originally known run movie theater located lincoln square neighborhood chicago built theater operated different capacities history showing silent films german language films forms stage performance davis planned demolished build residential plans cancelled negative response community operating neighborhood movie theaters chicago building listed national_register_of_historic_places history built named world war general armies remaining theater built lincoln square neighborhood theaters operating chicago building designed architect responsible design famous buildings chicago new_york_city opened showing silent films later 1930s converted cost approximately renamed involvement case ragged stranger infamous chicago murder case early 1920s husband wife left theater shortly johnson murdered murder initially pinned stranger dressed ragged clothing investigation revealed new evidence suggested fact guilty murder ultimately convicted executed starting theater attempted appeal cultural influences neighborhood showing german language films addition american films theater eventually transformed german film house acting host opened davis continued german films end decade theater transitioned showing variety entertainment including puppet shows second run films 1970s plan theater concentrating movie supported film critic chicago resident unsuccessful months june davis hosted dance film festival featured week long showcase dance themed films collection film dance routines featuring notable dancers planned demolition october davis sale asking price description ornate theater waiting developed shopping mall showed property interested developers considered turning complex mall theater food liquor services davis eventually sold developer later year rumored planning demolition replacement residential housing soon save davis campaign organized prevent theater demolition included community meeting regional library people voiced opposition demolition theater participants meeting argued building historical loss expressed frustration useful small businesses lost community order build residential units campaign supported refused property accommodate redevelopment plans property bid december acquired non profit headed community resident property sold theater began run films present operations currently operated run theater containing screens occasionally shows second runs older films owned maintaining smaller movie theaters united_states renovated replace film digital film davis participated
Davis Theater