National Theatre
118 Monroe Street,
Detroit,
MI
48226
118 Monroe Street,
Detroit,
MI
48226
6 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Architects: Albert Kahn
Styles: Art Nouveau, Egyptian
Previous Names: Palace Theater
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The National Theatre was opened September 24, 1911 as a vaudeville house, and designed by Albert Kahn in a beautiful Art Nouveau style with Egyptian elements.
The polychrome terra cotta facade is its most spectacular feature, with a large arched window, resembling a triumphal arch, and two minarets on either side, once topped by gilded domes.
Floral and other nature-based terra cotta decor, including stylized scarab beetles, also graced the facade.
The interior could originally seat over 2,200, and featured a large stage and simple but graceful decor.
Within a few years of its opening, it switched from vaudeville to movies, and by the 1940’s and 1950’s, had become a burlesque house.
In the 1960’s, it received a new name, the Palace Theater, and operated as an adult film venue. It was closed in 1975.
Since its closing, the National Theatre, like so many of Detroit’s old movie houses, has fallen into serious disrepair, both inside and out. Its facade still looks majestic, though, despite its boarded-up entrance and decrepit marquee.
In 1998, a preservation-minded group called Cityscape Detroit went into the National Theatre to clean it up. There was consideration at the time of possibly renovating the long-vacant theater.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 28 comments)
I’m a Three Stooges Fan Club member, trying to confirm a personal appearance by the “3” Stooges (Moe Larry and Shemp), on a bill with Wee Bonnie Baker, the Barretts and Don Hooton, after an appearance by the A.B. Marcus Revue. The movie “Queen of Burlesque” was also shown. I have a display ad, but no dates (or town shown). Believe it was the Summer of 1946, and may have been Shemp’s first appearance after Curly’s strokes. The National was advertised as air cooled and showed a phone number of JA-7863.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks Frank Reighter
View link
New photos I took on May 29, 2010. Theatre looks a little rough,,,
Here is a page for the National Theatre at the web site Buildings of Detroit. There are links to galleries with vintage and modern photos.
I just learned of this theatre in Detroit and the Michigan Theatre…such a shame.
I recently photographed the National. Check out some photos and a short write up at After the Final Curtain
September 24th, 1911 grand opening ad with photo in photo section.
Undated photo added. August 2016 article, and a related website below as well.
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2016/08/30/national-theater-time-ticking/89617854/
http://historicdetroit.org/building/national-theatre/
The proposed multi-million $ development of the Monroe Block might incorporate the façade of the National into one of the new buildings.
1911 photo and copy added, credit D Tour 313 Facebook page.
2017 article with photos.
https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/detroit-city/2017/12/06/the-national-theatre-building-designed-by-albert-kahn-in-1911/108367584/?fbclid=IwAR30VKlFCqtwMsiDxqne7HS2gdivpTi7A-vrJcZm3oShSocVeY_zagm5KW8