  Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.219.102.192 |
I saw a thread about the Senate, and old moviehouse, and I thought I'd post this list of old moviehouses. There may be some mistakes (it's hard to read the old microfilm) but this list of theaters is from the paper June 4, 1943. As you can see, there are over 120 theaters here. Does anybody have any memories of them? Ace - 7206 Harper Adams - Grand Circus Park Admiral - Mack at St. Jean Alger - E. Warren at Outer Drive Alhambra - 9428 Woodward Ave. Aloma - 15001 Charlevoix Ave. Ambassador - 17730 John R Annex - Grand River at Joy Rd. Astor - 8652 Twelfth Street Avalon - Linwood at Davison Beechwood - W. Warren-Beechwood Belmont - Woodward at Grand, H.P. Berkley - W. 12 Mile Rd, Berkley, Mich. Beverly - Grand River at Oakman Birmingham Bloomfield - Woodward Ave. Birmingham Booth - E. Jeff. at Parkview Broadway-Capitol - Grand Circus Park Calvin - West Dearborn, Mich. Cameo - 7 Mile at Russell Capitol - 7915 W. Vernor Casino - E. Davison at 6 Mile Center - Woodward at Boulevard Century - 14th and Grand Boulevard Cinderella - East Jefferson at Coplin Cinema - Woodward at Columbia Circle - W. Warren At Miller Rd. Civic - Detroit - Kelly-Whittier Civic - Farmington Mich. Crystal - Michigan at 31st St. Dawn - 8340 Gratiot at Iroquois Dearborn - Mich. at Telegraph Del-The - Mark at Holcomb Deluxe - 9355 Kercheval Ave. Dexter - Dexter Blvd at Burlingame Drive-in (East Side) - Harper-7 Mile Drive-in (West Side) - Schaefer at 8 Mile East End - 11510 E. Jefferson Eastown - Harper-Van Dyke Esquire - 15311 E. Jefferson Family - Cadilla Square and Monroe Farnum - 9050 Jos. Campau Fenkell - 3711 Fenkell at Dexter Ferndale - Woodward at Nine Mile Road Fine Arts - Woodward at Watson Fisher - In the Fisher Building Flamingo - Gratiot and 7 Mile Rd. Fox - Globe - Grand River at Trumbull Grand Theater - 13551 Woodard Grande - 8024 W. Jefferson Grant - Russell at Holbrook Great Lakes - 14830 Gd. River Harper - Harper at Lakewood Highland Park - 13813 Woodward Ave. Hollywood - 4809 W. Fort Iris - 2311 East Grand Blvd. Irving - 21220 Fenkell Ave. Krim - Woodward near 6 Mile Lancaster - 10335 W. Jefferson Lasky - 13320 Jos. Campau Lincoln - Fort near Livernois Lincoln Park - Fort St. and O'Conner Linwood-LaSalle - Linwood-Virginia Loop - Michigan at Cass Madison - Woodward at Grand Circus Park Martha Washington - 1__15 J. Campau Maxine - Mack Ave. at Baldwin Mayfair - Woodward at Eliot Mel - Allen Road and Oakwood Blvd. Mercury - Schaefer at 6 Mile Michigan - Bagley and Gd. River Ave. Midway - Schaefer at Michigan Nortown - 7 Mile at Van Dyke Norwest - Gd. River-Southfield Oakman - Woodrow Wilson at Glendale Oriole - Linwood at Philadelphia Palms-State - Woodward at Elizabeth Piccadilly - Fenkell nr. Livernois Plaza - 11641 East Jefferson Punch & Judy - Kercheval at Fisher Road Radio City - Woodward near Nine Mile Road Rainbo - Grand River at Joy Ramona - Gratiot and Six Mile Road Redford - Grand River at Lahser Regent - Woodward at Gd. Blvd. Rex - Fort St. nr. Junction Rialto - Gratiot at Mt. Elliott Rio - West Vernor Hwy at Central Riviera - Grand River and Joy Rd. Rivola - Cadillac at East Forest RKO Uptown - 6 Mi. and Woodward Roosevelt - Gratiot Ave. at May Rosedale - 11_20 Woodward Rouge - Roxy - Woodward near Temple Royal - Seven Mile-Mound Rd. Royal Oak - Senate - _124 Michigan Strand - Grand River at 1_th Stratford - 4751 West Vernor Time - 1_221 E. Jefferson at Drexel Times Square - Michigan at Cass Tower - 12813 Gd. River at Meyers Trenton - Trenton, Mich. Tuxedo - Hamilton at Tuxedo United Artists - Bagley at Gr. Circus Pk. Upton - Mack at Chalmers Van Dyke - Van Dyke near Harper Varsity - Livernois-McNichols Rd. Victory - 8225 Grand River Vogue - Harper at Howard Warfield - Hastings-Farnsworth Warren - Warren near Southfield Washington - Royal Oak, Mich. Westown - Wyoming at Fenkell Whittier - E. Jefferson at Gd. Blvd. Wyandotte - Wyandotte, Mich. Wyandotte-Majestic - Wyandotte, Mich. Wyandottte-Rialto - Wyandotte, Mich. Your - Forest at Mt. Elliot | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 60 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 12.109.9.154 |
The Great Lakes was down the street from my Grandma Suzies house on Terry and Grand River. Saw many a movie there. I also remember the play "Hair" being there for a while. Right across the street was the first head shop I ever went to, "The Mouse House". Being from the Grandmont area, I went to the Norwest alot as a kid too. Came back home to Detroit this past summer for the first time since '74, saw that they were both long gone. | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 70.236.201.64 |
My father used to go to the Calvin every weekend 1940-1945. Even came out of the theater Dec. 7, 1941, wondering why everybody was so worked up. Before the Calvin burned down, it was in sorry condition. I heard that high schoolers used to crawl into the rafters above the ceiling and drop popcorn down on the audience. Quozl: FWIW, on June 4, 1943, the Great Lakes ad read: GREAT LAKES Open 5:50 p.m. Mickey Rooney and Lewis Stone in "ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE LIFE" Plus "MOON AND SIXPENCE" with Geo. Sanders-H. Marshall | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1481 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.82 |
Interestingly enough, that list is missing a few.... RKO Downtown - West Adams. Grand Riviera - Grand River Riviera Annex - Grand River Woods - Mack/Moross | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 18 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.40.108.8 |
Spent many Saturday afternoons at the Alger. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 457 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.40.216 |
I finally found a photo of where I spent my Saturday afternoons, the Nortown.  | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 495 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
Neat Hornwrecker. Thats where I saw Catch 22 | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.212.52.121 |
The Eastown, which I hear went on to host rock shows.  | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.212.52.121 |
Here's an shot of the National.  | ||
Bertz Member Username: Bertz Post Number: 444 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.61.15.89 |
What is the current scoop on the Eastown? intact or raped? | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 657 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.213.81.68 |
check it - https://www.detroityes.com/webisode s/2000/20ravisode/index.html | ||
Bertz Member Username: Bertz Post Number: 446 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.61.15.89 |
yah, but a lot can happen in 3 years | ||
Chub Member Username: Chub Post Number: 264 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.77.90 |
Does anyone know the status or condition of the Highland Park - 13813 Woodward Ave. I'm having a hard time finding any info on a owner. I believe it's the one right next to the old Highland Appliance. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 461 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.40.15 |
I found an old thread about the Eastown being up for sale https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/18968/18759.html | ||
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin Post Number: 1868 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.202.227.12 |
*sigh* I really miss the days of hanging out at the Merc... | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 69 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.113.168 |
Sigh...that listing sure brings back memories. Every Saturday matinee found me in the Tower theatre on Grand River, and occasionally the other area shows. Interestingly, the last time I was in a movie theatre was 1984 to see Beverly Hills Cop. | ||
Chub Member Username: Chub Post Number: 265 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.77.90 |
Ok, I'm also not sure if the address listed above for the Highland Park theater is correct. It might be 13843 Woodward and not 13813. Can anyone help? | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 197 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 65.221.183.120 |
The Ramona was the place to be on a Saturday afternoon! I loved it there. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2761 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
There is a current cinema tours website. Perhaps somebody can give us the link. It is a National listing with some tours. jjaba has attended events, shows, or movies in the following Detroit theaters, lifetime. Perhaps more. BEVERLY TOWER NORWEST RIVIERA MICHIGAN GAEITY UNITED ARTISTS PALMS SENATE REDFORD WESTOWN DETROIT FOX STUDIO KRIM VARSITY MERCURY CASS SHUBERT ADAMS TELENEWS AVALON DEXTER WESTSIDE DRIVE-IN FISHER GREAT LAKES BONSTELLE CASS TECH. HS FRANCES HAMBURGER AUD. jjaba, in the balcony. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2762 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
Look up your favorite movie house or theater. www.cinematour.com After you reach the site, push "cinema" then your state. They list all the Detroit theaters. Example from this site: NORWEST THEATER 17630 Grand River Ave., Detroit. Built: 1936, Hector Payne, Architect. 1366 seats. Closed 2000 as a discount house. Demolished, 2004. There is a thread of this theater on this Forum also. jjaba, at your service. | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 497 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
Jjaba, you forgot: The Music Hall ( I know its on the eastside, but that is where Cinerama was for a while) Michigan Ford Auditorium | ||
Rsa Member Username: Rsa Post Number: 659 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.213.81.68 |
eastown is still for sale. $2.5 mil, but "Included in the property are the main theater, 2 story ballroom, 36 on site apartments, 5 store fronts, 4600 sq ft youth theater, 5000 sq ft clinic, and 16 surface lots" sale sheet | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2763 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
Apart from the fact that the Eastown has no cash flow, it's a great deal. Rockstar arch., step up and get 'er done. You know the eastside. psip is right, jjaba has been to Ford Aud., Wilson-Music-Hall-Cinerama and the Michigan, ofcourse. He's been to the Michigan for the movies, for sex in the balcony, and sex in his car in the balcony (if you get my drift). jjaba will gladly diagram the joke for those reading this from outer space. jjaba, taking tickets at the Fabulous Fox. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2764 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
Chub, here's the research on your favorite theater. HIGHLAND PARK THEATER 13843 Woodward Ave., Highland Park, Mich. Built: 1915, BC Wetzell, Architect. 600 seats. 1915-1967 was called Highland Park. Built in heyday of Ford HP plant. 1967-1970 was called Paris. (Adult movies) 1970-1980s- was called Hiland. Later in 1980s, called Fancy Pants, a strip joint. Wayne County tried to close it down as a front for prostitution. Like the hardbodies who worked there, the building is built of brick. jjaba does not know if the place is still standing nor if it is being used for something else. jjaba can guarantee it ain't a movie house. jjaba, for Chub. | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.212.59.81 |
Yes, sorry, the HP was at 13843. Drove by the Lasky tonight, Jos. Campau just south of Davison. The marquee is still there, but it looks more like a warehouse now. Here are the movie listings, for those theaters FWIW: TOWER: DSR TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES TO ALL MEYERS RD, GREENFIELD AND SCHAEFER BUSSES GO RIGHT BY OUR DOORS. Open at 6:10 p.m., Park Free "ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE LIFE" with Micky Rooney & Lewis Stone Plus "MANILA CALLING" with Lloyd Nolan and Carole Landis. HIGHLAND PARK Open 9 a.m. til 3 a.m. Rochelle Hudson-Buster Crabbe in "QUEEN OF BROADWAY" Plus "THE OLD CHISHOLM TRAIL" with Johnny Mack Brown. | ||
Bertz Member Username: Bertz Post Number: 447 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.61.15.89 |
$2.5 mil is that realy a fair price for the Eastown? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1485 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.3.47 |
Like New York and Chicago, Detroit had outlying movie palaces as palatial as the downtown palaces. In Detroit they were: The Fisher (2,975 seats) an Mayanesque theatre, that was remodeled and reduced in size in 1961 to 2,089 seats. The Theatre Historical Society called the old Fisher "an impossibly wonderful rare Mayanesque theatre". The Hollywood Theatre (3,434 seats) a Spanish/French Renaissance theatre on West Fort near the Ambassador Bridge (razed 1963). A great loss, unfortunately it had a bad location. The Grand Riviera Theatre (2,786 Seats), a John Eberson "Mediterranean Village" atmospheric theatre (John Eberson was America's greatest architect of atmospheric theatres) on Grand River (razed late 1990's). Eastown (2,500 seats), last intact survivor of the neighborhood palaces. Looks Italian and Spanish Renaissance. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 1422 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.84.183.189 |
My best recollections are of the Farmington Civic. We used to go up to the balcony, lean over and toss Jujubees at the bald headed folks below. Gawd... we were awful as kids. Amazing I never ended up in Juvy. | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 506 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
The Krim Theater at Woodward and 6 mile (been a porno theater as long as I can rememeber) appears to be an alley jumper.  WSU (Message edited by Psip on November 19, 2005) | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 3481 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 207.74.110.62 |
Here's what happen at all the Detroit movie palaces. Ace - 7206 Harper, gone Adams - Grand Circus Park, The building is still there, but abandoned Admiral - Mack at St. Jean, gone Alger - E. Warren at Outer Drive, The building is still there, but vacant waiting for future use. Alhambra - 9428 Woodward Ave., gone Aloma - 15001 Charlevoix Ave., gone Ambassador - 17730 John R, gone, now a piece of vacant lot. Annex - Grand River at Joy Rd., gone Astor - 8652 Twelfth Street, gone Avalon - Linwood at Davison, gone now a Arab owned supermaket Beechwood - W. Warren-Beechwood, gone, now a vacant lot. Belmont - Woodward at Grand, H.P., gone Berkley - W. 12 Mile Rd, Berkley, Mich. The building is still there and may now serve as a community center. Beverly - Grand River at Oakman, gone now a piece of vacant lot. Birmingham - Old Woodward Ave. Still there and still showing movies. Bloomfield - Woodward Ave. Birmingham, gone Booth - E. Jeff. at Parkview, gone Broadway-Capitol - Grand Circus Park, There building is there now serves at a part of the Detroit Opera House formally the Baldwin Theater. Calvin - West Dearborn, Mich., gone Cameo - 7 Mile at Russell, The building is still there, it was part of the big black baptist church called Liberty Temple. now abandoned. Capitol - 7915 W. Vernor, gone Casino - E. Davison at 6 Mile gone Center - Woodward at Boulevard, Century - 14th and Grand Boulevard, gone Cinderella - East Jefferson at Coplin, gone Cinema - Woodward at Columbia, gone Circle - W. Warren At Miller Rd., gone Civic - Detroit - Kelly-Whittier, The building may be there, but it is abandoned. Civic - Farmington Mich. The building may be there cuold be part of of the Landmark Theaters. Crystal - Michigan at 31st St. gone now a vacant lot. Dawn - 8340 Gratiot at Iroquois, gone Dearborn - Mich. at Telegraph The building is there now part of Showcase Cinemas. Del-The - Mark at Holcomb, gone Deluxe - 9355 Kercheval Ave.,gone Dexter - Dexter Blvd at Burlingame, gone now a piece of vacant lot. Drive-in (East Side) - There is NO Harper and 7 mile only Harper and Moross and besides the drive in theater is long gone. Now a cookie cutter neighborhood full of beautiful brick homes. Drive-in (West Side) - Schaefer at 8 Mile gone, now a industrial area met to keep black folks from seeing the hidden Oak Park neighborhoods and move there, but it was too late. East End - 11510 E. Jefferson gone, now a piece if vacant lot. Eastown - Harper-Van Dyke The builing is still there. It one time it was owned by Crew Kids co. so they can throw underground raves, now it's abandoned. Esquire - 15311 E. Jefferson gone, now a vacant lot. Family - Cadillac Square and Monroe, Do you mean The Kirkwood Hotel and Family Theater. It was working theater until it caught on fire in 1971. The building is long gone and now a miserable looking parking lot until the Campus Martius development co. will develop a new glass covered 15 story skyscraper within 2 to 6 years. Farnum - 9050 Jos. Campau, gone, now a vacant lot. Fenkell - 3711 Fenkell at Dexter, gone Ferndale - Woodward at Nine Mile Road, The building is still there now owned by the Magic Bag, a homosexual owned bar and family theater. Fine Arts - Woodward at Watson, There building is still there waiting for future use. Fisher - In the Fisher Building, still there and showing plays. Flamingo - Gratiot and 7 Mile Rd. gone now part of new strip mall area. Fox - Still there and running owned by Mike Illitch and Olmypia/holdings. Globe - Grand River at Trumbull, gone Grand Theater - 13551 Woodward, The building is still there, used to part of a big black baptist church now abandoned. Grande - 8024 W. Jefferson, gone Grant - Russell at Holbrook, gone Great Lakes - 14830 Gd. River, gone now a piece of a vacant lot. Harper - Harper at Lakewood, gone Highland Park - 13813 Woodward Ave. The building is still there, but abandoned. Hollywood - 4809 W. Fort, gone Iris - 2311 East Grand Blvd., gone Irving - 21220 Fenkell Ave. The building is still there, now abandoned, awaiting to become a big black baptist church. Krim - Woodward near 6 Mile, The theater part is gone, now a titty bar called Deja Vu. Lancaster - 10335 W. Jefferson, gone Lasky - 13320 Jos. Campau, gone Lincoln - Fort near Livernois, gone now part of new SW Detroit police, public safety amd firehouse. Lincoln Park - Fort St. and O'Conner The building is still there now a titty bar called The Park. Linwood-LaSalle - Linwood-Virginia, gone Loop - Michigan at Cass, gone now part of the McNamara Federal Building. Madison - Woodward at Grand Circus Park The Building is still there, but the theater part is gone now a parking lot. Once owned by the future owners of the Post Bar. But due to red tape the owners lost the building. Now owned by a local detroit construction job and it's in the process of revitilizing the structure for future use. Martha Washington - 1__15 J. Campau gone, now a piece of vacant lot. Maxine - Mack Ave. at Baldwin, gone Mayfair - Woodward at Eliot, gone now a long vacant gas station. Mel - Allen Road and Oakwood Blvd. gone now some big box corner drug store. Mercury - Schaefer at 6 Mile, The building is torn down to build a Asian and Arab owned Dollar Store and beuaty and barber store and a srtip mall. Michigan - Bagley and Gd. River Ave. The building is still there, but the theater part is now a miserable looking parking garage.It's the only theater in Downtown Detroit a neo-Rococo style. The Fox Theater in Detroit has a supreme Rococo style and it's last one in Michigan. Midway - Schaefer at Michigan. The building is still there now a medical clinic and office center. Nortown - 7 Mile at Van Dyke, gone Norwest - Gd. River-Southfield, gone, now a Popeye's Cajun and Bayou Chicken Resturant. Oakman - Woodrow Wilson at Glendale, gone now a vacant lot. Oriole - Linwood at Philadelphia, gone Palms-State - Woodward at Elizabeth, gone Piccadilly - Fenkell nr. Livernois, gone, now a piece a vacant lot. Plaza - 11641 East Jefferson, gone Punch & Judy - Kercheval at Fisher Road, long gone. Radio City - Woodward near Nine Mile Road, long gone. Rainbo - Grand River at Joy, gone Ramona - Gratiot and Six Mile Road, gone Redford - Grand River at Lahser, Still there and running. Showing classic films. Regent - Woodward at Gd. Blvd. gone now part of Crosswinds Condos. Rex - Fort St. nr. Junction, gone now part of Bank One. Rialto - Gratiot at Mt. Elliott, gone Rio - West Vernor Hwy at Central, The building is still there now a Hispanic owned Danto Furniture Store. Riviera - Grand River and Joy Rd. long gone now a Social Security office. Rivola - Cadillac at East Forest, gone RKO Uptown - 6 Mi. and Woodward, The theater is still there now a diversed church. Roosevelt - Gratiot Ave. at May, gone Rosedale - 11_20 Woodward, gone Rouge - long gone Roxy - Woodward near Temple, gone, used to be a Jack in a Box restuarant until it was a abandon in the mid 80s and now it's torn down and became a long time vacant lot and to be used for a parking lot. Royal - Seven Mile-Mound Rd. gone now a piece a vacant lot. Royal Oak - Still there and running. After bitter disputes with the Royal Oak City Council. The theater remains open for shows and other entertainment including for homosexual activities. Senate - _124 Michigan, Still there, owned by the Detroit Organ Society and awaiting for future use. Strand - Grand River at 1_th, gone Stratford - 4751 West Vernor, The Building is still there, used to owned by Hispanic dominate church after the congretion moved, the buiding is now vacant. Time - 1_221 E. Jefferson at Drexel, gone now a vacant lot. Times Square - Michigan at Cass, gone now a park. Tower - 12813 Gd. River at Meyers, gone, used to owned by Motown Records for an annex After Motown screw Detroit and left for L.A. The building was town down and became a long time vacant lot. Now it's a strip mall. Trenton - Trenton, Mich. The building may be there? Tuxedo - Hamilton at Tuxedo, gone United Artists - Bagley at Gr. Circus Pk. The building is still there now abondoned. Once owned by a black man until the Archer Administration told him that you must give up the building to Mike Illitch which he did and the black man got little or NO money back from Archer Administration. So today the building is owned by Olympia/Holdings awaiting for future use. Upton - Mack at Chalmers, gone, now a vacant lot. Van Dyke - Van Dyke near Harper, gone Varsity - Livernois-McNichols Rd., gone Victory - 8225 Grand River, gone Vogue - Harper at Howard, The building is still there awaiting a either demolition or future use. Warfield - Hastings-Farnsworth, long gone, now part of Chrysler FWY. Warren - Warren near Southfield, The building is still there, but the theater part is torn down for a big parking lot. Now a CiCi's night club Washington - Royal Oak, Mich. The Building is still there, but the main lobby is torn down awaiting for so-called gay lofts. Westown - Wyoming at Fenkell, gone Whittier - E. Jefferson at Gd. Blvd. long gone Wyandotte - Wyandotte, Mich. That building may be there? Wyandotte-Majestic - Wyandotte, Mich. May be there? Wyandottte-Rialto - Wyandotte, Mich. May be there? Your - Forest at Mt. Elliot long gone. You forget about the Atlas Thearter at Plymouth Rd. and Rutherford St. in Detroit, The building was closed down in the 1970s and it a became a black baptist church called Temple of Deliverance. After the congregation left and theater was torn down in order to build a future strip mall, but the owners decide to make it into a Arab owned Dollar Store and Black owned Laundramat, Now the Laundramat is closed but the Arab owned dollar store is up and running. (Message edited by danny on November 19, 2005) | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.212.59.81 |
Danny, thanks for your exhaustive post. Looks as though you did quite a bit of work. As for the incompleteness of the original list, I don't know why some theaters aren't there. Gistok, Jjaba and you seem to have some that are missing from this list. I seem to remember another one with a glass atrium on Schaefer in Dearborn that isn't on the list. Also, as a kid, I went to the CAMELOT, which isn't here either. Basically, it's a list I found in a microfilm from the 1940s. I'm sure some were built later. All the great drive-ins aren't there yet (Ford-Wyoming, Jolly Roger, etc.) On Harper and 7 Mile: They used to cross each other back in the 1940s. Must be pre-Ford Freeway. The FAMILY must have been part of the hotel as you remember it. THE STATE still seems to be there, inside the Palms Building. THE LASKY may still be there. I drove by an old marquee the other day Jos. Campaus just south of Davison, and I figure it's the Lasky. Thanks for the feedback! | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2765 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
Danny tells it like it tis. Detroit theaters; gone, long gone, or vacant lots. jjaba has many fine memories of the Riviera, mentioned by Theater Historian and man-about-town, Gistok. This theater was at the confluence of 7 street car lines crossing every which way at Joy Rd. and Grand River Avenue. This was a very active corner in the 1920s and 1930s. jjaba's post office, Detroit 4, Michigan is there. In other threads, jjaba recollected the Riviera for this Forum. You might look it up. He rode street cars and the feeder buses to this venue for movies, concerts, and Broadway stage plays. Yes, all on the Westside of Detroit. Powerful arterial Grand River Avenue, US 16, hosted The Olympia at Mc Graw, and a another half-dozen movie palaces out to the City Limits. jjaba, Proudly Westsider. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 464 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.111 |
The rather obscure Chandler, later Chalmers, Theatre, 1403 Harper, torn down sometime in the 1940s.  | ||
Bertz Member Username: Bertz Post Number: 449 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.61.15.89 |
Eastown abandoned? thought it was for sale | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 509 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
One of the reasons for the decline of the local movie houses is that people have air conditioned houses now. In the '30s thru '60s most theaters were air conditioned and few people had cooling systems in their homes. The summer heat made people flock to theaters even if the movie was crap. Of course TV plays a big roll in the decline also. but in the late 50s, many people had TV but the theaters were still going strong. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2766 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
The Eastown is abandoned as a theater. Vacant or adaptive re-use is no longer an operating theater. jjaba thinks this is what was meant. Then again, jjaba knows nothin' about the eastside of Detroit so buyer beware. jjaba, Proudly Westside. | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 501 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.201 |
Radio City theater...every Saturday afternoon, great monster movies...I saw "Gorgo" there when I was ten years old and it was awesome. Punch and Judy...what a fine place to hear music, see movies, etc. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 19 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.40.108.8 |
Danny... Thanks for the updates...But I believe the HARPER Theater is now Harpos. And the VOGUE, at Harper and Grayton is now that McDonalds. I cried the day it was torn down. An incredible example of Art Deco... | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 73 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.134 |
When the Tower theatre was first opened, the architect added two store fronts to the building, one on each side of the ticket booth and entrance. The east side one was leased to the Ann Palmer photo studio for nearly all the building's life, while the west side one became "The Tower Sweet Shoppe". That only lasted until about 1947, about a ten year run. But when George of the Sweet Shoppe tried to renew the lease, the building owners refused because the Sweet Shoppe was taking away business from their own confection counter in the lobby. Old George (can't remember his last name) had a building built right across the street then, and opened it as......The Tower Sweet Shoppe. That little cinder block building was still there last time I took a nostalgia trip down Grand River. Ray1936, proudly ex-west sider, still looking for the Grand River streetcar........ (Message edited by Ray1936 on November 19, 2005) | ||
Taj920 Member Username: Taj920 Post Number: 77 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 68.42.252.205 |
One exclusion is the Shores Madrid at Nine Mile and Mack. Still in operation. | ||
Gertrude Member Username: Gertrude Post Number: 19 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 24.33.246.207 |
The Farmington Civic is owned by the city of Farmington and is a second run movie house/community center. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1487 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.154 |
Great work Danny, now for a few updates (some already mentioned)... The Palms-State Theatre is today the State Theatre. The building was always known as the Francis Palms Building, but the theatre underwent several name changes from Palms to Palms-State to State. The Fox is not in a Rococco style. It is known as Siamese-Byzantine, or a mixture of Asian Oriental styles. The black man that sold the United Artists to Ilitch was not poor by any stretch. Don Barden made a $100 million of the cable franchise in Detroit that CAY gave him. The Vogue, my favorite neighborhood theatre in the 1960's, was razed in the 1970's for a McDonalds. And yep, Harpo's is the old Harper Theatre. They changed the grade of the main floor from sloped to terraced. Jjaba, you probably don't remember the Riviera Annex Theatre. The Grand Riviera was so popular in the 1920's and 1930's that another (smaller) theatre in an atmospheric style (by John Eberson) was built (by the same owners) a few blocks from the Grand Riviera on Grand River. I believe it met an early demise in the 1950's. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 467 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 216.203.223.125 |
Just to jog Jjaba's memory, and I just happened to download this photo and have PS open here are the Annex and the Riviera. The Mirror Ballroom is also on the Riviera photo.   More history please. | ||
Senior Member Username: Senior Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 66.90.234.163 |
Hey yeah, the old Chandler Theatre! My grade school friend, Don Rocheleau, lived next door in the back of Sim's Barber Shop, which his Father owned. I don't think the Woods Theatre would be on the original list, I don't think it was there in 1943. I didn't see the Parkside, (Warren and Dickerson) on the list, and if it wasn't there in 1943 it was soon after because I remember seeing World War II newsreels there. The Harper was closest to us, but the Chandler and the Parkside always had better deals, i.e. more features, cartoons, serials, lower candy prices, etc. Thanks for the memories! Senior | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 468 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 216.203.223.125 |
The LOC photos of the Riviera Theatre, well worth a look. %209222%20Grand%20River%20Aven ue,%20Detroit,%20Wayne%20Count y,%20MI&displayType=1&itemLink =D?hh:55:./temp/~ammem_9CSC::, Riviera Theatre The link looks funny, but it seems to work, I hope. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1488 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.154 |
Thanks Hornwrecker, great pics! Someone also mentioned 7 Mile and Harper..... 7 Mile Road ends 1 block east of where Moross branches off from it (1 block west of Kelly Ave., near the Harper Woods border with Detroit). It doesn't go any farther east than Kelly. Eastsiders always call Moross "7 Mile", just like they call Vernier "8 Mile". In fact the old shopping plaza that preceded Point Plaza (next to St. John Hospital) at Moross/Mack, was called the "7-Mack" shopping center. The Eastside Drive-In was located on the I-94 Service Drive between Allard Ave. and Moross. It was replaced with a park and a senior citizen apartment high rise, not houses. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1489 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.154 |
Even though they were 2 quite different theatres on the inside (different architects as well), the Riviera on Grand River and the Ramona on Gratiot looked surprisingly similar with their rotunda tower facades. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 470 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.24.193 |
Somebody mentioned the Alger at Warren and Outer Drive earlier. I found this on a street view, not the best angle, but better than none. I'm finding that in a lot of these photos of Deco theaters, there is usually a two toned, green porcelain Cunningham's Drug Store nearby. (Saving them for a future thread.)  | ||
Ddaydave Member Username: Ddaydave Post Number: 118 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 67.149.185.244 |
looking at this thread I see nortown theater mentioned ..in the 7 mile vandyke area there used to be many businesses with the name nortown ..why was it called nortown ????...just curouis Dave | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 471 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.149.57 |
Nortown, short for North Town sounded better than North Hamtramack. Where, other than Ham-town, would you have a Kowalski's and a Jaworski's butchers on the same block. The Nortown Theater was a light yellow-cream color with two-tone, dark green trim, which I forgot to mention earlier. It also had a Cunningham's across the street at the NW corner of Van Dyke. | ||
Chalu64 Member Username: Chalu64 Post Number: 20 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.40.108.8 |
Hornwrecker, great shot of the Alger. And yes, directly across the street (E.Warren) sat a Cunninghams. Where did you find that pic? | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 472 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.149.57 |
I was doing searches by streets and intersections where the theaters are/were at: WSU/VMC Those Cunningham's were ubiquitous.  | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 477 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.149.57 |
For the neglected Westies, here's the Beverly just before the grand opening. What colors was it done in?  | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 521 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
Here is an obscure movie house, The Maxine on Mack at Baldwin.  It is interesting that the sign on the building says Little Rock Baptist. I wonder if that is the original location? | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 3484 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 207.74.111.77 |
Now what about the AMC Americana in Southfield. One of the biggest movie palaces of time. Worked just fine until black patrons from Detroit show up. And there was a shooting incident in 1988 during the showing of Beverly Hills Cop II movie. In late 1990s the AMC Americana was close down when Star Southfield came in. And now the building is long gone and now it's a strip mall with megacondos. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 3485 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 207.74.111.77 |
The Main Art Theater in Royal Joke is on the brink of shutting down and on the demo list due to those called gay lofts. WE MUST SAVE THAT THEATER NOW!!! | ||
Saruthma Member Username: Saruthma Post Number: 21 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.60.160.65 |
Here are some pictures and history of the old Hollywood Theater on Fort. http://www.stevenball.com/Holl ywoodTheater.htm | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 522 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
The Westown On Fenkel  | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2767 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
Hornwrecker and Psip give us wonderful photos from the archives. Excellent work. Psip should know that the Westown Theater is at 15335 Wyoming just south of Fenkell. Kinzels, Cunninghams, and Sanders adorned the immediate vacinity. Today, this is the exit area of the John C. Lodge Wyoming connections. The Westown Theater opened Nov. 25, 1936. It cost $250,000. 2,000 seats, built by Charles N. Agree for Wisper and Wetsman's circuit. This is their tenth theater in the chain. It closed in 1964 and demolished. The design was French Moderne and a gift to this working class community, home to jjaba. ====================== The Beverly Theater at 10709 W. Grand River Ave. opened Aug. 27, 1937. It was built also by Charles N. Agree for Wisper and Wetsman, built in four months for $250,000. 1475 seats. Movies played there until 1964. In 1969, the Jehovah's Witness Church bought it and in 1988 this theater was sold again to Great Faith Ministries. Today, this is a vacant lot. | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 524 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
The Punch and Judy in Grosse Point Farms Built in the 1930s WSU Exterior when brand new  The second floor lobby  Main Floor  Projectors  | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 683 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200 |
The Van Dyke Theater is still there (the building, anyway):  | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 684 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200 |
The Lasky is still there, as well.  | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 685 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200 |
The Harper, still there  | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 686 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200 |
Nortown, still there-  | ||
Taj920 Member Username: Taj920 Post Number: 78 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 68.42.252.205 |
Best Punch & Judy memory was seeing the Talking Heads play there. Tickets were 99 cents or a $1.99 as part of a WABX promotion. | ||
Bongman Member Username: Bongman Post Number: 843 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 198.111.56.128 |
Punch & Judy was a great place to see a concert. | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 687 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200 |
The former Grand Quarters Club on 3075 E Grand Blvd. was once the Duplex Theater from 1915-1922:  | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 688 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200 |
The Highland Park Theatre:  | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 689 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200 |
Palms-State - Woodward at Elizabeth, still there:  | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 478 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 216.203.223.108 |
623kraw Thanks for the recent photos, but I'm not sure what you have labelled as the Nortown is. The Nortown is no more. What's the location of that photo, so we can figure out what it was? Wasn't there a NorWood somewhere? | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 5097 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 70.200.152.132 |
The theater on Schaefer north of Michigan Avenue was called the Carmen...we only had to look at the C section of the movie theaters when I was getting older in Dearborn. I couldn't remember the name, but my brainiac daddy filled in the blank. Camelot on Warren, Carmen on Schaefer, then the Calvin in the west end on Michigan Avenue. My father also reminded me that there was one on Vernor Hwy called the Courtesy that was loads better than a few of the little junky ones mentioned earlier. Cheers from memory lane! | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 968 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225 |
I don't think anyone has yet mentioned another downtown Detroit theatre. That was the RKO Downtown, not to be confused with the RKO Uptown at 6Mile and Woodward in HP. The Downtown was on W. Elizabeth just west of Clifford on the North side of the street. Not a big house, but I saw a few flicks there after surviving my hay fever shot at 10 Peterboro,and then hopping the streetcar down to Grand Circus Park. We usually hit the Telenews, but every now and then, we took in the RKO Downtown for a change of pace. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 969 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225 |
Great shots of the old Punch and Judy. We saw "Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice" there back in '69. Kinda shocking for GP at the time!! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1494 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.150.131 |
The_rock, actually I did mention the RKO Downtown as one of the missed theatres from the original 1943 list of Detroit area theatres at top-of-thread. The 2,950 seat RKO Downtown originally opened up as the Oriental Theatre in 1927. By 1930 it changed names to RKO Downtown. At a later date the theatre marquee was replaced with a "zig-zag psychodelic" marquee, the most elaborate marquee downtown. According to Theatre Historical Society, the RKO was a little to far off Woodward, and it never really found an audience, so it was razed in the early 1950's, although the hotel tower attached to it still stands. Speaking of Punch and Judy, in 1979 I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show from the balcony of that theatre (pity the poor folks on the main floor beneath the balcony). Although the Punch and Judy no longer exists as a theatre, the quaint classic Georgian style building that housed that theatre still exists with offices replacing the theatre space. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 746 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.204 |
The Grand Quarters club on E. Grand Blvd. was formerly the Latin Quarter, a popular jazz and R&B show spot booking top national acts during the '50s, '60s, and '70s. And before it was called the Latin Quarter, it was a dance hall with live music in the early Jazz Age -- it was the Oriole Terrace Ballroom in the '20s and then the Grand Terrace Ballroom ('30s). Didn't know that it started out as a theater (a nickelodeon/vaudeville house, maybe?)... It is one of Detroit's few surviving classic ballrooms. | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 525 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
The Washington Theater right next door to the Statler on Washington Blvd. Must have been the same architect as the Stat. same ginger bread. WSU  | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 971 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225 |
Thanks, Gistok, for the info on the Downtown. I did not realize it was that large a house.Nearly 3,000 seats! I bet two of my kids were with you during the Rocky Horror Show at the Punch and Judy.They still talk about it. We are happy that the Punch building is still around. I have a lawyer friend who has his offices there. Really a neat building. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 485 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.149.77 |
It took me awhile to figure out that the GQ was the old Latin Quarter, not used to seeing it in daylight. I played a few gigs there with the rent-a-horn section back in the eighties, explored around the place, and never realized it started as a movie house, always thought it was originally a ballroom. I think I'm still waiting to get paid for that gig. | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 23 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.212.54.164 |
Gannon: THE CARMEN. Thank you! That was the name of the theater on Schaefer I couldn't remember. My father used to comment on it in its heyday, said it had an impressive glass atrium. I think he even said it had a bar in the lobby. By the time I started going to the show in the 1970s, there was only one bar I ever saw -- in the lobby of the Dearborn on Michigan at Telegraph. I never saw it staffed. Perhaps it was only used for special events. As for old ballrooms, that's another thread, but I know the Mayfair Ballroom is still there on Woodward. It's attractive, and could be a great music venue if it was shored up. | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 24 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 69.212.54.164 |
I think the structure on the southeast corner of Canfield and Third was an old moviehouse. Now it's a congregation hall for the storefront church across the street. | ||
Evelethcdenver Member Username: Evelethcdenver Post Number: 43 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 63.227.9.57 |
Remember seeing a few movies at the Norwest on Grand River when I was really young. Do not remember the movies though. Was really sad to see it torn down a few years back. They just do not make them like that anymore. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 490 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.149.77 |
I found some info on the Duplex/Grand Terrace/Latin Quarter at Water Winter Wonderland From an old ad, how it originally was envisioned.  From the WSU/VMC as the Grand Terrace Ballroom, from a fire in the 1940s.  In the ad at that website, there is a diagram of how the arrangement of the two theaters was. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2165 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
The Irving had Good Pictures at Popular Prices:  | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 1377 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.123.248 |
Gistock or anyone, I posted on the cinema treasures website about the grand circus.Someone had posted that there was a grand circus theater where the state is now I wrote that was wrong.But someone else posted that there was indeed a grand circus theater on woodward..........is this true? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1498 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.105.69 |
Yup.... the original Grand Circus Theatre opened in 1913 on the site of the State Theatre/Francis Palms Building. It had about 1,300 seats and lasted only 9 years. By 1925 the State Theatre (2,967 seats) replaced it. Movie palaces were getting bigger and bigger by the mid to late 1920's. 1928 and 1929 were the peak years for movie palace giants. The "Grand Circus Theatre" name was resurrected in 1960 when the (1934-60) Broadway Capitol Theatre (formerly known as the Capitol (1922-30) and the Paramount (1930-34)) was remodeled and renamed the Grand Circus Theatre. Of course we know it today as the Detroit Opera House. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2770 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
The Rock is closing in on 1,000 posts. What does he win? jjaba has two comps. to the Punch and Judy Theater for him. Anybody remember when you could walk past a downtown Detroit theater and feel the air conditioning coming at you? That was amazing, when we were all sweltering at home. Remember Rock and Gistok? jjaba, lined up at the Westown. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1503 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.6.111 |
Jjaba, unfortunately I was too young (got my drivers license in 1970), and the downtown palaces were showing martial arts movies for a few years before they closed. At that time I was hanging out at the Woods, Civic, Alger, Punch & Judy, and Warren City Cinema's, with the Eastland and Beacon East coming online later. My first movie palace experience was during the doldrum years of the 1980's, when I went to an organ recital at the unrestored Fox in 1985. It was awesome! I coundn't believe such a wonderful building existed right under our noses, with so little appreciation! But that all changed.... | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 536 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
Wow Gistok, I may have been at the concert also.. was it Fr. Jim Miller? I remember the concert began with the sound of the organ and all of the curtains closed,, then one by one they opened, reveling the console way in the back of the stage. THEN the console started moving all the way to the front. Awsome. Of course, he was playing the entire time. I also heard Hector Oliveria there. That was almost better the seeing Virgil Fox. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2771 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
JJABA reports on theaters of interest. MikeM: The IRVING Theater at 21200 Fenkell ran 1927-1977. Built: Kohner and Payne, 1025 seats. Its movie career ended as an adult theater. Adult theaters have had a tough time now that videos are so available for at-home use. You avoid sitting next to a guy in a raincoat now-a-days. Today, your IRVING Theater with red, blue, yellow, and green facade is Spirit of Christ Church. Detroit 969: Your CARMEN THEATER is at 5760 Schaefer Road, Dearborn. It was built in 1941 and we are not sure when it returned to the earth, demo-ed. Psip: Your WASHINGTON Theater at 1505 Washington Blvd. ran from 1913-1928. It was also called Washington Fox. Perhaps it was overshadowed by the newer Detroit Fox on Woodward Avenue. The Rock: Your Punch and Judy Theater, 21 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe, ran from 1930-1977. 714 seats. Built: 1930 by Derrick, Schervish, Vogel and Merz in a Georgian Revival style. In 1988, it became offices. The theater had an organ, a balcony, and featured luxury armchair seats. In its final years as an art film house, the City Admin. were bothered by long lines waiting to get in, the adult themes, and other irritants. An "anti-smut" agreement was signed by the owners at one point. The City eliminated Midnight shows. A church bought the property but the City Admin. rejected zoning for a church. So in 1988, the place became offices for lawyers and other acceptable inhabitants. jjaba, waiting in line for a ticket. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2171 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
Psip, what did he open with; Pontifical March? | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 537 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
LOL Mike,, email coming your way! Fr Jim Miller was a noted theater organist. He really had a flair. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1504 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.90.50 |
Psip, unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the organist. But I do remember the organ console moving around the stage, which I thought was awesome. Jjaba, I think you got your architects wrong for the Punch and Judy.... Schervish Vogel & Merz were the architectural team that were first famous for restoring (and occupying) the McGregor Carriage House off East Jefferson back in the 1980's. In the 1990's they started the Harmonie Park area restoration (and owned the Madison-Lenox). Mr. Vogel is now the dean of UDM School of Architecture. He'd have to be at least 105 years old in order to have designed the Punch & Judy back in 1930. Maybe they did the 1980's reconstruction into office space. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2774 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
It is hard to bamboozle Gistok. jjaba tries to tell it like it tis but when it comes to items Eastside or suburban, jjaba would be advised to steer clear. jjaba sincerely apologizes for the Grosse Pointe faux pas. The PUNCH AND JUDY THEATER was designed in 1930 by Robert O. Derrick. The 1988 rennovations into office space was done by architects Schervich, Vogel and Merz. jjaba regrets any inconvenience caused by incorrect assertions. The resource material used was unclear but upon further scientific enquiry, the truth is now known. jjaba, Old Westown Theater Patron. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1507 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.82 |
Hey Jjaba, nothing to appologize for! I stated on a theatre thread that the Adams was a theatre of "a rare breed called an Alley Jumper". Well others pointed out 2 or 3 other theatres in Detroit that were alley jumpers.... so much for rarity!! | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 500 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.156 |
Ok, here's one that I can't find anything on, the Theatre Comique, from an old grainy photo at LOC/DPC  This photo is from WSU/VMC, the intersection of Gratiot, Broadway, and Randolph, with the feature starring Lon Chaney in "Flesh and Blood".  | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2777 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
Hornwrecker, what kinda cars and trucks do we see downtown on Broadway in your photo? THEATER COMIQUE. Built in 1921 and demoed by 1928. It was also known as the Star Theater. 1249-51 Broadway, Detroit. jjaba. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2778 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
Lon Cheney's FLESH AND BLOOD played in 1922, which is within the time period of the Theater Comique. jjaba, Hornwrecker's Research Dept. | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 544 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
I found a link that I have been searching for. The Detroit Theater Organ Society. http://www.dtos.org/ There are many concerts coming up in 2006. There are rare opportunities to hear (and calibrate you ears) what a REAL theater organ sounds like. Nothing sounds like a Wurlitzer. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 2779 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.22.82.162 |
Psip tells it like it tis. ATOS is a good group. jjaba has attended one of their national conventions. Wow, 3-a-day shows. In Detroit, try the Redford, the Senate, the Fox theater organs for starters. Sadly, many more were removed. jjaba, loving those pipes. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 501 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.110 |
Jjaba, I can't really identify any of those cars from the rear as I am still a neophyte when it comes to early cars. The only one that I can guess at is the Louis Cigar truck being a Model T. There sure is a bunch of expensive coachwork in the photo though, like a mini 1922 auto show, something was happening there that day. Here's the whole image, showing more fancy cars, and a crowd past the theatre.  Oh yeah, there's a traffic cop controlling the signal in the tower. | ||
Ptero Member Username: Ptero Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 4.229.75.16 |
Jumping back to the Great Lakes on Grand River on the west side... This was my main movie house as a kid. My elem school was Burns just a block and a half away. Someone mentioned 'Hair', the live stage musical, playing there. I'm think this was in the early '70s. Nederlanders (of the Fisher Theatre) operated the Great Lakes as the Vest Pocket Theatre in the later '70s. I don't know if they were behind the Hair production. The Vest Pocket was showing plays and musicals largely from the Black theatre of the day. Such as 'No Place to Be Somebody' and 'Ceremonies in Dark Old Men'. It was both fun and strange to work there on shows after knowing it as a movie house. There was a stage behind the movie screen. There was a grid with rigging and linesets for hanging scenery and lighting. It must have been a legit (vaudeville?) house back before going to movies. Into the 80s, it became a Baptist Church for awhile before it was finally razed. (Message edited by ptero on December 26, 2005) | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 63 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 12.109.9.154 |
Hey Ptero, thanx for the additional info on the Great Lakes. I had loads of family that lived in that neighborhood too on Terry, Lauder, Prest and Whitcomb and went to Burns too. | ||
Eastside_charlie Member Username: Eastside_charlie Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2007 |
psip, re: punch and judy thanks for the pics, very cool! |
