{"product_id":"the-chicago-movie-palaces-of-balaban-and-katz-9780738539867","title":"The Chicago Movie Palaces of Balaban and Katz","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eBalaban and Katz Theater Corporation\u003c\/i\u003e perfected the \u003ci\u003emovie palace\u003c\/i\u003e concept in Chicago, creating an extremely popular pastime that contributed greatly to Chicago's cultural identity.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Balabans started in the movie theater business in 1908 by leasing the 100-seat \u003ci\u003eKedzie Nickelodeon\u003c\/i\u003e on \u003ci\u003eKedzie Avenue\u003c\/i\u003e. 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 \u003ci\u003eBalaban and Katz Theater Corporation\u003c\/i\u003e. Their mission was to offer an unrivaled theater-going experience with the finest live performances and service. They built ornate theaters, such as the \u003ci\u003eChicago\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eUptown\u003c\/i\u003e, and the \u003ci\u003eCongress Theaters\u003c\/i\u003e, filling them with fine furnishings, antiques, and artwork. \u003ci\u003eBalaban and Katz\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Author David Balaban is named after his grandfather, one of the seven Balaban brothers who ran \u003ci\u003eBalaban and Katz\u003c\/i\u003e. Join him as he shares the stories and images of grandfather and great-uncles movie theaters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Arcadia Publishing (SC)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/01\/2006\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780738539867\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 128\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.71lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.26h x 6.56w x 0.38d","brand":"David Balaban","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":38520781963445,"sku":"9780738539867","price":21.24,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_76359c36-0b40-45aa-97d4-f352ec9135a5.jpg?v=1613482282","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-chicago-movie-palaces-of-balaban-and-katz-9780738539867","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}