Download Detroit Suburban Theatres - Movie

Detroit
Suburban
Theatres
Includes Ann Arbor, Flint and Port
Huron
12/26/2011
WAYNE COUNTY
ALLEN PARK
CANTON
6601 Allen
19401,500 seats
* 1940 opened as a single-screen theatre
* 1945-1955 owner: Mutual Theaters, Inc.
(booking agent)
* 1960's taken over by Nicholas George
* 1970 twinned as Allen Park I & II
* 1986 sold to American Multi-Cinemas,
which splits it to 5 screens
* Early 1990's sold to MJR Theatres, Inc
(Movies Just Right)
43555 Ford
1985
* 1985 opened with 6 screens by General
Cinemas
* Late 1990’s sold to Goodrich Quality
* 2004 renovated with stadium-seating and a
large 7th screen and the interior was rebuilt.
This theatre thrives despite the Emagine
megaplex cinema being nearby. They must
be doing something right.
Allen Park
Canton
Emagine 18 Fountain Walk
38535 Ford
2004-
3
Indian Movie
7260 N Sheldon Rd
? 2000-2001
Bollywood cinema.
Calvin
22168 Michigan
1927-1980
1,200 seats
* 1927 opened by Wisper-Wetman Theaters
(Co-Op)
* 1965 modernized and switched to secondrun movies
* 1980 gutted by fires on September 21 and
October 26.
DEARBORN
Alden
14408 Ford
? 1940-? 1950
400 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre 1945-1950.
4
Camelot
AKA: Circle
12715 W Warren
1963-? 1990
* 1937 opened as Circle
* 1963 renamed Camelot
* 1988 split into 3 cinemas it is renamed
Camelot 1-2-3
* 1990 owner: Michigan Theatres
* Early 1990's closed
Dearborn
24105 Michigan
1941-1992
* 1941 opened as Dearborn by Wisper-Wetman
Theaters (Co-Op), It had an private apartment with
the living room overlooking the screen (#3)
* 1965 the tall marquee had to be removed for the
widening of Michigan Av.
* 1969 a small 300-seat cinema was added, it was
call Dearborn Living Room
* 1973 taken over by Wayne Amusements co.
* 1970's a third screen was added and the theatre
is renamed Dearborn Entertainment Center,
becoming one of the first cinema to serve alcohol
* 1980's the original 1,500 seat cinema was carved
into 4 cinemas for a total of 6 screens.
* 1986 3 more screens were added with a catwalk
built thru the original cinemas to access the back 4
cinemas and the original lobby was completely
rebuilt.
* 1992 taken over by National Amusements and
renamed Showcase Cinemas
* September 4, 2006 closed
* 2010 demolished
Carman
5760 schaefer
1941-? 1955
1,490 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre.
Circle
AKA: Camelot
12715 W Warren
1937-1963
1,496 seats
5
Dearborn Drive-In
26500 Ford
1948-? 1984
* July 23, 1948 opened by Komer and
Goldberg with space for 1,040 cars
* 1960's taken over by Wisper-Wetman
Theaters (Co-Op)
* 1979 taken over by Wayne Amusements,
which added a second screen
* 1984 closed
Fairline 10
18900 Michigan
1976-2001
* 1976 opened with 5 screens by United
Artists Theatre Circuit
* Late 1990’s taken over by Loeks Star
Theaters (50 % was owned by Loews
Cineplex from 2002-2005)
* 2001 closed
Fairline Town Center 21
18900 Michigan
May 18th, 2000Owners:
2000 Loeks Star Theaters (50 % was owned
by Loews Cineplex from 2002-2005)
2005 American Multi-Cinemas
6
Ford Grand
? 1930-? 1935
Fordson
10149 Dix Hwy
? 1930-? 1955
454 seats
Ford-Wyoming Drive-In
10400 Ford
1995
3,000 cars
* May 19th, 1950 opened with a single screen
* 1969-1975 Community Theaters (booked by
co-op) owned this drive-in.
* 1981 taken over by Wayne Amusements
* By 1990 5 screens
* 1991 expanded to 9 screens using screens
from the Wayne and Algiers drive-ins.
* May 2010 Screens 6-9 closed and drive-in
renamed Ford Drive-In 5
This drive-in, which has space for over 3,000,
is the largest drive-in in the USA by parking
spaces (The Swap Shop in Fort Lauderdale
FL has 13 screens)
Screens 6-9 is opened during the summers,
which stays open all night long for the
convenience of the Chrysler plant workers.
1950 Aerial
Main Screen
Screens 6-9
Screens 1-5 on bottom, 6-9 on top.
Screens 1-5
7
Midway
4915 Schaefer
? 1935-? 1950
600 seats
Grand Opening ad
IMAX Henry Ford Museum
LARGE FORMAT
20900 Oakwood
1999-
Lowry School
? 1940-? 1945
8
Showcase Cinemas
24105 Michigan
1992-2006
* 1941 opened as Dearborn by Wisper-Wetman
Theaters (Co-Op), It had an private apartment with
the living room overlooking the screen (#3)
* 1965 the tall marquee had to be removed for the
widening of Michigan Av.
* 1969 a small 300-seat cinema was added, it was
call Dearborn Living Room
* 1973 taken over by Wayne Amusements co.
* 1970's a third screen was added and the theatre
is renamed Dearborn Entertainment Center,
becoming one of the first cinema to serve alcohol
* 1980's the original 1,500 seat cinema was carved
into 4 cinemas for a total of 6 screens.
* 1986 3 more screens were added with a catwalk
built thru the original cinemas to access the back 4
cinemas and the original lobby was completely
rebuilt.
* 1992 taken over by National Amusements and
renamed Showcase Cinemas
* September 4, 2006 closed
* 2010 demolished
Westborn
1211 Nowlin
1973-? 1995
* 1973 opened by the Nicholas George circuit
with 900 seats
* 1980 split into 2 cinemas
* 1986 sold to AMC
* Late 1990's closed
DEARBORN
HEIGHTS
Ford-Tel 2
23830 Ford
1989-2005
DELRAY
Delray
? 1945
Associated Theatres, Inc owned this theatre.
9
Grande
? 1945
Associated Theatres, Inc owned this theatre.
DRAYTON PLAINS
Drayton
Farmington 4
38215 W 10 Mile
1972-1977
1,000 seats
* 1972 opened with 1,000 seats in 4 cinemas
* 1977 a fire destroyed the building.
? 1945-? 1950
603 seats
Boxoffice 1973 07 16
ECORSE
Harbor
4195 W Jeffreson
? 1940-? 1990
Owners:
1945-1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking
agent)
1969 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Grand River Drive-In
30200 Grand River
April 15th, 1949-July 20th, 1988
1,200 cars
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this drive-in. The UA West River 9 is
built on the site.
FARMINGTON
Civic
33332 Grand River
1940Twinned 1989-1990
Owners:
1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950-1975 Community Theaters (booked by
co-op)
1980-1989 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
10
West River 9
30170 Grand River
1990* 1990 opened with 2,100 seats by United
Artists Theatre Circuit
* 2002 taken over by Regal Cinemas
* 2003 taken over by Phoenix Theatres, which
renovates it and reopened it on May 15.
* June 2009 taken over by Dipson Theatres
FARMINGTON HILLS
Old Orchard
28123 Orchard Lake
1971-? 1998
* 1971 opened by Suburban Detroit as a twin
cinema with 650 seats each.
* Late 1970's 3 cinemas with a total of 1,600
seats
* 1986 sold to American Multi-Cinemas
* Late 1990's closed and became a church.
* 2001 taken over by the Holocaust Memorial
Center, which was rebuilt in 2003.
FLAT ROCK
Flat Rock
? 1940-? 1969
FORT WAYNE
Fort Wayne
? 1940-? 1945
GARDEN CITY
Fairline
1969-? 1992
11
La Parisien
Middlebelt/Ford
1964-? 1985
* 1939 opened as Shafer Garden City
* 1945 jointly owned by Mutual Theaters, Inc.
(booking agent) and Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1964 remodelled and renamed Le Parisien
* 1970's twinned
* Mid 1980's closed
Rex
INKSTER
Melody
28765 Michigan
? 1950-1997
* Late 1940's opened by Associated Theatres,
Inc, which sells it in the late 1950's
* 1971-1972 used as a concert hall
* Mid 1970's became an adult cinema
* 1997 the city of Inkster shut down the
cinema for illegal activities.
? 1940
Shafer
Middlebelt/Ford
1939-1964
700 seats
HOLLY
Holly
? 1935-? 1955
340 seats
Liberty
? 1930-? 1940
12
KEEGO HARBOR
Keego
3040 Orchard Lake Road
1940-1997
536 seats
* 1940 opened
* 1970's a new marquee is installed to replace the
original marquee when Orchard Lake Road was
widened and the truck damaged it.
* 1981 sold to new owners, which planned to show
adult movies. The town of Keego Harbor lost the
case and adult movies were shown. The outraged
citizens picked the theatre and filled up the parking
lot leaving little space for the adult movie fans.
* Later in 1981 switched to first run movies.
* 1984 twinned to 2 cinemas
* Late 1980's closed
* 1997 reopened as a second-run theatre.
* June 1998 closed with two movie classics,
"Singin' in the Rain" and "Willie Wonka and the
Chocolate Factory" for retail space.
State
Flint St.
? 1940-? 1955
450 seats
Clark Theater Service owned this theatre in
1955.
LINCOLN PARK
Esquire
? 1964-? 1969
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre.
LAKE ORION
Silver Family
? 1930
13
Park
1583 Fort St
? 1925-2004
900 seats
* 1925 opened
* 1935-1955 owned by Premier Operating
Corp. Ltd. (of Toronto, Booked by Co-Op),
which owns the 5-Drive-in in Oakville ON near
Toronto.
* 1961-1964 owner: Wisper-Wetman Theaters
(Co-Op)
* Mid 1970's became an adult cinema, the
main door is closed off and is only accessible
from the parking lot.
* 2004 closed
Star Lincoln Park 8
1748 Dix Hwy
1988-2003
Loeks Star Theaters (50 % was owned by
Loews Cineplex from 2002-2005) owned this
theatre.
LIVONIA
American Family Cinema 3
AKA: Livonia Mall Cinemas
29584 7 Mile
2005-2008
Ryan
27730 Ryan Rd.
? 1955-? 1969
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre 1964-1969.
14
Laurel Park 10
17310 N Laurel Park Dr
1988Owners:
1998-2009 American Multi-Cinemas
2009- Phoenix Theatres (Big Cinemas)
Livonia Park 20
19500 Haggerty Rd
October 1998
3,698 seats
American Multi-Cinemas owned this theatre.
An IMAX cinema was installed in October
2009.
Livonia Mall Cinemas
AKA: American Family Cinemas
29584 7 Mile
1965-1998, 2001-2002
* 1965 opened by General Cinemas with cinemas
of 1,000 and 510 seats, it featured "picture window"
screens and an small "art gallery" in the early years.
* Late 1970's the large cinema was split into 2
cinemas of 455 seats each.
* 1991 renamed Cinema Livonia Mall as General
Cinemas sells it to Cinemark, which turned it into a
discount house.
* Mid 1990's taken over by MJR Theatres, Inc
(Movies Just Right)
* 1998 closed
* 2001-2002 reopened again.
* 2005-2008 reopened as American Family
Cinemas
Mai Kai
33330 Plymouth
? 1963-? 1987
1,396 seats
* 1963 opened by Nicholas George at a cost
of $1.5 million. it had 1,396 seats in an
Polynesian style. The screen was 60ft. wide.
* 1987 closed by AMC
* 1988 reopened as a live theatre called Omni
Star, it closed down in 2 months after the
owner's illegal activities.
* 1992 reopened as the George Burns
Theatre after a million dollar facelift.
* 1993 closed
* 2003 demolished
15
Terrace
30400 Plymouth
1962-1999
* 1962 opened with the 70mm engagement of
"The Music Man" with 1,200 seats in a
"Chinese Garden" style. The screen measured
59x27 feet and the theatre was opened by
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) and
Suburban Detroit.
* Early 1970's split into 2 cinemas and
renamed Terrace 1-2
* 1980's 4 cinemas and renamed Terrace 4
* 1999 closed
MELVINDALE
Mel
3020 Oakwood
1942-1988
1,443 seats
* 1942 opened by United Detroit (Publix) with
1,942 seats
* 1969 owner: Community Theaters (booked
by co-op)
* 1975-1988 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1970's switched to adult movies much to the
dismay and anger of Melvindale residents.
* 1988 closed and replaced by a shopping
centre.
MILFORD
Milford
312 Main
? 1940-? 1969
237 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1969.
Milford Cinema
945 E. Summit
? 1990-
Wonderland 6
30009 Plymouth
? 1990-2004
American Multi-Cinemas owned this theatre.
Star
? 1935
16
NORTHVILLE
NOVI
133 Main
1974-1978
* 1925 opened as Penniman-Allen or P & A
* 1950-1961 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1969-1974 owner: Community Theaters
(booked by co-op)
* 1974 renamed Marquis
* 1978 restored and switched to live
performances.
* 2003 a fire caused minor damage
I96/Novi Rd
2002-
Marquis
Emagine 18 Fountain Walk
Movies at 12 Oaks 1,2,3,4,5
27300 Novi
1977-2000
United Artists Theatre Circuit owned this
theatre.
Novi Town Center 8
AKA: SR Movies at Town Center
P & A (Pennima-Allen)
AKA: Marquis
133 Main
1925-1974
756 seats
26085 Town Center
1988-2005
Owners:
1988-1998 General Cinemas
1998-2005 Goodrich Quality
SR Movies at Town Center
AKA: Movies at Novi Town Center.
26085 Town Center
2005-September 30th, 2010.
This theatre shows a mixture of Hollywood
and Bollywood movies. It was taken over by
Phoenix Adlabs in 2008.
17
ORION
PLYMOUTH
? 1930
AKA: P & A
Silver
OXFORD
Oxford
48 S. Washington Street
? 1940450 seats
* Late 1930’s opened with a single screen by
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan, which
sells it in the late 1970’s
* ? 1998 3 screens as it is taken over by
Goodrich Quality
* 2000 7 screens.
Art
855 Penniman Avenue
? 1965-1968
P & A (Pennima-Allen)
AKA: Art
855 Penniman Avenue
1918-? 1960
600 seats
* 1918 opened
* early 1920's started to show movies on
Sunday
* Early 1960's renamed Plymouth Art and
shown industrial and forigen features
* 1968 destroyed by fire.
18
Penn
756 Penniman
1941-2004, 2006* December 1941 opened 3 days before the
Pearl Harbour attack
* 2004 closed
* January 2006 bought by the Friends of the
Penn
* September 8 reopens with "Cars"
RIVER ROUGE
Amuse U
AKA: Lancaster
10535 W Jeffreson
1912-1921
Elliot
546 Elliot
? 1950-? 1955
This Afro-American theatre. had 400 seats
Lancaster
AKA: Amuse U
Plymouth Drive-In
? 1969-? 1975
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this drive-in.
Slapshot Drive-In
14900 Beck Road
2004This 3-screen drive-in uses the parking lot of
the Compuware arena.
REDFORD
Town Drive-In
Chicago/Telegraph
1949-? 1964
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this drive-in 1949-1961.
10535 W Jeffreson
1930-1971
1,200 seats
Owners:
1930-1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Rouge
? 1945-? 1950
900 seats
Associated Theatres, Inc owned this theatre in
1945.
Visger
? 1940
RIVERVIEW
Showboat 1,2,3
13800 Sibley
? 1975-1992
Owners:
1975 Wisper Wetman
1990 Michigan Theatres
19
ROMULUS
Civic
11114 Sterling
? 1945-? 1950
260 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre in 1945.
Michigan Drive-In
25/Dix
July 22nd, 1948-1984
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this drive-in 1948-950.
Family
? 1940
SOUTHGATE
Fort George Drive-In
16300 Fort
May 4th, 1950-1990
20
Southgate 20
15651 Trenton Rd
November 6th,19984,500 seats
MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right) owned
this theatre.
TAYLOR
Ecorse Drive-In
21366 Ecorse
April 22nd,1951-1985
* April 22, 1951 opened with space for 1,000
cars
* 1970's an 2nd screen is added
* 1985 closed
Southgate 4
16500 Fort
1969-? 1990
4 screens in the late 1980’s
Owned by American Multi-Cinemas in 1990.
21
Jolly Rogers Drive-In
24745 Van Born Rd
1956-1990
Southland
23000 Eureka
1976-2000
* 1976 opened as a twin
* 1984 4 screens
* 1986 taken over by American Multi-Cinemas
* Late 1990’s American Multi-Cinemas sells it
* 2000 closed
Spotlight 10
AKA: Star Taylor 10
22265 Eureka Road
2010-
Star Taylor 10
AKA: Spotlight 10
22265 Eureka Rd
1989-2009
Owners:
1989-2005 Loeks Star Theaters (50 % was
owned by Loews Cineplex from 2002-2005)
2005- American Multi-Cinemas
Pandora
Wick/Taylor
? 1980-? 1992
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre in 1980. It was twinned in the 1980’s
22
TRENTON
WALLED LAKE
23000 West
1956-1986
? 1969
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre.
Holiday Drive-In
Beverly
Commerce Drive-In
8305 Richardson
July 3rd, 1956-end of the 1990 season.
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this theatre 1969-1975.
Trenton
2447 W Jeffreson
? 1940-1959
Owners:
1940-1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950-1959 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
UNION LAKE
Midford
? 1990
Stage Door 1 and 2
1450 South Hospital Road
1972-? 1990
492 seats
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre 1972-1975.
23
Commerce Township 14
Center Drive and Loop Road
? 1999
Owners:
1999-2002 United Artists Theatre Circuit
2002-Regal Cinemas
Walled Lake Drive-In
2150 W Maple
1956-1990
150 cars
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
drive-in 1961-1990.
Lake
420 Pontiac Trail
? 1950-? 1955
630 seats
Demolished in 2003.
Walake Drive-In
535 East Lake Drive
1948-1950
WATERFORD
Waterford 1 & 2
AKA: Academy 59
M-59/Crescent
1972-? 1995
MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right) owned
this theatre 1990-1995.
Waterford 16
7501 Highland Rd
? 1998Opened by 1998 with 11 screens by MJR
Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right) and
expanded to 16 screens in 2000.
24
Waterford Drive-In
Airport/Williams Lake1948-? 1985
Elmar Theatres owned this theatre in 1964.
WYANDOTTE
Fort
Rialto
? 1930-? 1950
650 seats
Owners:
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
? 1955
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre.
Majestic
? 1925-? 1950
790 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Wyandotte
102 Elm
1937-? 1992
1,100 seats
2 screens in the 1960's
Owners:
1940-1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Michigan
? 1955
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre.
25
WAYNE
Shafter
? 1945-? 1955
1,000 seats
Owners:
1945 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
1950-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
State-Wayne
Wayne
Michigan
1927-1951
* 1927 opened as a vaudeville house
* 1930 closed
* 1931 reopened to show movies
* 1951 closed and the lobby became a music
store
This theatre is being restored.
35310 Michigan
1946
1,200 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre 1950-1955.
26
Wayne Drive-In
Newburgh/Michigan
1949-1990
842 cars
Twinned in 1971, Mutual Theaters, Inc.
(booking agent) owned it 1950-1955.
WESTLAND
Alger Drive-In
NE Corner Warren at Wayne
August 15th, 1956-? 1985
1,000 cars
27
Westland Grand 16
November 4th, 2011
MJR Theatres owns this cinema.
WEST BLOOMFIELD
TOWNSHIP
Americana West 4
6750 W Orchard Lake
1980-1997
* 1980 opened by Nicholas George, which is
named after the original Americana in
Southfield. 2 of 550 seats and 2 of 325 seats,
which had almost the same design of the
Dennison cinemas in Monroe.
* 1986 sold to American Multi-Cinemas
* 1990 6 cinemas
* 2001 closed for a fitness center.
Clarkson
? 1995-? 1998
WHITE LAKE
Milford
? 1995-2000
28
WOODHAVEN
Emgine Woodhaven 10
21800 Wildflower
June 19th, 2009-
29
GENESSEE COUNTY
BURTON
Burton
4064 S Saginaw
1939-1968
598 seats
Clark Theater Service owned this theatre in
1955.
Courtland Cinemas
AKA: Eastland Cinemas
4226 E Court St
1981-January 2009, May 2011-
The Courtland Cinemas was first opened in 1969 as
the single screen Eastland Mall Theatre when the
Eastland Mall opened by the United Detroit
Theatres division of ABC Theatres. When ABC
(originally United Paramount Theatres) left the
theatre business, Plitt Theatres took it over. When
Plitt left the Flint market in 1981, Redstone (owner
of the nearby dominant Showcase Cinemas in
Burton) took control of the Eastland Mall Theatre.
They twinned it, then when the mall was renamed
Courtland Center, renamed the twin cinema
accordingly. Later on in the 1980s, they closed the
Courtland Cinemas after the nearby Showcase
Cinemas added more screens. It remained closed
for many years with several unsuccessful attempts
to reopen it before Silver Cinemas reopened it after
expansion and renovation making it a 6 screen
multiplex with all-stadium seating, the first theatre in
the Flint area with all stadium seating, calling it the
Silver Cinemas. National Amusements, as the
Showcase Cinemas owners are known by now,
quickly bought out the rival theatre, renaming it to
its old name Courtland Cinemas. Today, it’s a
second-run bargain priced theatre. It was reopened
by NCG Cinemas in 2011.
This theatre was seen in Michael’s Moore Bowling
for Columbine.
Eastland Cinema
4226 E Court St
1968-1981
30
Miracle Twin Drive-In
6383 E Court
February 15, 1973-September 2008
915 cars
National Amusements owns this drive-in.
Showcase Flint East 14
5205 E Court St
1980-2007
* 1980 opened with 6 screens
* Late 1980 are expanded to 10 screens
* Early 1990’s 14 screens. This theatre is
owned by National Amusements
* 2007 closed when it could keep up with the
Trillium cinemas.
CLIO
Clio Cinema
2143 W Vienna
1974Opened with one screens and expanded to 4
screens by 2000. It is owned by
Neighborhood Cinema Group until 2011.
31
Gem
164 W Vienna
? 1935-1968
401 seats
Rowena
? 1930-? 1955
Silver Drive-In
3315 W. Silver Lake Road
? 1955-? 1986
FLINT
Airdome
501 N Saginaw St
1910-1911
Theatre with no roof and a dirt floor.
Autoworld IMAX
DAVISON
Davison
N Saginaw St
July 4th, 1984-end of the year. This theatre
was part of the failed Six Flags Autoworld
indoor amusement park.
? 1940-? 1945
Midway
Flint St.
? 1950-? 1955
500 seats
FENTON
Fenton Cinema 8
291 N Alloy Dr
1985-2008
* 1985 opened as a twin
* 1990 5 screens
* 1998 8 screens
Bella Vista
S Saginaw St
1972
32
Bijou
AKA: Garden
24-26 E First St
1905-1915
* 1905 Col. Walter S. Butterfield converted
two storefronts into a theatre called Bijou
* 1909 Renovations
* 1910, 1913 renovations
* 1915 renovated and renamed Garden
* 1917 expanded to 1,080 seats
* 1929 started to show talkies
* 1939 demolished for a new theatre called
Garden.
Casino
Broadway
1907 Lewis St
1921-1931Buick
128 E Kearsley St
1910-1911
Grand
301 S Saginaw St
1909-1910
Capitol
144 E 2nd St
January 19th,1928-? 1990
1,951 seats
Jointly owned by Butterfield Circuit (PublixParamount) and Loew's, Inc in 1930
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) sold it
in 1976. In 2007 the movie Semi-Pro was
filmed here.
33
Cinema
Cinema 10
4502 S Dort Hwy
1967-1986
1,000 seats
4425 Lennon Rd
1997-October 21, 2007
The Flint Cinema was built in 1967 by W.S.
Butterfield Theatres and was sold around 1985 to
Kerasotes Theatres as well as most of the other
Butterfield Theatres. The Flint Cinema (a single
screen theater) was closed in 1986 as it could not
compete with the multiplexes. It was torn down
around 1991
* Early 1990's United Artists Theatre Circuit broke
ground on the Genesee Valley Cinemas and
around the same time National Amusements
bought the old Utley Junior High School and tore it
down for a planned Showcase cinema and GKC
planned an expansion of their Genesee Valley
cinemas.
Then National Amusements bought out all the
George Kerasotes Company theatres in Flint
causing United Artists Theatre Circuit to abandon
their project.
National Amusements converted the Genesee
Valley Cinemas into a discount cinema. And
building the Showcase Flint West
* 1997 National Amusements opened the theatre as
Cinema 10.
Cinema Blue
.
2402 S Dort Hwy
1977-1993
This theatre had one theatre showing adult
movies, the other had strippers on the stage.
This adult entertainment center also had a
peep show, adult book store and a room with
pinball machines and pool tables with girls in
bikinis walking around making changes.
It is now a night club called Deja Vu.
Colonial
1409 Broadway
1921-1923
34
Columbia
AKA: Durant, Roxy
3013 St. Johns
? 1930-? 1955
500 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre 1945-1955.
Corunna West Side Drive-In
5041 Corunna Rd
1947-1984
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this drive-in in 1955.
Della
Dixie
5047 N Saginaw
1929-? 1955
470 seats
Clark Theater Service owned this theatre in
1955.
Dort Eastside Drive-In
3750 S Dort Hwy
August 29, 1946-? 1967
775 cars
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this drive-in 1950-1955. The Dort Mall with a
cinema opened in 1968.
521 S Saginaw St
1909-1911
Della
807 Welsh
1937-1964
1,164 seats
* 1937 opened
* 1940 Matt Theatres sold it to Butterfield
Circuit (Publix-Paramount)
* 1964 closed and demolished for a bank
expansion.
Della Photoplays
521 S Saginaw
1912-1919
35
Dort Mall
3750 S Dort Hwy
1968-1982
* 1968 opened as a single cinema with 980
seats by General Cinemas
* 1975 split into 2 cinemas of 450 seats
* 1982 closed.
Fenton-23 Drive-In
AKA: US 23 Drive-In
5200 Fenton
1952-? 1955
Clark Theater Service owned this drive-in in
1955
Flint
AKA: Flint Art, Hitching Post
Durant
3814 N Saginaw
1939-1953
522 seats
AKA: Colonial, Roxy
1409 Broadway
1923-1935
* 1921 opened as Colonial
* 1923 renamed Durant
* 1935 renamed Roxy
* 1957 closed
Electric
507 S Saginaw St
1909-1910
Family
2915 Industrial
1916
Flint West 14
Family
1591 S Graham Rd
2010This is owned by Rave Motion Pictures
203 S Saginaw St
1912-? 1940
A. Eisman owned this theatre in 1925.
AKA: Showcase Flint West 15
Folly
2913 Industrial Ave
1913-1917
36
Folly
Gem
803 Harriet
1913-1917
2325 Corunna
1937-1953
388 seats
Fredo
Gem
AKA: Palestra, Ideal
2708 Saint John
? 1917-? 1926
Garden
124 E 1st St
1939-1957
917 seats
Art cinema.
Garden
124 E 1st St
1915-1939
* 1905 Col. Walter S. Butterfield converted
two storefronts into a theatre called Bijou
* 1909 Renovations
* 1910, 1913 Renovations
* 1915 renovated and renamed Garden
* 1917 expanded to 1,080 seats
* 1929 started to show talkies
* 1939 demolished for a new theatre called
Garden.
312 S Saginaw St
1910-1925
Genesee 6
3600 Miller Rd
1973-1997
The Genesee Valley Theatres was built around
1973 as a twin theater, with an addition built around
1977 making it a four screen. It was built by
Butterfield Theatres and was sold to Kerasotes
Theatres around 1985. They split the original two
auditoriums to make it a 6-screen theater. National
Amusements bought the theater a decade later. It
was closed when National Amusements opened
the Cinema 10 nearby. The Genesee Valley
Theatres was torn down in 2001 to make room for
new retail development.
6-plex seating: 169 162 194 183 390 389
Globe
1116 N Saginaw St
1919-1921
Jewell
621 S Saginaw St
1913-1916
Garrick
Union & Brush Alley
1910-1914
37
Kearsley
G-4435 Richfield Rd
1949-1966
778 seats
Clark Theater Service owned this theatre in
1955.
Michigan
1624 S Saginaw
? 1930-1965
1,500 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre 1940-1955.
Music Hall
AKA: Majestic, Stones Opera House
Harrison and first st.
1883-1894
Lincoln
1747 Fenton
1930-1953
280 seats
North Flint Drive-In
N Saginaw St & Coldwater Rd
1947-? 1975
Lyric
113 S Saginaw St
1913-1916
Majestic
AKA: Music Hall, Stones Opera House
Harrison and first st.
1916-1922
* 1883 opened as the Music Hall with 1,200
seats.
* 1894 renamed Stones Opera House
* 1913 Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount)
buys it and renovates the theatre
* 1916 renamed Majestic
* 1922 closed
38
Northland Drive-In
Palace
Northwest
Pershing
G-7192 N Dort Hwy
November 5th, 1956-1966
G-3153 W Pierson Rd
1972
Nortown
4032 N Saginaw
1940-1966
1,390 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
205 E Kearsley St
1917-1976
1,390 seats
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre, which had 1,390 seats
Mount Morris Rd & Saginaw St
1913
Princess
1612-16 N Saginaw St
1916-1921
Orpheum
513 S Saginaw St
? 1913-? 1913
39
Regent
906 N Saginaw
1919-? 1969
1,504 seats
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre.
Richard
929 Leith
1920-1960
This Afro-American theatre had 468 seats.
Owners:
1925 A. Eisman
1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
Ritz
1200 N Saginaw
1920-1975
1,099 seats
Roxy
Rex
1612 N Saginaw
1915-1916
Rialto
1409 Broadway
1935-April 27, 1957
668 seats
* 1921 opened as Colonial
* 1923 renamed Durant
* 1935 renamed Roxy
* 1945-1957 Butterfield Circuit (PublixParamount) owned this theatre.
* April 27, 1957 closed
308 S Saginaw
? 1935-1973
565 seats
“This theatre was also downtown on South
Saginaw, near the river and the railroad tracks. The
Rialto was open all night and had an unsavoury
reputation, at least in my mother’s circle, and we
were never allowed to go there.”
Associated Theatres, Inc owned this theatre
1940-1945.
Royal
AKA: Rialto
224 S Saginaw
1973-1980
This theatre had shown adult movies.
40
Savoy
308 S Saginaw
1908-? 1935
650 seats
Showcase Flint West 14
AKA: Flint West 15
1591 S Graham Rd
1995-2010
* 1995 opened with 12 screens by National
Amusements
* 2000-2001 2 more screens added to the
south end of the building and all cinemas are
upgraded to stadium seating.
* February 25th,2008 The movie “Semi Pro”
had its world premiere here.
* Late 2009 taken over by Rave Motion
Pictures
State
529 S Saginaw
1924-1953
1,050 seats
The State was right next to The Strand on
South Saginaw in downtown Flint and it
played double bills much like its neighbour.
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre 1945-1953.
Stones Opera House
AKA: Music Hall, Majestic
Harrison and first st.
1894-1916
* 1883 opened as the Music Hall with 1,200
seats.
* 1894 renamed Stones Opera House
* 1913 Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount)
buys it and renovates the theatre
* 1916 renamed Majestic
* 1922 closed
Strand
Silvers
? 1945
515 S Saginaw
1915-1958
1,076 seats
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre 1945-1958.
South Dort Drive-In
5117 S Dort
1966-1984
* 1963 opened
* 1964 bought by Butterfield Circuit (PublixParamount)
* 1984 closed
Star
1622 N Saginaw
? 1935-? 1955
350 seats
Temple
208 S Saginaw
1909-1910
Tiden
? 1950
This Afro-American theatre had 800 seats.
41
US 23 Drive-In
AKA: Fenton-23 Drive-In
5200 Fenton
? 1961Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
drive-in 1980-1985.
3 cinemas in 2009 as the third screen is
supported by shipping crates.
FLUSING
Dawn
AKA: Ideal, Princess
123 E. Main
1935-1960
250 seats
Ideal
AKA: Dawn, Princess
123 E. Main
1919-1929
Princess
AKA: Dawn, Ideal
123 E. Main
1929-1935
Vega
3220 Corunna Rd
1973-1977
This adult cinema was forced to close when
the neighbors complained.
Town Cinema 1,2,3,4
G-5380 W. Pierson Road,
1980-? 1990
1,300 seats
* 1970’s Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount)
had plans for an drive-in but the town vetoed
it.
* 1980 opened by Butterfield Circuit (PublixParamount)
* 1984 sold to Kerasotes
* 1985 sold to George Kerasotes Company
* Early 1990's National Amusements buys out
the theatre and closed it.
White Eagle
3817 Industrial Ave
1921
42
GRAND BLANC
Bella Vista
12901 S. Saginaw St
1972-? 1985
Butterfield Circuit owned this twin cinema.
Trillium 14
8220 Trillium Circle Avenue
May 19, 20062,500 seats
Neighborhood Cinema Group owns this
cinema complex. An IMAX theatre was added
in November, 2007.
Centre
11240 South Saginaw Street
1946-1965
628 seats
LINDEN
Linden
? 1950-? 1950
Silver Drive-In
? 1955-? 1985
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
drive-in 1980-1985.
MOUNT MORRIS
Mt. Morris
? 1940-? 1955
325 seats
43
LAPEER COUNTY
ALTMONT
Altmont
? 1950-? 1955
460 seats
Delux
148 Altmont
? 1935-? 1955
400 seats
Main
? 1930
COLUMBIAVILLE
Rex
Water
? 1940-? 1955
208 seats
IMLAY CITY
Cinema
543 North Cedar
? 1980
* 1980 opened as a twin
* By 2000 3 screens
* 2012 closed
Maxime
? 1925
Harry Holboth owned this theatre.
LAPEER
Lapeer 8
1650 De Mill Rd
1995
Neighborhood Cinema Group owned this
theatre.
44
Lyric
1921-? 1955
700 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre 1940-1955
Pix
172 W Nepessing St
1942-? 1990
500 seats
Owners:
1945-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1969-2000 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
This theatre is now a performing arts center.
Sunset Drive-In
1455 Imlay City Rd
June 30, 1950-? 1984
410 cars
NORTH BRANCH
Strand
? 1935-? 1955
308 seats
45
LENAWEE COUNTY
ADDISON
Maryland
? 1935-? 1940
Starlite Drive-In
Crosswell
129 E Maumee
? 1925-? 1964
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre in 1930-1964, which had 1,040
seats. It is now a performing arts center.
8350 North US 127
1954-? 1965
Owned by Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking
agent) in 1955.
ADRIAN
Cinema Adrian 10
3150 N Adrian Hwy
? 1995* Early 1990 are opened with 8 screens by
MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right)
* By 1998 10 screens
Family
138 S Main
? 1925-? 1964
532 seats
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre 1930-1964.
46
Hilltop Drive-In
Ogden Highway at East Highway 223,
1948-1955
Lenawee Drive-In
3150 N Adrian Hwy
June 22, 1948-? 1990
300 cars
Owners:
1950 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
1964-1969 Associated Theatres, Inc (Ohio)
1975 Associated Management
2nd screen opened in the late 1970's.
BLISSFIELD
Bliss
? 1940-? 1955
230 seats
Schulte's Theatres owned this theatre 19401945.
Elvona
? 1935-? 1940
CLINTON
Clinton
? 1940
HUDSON
Hudson
? 1940-? 1955
Owners:
1940-1950 Schulte's Theatres
1955 Clark Theater Service
Montauk
? 1930-? 1935
Maple City
? 1910
Sky Drive-In
301 Charles
? 1955-? 1985
280 cars
Clark Theater Service owned this drive-in in
1955.
Studio South 1 & 2
? 1990
MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right) owned
this theatre.
47
MORENCI
ONSTED
235 W Main
1916252 seats
? 1935
Rex
K
RIDGEWAY
New
? 1940
TECUMSEH
Strand
? 1930-? 1955
400 seats
Schulte's Theatres owned this theatre 19401950.
Skyline Auto
North M-156
1950-? 1964
200 cars
48
LIVINGSTON COUNTY
BRIGHTON
Brighton Cinemas
8487 W Grand River Ave
1972-2001
* 1972 opened by Wisper-Wetman Theaters
as Brighton Cinemas 1,2,3
* Late 1980’s expanded to 9 screens
* 1998 plans to expanded it to 14 screens
were dropped
* 2001 closed
Brighton Town Square 20
8220 Murphy Dr
2003MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right) owned
this theatre.
Opened with 16 screens and expanded to 20
in 2004
Grand
? 1945-? 1955
300 seats
Lakes Drive-In
10501 East Grand River
May 11th, 1951-1989
Owners:
1955 Clark Theater Service
1980-1989 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Rialto
? 1940
Washington
? 1935-? 1950
Owners:
1935 Schulte, William J.
1940-1950 Schulte’s Theatres
FOWLERVILLE
Orr
? 1950-? 1955
Schuckert & Stafford owned this theatre in
1950.
49
HOWELL
Howell
315 E Grand River Ave
? 1930-Spring 2009
500 seats
Owners:
1935 Schulte, William J.
1940-1950 Schulte’s Theatres
1969-2000 Wisper-Wetman Theaters
50
MACOMB COUNTY
ARMADA
CHESTERFIELD
? 1950-? 1955
400 seats
33125 23 Mile
1982-2007
Owner in 1982-85: Wisper-Wetman Theaters
Armada
Chesterfield Cinemas 1,2,3
CENTER LINE
Liberty
? 1945-? 1950
400 seats
Schulte’s Theatres owned this theatre.
Motor City Drive-In
? 1940-? 1955
51
Chesterfield Crossing 16
50675 Gratiot
? 1995* Early 1990’s opened with 12 screens by
MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right)
* 2005 enlarged to 16 screens
CLINTON TOWNSHIP
Partridge Fashion Park 14
17400 Hall Road (Hall and Garfield Rd.)
October19th, 2007MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right) owns
this cinema.
12-plex
2005 photo
52
Star Gratiot
MOUNT CLEMENS
35705 S Gratiot
Bijou
? 1998
* 1990 opened with 10 screens by Loeks Star ? 1925-? 1935
* Early 1990's 5 more screens added to the
Robert Peltier owned this theatre in 1925.
west of the building for a total of 15 screens
* 1998 6 more screens added on the north
side and all cinemas are upgraded to
stadium-seating cinemas. 21 screens in all.
* 2004 the lobby is renovated.
* 2005 taken over by American Multi-Cinemas
EAST DETROIT
East Detroit
9mi/Gratiot
? 1940-? 1965
600 seats
Owners:
1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
Eastwood
Elm
? 1950-? 1955
Emsee
? 1950
600 seats
Cohen, Elliot & Barry owned this theatre.
21145 Gratiot
1942-? 1998
380 seats
Owners:
1950-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1975 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
1985 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
53
Jewel
? 1940-? 1969
800 seats
Owners:
1945 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950-1969 Community Theaters (booked by
co-op)
Mt. Clemens Drive-In
45360 Gratiot
April 18th, 1952-1996
Owners:
1969 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
1975 *cm
1980 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Lyric
? 1925
Mini Theatre One & Two
Clemens Center Mall
1971-? 1981
Mt. Clemens – Macomb
31 N Walnut
1921-1980
1,370 seats
Owners:
1925 Robert Peltier
1945 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950 Detroit Theater Enterprises, Inc.
Parkway 1,2
Groesbeck/Metropolitan
1972-? 1980
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre in 1980.
54
Post
Selfridge Field
? 1940-1992
Military theatre, closed to the public.
ROMEO
Juliet
? 1940-? 1950
275 seats
Schulte’s Theatres owned this theatre.
Palace
? 1935-? 1945
Romeo
Valley
? 1940-? 1955
400 seats
? 1955
NEW BALTIMORE
Family
? 1940
New
? 1940-? 1955
400 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre 1950-1955
Roosevelt
? 1935-? 1940
RICHMOND
Majestic
? 1925-? 1969
200 seats
Owners:
1925 William Schulte
1935 Schulte, William J.
1940 Schulte’s Theatres
1969 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Ric
? 1950-? 1975
670 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1975.
55
ROSEVILLE
Gratiot Drive-In
31900 Gratiot
1948-1987
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this drive-in, which was twinned in the
early 1980’s
56
Macob Cinema I & II
32233 Gratiot
1965-? 1992
* 1965 opened as a twin by General Cinemas
* Late 1970’s 3 screens
* Early 1980’s 4 screens
* Early 1990’s taken over by Cinemark
* 1992 closed, the Silver Cinemas 8 opened
in the mall in 2000.
ST. CLAIR
St. Clair
? 1940-? 1955
483 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1940.
Roseville
28239 Utica
1927-2005
630 seats
Owners:
1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
1975 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
1980-1985 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Roseville Drive-In
? 1969
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this theatre.
Silver Cinemas 8
32233 Gratiot
2000-
ST. CLAIR SHORES
Lakeview
3062 Lakeview
? 1935-? 1950
570 seats
Owners:
1945 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
1950 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
57
Shores
23495 Greater Mack
? 1940-2006
600 seats
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this theatre 1969-1975
This was to expand to 5 cinemas but not
opened at the end of 2008.
Marketplace 20
35400 Van Dyke
2005MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right) owned
this theatre.
Movies at Lakeside 1,2,3,4
STERLING HEIGHTS
14600 Lakeside Circle
1976-? 1998
United Artists Theatre Circuit owned this
theatre.
Forum 30
44681 Mound Rd
1999American Multi-Cinemas owned this theatre.
An IMAX screen has been installed in cinema
14.
Riverland
19 mile at van dyke
? 1969-? 1979
Gateway
33870 Van Dyke
December 1965-1981
Opened with “Thunderball”
58
Showcase Cinemas
35100 Van Dyke
1974-2004
* 1974 opened with 5 screens
* 1977 7 screens
* 1980 10 screens
* 1983 15 screens
* 2004 closed when it the newer cinemas
were too much for it to handle. It was owned
by National Amusements.
Sterling Center 10
Bowling alley auditorium
44625 Schoenheer
1988-2000
American Multi-Cinemas owned this theatre.
UTICA
Capitol
? 1935-? 1950
532 seats
De Luxe
? 1950-? 1955
700 seats
59
WARREN
Carousel Twin
11 m/Hoover
? 1976
One screen in the early 1960’s
Van Dyke Drive-In
32341 Van Dyke
August 12th,1955-1986
1,500 cars
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
drive-in in 1980.
Motor City
9 mile.Van Dyke
1939-? 1955
Ryan
22884 Ryan rd
1949-? 1970
Warren 16
AKA: Movies 16
28600 Dequindre
1991Cinemark owns this discount cinema.
Universal City
28600 Dequindre
1965-? 1985
Twinned in the early 1970’s
United Artists Theatre Circuit owned this
theatre 1975-1982.
Warren Cinema I & II
13861 E 8 Mile
1964-1992
* 1964 opened by General Cinemas as a twin
* 1972 4 screens
* 1992 closed
WASHINGTON
Romeo 2
66120 Van Dyke
2004-
60
MONROE COUNTY
DUNDEE
Dundee
144 Main
? 1940-? 1955
276 seats
MILAN
Garrick
? 1940-? 1945
Denniston Cinema
6495 N Monroe
1973-2009
* 1973 opened with 2 screens by Butterfield
Circuit (Publix-Paramount)
* 1985 Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount)
sells it
* 1987 3rd screen added
* January 2007 listed at www.loopnet.com for
$995,000
* May 2009 closed
Milan
? 1940-? 1969
453 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1969.
MONROE
Belair Drive-In
AKA: General Custard Drive-In
6231 N Monroe
1969-1988
2 screens in the late 1970's
Owners:
1969-1980 Associated Management
1990 MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right)
61
Denniston Drive-In
April 1956-1985
1,000 cars
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this drive-in 1964-1985.
Dixie
109 S Monore
? 1930-? 1945
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre.
62
Dixie Drive-In
6270 N Monroe
June 4, 1948-1966
300 cars
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this drive-in in 1948-1950
Family
115 Monroe
1929-1959
1,006 seats
* 1917 the original Family theatre opened on
Front St.
* 1929 the New Family was built across the
street from the site of the Monroe theatre,
which was owned by Butterfield Circuit
(Publix-Paramount)
* 1959 closed
* 1961 reopened as a playhouse for the
Monroe Community Players
* 1975 destroyed by fire.
Family
Front St.
1911-1917
Frenchtown Sq. 8
AKA: Mall Of Monroe 8
1989-2010
Owners:
1990-1998 Hoyts Cinema Corporation
1998- Regal Cinemas
2007 Phoenix Cinemas
Top to bottom: Dixie Drive-In, Dennison Drive-In and General Custer
(Belair) Drive-In
63
General Custard Drive-In
Mall of Monroe 8
6231 N Monroe
1955-1969
300 cars
2010This is owned by Phoenix Big Cinemas.
AKA: Belair Drive-In
AKA: Frenchtown Square 8
Monroe
114 S Monore
1937-1975
1,203 seats
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre. It is now a concert hall.
River City Twin Cinemas
393 N Telegraph
? 1990
NEWPORT
Newport
Majestic
1030 E 2nd St
1935-? 1967
603 seats
? 1925
A. L. Picker owned this theatre.
PETERSBURG
Garden
33 Center
? 1935-? 1950
350 seats
64
OAKLAND COUNTY
AUBURN HEIGHTS
Allen Park
Great Lakes Crossing & IMAX
25
4300 Baldwin Rd
April 1999Owners:
Blue Sky Drive-In
1999-2005 Loeks Star Theaters (50 % was
2150 N Opdyke
owned by Loews Cineplex from 2002-2005)
1948-1989
2005-American Multi-Cinemas
The Showcase 14 theatre was built on the site An IMAX was added in 2009.
of the drive-in. It was owned by Northeast
Theatres
? 1945
Showcase 14
2150 N Opdyke
1989-2002
National Amusements owned this theatre.
65
BERKLEY
Berkley
2990 W 12 Mile rd
1940-? 1995
750 seats
Bloomfield
Woodward, 2 blocks north of 15 Mile.
? 1945-? 1980
957 seats
Owners:
1945-1969 United Detroit (Publix)
1975-1980 Plitt Theatres
Berkley
? 1925
Kimmel Brothers owned this theatre.
BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham
215 S Woodward
1927-1977
1,401 seats
Owners:
1935-1969 United Detroit (Publix)
1975 Plitt Theatres
2000- Uptown Entertainment
This theatre became a performing arts center
in 1992. And 8-plex cinema was added in the
late 1990’s
Maple 3
4135 W Maple
1977Owners:
1977-1999 AMC
1999-Landmark
Landmark will close this cinema in 2011.
Studio 4
374 Woodward
1970-1977
66
Uptown Palladium 12
Hamilton/Woodward
http://www.uptownpalladium12.com/
2001This is owned by Uptown Entertainment
Showcase 6-12
2405 S Telegraph Rd
October 16th, 1981-2002
* October 16, 1981 opened to accommodate
the overflows of the Showcase 1-5.
* 1990 2 more screens are added
* January 2002 renamed Bloomfield Hills 1-7
when the Showcase 1-5 closed across the
street.
The Showcase 6-10 opened on October 16,
1981, to accommodate the overflowing
crowds across the street at the Showcase 15. Two more screens were added in 1990.
The theater was renamed the Bloomfield Hills
1-7 in January 2002, when the Showcase 1-5
across the street was closed.
Showcase Cinemas 1,2,3,4 & 5
AKA: Bloomfield Hills 1-7
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Bloomfield Hills 1-7
AKA: Showcase 6-10, 6-12
2405 S Telegraph Rd
2002-2003
National Amusements owned this theatre.
2400 S Telegraph Rd
1976-2002
* November 15, 1970 opened as the first
cinema in the Redstone/National
Amusements theatre. It opened as
The Showcase I & II. The twin opened with
Catch-22 and Little Fauss and Big Halsy.
* 1976 2 more screens are added
* Late 1976 one of the original cinemas is
twinned
* 1981 more cinemas opened across the
street.
* 2002 closed
BLOOMFIELD
TOWNSHIP
Kingswood
2000 Woodward
1970-1977
67
Kingswood Will-O-Way
2000 Woodward
1977-1981
CLAWSON
Clawson
Radio City
22875 Woodward
1937-? 1970
1,000 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Schulte’s Theatres
1950-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
? 1945-? 1950
FERNDALE
Ferndale
AKA: Studio North, Magic Bag
22920 Woodward
1921-1961
400 seats
* 1921 opened as Ferndale
* 1925 owner: Kimmel Brothers
* 1935 owner: Kortes Theatres
* 1940-1945 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1961 renamed Studio North
* 1960's switched to adult movies
* 1989 the City of Ferndale shut down the
theater on charges of prostitution and other
charges.
* 1991 reopened as Magic Bag
Studio North
AKA: Ferndale, Magic Bag
22920 Woodward
1961-1989
Magic Bag
AKA: Ferndale, Studio North
22920 Woodward
1991-2002
Now a live theatre.
68
HAZEL PARK
MADISON HEIGHTS
22840 John R
? 1940-? 1955
520 seats
32800 Concord Dr
1972-2001
* 1972 opened with 3 screens
* 1982 expanded to 8 screens
* 1986 sold to American Multi-Cinemas
* 2001 closed
Hazel Park
Abbey I,II & III
Galaxy Drive-In
10m/Dequindre
1963-1988
Northgate Cinemas 1,2,3
9-Mile Rd & John R St
? 1980-? 1985
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre.
Oakdale
? 1935-? 1950
720 seats
Owners:
1935 Schulte, William J.
1940-1964 Schulte’s Theatres
69
Star John R. 15
32289 John R
1989Opened by Loeks Star Theaters (50 % was
owned by Loews Cineplex from 2002-2005)
with 8 screens in 1989 and expanded to 15
screens in 1998. In 2005 it was taken over by
American Multi-Cinemas.
Studio 8
21172 Greenfield
1964-? 1980
Single screen cinema.
Towne
26300 Greenfield
1967-? 1998
* 1967 opened with a single screen
* 1971 twinned
* Late 1980’s 4 screens as it is taken over by
American Multi-Cinemas.
* by 1998 closed
West Side Drive-In
OAK PARK
14350 W 8 mile
April 26th, 1940-? 1985
Owners:
1945 Smith, Philip, Theatrical Enterprises
(booked by Mutual)
1950-1961 Smith Management Co.
1964 General Drive-In Corporation
1969-1975 General Cinemas
Duke
10600 8 Mile
1947-1954
70
PONTIAC
Eagle
13 S Saginaw
1927-? 1970
1,043 seats
Butterfield Theatres owned this theatre 19271955.
Miracle Mile Drive-In
2103 Telegraph
June 30th, 1960-1986
Elmar Theatres owned this drive-in in 1969.
Howland
AKA: Rialto
March 25, 1905-? 1925
A. J. Kleist Amusement Co. owned this
theatre.
Huron
941 W. Huron
? 1945-? 1955
1,000 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre.
Majestic
? 1930
Miracle Mile
? 1964-? 1985
Northeast Theatres owned this theatre.
71
Oakland
41 S Saginaw
1919-1960
1,417 seats
Owners:
1925 A. J. Kleist Amusement Co.
1930-1955 Butterfield Theatres
Pontiac Drive-In
2435 Dixie
July 1st, 1950-1990
1,200 cars
Owners:
1955 Clark Theater Service
1964-1985 Northeast Theatres
Pontiac Mall Cinema I & II
429 N Telegraph
1973-? 1980
General Cinemas owned this theatre.
Rialto
Orpheum
65 S Saginaw
? 1930-? 1955
957 seats
Butterfield Theatres owned this theatre.
22 W. Pike
? 1925-? 1950
930 seats
* March 25, 1905 opened as the Howland
Opera House
* 1920's renamed Rialto
* 1925 owner: A. J. Kleist Amusement Co.
* 1930-1952 Butterfield Theatres
* 1952 closed and demolished
72
Silverdome Drive-In
1200 Featherstone
2003-2007, 2010-July 13th, 2011
This 5-screen drive-in uses the Silverdome’s
parking lot. The Silverdome itself closed in
May of 2007. The drive-in reopened in 2010
with three screens.
Strand
10 N Saginaw
1921-? 1985
1,127 seats
Owners:
1925 A. J. Kleist Amusement Co.
1930-1964 Butterfield Theatres
This theatre is now a concert hall.
Starlite Drive-In
? 1950
State
38 S Saginaw
1927-1956
Butterfield Theatres owned this theatre, which
had 1,216 seats.
Summit Place 3
? 1985-? 1995
National Amusements owned this theatre.
Waterford
? 1964
Northeast Theatres owned this theatre.
73
ROCHESTER
Avon
? 1940-? 1950
494 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre 1945-1950.
Rochester Hills 10
AKA: Star Rochester 10
December 22nd, 2010This is owned by Emagine Theatres
Hampton 4
2155 S Rochester
1971-1999
915 seats
* 1971 opened by Nicholas George with 3
screens
* 1979 4th cinema opened with a total of 915
seats
* 1986 sold to AMC
* 1999 closed
It is rumoured that the quad was haunted by
the ghost of a construction worker killed
either during the theatre’s original
construction, or during the addition of the
fourth screen.
Hills
Main ST.
? 1945-? 1980
822 seats
Owners:
1945-1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking
agent)
1969 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
1975-1980 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Idle Hour
? 1935
Rochester
? 1945
74
Star Rochester 10
200 Barclay Cir
1989-August 21st, 2010
Owners:
1989-2005 Loeks Star Theaters (50 % was
owned by Loews Cineplex from 2002-2005)
2005-2010 American Multi-Cinemas
Winchester Mall Cinema 8
1136 Rochester
1985-1999
Owners:
1985 Loeks, Jack Theatres
1990-1999 Loeks Star Theaters (50 % was
owned by Loews Cineplex from 2002-2005)
ROYAL OAK
Baldwin
415 S Lafayette
? 1930-? 1935
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1930.
75
Hazel Park
Oakdale
Kunsky
Royal
? 1935
? 1930
Main Art 3
? 1935
? 1925
Kimmel Brothers owned this theatre
118 N Main
1942* 1942 opened as Main by Mutual Theaters,
Inc. (booking agent), which sells it in the early
1950’s
* 1983 twinned
* Late 1980’s taken over by MJR Theatres,
Inc. (Movies Just Right)
* 1992 3 screens as the theatre is renamed
Main Art.
* by 1998 taken over by Landmark Theatres
Royal Oak
318 W 4th St
1928-? 1992
2,000 seats
Owners:
1930-1945 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950-1975 Community Theaters (booked by
co-op)
Now a live theatre.
Oak Drive-In
2916 Normandy
1950-? 1980
1,000 cars
Owners:
1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
1980 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
76
Royal Oak 10
May 12th, 2011
1,680 seats
Emagine owns this cinema
Washington
422 S Washington
1922-? 1980
1,128 seats
* 1922 opened as Washington
* 1940-1955 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1975 owner: Wisper-Wetman Theaters (CoOp)
* Early 1980's closed as a cinema and
reopened as a playhouse called Baldwin.
Summit Place 3
? 1995
MJR Theatres, Inc (Movies Just Right) owned
this theatre.
77
SOUTHFIELD
Americana
AKA: Southfield City 12
23275 Greenfield
1967-1990
* 1967 opened with one large cinema for roadshow
presentations with a total of 1,743 seats
* 1972 2 more smaller cinemas added with 750
seats each. 3 cinemas in all
* Late 1972 4th screen opens with 750 seats. The
theatre is renamed Americana I,II,III & IV
* Mid-1970's-Early 1980's this theatre became
known the runs of major blockbuster movies
including Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
* May 25th, 1977 the house record is set for Star
Wars at $11,532.
* 1986 3 more screens are added as Nicholas
George sells it to AMC
* Late 1980's metal detectors are added when
violence increases around the theater.
* 1990 AMC demolishes the original auditorium into
5 smaller cinemas for a total of 12 screens and the
theatre is renamed Southfield City 12
* 2001 closed when it was unable to handle the
6,000-seat Star Southfield 20.
Cinema 4
AKA: Telex 1,2,3,4
25267 Telegraph
? 1995-1997
Cinemark owned this theatre.
Millenium Center
AKA: Northland
15600 J.L. Hudson Drive
? 1999-2002
Bollywood cinema. Now live performances.
78
Movies at Prudential Center 1, 2
Prudential Town Center
? 1980-1988
United Artists owned this theatre.
Playhouse
8-mile/Beech
1972
Adult cinema.
Southfield City 12
23275 Greenfield
1990-2001
American Multi-Cinemas owned this theatre.
More details are in the Americana listing.
The Incomparable Showplace of
Fine Motion Pictures
Northland
AKA: Millenium Center
15600 J.L. Hudson Drive
1966-1990
Twinned in 1976 and taken over by American
Multi-Cinemas in the late 1980’s
79
Southfield Entertainment Center
20
25333 W 12-Mile Rd
June 1997
5,966 seats
Owners:
1997-2005 Loeks Star Theaters (50 % was
owned by Loews Cineplex from 2002-2005)
2005- American Multi-Cinemas
This is the largest cinema in the AMC circuit
since the takeover of Loeks Star Theaters (50
% was owned by Loews Cineplex from 20022005). This theatre is over 100,000 sq ft.
http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.882004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DFPB&rft_val_format
=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB53239DCFBD990&svc_dat=Inf
oWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=108E276F732505AC
Seat counts are:
1-5: 697, 100, 100, 194, 193,
6-10: 299, 299, 299, 299, 491,
11-15: 717, 100, 100, 196, 193,
16-20: 297, 299, 299, 299, 495
Total: 5,966 seats
Telex 1,2,3,4
25267 Telegraph
December 1971-? 1990
80
SOUTH LYON
Lyon, The
126 E. Lake http://www.thelyon.com/
December 1945New owners in 2008.
Lyon
Across from the Lyon
-? 1945
This older theatre closed when The Lyon
opened.
TROY
Movies at Oakland Mall 5
578 W 14 Mile
1979-2000
United Artists Theatre Circuit owned this
theatre.
Somerset Mall Cinema I & II
2501 West Big Beaver Road
? 1975-? 1980
* Early 1970’s opened by General Cinemas
* Late 1970’s 3 cinemas
* Early 1980’s closed
Troy Drive-In
E Maple/Stephenson
1955-1986
81
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
ALGONAC
CAPAC
? 1935-? 1955
400 seats
Owners:
1935 Schulte, William J.
1940-1950 Schulte’s Theatres
? 1940-? 1955
200 seats
Clark Theater Service owned this theatre in
1955.
Algonac
Capac
Palace
? 1925-? 1940
Harry Holboth owned this theatre in 1925.
FORT GRATIOT
Birchwood Cinemas 10
4230 24th Ave
1990Owners:
1990-2005 George Kerasotes Company
2005- Carmike Cinemas
Seaway Drive-In
8543 Marsh
1958-? 1986
Blue Water Drive-In
5787 Lakeshore
? 1955-? 1955
82
Lakeshore Drive-In
Riverside 3
5737 Lakeshore
6746 River Rd
? 1964-? 1985
? 2000Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this http://www.riversidecinemas.com/
drive-in 1969-1975
MARINE CITY
Family
? 1930
Mariner
4xx Water St.
? 1930-? 1975
600 seats
Owners:
1935 Schulte, William J.
1940-1950 Schulte’s Theatres
1969-1975 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
83
WASHTENAW COUNTY
ANN ARBOR
Ann Arbor
Brairwood Dollar Movies 4
AKA: UA The Movies 1,2,3,4, Movies at Briarwood 7, Madstone 7
462 Briarwood Cir
2005-2010
210 S 5th Ave
* 1973 opened by United Artists Theatre
1979-1980
Circuit as The Movies 1,2,3,4
* 1966 opened as Vth Forum with 560 seats
* Early 1980's expanded to 7 cinemas
and shown art films.
* 2002 closed
* Early 1979 sold to Goodrich and renamed
* 2003-2004 owned by Madstone Theatres
Ann Arbor
* 2004 closed and reopened in 2005 by
* 1980 twinned into 2 cinemas of 155 and 325 Teicher Theatres with 4 screens
seats with a total of 480 seats.
* 2010 closed
AKA: Vth Forum
Arcade
715 N University Ave
1914-1928
450 seats
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre in 1925-1928.
84
Campus
1208 S University Ave
1957-1987
1,054 seats
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre. It was sold to Kerasotes in 1985
and closed in 1987.
Fox Village
375 N Maple Rd
1967-2005
* 1967 opened by Fox Eastern
* 1970's sold to Mann Theatres Corporation
of California
* 1978 twinned
* 1979 4 cinemas with a total of 950 seats
* Early 1980's sold to United Artists Theatre
Circuit
* 1992 closed and reopened by MJR
Theatres
* April 24, 2005 closed
* Late 2005 reopened for a short time by
Teicher Theatres.
Cinema 2
240 Michigan Union
? 1990
Madstone 7
AKA: Brairwood Dollar Movies, Movies at Briarwood
462 Briarwood Cir
2002-2004
85
Majestic
S Maynard St
1909-1942
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre, which had 1,909 seats.
Michigan
603 Liberty
1928-1979, 19861,841 seats
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre 1928-1979
Movies at Briarwood 7
AKA: Brairwood Dollar Movies 4, Madstone 7,
462 Briarwood Cir
? 1985-2002
United Artists Theatre Circuit owned this
theatre.
Movies, The 1,2,3,4
462 Briarwood Cir
1973-? 1980
United Artists Theatre Circuit owned this
theatre.
86
Orpheum
326 S Main
1913-1945, 1948-1957
442 seats
* 1913 built for J. F. Wuerth
* 1929 completely remodelled with the
balcony removed and seating reduced to 500
from 800.
* 1930-1957 Butterfield Circuit (PublixParamount) owned this theatre.
* Early 1945 closed
* 1948 opened on a part time basis to show
foreign films
* 1957 closed
* 1960 gutted for retail
Quality 16
3686 Jackson Rd
? 2000Goodrich Quality owns this cinema.
Rae
113 W Huron
1915-1928
385 seats
87
Scio Drive-In
6588 Jackson
1953-1985
400 cars
* 1953 opened by Arthur and Roger
Robinson with space for 400 cars
* 1967 taken over by General Cinemas
* 1974 under the management of VIP
Theatres this drive-in started to show adult
movies, which can be seen from both
Jackson Road and I-94. An adult bookstore
was built on the property.
* Late 1970's expanded to accommodate
more than 700 cars
* 1985 closed
* 1991 demolished
State
231 S. State
1948* 1942 opened
* 1979 split into 4 screens
* 1984 Kerasotes Theatres takes it over
* 1989 closed, the lower level became retail
space
* 1992 the upper level became 2 cinemas.
Vth Forum
AKA: Ann Arbor
Star
E Washington
1908
210 S 5th Ave
1966-1979
* 1966 opened as Vth Forum with 560 seats
and shown art films.
* Early 1979 sold to Goodrich and renamed
Ann Arbor
* 1980 twinned into 2 cinemas of 155 and 325
seats with a total of 480 seats.
88
Whitney
117 N Main
1914-1952
917 seats
* 1871 the building is opened
* 1914 first movies are shown
* 1936 Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount)
takes it over
* 1952 closed
* 1955 demolished for the new Campus
theatre, which was cancelled and built
elsewhere.
MANCHESTAR
Manchester
Main St.
? 1940-? 1950
218 seats
SALINE
Saline
Michigan St.
? 1945-? 1950
257 seats
WHITMORE LAKE
Lee
? 1950-? 1955
WILLOW RUN
Wuerth
320 S Main
1917-1957
746 seats
Owners:
1925 J. F. Wuerth
1930-1957 Butterfield Circuit (PublixParamount)
CHELSEA
Princess
? 1935-? 1940
Sylvan
218 S Main
? 1940-? 1955
450 seats
Center
1541 Stamford
? 1945-? 1955
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this theatre, which had 1,232 seats.
Willow Run
? 1945
YPSILANTI
Ann Arbor & IMAX 20
AKA: Showcase Cinemas
4100 Carpenter Road
2010This is owned by Rave Motion Pictures
Art 1 & 2
31 N Washington St
1971-? 1990
This was an Adult cinema.
Capitol
? 1945
89
Martha Washington
AKA: Art 1 & 2
31 N Washington St
1915-1971
903 seats
* 1915 opened as Martha Washington
* Around 1920: sold to Butterfield Theatres
* 1971 sold to new owners which twinned the
theatre and reopens it is a adult cinema
called Art 1 & 2
* Early 1990's closed
Showcase Cinemas & IMAX
4100 Carpenter Rd
1988-2010
5,876 seats
* 1988 opened with 14 cinemas on the site of
the University Drive-In by National
Amusements.
* 1998 expanded to 20 screens and 5,876
seats (Pre IMAX). Stadium seating is installed.
* 2006 IMAX installed in cinema 19
* 2007 a computer game center called
CyGamZ is installed
* 2009 taken over by Rave Motion Pictures
* 2010 renamed Ann Arbor & IMAX 20
http://www.cygamz.com/
90
University Drive-In
4100 Carpenter Rd
July 9th,1965-1987
Butterfield Circuit (Publix-Paramount) owned
this drive-in.
Wayside
3020 Washtenaw Avenue
1968-1989
* 1968 opened by Butterfield Circuit (PublixParamount) with an screen of 56x24 ft. the
largest indoor screen at the time
* 1984 twinned and sold to Kerasotes, which
had trouble running the theatre.
* 1989 closed
* 1991 gutted for an amusement center.
Willow Drive-In
? 1969-? 1975
General Cinemas owned this drive-in.
Willow Run Lodge
? 1945
Wurth
? 1925-? 1955
875 seats
Owners:
1925 J. F. Wuerth
1930-1955 Butterfield Circuit (PublixParamount)
Ypsi Ann Drive-In
4675 Washtenaq
1948-1977
500 cars
* Spring 1948 opened with "Springtime in the
Sierras"
* 1967 taken over by General Cinemas
* 1978 closed and demolished for retail
91
92