The 3 Penny Cinema

The 3-Penny Cinema was a theater that operated adjacent the Biograph Theater in Lincoln Park, Chicago that was known for playing 2nd-run films and 'midnight movies'. The theater opened in 1912 as a nickelodeon, then in 1915 was converted into an auto garage. FBI agents took aim at John Dillinger from the roof of the cinema in 1934. It opened again as 'Crest Theater' in 1938 and then was named '3-Penny Cinema' in 1964. It was the first theater in Chicago to screen the pornographic film Deep Throat. The cinema continued to operate until it closed in 2006 due to taxes owed to the city of Chicago by the owner. The building is currently a bar and band venue called 'Lincoln Hall', which plays films during monthly '3-Penny was here' nights.