The Normal Theater, also known as the Normal Theatre, is a cinema located in the downtown area of
Normal, Illinois
Normal is a town in McLean County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the town's population was 52,736. Normal is the smaller of two principal cities of the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area, and is I ...
of the
United States of America
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguo ...
, which is located in McLean County. The theater closed for a time in the early 1990s but reopened in 1993 after being purchased and renovated by the town of Normal. It has since been in continuous operation, showing a mix of first run and classic films. The building has been on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...
since July 25, 1997.
History
Development
Local architect Arthur F. Moratz designed the Art Moderne style building. The
Streamline Moderne
Streamline Moderne is an international style of Art Deco architecture and design that emerged in the 1930s. Inspired by Aerodynamics, aerodynamic design, it emphasized curving forms, long horizontal lines, and sometimes nautical elements. In indu ...
building was a state of the art cinema at the time which was built to "show sound movies in the best comfortable environment." The theater was built by Sylvan and Ruth Kupfer and leased to Publix Great States Theatres.
Opening
The Normal Theater opened for operation on November 19, 1937. At the time of opening, the theater had 620 seats. The grand opening featured the musical Double or Nothing starring Bing Crosby and Martha Raye, a
Popeye
Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by E. C. Segar, Elzie Crisler Segar.newsreels.
"The Normal was known for genre and “B” pictures, especially westerns and musicals, as well as second-run fare."
Decline
In December 1974, the Springfield chain Kerasotes Brothers took over the theater. On January 8, 1982, Kerasotes closed the Irvin Theater in Bloomington and turned the Normal Theater into a “dollar house”.
In 1985, it was divided into a two screen theater, also known as twinning. The original commercial operation of the Normal Theater ended on May 16, 1991.
Restoration
The Town of Normal purchased the theater and reopened it in 1993 through a community restoration effort.Normal Theater History Town of Normal. The grand reopening on October 7, 1994 screened Singin’ in the Rain.
In June 1996, Normal received the “Preservation Project of the Year” award by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. On July 25, 1997, the Normal Theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Present Day
Today theater goers enjoy a "throwback" theater going experience in the fully restored art deco theater. The inside restoration installed plush, coral colored seating, blue, maroon and salmon colored walls, high-modern style aisle lights and layered ceiling of multicolored neon lights. Due to accessibility and building code changes, the Normal Theater now seats 385.