Download Detroit Movie Theatres - Movie

Detroit Movie
Theatres
Includes Inner Wayne County
towns
12/26/2011
WAYNE COUNTY
DETROIT
Abington
AKA: Littman-Peoples, Goldcoast
8208 12th St
1944-1953
800 seats
* 1927 opened as Littman-Peoples in 1927
with 1,100 seats.
* 1938 known as simply as Littman's
* 1941 closed
* 1945 reopened as Abington
* 1953 closed
* 1956 reopened as Goldcoast
* 1958 closed
Academie
Adams
44 W Adams
1917-1988
1,545 seats
* 1918 switched to movies and taken over by J. H.
Kinsky, Inc.
* 1925 owner: Kohn L. Kunsky, Inc. (Co-Op)
* 1927 Vitaphone installed as the Chicago-based
Balaban & Katz chain takes it over
* 1935 Renovated
* 1953 CinemaScope installed
* 1963 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
takes it over
* Early 1970's switched to a grindhouse policy
* 1988 split into 3 cinemas but it did not do well,
someone was murdered in one of the cinemas and
later in the year 2 teenagers were wounded in a
shootout in front of the theatre.
* November 1988 closed
* 1999 the marquee is removed
9000 Oakland
1921-1928
342 seats
Ace
AKA: Frontenac
7206 Harper
1939-1951
834 seats
* 1912 opened as Frontenac
* 1939 renamed Ace
* Early 1940's taken over by Wisper-Wetman
Theaters (Co-Op)
* 1951 closed
Acme
17 Davison
1922-1924
Brown, Samuel (Booked by Cooperative)
owned this theatre.
Addison
AKA: Fine Arts
2954 Woodward
1914-1915
* 1914 opened as Addison
* 1915 renamed Fine Arts
* 1980 closed
* 1990's used as a concert hall
* 1998 the city of Detroit closed it down
* 2006 reopened as a concert hall.
Admiral
11205 Mack
1941-? 1975
1,200 seats
* 1921 opened as Harmony with 1,325 seats.
* 1941 remodelled and renamed Admiral by
Associated Theatres, Inc, which sells it in the
late 1950's
* Late 1970's closed
Aladdin
AKA: Galdwin Park, Booth
9636 E Jefferson
1923-1924
* 1914 opened as Gladwin Park
* 1923 renamed Aladdin
* 1924 closed
* 1938 reopened as Booth
* 1962 closed
Alger
16451 E Warren
? 1935-? 1985
1,182 seats
* 1935 opened by United Detroit (Publix)
* 1955 owner: Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking
agent)
* Early 1970's the interior is modernized
* 1977 stopped showing movies and
switched to live shows.
* 1983 resumed showing movies
* 1985 an riot broke out during the screening
of "Friday the 13th Part 5" forced the theatre
to close
* 1987 this theatre is bought by the Friends of
the Alger
This is being restored.
Alamo
? 1940-? 1955
Clark Theater Service owned this theatre in
1955.
Albee
? 1930
Radio-Keith-Orpheum owned this theatre.
Alhambra
9428 Woodward
1915-? 1975
1,475 seats
? 1940
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this Owners:
1920 J. H. Kunsky, Inc.
theatre.
1925 Kohn L. Kunsky, Inc. (Co-Op)
1930-1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Kilbridge-Hiller Theaters
1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Alden
Allen
? 1920
This theatre was to be built by Toronto-based
Allen Theatres, which was bought out by
Famous Players.
Almo
5136 Russell
1914-1917
3
Alomo
Amuse U
AKA: Lancaster
? 1935
10535 W Jeffreson
1,073 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this ? 1912-? 1921
theatre.
Alvin
13803 Grand River
1940
440 seats
Ambassador
AKA: Temple, Art
Annex
AKA: Riveria Annex, Grand Riveria Annex
8990 Grand River
1927-1949
1,496 seats
Owners:
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1935-1949 United Detroit (Publix)
17730 John R
1924-1945
810 seats
* 1924 opened as Ambassador
* 1945 renamed Temple
* 1961 renamed Art
* 1970's adult movies
Amo
3121 Grand River
1912-1949
378 seats
J. Leasia owned this theatre.
Amsterdam
AKA: Kino
Antoine
12240 Grand River
2203 St. Antoine
1924-1949
1922
400 seats
Woodward Theater Company (Booked by CoOp.) owned this theatre in 1935.
* 1924 opened as Amsterdam with 400 seats
* 1949 renamed Keno
* 1950 closed
4
Apollo
AKA: Clay
Arcadia
AKA: Rex
1150 Clay
6756 W. Jefferson
1934-1949
1911-1915
300 seats
480 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1945.
Art
Arc
3500 Cass
1950-1964
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1955.
Chenest St.
? 1935
352 seats
Art
AKA: Ambassador, Temple
17730 John R
1961-? 1975
* 1924 opened as Ambassador
* 1945 renamed Temple
* 1961 renamed Art
* 1970's adult movies
Arthur
AKA Rose, Crane
8730 Harper
1921-? 1930
Arcade
2416 Hastings
1913-1949
460 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
Afro-American theatre. 1935-1945.
Arts & Crafts
AKA: Little
57 Watson
1918-1923
5
Astor
8652 12th St
1923-1956
641 seats
Owners:
1925-1935 Brown, Samuel (Booked by
Cooperative)
1950 Detroit Consolidated Theaters, Inc.
Avenue
430 Woodward
? 1935-? 1950
490 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre.
Astro
AKA: Dox , Studio
13325 Livernois
1969
* 1932 opened as Dox
* 1951 renamed Studio
* 1969 renamed Astro
* 1969 closed
Atlas
15832 Plymouth
? 1939-? 1975
950 seats
Owners:
1950 Korman Theaters
1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Adult movies in the 1970’s
Bagley
3327 Bagley
? 1940-? 1950
384 seats
Schulte’s Theatres owned this theatre.
Baker
? 1925-? 1930
A. J. Petersmarck owned this theatre in 1925.
Band Box
AKA: Duchess
2647 Grand River
1918-1929
Beacon
Avalon
13303 Linwood
1928-1967
1,967 seats
Owners:
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1967 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
AKA: Ferryfield
6541 Grand River
1934-1937
1,325 seats
* 1916 opened as Ferry Field with 1,325 seats
* 1934 renamed Beacon
* 1937 closed
6
Beecher
AKA: Little Fam, Bluebird
3205 Baker
1913-1915
Beechwood
5010 W Warren
1915-1948
399 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
Afro-American theatre. theatre 1935-1948.
Bel-Air Drive-In
8600 E 8 Mile
August 25, 1950-? 1985
1,750 cars
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this drive-in.
2 screens in the early 1970’s and 2 more in
the early 1980’s.
Bel-Air 10
AKA: Phoenix Bel Air
10100 E 8 Mile
1988-1999
American Multi-Cinemas owned this theatre. It
is built on the site of the Bel Air Drive-In.
Bell
4216 W Venor hwy
1909-1921
7
Belle
AKA: Buchanan
4036 Buchanan
1941-1949
820 seats
* 1923 opened as Buchanan with 820 seats
* 1930's closed
* 1941 renamed Belle
* 1949 closed. It is now a church.
Beverly
10709 Grand River
1937-1964
1,475 seats
Owners:
1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945-1955 Kilbridge-Hiller Theaters
This theatre is now a concert hall.
Belmont
1934-1948
476 seats
Brown, Samuel (Booked by Cooperative)
owned this theatre in 1935.
Big Star
AKA: Plaza
Berkeley
1991-? 1992
? 1955
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this Bijou
AKA: Cent Odeon, New Gayety, Cine X
theatre.
New Gayety
62 Monroe
Bernhardt
? 1908-? 1966
6369 Chene
300 seats
1915-1922
* 1906 opened as Cent Odeon as a
nickelodeon
* 1908 renamed Bijou and the auditorium
moved down from the second floor.
* ? 1940-1966 this theatre catered to an AfroAmerican theatre. clientele.
* 1966 renamed New Gayety
* 1968 renamed Cine X and switched to adult
movies
* Mid 1970's closed
8
Billiken
1054 Holden
1914-1924
Booth
AKA: Gladwin Park, Aladdin
9636 E Jefferson
1938-1962
970 seats
Blackstone
* 1914 opened as Gladwin Park
Michigan Avenue
* 1923 renamed Aladdin
? 1930-? 1940
* 1924 closed
288 seats
* 1938 reopened as Booth
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this * 1945-1955 Co-operative Theaters of
theatre in 1930.
Michigan owned it
* 1962 closed
Blackstone No. 2
Woodward Av.
? 1935-? 1945
250 seats
Midwest Theaters, Inc. (Co-op) owned this
theatre in 1940.
Bluebird
AKA: Little Family
3205 Baker
1916-1927
*1925 owner: A. J. Petersmarck
Booker T
1020 Holbrook
? 1950-1954
This Afro-American theatre. theatre had 1,500
seats.
Bookert
? 1955
Boulevard
7237 Gratiot
1913-1939
400 seats
Owners:
1925 A. J. Petersmarck
1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Broadway
AKA: Broadway Strand
1337 Broadway
1913-1915
9
Broadway Strand
1337 Broadway
1915-1929
Broadway-Capitol
AKA: Grand Circus
1526 Broadway
1934-1960
United Detroit (Publix) owned this theatre,
which had 3,367 seats.
* 1922 opened as Capitol with 3,500 seats, the 5th
largest theatre in the U. S. at the time.
* 1929 renamed Paramount when it was taken over
by the Paramount-Publix circuit.
* 1932 closed
* 1934 reopened as Broadway-Capitol as it is taken
over by United Detroit (Publix)
* 1940's-1950's different managements.
* 1960 back to United Detroit (Publix), which spent
over $100,000 in renovations. It also was renamed
Grand Circus to show second-run movies.
* 1970 the world premiere of the blaxploitation film:
"Sweet Sweetbacks Badasss Song"
* 1978 stopped showing movies; the last movie
was "Jailbait Babysitter"
* Early-mid 1980-s used for concert
* 1985 closed after a fire.
* 1989 the Michigan Opera Theatre buys the Grand
Circus and nearby Madison for $3.5 million and
started an $20 million restoration of the old Capitol.
The currant seating is 2,700.
Brooklyn
1302 Michigian
1913-1939
300 seats
10
Buchanan
Campeau
4036 Buchanan
1923-1941
796 seats
Owners:
1925 Brown, Samuel (Booked by
Cooperative)
1940 Krim Theatrical Enterprises (Booked by
Co-Op)
Campman
AKA: Belle
Burton
9643 Joseph Campau
? 1935-? 1950
350 seats
Owners:
1935-1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945-1950 Schram and Goldberg Theaters
? 1945
Schram and Goldberg Theaters owned this
theatre.
Cass & Peterboro
September 18th, 2009-May 2011
Canfield Avenue
100 seats
AKA: Lira, Lockwood
This art cinema uses the auditorium of the old 1527 E Canfield
Burton elementary school.
1908-1918
Capitol
AKA: Paramount
1526 Broadway
1922-1929
Capitol
AKA: Broadway Capito.
Cairns, John C
473 Grand River
1916
Calumet
? 1930
Calvin
? 1930
7915 W Venor hwy
1922-1929
920 seats
Owners:
1925 Kohn L. Kunsky, Inc. (Co-Op)
1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical
Enterprises (Booked by Co-Op)
1950 Detroit Theater Enterprises, Inc.
Capri
AKA: East Detroit
1965-? 1970
Adult cinema.
Cameo
1324 E 7 Mile Road
1939-1949
1,440 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1940.
11
Carlton
AKA: Surf, Variety
13125 Fenkill
1932-1955
850 seats
Owners:
1935 Schulte, William J.
1940 Schulte’s Theatres
1945 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950-1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking
agent)
* 1932 opened as Carlton
* 1955 renamed Surf
* Mid 1960's renamed Variety
* Late 1960 started to show adult movies
* 1975 closed
Carver
Cass
117 Grand River
1911-1923
Castle
3412 Hastings
1915-1939
1700 Chene
This Afro-American theatre had 1,000 seats. It
1937-1949
was owned by Co-operative Theaters of
398 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this Michigan in the late 1930’s.
theatre 1935-1940. It was for the AfroAmerican theatre. clientele
Catherine
AKA: Carver
Casino
4858 E Davison
1930-1949
650 seats
Casino
70 Monroe
1906-1915
1700 Chene
1913-1937
380 seats
* 1913 opened as Catherine. Listed under
1540 or 1700 Chene
* 1916 split into 2 auditoriums by George D.
Hurlburt (world's first twin theatre ?)
* 1937 renamed Carver
* 1949 closed
Cent Odeon
AKA: Bijou, New Gayety, Cine X
62 Monroe
1906-1908
* 1906 opened as Cent Odeon as a
nickelodeon
* 1908 renamed Bijou and the auditorium
moved down from the second floor.
* 1966 renamed New Gayety
* 1968 renamed Cine X and switched to adult
movies
* Mid 1970's closed
12
Center
Central
6540 Woodward
1934-1961
700 seats
* 1932 opened as Trans-Lux and designed by
Thomas W. Lamb, his only theatre in Detroit.
This theatre was promoted as having
"daylight projection" (a form of rear projection)
* 1934 the "Daylight Projection" was removed
for a standard projection booth.
* 1940-1945 Owner: Associated Theatres, Inc
* 1961 renamed Center
* 1975 closed and demolished
2115 Woodward
1921-1924
* 1913 opened as Grand Circus
* 1921 renamed Central
* 1924 closed. The State is later built on the
site.
AKA: Trans-Lux
AKA: Grand Circus
Century
AKA: La Salle Garden
6511 14th st
1930-1954
1,499 seats
Chalmers
AKA: Chandler
1403 Harper
1928-1934
* 1928 opened as Chalmers
* 1934 renamed Chandler
* Late 1940's closed
Center
AKA: Regent
Chandler
AKA: Chalmers
7314 Woodward
1403 Harper
1961-1974
1934-? 1950
* Late 1910's opened as Regent
450 seats
* 1920 owner: C. H. Miles
* 1925 owner: Charles Miles Amusement Co.
* 1930 owned by Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1945-1950 Community Theaters (booked by
co-op) owned it
* 1953 renovated
* 1955 owned by Mutual Theaters, Inc.
(booking agent)
* 1959 closed
* 1961 opened as Center
* 1971 renovated
* 1974 closed
* 1975 demolished
13
Charles
? 1935
400 seats
Charlevoix
? 1955
Chopin
7320 Michigan
1922-? 1945
400 seats
Chargot Theaters owned this theatre in 1945.
Cinema
AKA: Gem Art, Drury Lane, Europa
58 E Columbia
1936-1958
457 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre in 1955.
* 1928 opened as the Little Theatre at 58 E.
Columbia, for an private wonens group called the
20th Century Club.
* 1932 renamed Rivoli
* 1930's Drury Lane and Europa
* 1936 renamed Cinema
* 1959 renamed Vanguard and present stage
shows
* Mid 1960's switched to adult as the theatre is
renamed Gem Art
* 1978 closed
* 1991 restored and reopened as Gem for live
stage performances.
* 1997 the theatre is moved about a half mile away
to 333 Madison. it weighs in at 2,500 tons.
* 1998 reopened at its new location.
Cine X
AKA: Cent Odeon
62 Monroe
1968-? 1975
* 1906 opened as Cent Odeon as a
nickelodeon
* 1908 renamed Bijou and the auditorium
moved down from the second floor.
* 1966 renamed New Gayety
* 1968 renamed Cine X and switched to adult
movies
* Mid 1970's closed
14
Cinderella
13305 E Jefferson
1924-? 1975
1,769 seats
In 1950 the movie "Cinderella" opened and
the side walls of the theatre were decorated
with scenes from the movie.
Owners:
1925 Cinderella Theater Corp.
1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1961 United Detroit (Publix)
Civic
12327 Kelly
1941-1984
* 1941 opened (sometimes known as Detroit
Civic)
* 1980 taken over by Eric and Ervin Steiner
* 1981 3 cinemas
* 1984 closed and converted into retail space.
Circle
AKA: Dunbar
2814 Hastings
1912-1927
* 1912 opened as Circle, an Jewish theatre.
* 1921 renamed Yiddish
* 1927 renamed Dumbar and shown movies
* 1936 closed
Clairmont
9026 12th
1928-1929
Clay
AKA: Apollo
1150 Clay
1912-1934
* 1912 opened as Clay
* 1925 owner: William Schulte
* 1934 renamed Apollo
* 1945 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1949 closed
Clairmont
9026 12th
1928-1929
15
Clark Park
454 Dix
1911
400 seats
1917-? 1975
1,488 seats
Owners:
1925-1930 Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical
Enterprises (Booked by Co-Op)
1940-1969 Midwest Theaters, Inc. (Co-op)
Colony
16535 Mack
1928-? 1945
595 seats
Owners:
1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
Columbia
AKA: Lincoln
4647 Michigan
1909-1912
Columbia
Clay
AKA: Apollo
1150 Clay
1912-1934
* 1912 opened as Clay
* 1925 owner: William Schulte
* 1934 renamed Apollo
* 1945 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1949 closed
50 Monroe
1911-1956
900 seats
Owners:
1920 J. H. Kinsky, Inc.
1925 Kohn L. Kunsky, Inc. (Co-Op)
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950 Korman Theaters
Afro-American theatre. theatre.
Coliseum
4321 Greenwood
1916-1928
Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical Enterprises
(Booked by Co-Op) owned this theatre in
1925.
Colonial
AKA: My-Orleans
1812 Gratiot
1912-1917
Columbus
AKA: Watson
Colonial
2615 Woodward
1042 Watson
1914-1923
16
Comique
? 1925
Geo. F. Koppin and Sam Brown Partnership
owned this theatre.
Conant
12027 Conant
1929-1954
937 seats
Congress
1392 Congress
1915-1917
Conrad Martin
1370 Fort
1916
Cooley
10218 Fenkill
1932-1935
487 seats
Coronet
? 1955
Courtesy
6041 W Venor hwy
1915-1951
595 seats
Owners:
1945 Broder Theaters
1950 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
Cozy
1042 Michigan
1915-1934
384 seats
Cpoley
? 1935
Crane
AKA: Arthur
8730 Harper
? 1930-? 1945
394 seats
Crescent
7736 W Fort
1914-? 1945
Crown
? 1925
Homestead Theater Co. owned this theatre.
Corunna
? 1975
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this theatre.
17
Crystal
4730 Michigan
1938-1956
568 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950 Korman Theaters
1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
Del
8935 Mack
1916-1963
1,076 seats
Owners:
1930-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 DeLodder, Fred (co-op)
Delray
8022 W Jeffreson
? 1940-? 1955
600 seats
Owners:
1945-1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1955 Clark Theater Service
DeLuxe
D&G
AKA: Ila – Dix
4035 W Venor hwy
1917-1925
* 1914 opened as Ila
* 1917 renamed D & G
* 1925 renamed Dix
* 1956 closed
Dale
? 1945-? 1955
Davison
? 1935-? 1945
329 seats
9355 Kercheval
1918-1958
1,490 seats
Owners:
1920 J. H. Kinsky, Inc.
1925 Cinderella Theater Corp.
1930-1958 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
DeSoto
Oakland Av.
? 1935
570 seats
Detroit Arena
500 Warren
1916
Dawn
8342 Gratiot
1916-1958
894 seats
Kilbridge-Hiller Theaters owned this theatre
1945-1955.
18
Detroit Film Center
5200 Woodward
1927-2007
1,150 seats
Dexter
11618 Dexter
1926-1964
1,228 seats
Herman Cohen, who in later years owned the
Fox theatre worked here.
Owners:
1930-1935 Brown, Samuel (Booked by
Cooperative)
1950 Detroit Consolidated Theaters, Inc.
1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
1961-1964 Detroit Consolidated Theaters, Inc.
Dix
AKA: Ila, D & G, Dix
Detroit Film Center
1347 E. Fisher
2007-
4035 W Venor hwy
1925-1956
390 seats
* 1914 opened as Ila
* 1917 renamed D & G
* 1925 renamed Dix
* 1956 closed
Dixie
1921-1923
Downtown
AKA: Oriental
Detroit Science Center IMAX
LARGE FORMAT
5020 John R1978-
120 W Adams
1930-1950
2,680 seats
Owners:
1930-1935 Radio-Keith-Orpheum
1945 Telenews Theaters
1950 Balaban, Harry, Theatres
* Late 1927 opened as Oriental
* 1930 taken over by RKO and renamed
Downtown
* 1933 the management refused an AfroAmerican couple to sit on the main floor. The
theatre was ordered to pay $300 in damages.
* 1950 closed
* 1953 demolished for a parking lot.
Downtown
AKA: United Artists
140 Bagley
1972-1974
19
Dox
Drury Lane
13325 Livernois
1932-1969
396 seats
* 1932 opened as Dox
* 1951 renamed Studio
* 1969 renamed Astro
* 1969 closed
58 E Columbia
1935
AKA: Astro, Studio
AIA: Europa, Cinema
* 1928 opened as the Little Theatre at 58 E.
Columbia, for an private women’s group called the
20th Century Club.
* 1932 renamed Rivoli
* 1930's Drury Lane and Europa
* 1936 renamed Cinema
* 1959 renamed Vanguard and present stage
shows
* Mid 1960's switched to adult as the theatre is
renamed Gem Art
* 1978 closed
* 1991 restored and reopened as Gem for live
stage performances.
* 1997 the theatre is moved about a half mile away
to 333 Madison. it weighs in at 2,500 tons.
* 1998 reopened at its new location.
Drury Lane
Dreamland
7510 Oakland
1911-1914
Dreamland
AKA: NE, Oakland
7510 Oakland
1917-1922
1534 Woodward
1916-1922
Duchess
AKA: Band Box
2647 Grand River
1914-1917
Dudley
AKA: Vaudette, V
674 Gratiot
1916-1917, 1918-1921
Duke
10000 8 Mile
1947-1953
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre.
Dunbar
AKA: Circle
2814 Hastings
1927-1936
20
Duplex 2
3075 E Grand Blvd
1915-1922
1,500 seats
This was the one of the oldest twin theatre.
The National and Crown opened in the same
building in New York in 1913 and the Mall
(twin) opened in Cleveland in 1912.
Eagle
AKA: Caniff
2026 Caniff
1922-1927
East End
11510 E Jefferson1926-1955
990 seats
Owners:
1930-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 DeLodder, Fred (co-op)
East End
11514 E Jefferson
1911-1925
21
East Side
2717 Gratiot
1910-1955
This Afro-American theatre had 650 seats. Cooperative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1930.
Eastown
8041 Harper
1931-1967
2,500 seats
* 1930 opened by Wisper-Wetman Theaters
(Co-Op)
* 1967 closed
* 1969-1973 Alice Cooper, the Doors, Pink
Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, Bob Seger, Jethro
Tull and the Grateful Dead played here.
* 1973 the city of Detroit forced it to close
down for failing to meet health and safety
codes
* 1975 reopened as a jazz venue and closed
* 1980 reopened as an adult cinema named
Showcase
* 1984 closed
* Mid-Late 1990's used for raves
* 2006 listed at loopnet for $2.5 Million.
Echo
9000 Oakland
? 1930-? 1950
http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profil 600 seats
e/Profile.aspx?LID=14066934&Branding=LoopNet Schram and Goldberg Theaters owned this
&PopupView=
Afro-American theatre. theatre 1945-1950.
Elite
8525 Gratiot
? 1945-? 1950
870 seats
Elizabeth
2986 Franklin
1913-1925
Embassy
1480 Woodward
1927-1930
22
Empire
1251 Woodward
1910-1923
Europa
AKA: Rivoli, Drury Lane, Cinema, Vangard, Gem Art, Gem
58 E Columbia
1935-1936
* 1928 opened as the Little Theatre at 58 E.
Columbia, for an private wonens group called the
20th Century Club.
* 1932 renamed Rivoli
* 1930's Drury Lane and Europa
* 1936 renamed Cinema
* 1959 renamed Vanguard and present stage
shows
* Mid 1960's switched to adult as the theatre is
renamed Gem Art
* 1978 closed
* 1991 restored and reopened as Gem for live
stage performances.
* 1997 the theatre is moved about a half mile away
to 333 Madison. it weighs in at 2,500 tons.
* 1998 reopened at its new location.
Empress
? 1920
J. H. Kunsky, Inc. owned this theatre.
Fairmont
10226 E Warren
1921-1926
Fairy
1495 Gratiot
1916
Englewood
AKA: Villa
11562 Oakland
1917-1923
Enterprise
? 1930-? 1935
330 seats
23
Family
AKA: Follies
1 Cadillac Sq
1930-? 1965
880 seats
* 1909 opened as Family
* 1914 started to show movies
* 1960's switched to adult movies and
renamed Follies
* July 26, 1973 during the showing of "Deep
Throat" the theatre caught on fire, as the
patrons fled the theatre they stopped at the
box-office wanting their $5.00 back!
* 1973-1974 demolished
Fenkell
3711 Fenkill
1925-1951
690 seats
Owners:
1930-1935 Brown, Samuel (Booked by
Cooperative)
1940-1950 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Ferndale
7913 Ferndale
1921-1928
Ferndale
AKA: Capitol
7915 W Venor hwy
1919-1932
G. H. Schnckert ? owned this theatre in 1925.
Ferry Park
7331 Grand River
1914-1916
Ferryfield
AKA: Bacon
6541 Grand River
1916-1934
1,325 seats
* 1916 opened as Ferry Field with 1,325 seats
* 1925 Charles Miles Amusement Co. owned
this theatre.
* 1934 renamed Beacon
* 1937 closed
Farfield
? 1940
Farnum
? 1925-? 1969
Owners:
1930-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1969 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
24
Fine Arts
AKA: Addison
2954 Woodward
1915-1980
550 seats
* 1914 opened as Addison
* 1915 renamed Fine Arts
* 1940-1950 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1980 closed
* 1990's used as a concert hall
* 1998 the city of Detroit closed it down
* 2006 reopened as a concert hall.
25
Fisher
2nd/W Grand
1928-1960
2,715 seats
* 1928 opened
* Early 1930's owned by United Detroit
(Publix)
* By the 1950's the stage shows are gone
* 1956 the Wurlitzer is moved to the Senate
* 1960 closed as a cinema.
* 1961 reopened as a live theatre for touring
Broadway productions.
26
Flamingo
14720 E. 7 Mile
1925-1952
840 seats
Owners:
1930-1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 DeLodder, Fred (co-op)
Fleur-De-Lys
10775 W Jeffreson
1922-1926
Florence
AKA: Your
3748 E Forest
1913-1914
* 1913 opened as Florence
* 1914 renamed Your
* Early 1950's closed
Follies
1 Cadillac Sq
? 1969-1973
See Family listing for more details for this
theatre. Adult movies were shown.
Forest
4635 Woodward
1914-? 1950
569 seats
Midwest Theaters, Inc. (Co-op) owned this
theatre 1940-1950. It was for an AfroAmerican clientele.
27
Fox
2211 Woodward
http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/venues
/foxtheatre.jsp
19225,045 seats
Wikipedia article:
Fox Theatre (2211 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI
48201-3467) near Grand Circus Park in downtown
Detroit, Michigan is a National Historic Landmark
from the Roaring Twenties located within the Detroit
Theatre District. With 5045 seats, it is the second
largest theater in the country after the Radio City
Music Hall in New York City.
The Detroit Fox is the first and the largest of the Fox
Theaters. Built in 1928 for William Fox, founder of
20th Century Fox, it was the first movie palace to
have live sound. The architect, C. Howard Crane,
designed a lavish interior blend of Burmese,
Chinese, Indian and Persian motifs. There are three
levels of seating, the Main Floor above the
orchestra pit, the Mezzanine, and the Gallery
(balcony). The exterior of the 10-story building
features an Art Deco facade, which at night is
illuminated and can be seen for several blocks.
In 1988 the theater was cleaned and fully restored
by its owners Mike and Marian Ilitch. The area of
downtown Detroit which encompasses Fox Theatre
is named Foxtown after the theater, and is bounded
by Greektown to the east and Campus Martius to
the south. In 2000 Comerica Park opened and
helped to revitalize the area along with Ford Field in
2002. The Fox is Detroit’s top venue for Broadway
shows.
Productions
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular was an
annual favorite from 1997 through 2005. The
theatre was host to the WWE Hall of Fame
ceremony on March 31, 2007, the night before
WrestleMania 23, being held at nearby Ford Field.
As well as The Condemned World Primere the night
before on March 30, 2007. Other live productions
have included Sesame Street Live: Let's Be Friends,
David Copperfield, Blue's Clues' Live! as well as
show tours, such as Donny Osmond, Irving Berlin's
White Christmas, Dora The Explorer! Live, and in
April of 2007, Go! Diego! Live! with Liz Coscia, after
Sesame Street Live productions, in 1998-2008.
1970’s picture
28
29
Franklin
Garden
12719 Gratiot
1926-1962
360 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1950.
* 1926 opened as Franklin
* 1962 renamed Guild and than in a few years
renamed Guild Art and started to show adult
movies.
* 1992 renamed Guild again.
* 1990's closed
3929 Woodward
1912-1949
600 seats
* 1912 opened
* 1920 owner: J. H. Kinsky, Inc.
* 1925 owner: Geo. F. Koppin and Sam
Brown Partnership
* 1935 owner: Woodward Theater Company
(Booked by Co-Op.)
* 1940-1949 owner: Midwest Theaters, Inc.
(Co-op)
* 1949 closed
* 1960's reopened as a adult cinema called
Peek-A-Rama and Later the Sassy Cat
AKA: Guild Art
Fredro
Chene st.
? 1935
400 seats
AKA: Peek-A-Rama, Sassy Cat
Frontenac
AKA: Ace
7206 Harper
1912-1939
834 seats
* 1912 opened as Frontenac
* 1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
owned this theatre.
* 1939 renamed Ace
* Early 1940's taken over by Wisper-Wetman
Theaters (Co-Op)
* 1951 closed
Gardens
? 1925
Bert R. Williams owned this theatre.
30
Garrick
? 1910’s-August 11th,1928
Harry Houdini performed for the last time at
this theatre in 1926
Gayety
? 1930-? 1955
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre.
Gaylord
? 1955
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre.
31
Gem
Gem Art
Gem
Gladwin
58 E Columbia
1984-1997
See next listing for more details.
333 Madison
1997* 1928 opened as the Little Theatre at 58 E.
Columbia, for an private wonens group called
the 20th Century Club.
* 1932 renamed Rivoli
* 1930's Drury Lane and Europa
* 1936 renamed Cinema
* 1959 renamed Vanguard and present stage
shows
* Mid 1960's switched to adult as the theatre
is renamed Gem Art
* 1978 closed
* 1991 restored and reopened as Gem for live
stage performances.
* 1997 the theatre is moved about a half mile
away to 333 Madison. It weighs in at 2,500
tons.
* 1998 reopened at its new location.
58 E Columbia
1966-1978
Adult cinema.
? 1925
London Brothers owned this theatre.
Gladwin Park
AKA: Aladdin, Booth
9636 E Jefferson
1914-1923
* 1914 opened as Gladwin Park
* 1923 renamed Aladdin
* 1924 closed
* 1938 reopened as Booth
* 1962 closed
Globe
3520 Grand River
1912-? 1950
812 seats
Owners:
1925-1930 Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical
Enterprises (Booked by Co-Op)
1940-1955 Kilbridge-Hiller Theaters
Gold Coast
? 1955
Korman Theaters owned this theatre.
32
Granada
5549 W Warren
1927-? 1970
940 seats
Owners:
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1935 Krim, Mac & Sol, Theatrical Enterprises
1940 Krim Theatrical Enterprises (Booked by
Co-Op)
1950-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Grand Circus
AKA: Central
2115 Woodward
1913-1921
* 1913 opened as Grand Circus
* 1921 renamed Central
* 1924 closed. The State is later built on the
site.
Grand
AKA: Novelty
4151 Grand River
1909
33
Grand Circus
Grand Riveria
9222 Grand River
1925-1969
Munz, Chas. W. Theatrical Enterprises.
* 1922 opened as Capitol with 3,500 seats, the 5th
(Booked by Coop.) owned this theatre in
largest theatre in the U. S. at the time.
* 1929 renamed Paramount when it was taken over 1930.
AKA: Capitol
1526 Broadway
1960-1978
by the Paramount-Publix circuit.
* 1932 closed
* 1934 reopened as Broadway-Capitol as it is taken
over by United Detroit (Publix)
* 1940's-1950's different managements.
* 1960 back to United Detroit (Publix), which spent
over $100,000 in renovations. It also was renamed
Grand Circus to show second-run movies.
* 1970 the world premiere of the blaxploitation film:
"Sweet Sweetbacks Badasss Song"
* 1978 stopped showing movies; the last movie
was "Jailbait Babysitter"
* Early-mid 1980-s used for concert
* 1985 closed after a fire.
* 1989 the Michigan Opera Theatre buys the Grand
Circus and nearby Madison for $3.5 million and
started an $20 million restoration of the old Capitol.
The current seating is 2,700.
Grand Victory
Grand River
? 1925-? 1940
919 seats
Owners:
1925-1930 Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical
Enterprises (Booked by Co-Op)
1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Grande
8024 W Jeffreson
1909-1951
300 seats
Owners:
1930-1945 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950 Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
34
Grand-Woodward
Great Lakes
Grant
14832 Grand River
1927-? 1969
1,705 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre.
? 1925-? 1935
Brown, Samuel (Booked by Cooperative)
owned this theatre.
8745 Russell
? 1930-? 1950
This Afro-American theatre had 746 seats.
Owners:
1945 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950 Korman Theaters
AKA: Vest Pocket
Gratiot
2306 Gratiot
1910-1930
Afro-American theatre.
Greenwood
5403 Hamilton
? 1930-? 1950
380 seats
Schulte’s Theatres owned this theatre 19451950.
Graystone
7816 Michigan
1930-1953
395 seats
Owners:
1935-1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Chargot Theaters
1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
35
Guild Art
Harmony
12719 Gratiot
1962-? 1992
* 1926 opened as Franklin
* 1962 renamed Guild and than in a few years
renamed Guild Art and started to show adult
movies.
* 1992 renamed Guild again.
* 1990's closed
11205 Mack
1921-1941
1,322 seats
* 1921 opened as Harmony with 1,325 seats.
* 1935 owner: Woodward Theater Company
(Booked by Co-Op.)
* 1940 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1941 remodelled and renamed Admiral by
Associated Theatres, Inc, which sells it in the
late 1950's
* Late 1970's closed
AKA: Franklin
AKA: Admiral
Hamilton
5357 Hamilton
1915-1916
Hancock
4758 Hastings1922-1929
Harper
4238 Harper
1939-? 1975
2,000 seats
* 1939 opened by Wisper-Wetman Theaters
(Co-Op) as Harper
* Mid 1975 became a concert hall called
Harpos
36
Harper
7723 Harper
1922-1930
Owners:
1925 Joe Cosco
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Hippodrome
W. Warren
? 1925-? 1935
This Afro-American theatre. had 750 seats. It
was owned by Frank Wetsam in 1925.
Hastings
? 1955
Hazel Park
? 1930-? 1940
Owners:
1935-1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Holbrook
Russell
? 1930-? 1935
This Afro-American theatre. had 764 seats
37
The Most Distinctive Theatre in U. Homestead
? 1925
S.
Homestead Theater Co. owned this theatre.
Hollywood
4809 W Fort
1927-1958
3,435 seats
Demolished in 1963
Owners:
1927-1945 Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical
Enterprises (Booked by Co-Op)
1950-1958 Detroit Theater Enterprises, Inc.
Hoover
19020 W Warren
? 1935-? 1955
325 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre 1945-1950.
Ideal
AKA: President, Montclair
10739 Mack
1928-1939
465 seats
* 1914 opened as Montclair
* 1928 renamed Ideal
* 1939 renamed President
* 1948 closed
Home
6421 Chene
1912-1963
665 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre 1940-1955
Home
6010 W Venor hwy
1913-1916
38
Ila
AKA: D & G,Dix
4035 W Venor hwy
1914-1917
* 1914 opened as Ila
* 1917 renamed D & G
* 1925 renamed Dix
* 1956 closed
Imperial
7300 Michigan
1920-1953
378 seats
Owners:
1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Chargot Theaters
Iris
2314 E Grand Blvd
1916-1954
881 seats
Owners:
1925 R. Stubbs
1930-1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945-1955 Associated Theatres, Inc.
Irving
21220 Fenkell
1927-1997
1,025 seats
* 1927 opened
* 1950-1955 owner: Associated Theatres, Inc
* 1970's switched to adult movies
* 1997 closed
* 2007 demolished
Imperial
AKA: Roosevelt
9515 Gratiot
1929-1930
* 1924 opened as Roosevelt
* 1929 renamed Imperial
* 1930 renamed back to Roosevelt
* 1954 closed
39
Jefferson
11008 E Jefferson
1914-1949
376 seats
Joe Cosco owned this theatre in 1925.
Jewel
King
5317 Chene
? 1940-? 1955
400 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre 1945-1955.
1450 Gratiot
1914-1931
300 seats
J. Leasia owned this Afro-American theatre. in
1925.
Joy
3435 Joy
? 1945-? 1950
476 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre.
Junction
AKA: Polonia
2608 Junction
1923-1927
Keno
AKA: Amsterdam
12240 Grand River
1949-? 1950
* 1924 opened as Amsterdam with 400 seats
* 1949 renamed Keno
* 1950 closed
Knickerbocker
AKA: Whittier
7237 E Jefferson
1916-1932
* 1916 opened as Knickerbocker
* 1932 renamed Whittier
* 1957 closed
Koppin
528 Gratiot
1920-1930
Geo. F. Koppin and Sam Brown Partnership
owned this Afro-American theatre. in 1925.
Kozloski
5630 Central
1920-1921
40
Kramer
5741 Michigan
1920-? 1970
1,496 seats
Owners:
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1935 Krim, Mac & Sol, Theatrical Enterprises
1940 Krim Theatrical Enterprises (Booked by
Co-Op)
1945 Broder Theaters
1950-1964 Korman Theaters
Lakewood
14243 E Jefferson
1915-1958
1,270 seats
Owners:
1935 Woodward Theater Company (Booked
by Co-Op.)
1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945-1955 Associated Theatres, Inc
Kum-C
1807 Concord
? 1950
427 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
Afro-American theatre..
Kunsky's
? 1925
La Bell
Lansing
8576 W Jeffreson
1916-1918
3523 Gratiot
1928
AKA: Pulaski
AKA: Wayne
La Salle
? 1925
Geo. F. Koppin and Sam Brown Partnership
owned this theatre,
La Salle Gardens
AKA: Century
6511 14th st
1920-1930
Owners:
1925 Bert R. Williams
1930 Munz, Chas. W. Theatrical Enterprises.
(Booked by Coop.)
Lafayette
? 1940
41
Lasky
13320 Joseph Campau
1926-1949
998 seats
Owners:
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1935 Krim, Mac & Sol, Theatrical Enterprises
1940 Krim Theatrical Enterprises (Booked by
Co-Op)
1945-1949 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Library
AKA: Europa, Art
8525 Gratiot
1914-? 1945
367 seats
Lincoln
AKA: Columbia
4647 Michigan
1913-1919
Lincoln
AKA: Lincoln Square
6034 W Fort
1936-1971
1,850 seats
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre 1945-1964.
Lincoln Square
Lester
AKA: Peoples, Paramount
2238 Hastings
1910-1916
Liberty
1020 Farmer
1913-1926
J. H. Kunsky, Inc. owned this theatre in 1920.
6034 W Fort
1918-1936
Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical Enterprises
(Booked by Co-Op) owned this theatre in
1930.
Linwood-Lasalle
8229 Linwood
1920-1964
1,300 seats
This theatre reopened as a Vaudeville theatre
in 1971.
Owners:
1920 J. H. Kinsky, Inc.
1930-1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1964 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Lira
AKA: Canfield, Lockwood
1527 E Canfield
1919
Little
AKA: Arts & Crafts
57 Watson
1916-1917
42
Little Family
AKA: Beecer, bluebird
3205 Baker
1915
Little Theatre
AKA: Rivoli
58 E Columbia
1928-1932
Loop
418 Michigan
1928-1956
500 seats
Owners:
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Littman
AKA: Abington, Goldcoast
8208 12th St
1938-1941
* 1927 opened as Littman-Peoples in 1927
with 1,100 seats.
* 1938 known as simply as Littman’s
* 1941 closed
* 1945 reopened as Abington
* 1953 closed
* 1956 reopened as Goldcoast
* 1958 closed
Littman-Peoples
8208 12th St
1927-1938
Lockwood
AKA: Lira
1527 E Canfield
1919-1924
Loyal
Alvin
13803 Grand River
1926-1940
43
Ludowy
AKA: Royal, Rex, Ludowy
4711 Michigan
1917-1923
Lyceum
Randolph
1901
Madison
22 Witherell
1917-1984
1,806 seats
* 1917 opened by the Kunsky circuit whose
offices were on the top floor of the building.
* 1940's sold to United Detroit (Publix)
* 1961 remodelled.
* Late 1970's the Madison has started to
decline as it shows second-rate movies and
the occasional rock concert.
* 1984 closed
Lyric
? 1930-? 1955
Mack Uptown
14407 Mack
1928-1959
1,500 seats
Owners:
1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1955 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
* 1926 opened as Mack Uptown
* 1959 renamed Uptown
* 1963 closed
44
Majestic
4136 Woodward
1915-1951
1,260 seats
This theatre reopened in 1987 as a concert
hall.
Owners:
1920 C. H. Miles
1940-1951 Midwest Theaters, Inc. (Co-op)
Market
2589 Michigan
1910-1916
Mars
19100 Conant
1947-1958
Owners:
1950 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
1955 Clark Theater Service
Maxine
7641 Mack
1914-1952
960 seats
Owners:
1930-1940Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 DeLodder, Fred (co-op)
1950-1952 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Majestic
1449 Woodward
1908-1913
Manhattan
? 1925
Homestead Theater Co. owned this theatre.
45
Mayfair
AKA: Bonstelle, Detroit Civic theatre
3424 Woodward
1925-1951
1,200 seats
* 1902 opens as Temple Beth-El, which was
the largest synagogue in Detroit
* 1925 renamed Bonstelle playhouse
* 1928 renamed Detroit Civic Theatre
* 1933 rename Mayfair and switched to
movies.
* 1951 became a live theatre again.
* It is now a live theatre owned by the Wayne
State University.
Medbury
? 1930-? 1945
Merrick
5138 3rd Av
1915-1928
Met
AKA: Time
13321 E Jefferson
1950-? 1954
Metro Mercury 2
AKA: Mercury
16860 Schaeffer
1985-1992
Metropolitan
1659 Fort
1915-1918
Mercury
16860 Schaeffer
1941-1985
2,000 seats
* 1941 opened Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan which sold it in 1959
* 1959 the Mercury was the first theatre
outside of Downtown to show 70mm with
Porgy and Bess.
* 1985 twinned into 2 600-seat cinemas and
renamed Metro Mercury I & II and started to
show second-run movies.
* 1992 closed
* 1997 demolished
46
Michigan
238 Bagley
1926-1970
4,038 seats
* 1926 opened by the Kunsky circuit with 4,038
seats at a cost of $5 million.
* 1933 United Detroit (Publix) took it over
* Late 1930's switched to movies only.
* 1952 the marquee is replaced
* 1954 a wide screen was installed damaging the
proscenium arch.
* 1967 closed and reopened by Nicholas George
* 1973 converted into a nightclub called the
Michigan Palace
* 1976 closed for the last time and converted into a
parking garage, which was seen in the movies "8
mile" and "The Island".
47
Midtown
AKA: Studio Midtown
711 W Canfield
1941-1962
876 seats
* 1941 opened as Midtown
* 1962 renamed Studio Midtown
* 1963 renamed Midtown Art
* End of 1964 renamed Midtown Follies and
switched to adult movies.
* 1970's closed
Miles
1220 Griswold
1910-1927
Owners:
1920 C. H. Miles
1925-1927 Charles Miles Amusement Co.
Midtown Art
AKA: Midtown Follies
711 W Canfield
1963-1964
Midtown Follies
AKA: Midtown
711 W Canfield
1964-? 1970
Adult cinema.
Midway
? 1940-? 1945
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre.
Mirth
7327 E Jefferson
1906-1916
Model
3301 Michigan
? 1950
504 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)owned
this theatre.
Monarch
5507 Michigan
1909-1917
Monroe
204 Monroe
? 1935-? 1950
This Afro-American theatre had 280 seats
48
Montclair
AKA: Ideal, President
10739 Mack
1914-1928
* 1914 opened as Montclair
* 1928 renamed Ideal
* 1939 renamed President
* 1948 closed
Moran
5467 moran
? 1945-? 1950
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre, which had 346 seats.
Mt. Clemens
? 1930
Mt. Elliott
6041 Mt. Elliott
1912-1929
Jaffe Brothers owned this theatre in 1925.
Music Hall
350 Madison
1953-1970 (as cinema)
* 1928 opened as Wilson as a playhouse with some
My
movies shown.
* 1945 the Detroit Symphony buys it and renamed AKA: Colonial, Orleans
1812 Gratiot
it the Music Hall
* 1949 the orchestra vacated the theatre and it 1918-1920
closed
* 1953 reopened with Cinerama by Stanley Warner
Cinerama Corp., the second in the world, and the
most popular Cinerama theatre.
* 1964 70mm is installed
* 1965 closed
* 1966 reopened as a second-run theatre.
* 1970 closed
* 1973 the Kresge Foundation buys the Music Hall
and renames it Music Hall Center for the
Performing arts.
* 1970's restored.
49
Myrtle
3515 17th
1913-1950
753 seats
National
AKA: Palace
118 Monroe
1911-? 1970
800 seats
* 1911 opened as National. For a time it was
an Afro-American theatre.
* 1945 owner: Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking
agent)
* 1950-1964 owned by Korman Theaters
* 1960's renamed Palace and switched to
adult movies.
* 1975 closed
Palace, National and Liberty Theatres
Neumann Bros.
AKA: Ritz
6661 Michigan
1916-1921
50
New
? 1940
New Art
? 1935
Nortown
7736 E 7 Mile Road
1936-? 1970
998 seats
United Detroit (Publix) owned this theatre
1936-1961.
New Bijou
? 1930-? 1945
Schram and Goldberg Theaters owned this
theatre in 1945.
New Center Cinema
? 1975
Community Theaters (booked by co-op)
owned this theatre.
New Columbia
? 1945
New Gayety
AKA: Bijou, Cent Odeon, Cine X
62 Monroe
1966-1968
* 1906 opened as Cent Odeon as a
nickelodeon
* 1908 renamed Bijou and the auditorium
moved down from the second floor.
* 1966 renamed New Gayety
* 1968 renamed Cine X and switched to adult
movies
* Mid 1970's closed
Norwest
17630 Grand River
1936-2000
1,336 seats
* 1936 opened as Norwest by United Detroit
(Publix).
* Early 1960’s United Detroit (Publix) sells it
* 1978 closed as a first-run theatre.
* 1979 reopened as a discount theatre
* 1980's split into 2 cinemas with a total of
1,100 seats
* 2000 closed
* 2004 demolished for a fast-food restaurant.
New Plaza
? 1930
Northeastern
AKA: Dreamland
7510 Oakland
1915-1916
51
Norwood
6533 Woodward
1915-1949
536 seats
Owners:
1935 Woodward Theater Company (Booked
by Co-Op.)
1940 Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical
Enterprises (Booked by Co-Op)
1945-1949 Telenews Theaters
Novelty
AKA: Grand
4151 Grand River
1911-1913
Oakland
636 Oakland
1916
Olive
AKA: Vaudette
674 Gratiot
1922
Oliver
1928-1949
456 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1930.
Olympic
? 1925
Orient
AKA: Oriole
8450 Linwood
1927
Oakland
AKA: dreamland
7510 Oakland
1924-1928
William Schulte owned this theatre.
Oakman
12728 Woodrow Wilson
1919-1937
1,213 seats
Oakman Boulevard
? 1930
Odeon
Concord Av.
? 1925-? 1945
426 seats
Jaffe Brothers owned this theatre in 1925.
52
Oriental
Orleans
120 W Adams
1927-1930
* Late 1927 opened as Oriental
* 1930 taken over by RKO and renamed
Downtown
* 1933 the management refused an AfroAmerican couple to sit on the main floor. The
theatre was ordered to pay $300 in damages.
* 1950 closed
* 1953 demolished for a parking lot.
1812 Gratiot
1920-1921
AKA: Downtown
AKA: My
Orpheum
8945 Mack
1911-1915
Our
Oriole
AKA: Orient
8450 Linwood
1927-1951
1,400 seats
Owners:
1935 Brown, Samuel (Booked by
Cooperative)
1940-1951 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
AKA: Pastime
8767 Kercheval
1915-1922
Pal Movie
1411 Riopelle
1922
53
Palace
AKA: National
118 Monroe
1970-1975
* 1911 opened as National
* 1960's renamed Palace and switched to
adult movies.
* 1975 closed
Palms
2111 Woodward
1949-1983
2,967 seats
Owners:
1950-1969 United Detroit (Publix)
1975-1980 Plitt Theatres
Pandora
AKA: Summit
300 W Lafayette
1971-1977
Paradise
AKA: Town
3711 Woodward
1941-? 1950
The Palace is on the left of this picture.
Palace
130 Monroe
1914-1928
Bert R. Williams owned this theatre in 1925.
Palace No. 2
14th St.
? 1930-? 1945
397 seats
Munz, Chas. W. Theatrical Enterprises.
(Booked by Coop.) owned this theatre in
1930.
* 1919 opened as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Hall
* 1939 the DSO was forced to leave the hall and
perform at the Masonic Temple, Music Hall and the
Ford Auditorium
* 1941 the hall was converted to a live AfroAmerican theatre called the Paradise. BIlly Holiday,
Duke Ellington and Count Basie performed here.
* 1951 closed
* 1950's renamed Town and show movies
* 1960 closed
* 1970 there was plans to demolish the theatre but
it was saved.
* 1989 the DSO returns to the hall after 50 years.
* 2003 an expansion was completed and it is now
part of the Max. M. Fisher Music Center.
Palm State
AKA: Palms, State
2111 Woodward
1937-1949
United Detroit (Publix) owned this theatre.
54
Paramount
AKA: Peoples
2238 Hastings
1927-1928
Paramount
AKA: B'way-Cap
Parkview
? 1925
Cinderella Theater Corp. owned this theatre.
Pasadena
9232 Mack
? 1930-? 1950
* 1922 opened as Capitol with 3,500 seats, the 5th 386 seats
1526 Broadway
1929-1932
largest theatre in the U. S. at the time.
* 1929 renamed Paramount when it was taken over
by the Paramount-Publix circuit.
* 1932 closed
* 1934 reopened as Broadway-Capitol as it is taken
over by United Detroit (Publix)
* 1940's-1950's different managements.
* 1960 back to United Detroit (Publix), which spent
over $100,000 in renovations. It also was renamed
Grand Circus to show second-run movies.
* 1970 the world premiere of the blaxploitation film:
"Sweet Sweetbacks Badasss Song"
* 1978 stopped showing movies; the last movie
was "Jailbait Babysitter"
* Early-mid 1980-s used for concert
* 1985 closed after a fire.
* 1989 the Michigan Opera Theatre buys the Grand
Circus and nearby Madison for $3.5 million and
started an $20 million restoration of the old Capitol.
The current seating is 2,700.
Park
2125 Woodward
1911-1916
Park
2626 E Davison
1921-1949
676 seats
Owners:
1925 J. Kazinski
1935 Krim, Mac & Sol, Theatrical Enterprises
1940 Krim Theatrical Enterprises (Booked by
Co-Op)
Pastime
AKA: Our
8767 Kercheval
1909-1914
Peek-A-Rama
3929 Woodward
? 1970
* 1912 opened
* 1949 closed
* 1960's reopened as a adult cinema called
Peek-A-Rama and Later the Sassy Cat
Peoples
AKA: Lester – Paramount
2238 Hastings
1918-1927
Perrein
4738 Chene
? 1935-? 1955
350 seats
Petite
AKA: Novelty
4151 Grand River
1914-1916
Park Side
12950 E Warren
1940-1959
864 seats
Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent) owned
this theatre in 1955.
55
Phoenix 10
Plaza
10100 E 8 Mile
2001Phoenix Theatres owned this theatre, which
was owned by American Multi-Cinemas.
1540 Woodward
1969-1991
AKA: Bel Air 10
AKA: Telenews, Big Star
Piccadilly
4014 Livernois
1925-1951
800 seats
Owners:
1935 Woodward Theater Company (Booked
by Co-Op.)
1940-1951 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Plaza
11641 E Jefferson
1913-1954
750 seats
Owners:
1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 DeLodder, Fred (co-op)
1950 Associated Theatres, Inc
Polonia
AKA: Junction
2608 Junction
1922
President
AKA: Ideal, Montclair
10739 Mack
1939-1948
420 seats
* 1914 opened as Montclair
* 1928 renamed Ideal
* 1939 renamed President
* 1945-1948 owner: Associated Theatres, Inc
* 1948 closed
56
Princess
520 Woodward
1908-1922
Rainbo
9217 Grand River
1939-1950
262 seats
Broder Theaters owned this theatre 19451950.
Ramona
13705 Gratiot
1929-1977
2,020 seats
Priscilla
2946 Mt. Elliott
? 1930-? 1955
This Afro-American theatre. had 475 seats
Pulaski
AKA: La Bell, Pulaski
8576 W Jeffreson
1915, 1923-1925
Quo Vadis?
13559 E Canfield
1913-1930
57
Redford
17354 Lahser
19282,000 seats
* 1928 opened, it is built to look like a
Japanese outdoor garden theatre by the
Kunsky circuit
* 1931 sold to Community Theatres
* 1941-42 Japanese decor covered over
* 1974 taken over by the American Theatre
Organ Society
In later years this theatre has installed new
historically accurate seats (expensive!)
Regal
1767 Deguinore
? 1940-? 1950
426 seats
Owners:
1940 United Detroit (Publix)
1945 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
Regent
AKA: Center
7314 Woodward
? 1920-? 1955
1,440 seats
* Late 1910's opened as Regent
* 1920 owner: C. H. Miles
* 1925 owner: Charles Miles Amusement Co.
* 1930 owned by Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1945-1950 Community Theaters (booked by
co-op) owned it
* 1953 renovated
* 1955 owned by Mutual Theaters, Inc.
(booking agent)
* 1959 closed
* 1961 opened as Center
* 1971 renovated
* 1974 closed
* 1975 demolished
Redford
21722 Grand River
1927
58
Renaissance Cinemas
AKA: Riverfront Cinemas, Rencon 4
Renaissance Center Tower 200 3rd floor
1978-2001
Opened with 3 screens and a 4th screen
added in 1979.
This was to be reopened as a cinema grill in
2004 but James Duffy was unable to
complete it.
RenCen 4
AKA: Riverfront Cinemas, Rencon 4
Renaissance Center Tower 200 3rd floor
2008This is owned Uptown Entertainment.
Rex
6756 W. Jefferson
1915-1916
Rex
AKA: Royal
4711 Michigan
1927
Rhythm
? 1940
Rialto
6345 Gratiot
? 1925-? 1955
1,326 seats
Owners:
1925 J. C. Ritter
1935-1955 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Rio
7714 W Venor hwy
1935-1960
1,400 seats
Owners:
1940-1945 Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical
Enterprises (Booked by Co-Op)
1950-1955 Detroit Theater Enterprises, Inc.
Republic
? 1925-? 1935
Owners:
1925 Brown, Samuel (Booked by
Cooperative)
1935 Woodward Theater Company (Booked
by Co-Op.)
Ritz
AKA: Newmann Bros.
6661 Michigan
1922-1926
London Brothers owned this theatre.
59
Riverfront Cinemas 4
AKA: Renaissance Center Cinemas, Rencon 4
Renaissance Center Tower 200 3rd floor
2005-2008
Riveria Annex
? 1930
Munz, Chas. W. Theatrical Enterprises.
(Booked by Coop.) owned this theatre.
Rivola
4703 Cadillac
1922-1957
1,000 seats
Owners:
1925 J. C. Ritter
1945-1957 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Rivoli
8225 Mack
1923-1928
Rivoli
AKA: Drury Lane, Europa, Vanguard, Cinema, Gem Art
58 E Columbia
1932-1934
* 1928 opened as the Little Theatre at 58 E.
Columbia, for an private women’s group called the
20th Century Club.
* 1932 renamed Rivoli
* 1930's Drury Lane and Europa
* 1936 renamed Cinema
* 1959 renamed Vanguard and present stage
shows
* Mid 1960's switched to adult as the theatre is
renamed Gem Art
* 1978 closed
* 1991 restored and reopened as Gem for live
stage performances.
* 1997 the theatre is moved about a half mile away
to 333 Madison. it weighs in at 2,500 tons.
* 1998 reopened at its new location.
Rogers
3646 W Warren
? 1940-? 1955
This Afro-American theatre had 700 seats and
it was owned by Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan in 1950-1955.
Roosevelt
AKA: Imperial
9515 Gratiot
1925-1954
1,771 seats
* 1924 opened as Roosevelt
* 1929 renamed Imperial
* 1930 renamed back to Roosevelt
* 1935 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1940-1954 owner: Wisper-Wetman Theaters
(Co-Op)
* 1954 closed
Rosebud
429 Gratiot
1915-1930
This owned this theatre was owned by Geo.
F. Koppin and Sam Brown Partnership in
1925.
Rosedale
11520 Woodward
1915-1954
965 seats
United Detroit (Publix) owned this theatre
1940-1954.
Rouge
? 1945
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre.
60
Roxy
2745 Woodward
1932-1972
1,200 seats
Owners:
1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1945 Cohen, Ben & Lou Theatrical
Enterprises (Booked by Co-Op)
1950-1955 Detroit Theater Enterprises, Inc.
Royal
10709 W 7 Mile
1940-1969
2,410 seats
Owners:
1945 United Detroit (Publix)
1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1961-1969 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Royal
AKA: Ludowy, Rex, Ludowy
4711 Michigan
1924
Royale
AKA: Star
100 Monroe
1908-1922
61
Rupert
713 St. Aubin
? 1940-? 1950
This Afro-American theatre. had 480 seats.
Russell
5335 Russell
1917-1949
1,406 seats
Afro-American theatre.
Senate
6424 Michigan
1926-1958
1,200 seats
Owners:
1926-1945 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1950 Korman Theaters
1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
This theatre is sometimes used for concerts.
Sassy Cat
AKA: Garden, Peek-A-Rama
3929 Woodward
? 1970
* 1912 opened as Garden
* 1949 closed
* 1960's reopened as an adult cinema called
Peek-A-Rama and Later the Sassy Cat
Savoy
1515 Chene
? 1935-? 1950
365 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1935.
Seville
AKA: Sun, Vendome
4481 Grand River
1941-1958
731 seats
* 1911 opened as Vendome
* 1932 closed
* 1935 reopened as Sun
* 1937 closed
* 1941 reopened as Seville by Broder
Theaters
* 1955 owner: Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking
agent)
* 1958 closed
Sheridan
7414 Kercheval
1914-1954
324 seats
62
Shores
Stanley
1945-? 1955
15701 W Warren
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this 1930-? 1950
theatre 1945-1950.
600 seats
Showcase
AKA: Eastown
8041 Harper
1980-1984
* 1930 opened by Wisper-Wetman Theaters
(Co-Op)
* 1967 closed
* 1969-1973 Alice Cooper, the Doors, Pink
Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, Bob Seger, Jethro
Tull and the Grateful Dead played here.
* 1973 the city of Detroit forced it to close
down for failing to meet health and safety
codes
* 1975 reopened as a jazz venue and closed
* 1980 reopened as an adult cinema named
Showcase
* 1984 closed
* Mid-Late 1990's used for raves
* 2006 listed at loopnet for $2.5 Million.
http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing
/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=14066934&Brandin
g=LoopNet&PopupView=
Star
AKA: White Star
9237 Joseph Campau
1937-1949
350 seats
* 1915 opened as White Star
* 1937 renamed Star
* 1949 closed
Star
2836 Michigian
1911-1922
Star
AKA: Royale
Shubert Detroit
? 1930
100 Monroe
1907-1908
Six-Mile Uptown
? 1955
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre.
63
State
2121 Woodward
? 1925
3,000 seats
Concert hall that show movies on some
Monday nights.
Stone
2511 Woodward
? 1945-? 1950
250 seats
Afro-American theatre.. In later years it
became an adult entertainment center.
Strand
4730 Grand River
1915-1958
1,287 seats
Owners:
1925 Kohn L. Kunsky, Inc. (Co-Op)
1930-1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945-1958 Kilbridge-Hiller Theaters
64
Stratford
4651 W Venor hwy
1916-? 1990
1,137 seats
Owners:
1925 Joe Cosco
1930-1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1985 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Summit
AKA: Cass
300 W Lafayette
1927-1971
* 1927 opened as a playhouse called Cass
* 1965 renamed Summit and shown some
Cinerama movies
* 1967-8 Cinerama is dropped and switched
to adult movies
* 1971 closed
Studio
AKA: Dox, Astro
13325 Livernois
1951-1969
* 1932 opened as Dox
* 1951 renamed Studio
* 1969 renamed Astro
* 1969 closed
Studio Midtown
AKA: Midtown
711 W Canfield
1962-1963
Studio New Center
3rd/W Grand
1966-? 1970
65
Sun
Telenews
4481 Grand River
1911-1932
* 1911 opened as Vendome
* 1932 closed
* 1935 reopened as Sun
* 1937 closed
* 1941 reopened as Seville
* 1958 closed
1540 Woodward
1942-1969
465 seats
Telenews Theaters owned this theatre in
1955-1961.
AKA: Vendome, Seville
AKA: Plaza
Surf
AKA: Variety
13125 Fenkill
1955-1965
* 1932 opened as Carlton
* 1955 renamed Surf
* Mid 1960's renamed Variety
* Late 1960 started to show adult movies
* 1975 closed
Tedro
5325 Chene
1922
66
Temple
? 1930
750 seats
Radio-Keith-Orpheum owned this theatre.
Time
AKA: Met
13321 E Jefferson
1940-? 1950
678 seats
Broder Theaters owned this theatre 19451950.
Times Square
443 Abbott
1929-1958
900 seats
Owners:
1930 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Broder Theaters
1950 Korman Theaters
1955 Mutual Theaters, Inc. (booking agent)
Tower
Theatorium
? 1930-? 1945
386 seats
12813 Grand River
1935-1964
1,442 seats
Owners:
1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1955 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Theatre Comique
1249 Broadway
1921-1928
J. H. Kunsky, Inc. owned this theatre.
67
Town
Trans-Lux
3711 Woodward
1919-? 1941
6540 Woodward
1932-1934
* 1932 opened as Trans-Lux and designed
by Thomas W. Lamb, his only theatre in
Detroit. This theatre was promoted as having
"daylight projection" (a form of rear projection)
* 1934 the "Daylight Projection" was removed
for a standard projection booth.
* 1961 renamed Center (there is another
theatre a few blocks away called center.)
* 1975 closed and demolished
AKA: Paradise
AKA: Center
* 1919 opened as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Hall
* 1939 the DSO was forced to leave the hall and
perform at the Masonic Temple, Music Hall and the
Ford Auditorium
* 1941 the hall was converted to an live AfroAmerican theatre called the Paradise. BIlly Holiday,
Duke Ellington and Count Basie performed here.
* 1951 closed
* 1950's renamed Town and show movies
* 1960 closed
* 1970 there was plans to demolish the theatre but
Triumph
it was saved.
7825 Gratiot
* 1989 the DSO returns to the hall after 50 years.
* 2003 an expansion was completed and it is now 1921-1928
part of the Max. M. Fisher Music Center.
68
United Artists
140 Bagley
1928-? 1971
2,024 seats
Van Dyke
6625 Van Dyke
1940-1955
570 seats
* 1928 opened as United Artists
Midwest Theaters, Inc. (Co-op) owned this
* 1939 shown "Gone with the Wind" on a reserved- theatre in 1950.
seat basis.
* 1940's taken over by United Detroit (Publix)
* 1950 taken over by United Artists Theatre Circuit
* 1953 CinemaScope installed
* 1950's-1960's roadshow movies such as Ben-Hur,
My Fair Lady etc. where shown here.
* Early 1960's renovated with the removal of the 10story marquee and replaced with an smaller
marquee
* Late 1960's adult movies are shown
* 1971 closed
* 1972 reopened as Downtown
* 1974 closed as a cinema
* Late 1970's the Detroit Symphony used it as a
recording hall
* Mid 1980's the office building that housed the
theatre is closed
* 1989 brickwork damaged some parked cars.
Variety
AKA: Carlton, Surf
13125 Fenkill
1965-1973
* 1932 opened as Carlton
* 1955 renamed Surf
* 1965 renamed Variety
* Late 1960 started to show adult movies
* 1975 closed
Universal
831 Michigan
1915-1930
Uptown
14407 Mack
1926-1963
* 1926 opened as Mack Uptown
* 1959 renamed Uptown
* 1963 closed
69
Varsity
1721 Livernois
1936-1960
United Detroit (Publix) owned this theatre,
which had 1,496 seats.
Victor
77 Victor
1916-1928
Victory
8225 Grand River
? 1945-? 1955
789 seats
Owners:
1945 Chargot Theaters
1950-1955 Detroit Theater Enterprises, Inc.
Victory
? 1925
Villa
AKA: Englewood, Villa
11562 Oakland
1914-1916, 1923
Virginia
Vaudette
AKA: Dudley
674 Gratiot
1909-1910, 1918, 1921-1922
Vendome
AKA: Sun, Seville
4481 Grand River
1911-1932
* 1911 opened as Vendome
* 1932 closed
* 1935 reopened as Sun
* 1937 closed
* 1941 reopened as Seville
* 1958 closed
8237 Hamilton
? 1940-? 1950
480 seats
Schulte’s Theatres owned this theatre 19451950.
Virginia Park
8237 Hamilton
? 1930-? 1935
485 seats
Vest Pocket
AKA: Great Lakes
14832 Grand River
1969-1972
Viager
? 1935
350 seats
70
Vogue
16926 Harper
1937-1977
1,460 seats
United Detroit (Publix) owned this theatre
1937-1961
Warren
16900 W Warren
? 1945-? 1969
1,500 seats
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre.
Washington
1505 Washington blvd
1913-1928
Fox owned this theatre.
Warfield
5126 Hastings
1914-1949
1,200 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre 1935-1945.
Watson
AKA: Columbus
1042 Watson
1912
Wayne
AKA: Lansing, Wayne
3523 Gratiot
1916-1927, 1928-1929
West End
6864 W Warren
? 1930-? 1950
800 seats
71
Westown
15225 Wyoming
1936-1964
Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op) owned this
theatre, which had 1,700 seats.
Willis
4190 Hastings
? 1930-? 1955
480 seats
Clark Theater Service owned this AfroAmerican theatre. in 1955.
Wilson
AKA: Music Hall
350 Madison
1928-1945
1,900 seats
Wolverine
Michigan
? 1930-? 1940
504 seats
Wonderland
? 1900
White Star
9237 Joseph Campau
1915-1937
* 1915 opened as White Star
* 1935 owner: Woodward Theater Company
(Booked by Co-Op.)
* 1937 renamed Star
* 1949 closed
Whittier
AKA: Knickerbocker
7237 E Jefferson
1932-1957
900 seats
* 1916 opened as Knickerbocker
* 1932 renamed Whittier
* 1940-1945 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1950 owner: Community Theaters (booked
by co-op)
* 1957 closed
Woodward
1018 Woodward
1914-1927
798 seats
Woodward No 1
? 1925
G. H. Schnckert ? owned this theatre.
72
Woodward No 2
? 1925
G. H. Schnckert ? owned this theatre.
World
AKA: Cinema – Vanguard
58 E Columbia
1958-1959
Yeddish
2184 Hastings
1921-1927
Your
AKA: Florence
3748 E Forest
1914-? 1950
798 seats
* 1913 opened as Florence
* 1914 renamed Your
* 1930-1940 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* 1945 owner: DeLodder, Fred (co-op)
* 1950 owner: Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan
* Early 1950's closed
Zellah
? 1930-? 1940
73
GROSSE POINT
Esquire
15327 E Jefferson
1938-1988
997 seats
* 1938 opened by Wisper-Wetman Theaters (CoOp)
* 1980 taken over by P & R theatre co. and
switched to second-run movies
* Early 1980's 14 video games are installed in the
lobby, which caused the city to limit than to 5 in the
lobby.
* 1982 the adult film "Debbie Does Dallas" is
screened
* 1983 theatre is bought by Eric and Ervin Steiner
and splits it into 4 cinemas
* 1988 the city takes it over and closed it after it
was a magnet for illegal activities.
* 1990 demolished
Punch and Judy
21 Kercheval
1930-1978
740 seats
* 1930 opened with 740 seats
* 1977 closed as a cinema, it was almost
purchased by a church, but it was turned
down by zoning laws. Later in the year there
were plans to convert it into a live theatre, but
the city threatened to cancel the concert due
to supposed safety code violations and made
the owners sign an "anti-smut" agreement in
early 1978.
* 1978 reopened as a repertory cinema, but
the city banned lines of 50 or more persons.
* 1988 closed and converted into offices.
Okulski Family Theatre
15115 E. Jefferson
2010-
GROSSE POINTE
FARMS
Kercheval
? 1950-? 1955
74
GROSSE POINTE
PARK
Aloma
AKA: Grosse Pointe Park
15003 Charlevoix
1930-1955
Grosse Pointe Park
AKA: Aloma
15003 Charlevoix
1923-1930
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre in 1930.
75
GROSSE POINTE
WOODS
Woods
19269 Mack
1948-1998
* 1948 opened by United Detroit (Publix)
* 1969 taken over by a partnership of Plitt Theatres
and Nicholas George and renovated into a twin
cinema, seating: 1,200 in the main auditorium and
750 upstairs
* 1981 the balcony is split into 2 cinemas of 335
and 320
* 1983 the main auditorium is split into 3 cinemas
of 590, 312 and 305 seats, 5 screens at this point
* Mid 1980's the former exhibition hall was
converted into a 62-seat cinema, one of the
smallest in the Detroit area.
* 1986 American Multi-Cinemas takes it over and
renames it Woods 6
* 1997 closed
* 2002 demolished
76
HAMTRACK
Campeau
AKA: Martha Washington
10315 Joseph Campau
1970
Caniff
AKA: Eagle, Poland
2026 Caniff
1922-1929
* 1912 opened as Eagle
* 1921 renamed Poland
* 1922 renamed Caniff
* 1929 closed
Martha Washington
AKA: Campau
10315 Joseph Campau
1924-1970
* 1924 opened as Martha Washington
* 1935-1955 Co-operative Theaters of
Michigan owned it
* Late 1960’s Community Theaters (booked
by co-op) takes it over
* 1970 renamed Campau and closed shortly
after.
Conant
12027 Conant
1929-1954
937 seats
Co-operative Theaters of Michigan owned this
theatre.
Eagle
AKA: Caniff, Poland
2026 Caniff
1912-1921
Farnum
? 1950-? 1955
700 seats
Lasky
? 1950
Pastime
? 1940-? 1945
Poland
AKA: Caniff, Eagle
2026 Caniff
1921
Star
AKA: White Star
9237 Joseph Campau
1937-1949
White Star
AKA: Star
9237 Joseph Campau
1915-1937
77
HARPER WOODS
Beacon East 4
19305 Venier
? 1990-2006
National Amusements owned this theatre
1990-1998
Beacon East Cinemas 1 & 2
19305 Venier
1973-? 1985
National Amusements owned this theatre.
East Side Drive-In
AKA: Drive-In
19440 Harper
May 26, 1938-1977
970 cars
Owners:
1938-1945 Smith, Philip, Theatrical
Enterprises (booked by Mutual)
1950-1955 Smith Management Co.
1961-1964 General Drive-In Corporation
1969-1977 General Cinemas
This was the first drive-in in Michigan.
78
Eastland 2
18000 Venier
1969-2000
* 1969 opened by Suburban Detroit with a
single cinema of 1,200 seats
* 1975 twinned into Eastland 1 & 2 with one
cinema able to screen 70mm movies.
* 1985 sold to American Multi-Cinemas and
added 5 more screens in the mall, called
Eastland 3-7
* 1987 the Eastland 3-7 was renamed
Eastland Mall 5
* 2000 closed
* 2001 demolished for a Lowes.
Belmont
13721 Woodward
1934-? 1955
Grand
AKA: Woodward Grand
15 W Grand
1953-1958
910 seats
Highland Park
AKA: Paris
13843 Woodward
1915-1969
1,600 seats
Owners:
1935 Woodward Theater Company (Booked
by Co-Op.)
1940 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1945 Associated Theatres, Inc
1950 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
Eastland 5
AKA: Eastland 3-7
19340 Venier, in the mall
1985-2000
HIGHLAND PARK
Ambassador
AKA: Art, Temple
17730 John R
1924-1945
Hiland Park
AKA: Paris
13843 Woodward
1970-? 1985
Adult cinema.
Art
AKA: Ambassador, Temple
17730 John R
1961-? 1970
Adult cinema.
79
Krim
Six Mile
16531 Woodward
1941-? 1985
Trans-Lux owned this theatre 1961-1969
16501 Woodward
1959-1980
AKA: Trans-Lux
AKA: Uptown
Six Mile Uptown
16501 Woodward
1954-1959
Temple
Liberty School
? 1940
Metropolitan
13271 Woodward
? 1950-? 1955
470 seats
Palmer Park
17013 Hamilton
1937-? 1969
1,202 seats
Midwest Theaters, Inc. (Co-op) owned this
theatre 1955-1969.
17730 John R
1945-1961
* 1924 opened as Ambassador
* 1945 renamed Temple
* 1961 renamed Art
* 1970's adult movies
Tuxedo
11738 Hamilton
1921-1958
1,700 seats
Owners:
1930 Munz, Chas. W. Theatrical Enterprises.
(Booked by Coop.)
1935 Co-operative Theaters of Michigan
1940-1950 Wisper-Wetman Theaters (Co-Op)
Adult movies were shown here.
Paris
AKA: Hiland
13843 Woodward
1967-1970
* 1915 opened as Highland
* 1967 switched to adult movies and renamed Paris
* 1968 the Highland Park police department raided
the theatre for showing the adult film "Of the Same
Gender"
https://www.fastcase.com/Google/Start.aspx?C=a4
fdbb87dfeea88d79801ac3b8507955d7e428d103b1
8506&D=4ad318e414fc08b5809ac2f097c57cd03d
d6a277ba0d9726
* 1968 renamed Hiland
* 1980's Wayne County Prosecutors fought to have
the theatre shut down, claiming it was being used
for a front for prostitution.
80
Uptown
16501 Woodward
1927-1954
1,922 seats
* 1927 opened as RKO Uptown
* 1954 renamed Six Mile Uptown
* 1959 renamed Six Mile
* Early 1970's adult movies are shown.
* 1980 closed
Woodward Grand
15 W Grand
1924-1949
81