Forget the mall flicks

We live in the age of the multiplex.

As the American movie market continues to dominate mainstream entertainment media, traditional non-franchise theaters have gradually been eclipsed by towering neon signs, stadium-style seating and five-dollar popcorn. Amid this general trend, however, one Chicago venue has opted to stick it to the man.

Built in 1929, the Music Box Theatre, near Southport Avenue and Addison Street and a six-block walk from the Addison Red Line stop (by Wrigley Field), is anything but ordinary -- and proud of it.

As opposed to the escalators, digital marquees and fluorescent glow that have so defined the modern multiplex, the Music Box offers eclectic décor -- stone gargoyles, velvet curtains and vintage posters, for starters -- which transforms an otherwise mundane interior into a dungeon-esque cavern of creativity. Tiny lights twinkle from a ceiling which, coupled with the soft glow of rotating projected clouds, creates the illusion of a starry night sky -- or a really cool acid trip.

How fitting, then, that an establishment with such a unique ambiance would promote films of equal originality. Free from any obligation to typical Hollywood blockbusters, the Music Box pays homage to both timeless classics and recent discoveries. Midnight movies, one of the theater's most popular offerings, feature everything from '70s fare like "Suspiria" (Oct. 1-2) to original creations like "Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation" (started Sept. 24 and runs through October), a collection of adult-only cartoons -- one even requires 3-D glasses -- from assorted filmmakers.

"We try to find something for everybody," says programming director Brian Andreotti, who bears responsibility for selecting each film on the Music Box's marquee. "I pick based on awards, audience interest, local critic response -- pretty much anything I think people will pay to see."

Perhaps this explains some of the theater's more provocative selections. The Music Box welcomes eyebrow-raising flicks like "Tying the Knot" (starts Oct. 1), which chronicles the battle for and against gay marriage, and "Hijacking Catastrophe" (starts Oct. 15), which delves into the Bush presidency. Both aren't likely to appear at the local Loews Cineplex anytime soon.

"I love going to the Music Box because they aren't afraid to show controversial movies," says Weinberg freshman Annie Thomas. "It's refreshing."

For those in search of more traditional fare -- or those over the age of 65 -- the Music Box also offers black-and-white classic matinees at 11:30 a.m. on weekends. Enjoying a standard such as "Bringing up Baby" (Oct. 2-3), "My Favorite Wife" (Oct. 9-10), "The Philadelphia Story" (Oct. 16-17) and "Arsenic and Old Lace" (Oct. 23-24) might be the perfect way to wait for your hangover headache to wind down.

And all at a low price.

Well, kind of. While the setting may be old-fashioned, the prices aren't. A typical ticket costs $8.75, which is slightly more expensive than admission at Century 12 Evanston.

Andreotti, though, maintains that it's worth it to shell out the extra 75 cents (and, presumably, the $3 for a CTA card). He also mentions that Music Box Theatre discount cards can be purchased at five admissions for $30, valid for a six-month period.

"Sure, you can go to a theater with 18 screens," Andreotti admits, "but you'll be missing the charm of tradition."

Nobody ever said panache came cheap.4

Music Box Theatre

3733 N. Southport Ave.

Chicago, Ill.

(773) 871-6604