The Fillmore

This theater was located at 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles.

The State, formerly named The Palms Theatre, is locathe 1/2 block from the fabulous Fox Theatre, on Woodward Ave, in downtown Detroit.
The Palms was operated by United Detroit Theatres, later ABC Michigan Theatres

I've been there twice in the last three years...for concerts, so my info may be a bit dated.
The main floor seats have been removed for concert dancing. The balcony still has standard seating.
Renovation work continues, mostly in the lobby. The auditorium decoration is largely intact, but "weathered".
They hold concerts there, and show some films on weekend nights. It is owned by Chuck Forbes. He was the savior of the Detroit Fox and the Gem Theatres, though he sold the Fox to Mike Ilitch of Little Caesar's Pizza/Detroit Tigers/Detroit Red Wings, who put the big money into finishing the Fox's grand revival.

This link will take you to a historic picture of the State when it was the Palms.

I recently got the chance to see the interior of the State. DonF's statements are correct. The seats are in storage and today are about 3 flat slopes of dance areas and little bars. Sadly there is smoking occuring sicne the theater is used as a nightclub. The interior is amazing, to each side of the stage is a knight made out of plaster. There is a dome at the very top center of the auditorium, and it is estimated to go up 7 stories. The auditiorium is weathered and needs a good cleaning from suet on the plaster. The lobby is also great, and weathered.

Here is a link to a photo of the State Theatre.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/i_am_jacques_strappe/9140761/in/pool-cinemasignage/

The State Theatre was built on the site of the Grand Circus Theatre, listed on Cinema Treasures: http://www.cinematreasures.org/theater/13410/

This is a larger version of the photo above.

Most of my photos of the State are now up at Flickr. Click HERE to see them.

The exterior was quite beautiful for the Super Bowl. It had red, white, and blue floods on it.
I believe the exterior was recently cleaned and restored also.

This is a recent photo of the State Theater.

The State sued the nearby Colonial and the Majestic in 1937 as those theaters were offering "screeno", which was kind of an onscreen lottery. The State lost the case:
http://tinyurl.com/ymoyx4

Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1982 and 1984

Palms, Francis, Building & State Theater ** (added 1982 - Building - #82000551)
Also known as Palms Building & Theater
2111 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Crane,C. Howard
Architectural Style: Beaux Arts
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Professional, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Professional, Theater


Palms, Francis, Building and State Theater ** (added 1984 - Building - #84000112)
Also known as Palm Building and Theater
2111 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Crane,C. Howard
Architectural Style: Beaux Arts
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

Here is a 2007 photo of the State Theater.

To be renamed as the Filmore Teater in May 2007. What a stupid name

WHAT?!? The State is a classic and should not be renamed again...but if it is, it will still be one of my very favorite places to go see a show.

The damage has been done, the theater has been renamed and the marquee looks really distasteful as seen [url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/46/FillmoreDetroitmarquee.jpg/800px-FillmoreDetroitmarquee.jpg]
at this link[/url]. This really messes up the proportions as you have the long name with a huge blank space in the center.

The place will always be known as the State to me, never by this ridiculus name!

...especially since changing the name to match something made famous elsewhere takes away a little of Detroit's individuality, in my opinion. Detroit deserves the credit for having its own music and cultural scenes, of which the State will always be a part.

This is another photo of the State Theater.

Here is a 2007 photo of The Fillmore formerly the State Theater.

This theatre was built and opened as the State theatre in 1925, In 1937 it was renemed the Palms-State, as it is located in the Francis Palms building. In 1949 it was again renamed the Palms, dropping the "State" portion. Local real estate investor Chuck Forbes bought the buiding in the early 80s and renamed it the State (again). Now, with the affilation of an all-powerful media conglomerate it has been renamed "the Fillmore" in a mistaken sense that anything California will make a bigger impression here. The theatre is dingy and needs a large bath, as the Fox next door received in '88 and the place reeks of stale spilled beer. On any given sub-frigid winter night there are loads of underage girls lined up out front without coats "folding their arms around their charms" waiting to get in.

Fillmore is a "brand" being used nationwide by Live Nation, including in Philadelphia where I am, just as "House of Blues" is another brand.

Here is a 1929 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/3ymzcr

"On with the Show" with Arthur Lake and Joe E. Brown was released in July of 1929.

Here is a photo of the Palms, circa 1967:
http://tinyurl.com/2hnspk

Torn Curtain with Paul Newman and Julie Andrews was released in July of 1966.

This website has a number of photos of the State/Fillmore Theater.

A 2008 night view can be seen here.

Lost Memory: Ken was right about the date on that picture of Torn Curtain. It was the second feature. The main attraction, Rough Night in Jericho, was a 1967 release.

Torn Curtain was on TCM earlier today, to pay tribute to Paul Newman.

I didn't dispute the date of the photo Bill, I gave the release date for the movie.

OK, sorry about that.

Indeed, Torn Curtain is an excellent film. Another great work from the master Alfred Hitchcock. The passing of Paul Newman is a tragic loss to all lovers of fine films. To quote a line by Pier Angeli from Somebody Up There Likes Me, 'Somebody down here too.'
George

If anyone cares Torn Curtain played first run at the Adams Theatre located around the corner from the Palms on Grand Circust Park. The Palms always played a 2nd feature the second or third week of an engagement after it open, it was expected by our cliental. Jack Cataldo prepare the copy of the Palms Marqee with the copy for Rough & Torn Curtin.

This is from Boxoffice magazine in November 1956:

DETROIT-Lobby remodeling that began last March at the Palms Theater here has been completed. Incorporating the adjoining store space, the new lobby has modern bronze and glass doors, a new confection counter in the center and a decorative scheme in scarlet, gold and black.

A new 200-ton cooling plant also has been installed-all work having been done while the 3,000-seat theater was in operation 18 hours daily.

1977 Photo

1982 Photo

1983 Photo

Night shot of the Fillmore by CT member Derek Farr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/detroitderek/1097725426/in/set-72157602770798694/