Share and Follow
In the suburban town of Woodridge, Illinois, a well-known cinema is looking to its storied past to secure its future.
This past Saturday, Hollywood Boulevard Cinema hosted an auction featuring an array of movie memorabilia. The event was designed to breathe new life into the beloved theater.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
For a single day, enthusiasts and collectors had the unique opportunity to bid on a diverse collection of cinematic treasures. The live auction was accessible both in-person and online, broadening the reach to film aficionados everywhere.
“We have original costumes from films,” shared Randy Donley, the owner of Donley Auctions. “We recently auctioned a stunning outfit worn by Whitney Houston.”
Having served the community for over four decades, the cinema has amassed a remarkable collection of iconic items, including the renowned Bluesmobile sign that adorns its roof.
Theater owner Dana Pobanz says the Hollywood Boulevard Cinema is not going out of business. Instead, they are planning for a massive renovation. Money raised from the auction will help speed up the project.
“All of the money is going right back into the business,” Pobanz said. “We’re doing all of this to be able to renovate the building , upgrade all of the seating technology, our whole lobby. Bring it a lot more to life than current.”
SEE ALSO | Our Chicago: New film office commissioner wants to keep talent in the Windy City
There’s something in the auction for everyone.
“There’s a lot of people that just find this sentimental, because they’ve been coming here so many years and they’ve seen it, they’ve fallen in love, so now here is their chance,” Donley said. “But there’s lots of investors here people that are buying for their own collections, not only here, but also online. So we’ve got one gentleman right now who is bidding from Seoul, South Korea.”
As far as what moviegoers can expect in the near future, the owner says the Hollywood Boulevard Cinema will still keep its charm, while also sporting a new design.
“So we’re just making sure everybody has what they want to see here, so everyone can have some Hollywood magic,” Pobanz said.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.