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.
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