The historic Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois is an icon of the city, with its blade sign along State Street serving as a de facto emblem for the city.

Designed by the Rapp & Rapp architectural firm and opened in 1921, it stopped showing movies on a regular basis in 1985 and is now known more for its live performances. Restored in 1986 to its 1920s appearance, the theater's marquee is only a hint at what awaits visitors inside.

If you would like to see the theater for yourself, you can attend a show, or you can take a guided tour. This hour-long behind-the-scenes experience provides information about the theater's French Baroque design, historical details, and you even get the opportunity to stand on the stage where legendary artists have performed.

One of our readers visited the theater recently and shared several photos of the interior. One of those photos appears at the right above, but you can see all the photos we have for the Chicago Theatre on its Photo Gallery page. Many thanks to Susan for sharing these photos!

Where to Watch Movies on the Big Screen

Even though you can't enjoy a movie at the Chicago Theatre, there are plenty of other choices in downtown Chicago. Moviegoers in the area will need to visit one of the other nearby theaters, including the AMC Dine-in Theatres Block 37, the Gene Siskel Film Center, and the Chicago Cultural Center.