State Wayne Theater

Wrong address, the correct address is 35310 Michigan Ave

http://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/location.asp?ID=1223&type=5
Use this link to see some great photos of this beautiful and well maintained theatre.

Yeah it's a nice but small theatre, too bad it doesn't do first run. Every year they hold plays too.

The water winter wonderland site is superb....packed with excellent and informative and amusing photos and information. There is a great list of picture palaces, what are they/s, and hilarious neon signs etc. Whoever constructed this site deserves to be very successfull; it is a great job and fascinating in its thoroughness. And I live in Australia! (where it is very nice too!). Paul Brennan ptb@bigpond.net.au

Neo, this is far from being a small theatre, we were at the theatre last summer on a theatre tour through Michigan, It has a small lobby but the auditorium is large and very spacious, it has 1493 seats on one floor with plenty of leg room. Very well maintained by the city and the workers are very warm and friendly and very informative on the history of the theatre.

I believe in looking at some of my pics the reason for feeling the theatre was small is from the store fronts and part of the lobby that were converted into smaller theatres, the main auditoriums though are still large and spacious.

Charles the storefronts were later filled in for restrooms, not auditoriums.

For several months around 1990 the State Wayne devoted one of its theaters to classic films of the 50's and 60's. My wife and I, often with movie-loving friends, would make the long drive from downtown Detroit to dine at one of the local restaurants and catch flicks like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf", "Around the World in 80 Days", "Ten Commandments", and "Oliver". These films were all available on VHS by then, but it was worth the trip to see them on the big screen, as part of a live, responsive audience. Business reality must have set in. The theater reverted to a pure second-run "dollar movie", and our trips to Wayne ceased.

Wow, wish they did that today. But yes the second runs really take away the experience.. if only it was classic or first run. Also I will be getting pics soon, on top of the marquee... the projection booth, the old womens restroom, and the cry room (complete with the original seats :D)

as promised, the goodies, I have just finished the page. I have the same description because I wrote it ;).

Here it is:
http://wayne.snweb.org/statewayne.php

A new $500,000 renovation is coming to the theater, most are good.

Ceramic tile in lobby with theate marquee imprinted on it (believe they got the idea from Civic in Farmington)
New doors to replicate the original art deco doors (I always wanted this, I support it 100%)
Dragon painting in the one theater expanded (its an ugly thing)
Updated and extended concession stand.
Other upgrades like bathrooms.

I believe that is all that they are going to do. I wish they restored the marquee, it is a little rusted.

The theater will be closed sometime this month,
and take 2 months to complete.

wow, wish they did that today. But yes the second runs really take away the experience.. if only it was vlassic or first run. ALso I will be getting pics soon, ontop of the marquee... the projection booth, the old womens restroom, and the cry room (complete with the original seats :D)
posted by Neo on Jul 19, 2004 at 12:37am

Why does second run take away a good movie experiance?

no, no, it takes away for the experience of the theater, not the whole movie experience itself. It seems second run doesn't fit the State-Wayne very well. I guess you have to be there to understand.

Neo there were many of the old movie palaces that ran second run attractions that did not distract from the glamor and beauty of the theatre. Its the ambiance, the staff, the condition of the theatre, the presentation of the motion picture that makes the theatre, not first or second run attractions.

Stukgh on 7/9/04 gave a perfect example of going out of their was to attend the State Wayne because of their classic fims that they no longer play, so the theatre does not have to present first run attractions.

I never said there was nothing wrong with seeing a second run movie, I just feel it would do its best if it did first run, plus there is no first run movie theaters within the next 5-10 miles.

At the Penn we're hoping to have first run and independent movies on the weekends, and classics during the week. Nothing is officially a 'go', however, until we can convince city council that it's a worthwhile investment ;)

I'll keep you all posted. Wish us luck!

Oops, forgot to mention that the Penn Theater is in Plymouth.

So sorry, but there are a few first run movie theatres within 5-10 miles of this theatre... You must not live in the area, otherwise you would know that.

I'm a Plymouth native, actually.

After extensive research theater management I understand your reservations about running first run movies there. At present we're surveying Plymouth City and Township to figure out what people will come and see. Thus far it looks like we'll be showing more 2nd run films, classics and the occasional independent movie, as well offering children's live entertainment, comedy nights, etc.

The Friends of the Penn will have its next meeting, "Envision the Penn"-Town Hall, on April 10th at 7pm in the Masonic Temple next to the Penn in downtown Plymouth. Please come to share your thoughts and hear the results of the survey. In the meantime continue checking the website: http://www.friendsofthepenn.org for updates.

-Jennifer Philpot-Munson

Here is a recent photo of the State Wayne Theater.

This is a more recent photo of the State Wayne Theater and here is another.

Here is an ad, circa 1974:
http://tinyurl.com/2ohh2a

State Wayne Movie Listings:

http://www.ci.wayne.mi.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=97

The Wayne Link is no longer an active one.

Chuck....This site has the movie schedule for the State Wayne Theater.

Good lord they have a Whhite Castle ad on that link. thanks LM for finding that. I was looking for some information to forward on to Sean but the old web site was not functioning.

1975 Photo

1985 Photo

1985 Night Photo

This is a nice shot of the State Wayne Theater.

Here is another nice 2009 photo.