About Bensenville Theatre

Bensenville celebrated the grand opening of its first motion picture theater on Saturday, October 17, 1925. Operated by Carl Anderson and Ralph B. Banderob, the theater was part of a newly constructed commercial building estimated at a cost of $90,000. The venue featured exclusive Fox service and Warren Brothers programs nightly, with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The theater originally seated 400 guests and included a state-of-the-art $10,000 Barker organ to accompany silent films. The building also housed four retail storefronts, two of which were leased to a bakery and a hardware store—further establishing it as a key part of Bensenville’s growing business district.

Designed by architect Arthur Maiwurm of Oak Park, the building was constructed of brick with a striking white terra cotta façade. The architectural style features Neo-Classical and Palladian elements, including four sets of pilasters beneath a prominent pediment and a trio of arched entryways—design features that remain distinctive to this day.

At the time of its opening, both Anderson, the theater’s owner, and Banderob, a former employee of the York Theatre in Elmhurst, were well-known figures in the local entertainment scene. The debut feature film was The Lucky Horse Shoe, a romance of Old Spain starring Tom Mix. The program also included comedy shorts, newsreels, and the first episode of the serial Play Ball.

Extensive renovations in the 1990s modernized the facility and reduced seating capacity to 260. Following these updates, the building was purchased by the Village of Bensenville and repurposed for community recreation and programming. As of 2022, patrons enter the theater through an adjoining ice cream parlor, and the facility is proudly operated by the Village, continuing to serve as a hub for film, entertainment, and community engagement.

Key upgrades have included improved seating, digital projection and sound systems, and interior refurbishments—all aimed at enhancing the visitor experience while maintaining the venue’s vintage character.

Now operated by the Village of Bensenville as Bensenville's Center Theatre, the venue continues to serve the public with a variety of first-run and classic films, community events, and private rentals. Its enduring presence in the heart of the community stands as a tribute to Bensenville’s cultural heritage and commitment to preserving its historical assets.