau chief Jeff Flock will find one if it's available.
Hi -- Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CHICAGO BUREAU CHIEF: Kyra, hello to you.
Boy, I am in my element today. Drink this in, will you? Take a look at where we stand right here. This is the main lobby of what is the largest freestanding movie theater in the United States. It is the Uptown Theater in Chicago. Maybe you can see some of the grandeur of this main lobby. Bigger than Radio City in New York. We've got a picture from when it opened, back in 1925, as the grandest movie palace in the United States. And perhaps a live picture that kind of gives you a sense for now, fallen on hard times.
It has not even been seen in 20 years on the inside.
I am with Albert Goodman.
Good to see you, sir.
Perhaps you've heard of the Goodman Theater. Well, this is Albert Goodman. He loves the theater.
And you love old theaters.
ALBERT GOODMAN, DONOR: That's right.
FLOCK: They are trying to raise money to save and restore this place.
You have given them a not inconsiderable amount. Why?
GOODMAN: Because this is a gem that needs to be saved for the future generations. We have a great deal of work that was done here by Americans. And it can be enjoyed by Americans for centuries to come.
FLOCK: Go ahead and give me a tour, because I know you are one of the best people to give me a tour.
GOODMAN: Thank you.
FLOCK: And if we want out into the main hall, it almost takes your breath away.
GOODMAN: It certainly does. To think that over 4,000 people at one time could be entertained in this beautiful, the richly decorated place. We have the art of Italy and Spain here.
FLOCK: Right. This is when movie palaces were truly palaces. It wasn't just a place to come and watch a movie; it was an experience, wasn't it?
GOODMAN: It certainly was. It was their first brushes with air- conditioning.
FLOCK: Right, right.
GOODMAN: It was a great community place. It can be again.
FLOCK: You say can be again, but I am looking down here. This is some of what you are dealing with here. This is beautiful cast plaster, isn't it.
(CROSSTALK)
GOODMAN: It certainly is. Unfortunately, there was terrible water leak on this wall and some of the stuff has come crashing down. But the majority of it has been saved and is savable.
The structure of this building is still very firm. They built this thing to last. And with a renovation project, it can last.
FLOCK: Now, I don't want to embarrass you, but you gave them $1 million.
GOODMAN: That is right.
FLOCK: That is a lot of money. But they tell us it is going to cost what, about $30 million -- is that what it is?
GOODMAN: To do it right, to do it all together. They could save it for less, but to really restore it to its old grandeur, to make sure that we have all of the beautiful artwork that was here to be able to be enjoyed again, new seating and...
FLOCK: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) will take time
GOODMAN: Yes, it will take a lot of time and a lot of money, but it will be good work for the people here and a good attraction for this great city of Chicago, for all Americans to enjoy.
FLOCK: Albert Goodman, I appreciate the time very much.
This is extraordinary place.
Kyra, we are going to be back next hour and I'm going to take you to a place that nobody's ever seen before. I think Bill's camera may be trained on it. That is the great domed ceiling with all the lamps up there. We can go up above that.
GOODMAN: It is a thrill.
FLOCK: It's like Phantom of the Opera
GOODMAN: It is a great thrill up there.
FLOCK: You love it too.
GOODMAN: You guys come back and take a look at that up there. You will enjoy it.
FLOCK: Absolutely.
Mr. Goodman, appreciate the time.
Kyra, that is the latest from here. We are going to give you a treat next hour. But this is extraordinary place.
PHILLIPS: Jeff, it's like an archaeological dig.
FLOCK: It is. In fact, if I kept digging down here, I might be able to find you something under this seat. I don't know what's down there. It is like the mystery of Al Capone's vault, perhaps -- I'm not sure what's down there.
PHILLIPS: A few treasured coins.
We look forward to that 2:00, Jeff Flock, as usual. Thank you so much.
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