Landmark Main Art Theatre
118 N. Main Street,
Royal Oak,
MI
48067
118 N. Main Street,
Royal Oak,
MI
48067
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 26 comments found
Here’s a little-known fact on this theater: In 1980, it became the very first theater in the MJR chain.
Blogger Detroit Funk says that this theatre was threatened with demolition to make room for a condo project, but the deal has fallen through. He has marquee and lobby pictures (the last one is a really nice under-the-marquee shot) here.
A very nice venue; had some trepidation going in thinking that the original auditorium had been altered but was pleasantly surprised to see it still intact. Two smaller and less decorative auditoria were built on in the later 1980s. Flicks from 2010: Lobby, Facade
I saw SHORT CUTS at this theatre in November, 1993 in 70mm. I missed by one day a 70mm screening of BARAKA in one of the other 2 theatres.
Later, the same day, I saw GETTYSBURG at a different Detroit theatre, making for an almost 8-hour 70mm day! Don’t think that will ever happen again!
I wonder, especially in view of the rumors of closing that have surfaced over the last few years, and in light of Landmark’s recent theater closings in some other cities, if this theater will survive as construction has begun on Emagine Entertainment’s ten-plex nearby – especially if the new theater books some of Landmark’s traditional arthouse fare.
The Main Theatre opened on Aug. 7, 1941 with seating listed at 800. The Architectual firm was Bennett & Straight.
1982 Photo
1984 Photo
This is another recent view of the Main Theater.
Here is a July 2008 photo.
I was just in the area last week and decided to take in a flick while the place is still standing. It’s remarkable to me what little has changed since I first worked there 15 years ago. The ol' place is still fighting it out.
Picture as of Ocotber of 2007
View link
I believe the current plan is to utilize the theater space for parking or additional add-ons at the rear of the development. All I’ve heard, though, is that as soon as the lease is up, they’re done.
Looks like the condos might have been built next door. Or, I suppose, they might have decided to only build ½ condo towers due to market conditions.
God save the Main Art.
I don’t know that I could bear to have another childhoodadolescent memory of mine wind up as a pile of rubble.
This website has some photos of the Main Art Theater.
What is the current status of this theater? Last I heard, it was threatened by demolition. If it’s gone (or soon to be gone), it truly is a shame.
Here is a 2007 photo of the Main Art Theater.
How about another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2v7wdj
This is the Main Art Theater at night.
Another 2006 photo of the Main Art Theater can be seen here.
This is a recent 2006 photo of the Main Art Theater.
Here is a much larger photo of the Main Art Theater.
This is similar to the photo at the top of the page only larger.
Street View of the Main Art Theatre.
View link
It may not be a theatre much longer. Good authority has it that the building is to be razed and high rise condos built on the site. The new building is supposedly going to have a theatre built into it, but it won’t have the charm of the old structure….and parking will be even more of a problem than in the past. Sigh!