Bronson Theater
206 E. Chicago Street,
Bronson,
MI
49028
206 E. Chicago Street,
Bronson,
MI
49028
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Built in the late-1940’s, all seating was on a single floor. It had a cry room, which was located on the right-hand side of the projection booth.
The former Bronson Theater was converted for use as a community center.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
This is a recent photo of the former Bronson Theater building.
The October 15, 1949, issue of Boxoffice Magazine published an article about the new Bronson Theatre, with three small photos. The pitched roof in recent photos is an addition. The original facade was pure streamlined Art Moderne. The interiors were also streamlined, with indirect lighting from round ceiling domes in the lobby and one large oval covering the auditorium. There is very little decorative detail visible in the magazine photos, but the carpet was fairly ornate.
The 606 seat Bronson Theatre was the eighth Michigan house to be operated by E.J. Pennell, and was a replacement for the smaller Coliseum Theatre.
This theater is listed in the 1955 Film Daily as the New Bronson Theater with 606 seats. The address given is 204 East Chicago Street.
1983 Photo
Need to update the address given on 3/31/2006 by LM
206 E. Chicago St.
Bronson, MI. 49028
My Grandfather, Eugene Jacob Pennell, built this theater. The interior was beautiful. It had red velvet curtains and very ornate carpeting. It was used for stage shows as well as motion pictures. My Grandfather would always show a cartoon prior to the movie. The ceiling in the auditorium sparkled as if you were out under the stars at a drive in. Well done, Grandpa!
Photos here
Described in this 1949 trade article: boxofficemagazine
Who was E J Pennell? Was he Eugene Jacob Pennell? Eugene is a brother of Fred E Pennell who is supposed to have run a movie theater in Michigan.
To dafna62, My son-in-law is the grandson of Fred E Pennell, Eugene’s brother. Please contact me at