Michigan Theater
238 Bagley Street,
Detroit,
MI
48226
238 Bagley Street,
Detroit,
MI
48226
26 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 105 comments found
I recently photographed the former Michigan Theatre. Check out the post at After the Final Curtain
The MICHIGAN’s spectacular vertical sign was called the largest in Michigan, and was 120 feet tall by fourteen feet high and weighing seventeen tons.
By 1954, corrosion was found inside the 27-year-old sign which wasn’t noticeable outside. Sign contractor Edward A. Long of the Long Sign Company worked several eight-hour shifts from midnight until 8 am using a huge Moto-Crane to remove the sign, cutting it from the top down with torches. United Detroit Theatres said the sign wouldn’t be replaced.
The Michigan is prominently featured in the climatic fight scene in the recently released film “Alex Cross.” There are shots in the balcony area and above the ceiling. How authentic those are is questionable because damage is done to the ceiling at one point.
Preview of coming attractions. The Michigan eventually became a parking garage: boxoffice
Spotlighted in this 1951 trade ad: boxoffice
If that is the case, then they must have had to film it twice, using two different systems (as they did when they filmed Oklahoma in two different formats.)
According to the IMDB, Warner’s filmed “The Command” in both Cinemascope and 3-D, but only released the CinemaScope version.
“The Command” was WB’s first release in CinemaScope…not in 3-D or VistaVision.
Click here for an exterior view of the Michigan Theatre in 1930.
Correction: The first VistaVision release was White Christmas and was likely shown at the Michigan. The Command was a Warner’s 3D release from a year earlier. I suspect that the Michigan, installed a wide screen in summer 1953 to show Paramount’s Shane, a different western.
The marble horses were located on the 2nd floor mezzanine, attached to a Roman Chariot. The mezzanine was only open to the public during heavy business. JerryD
Yes, that is the Michigan auditorium in “The Island.” Also, according to the Theatre Historical Society Annual which was published about the Michigan several years back, those horses in the inner lobby area were an actual marble statue.
And this theatre had a spectacular marquee! I wonder what happened to it…dare I ask?
Where were the plaster horses located in the theatre?
The photo posted on April 23, 2010 is most amazing to see…looks like there is an organ near the stage. Such a shame to have lost this elegant Rapp & Rapp theatre to the stupidity of the owners then. Who were the owners then??
The Michigan was seen on the TV show “Detroit 1-8-7” last night. A cop meets with an informant in the structure and ceiling and wall details are clearly seen.
The michigan is also seen in the movie “The Island”. As Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johanson are being chased through the town they run briefly through a parking garage. Judging by the cieling I believe it’s the michigan.
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I took a few new photos when I was in town, May 29, 2010.
Very sad to see this theatre as a parking lot.
The Michigan Theatre in better days:
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I have never seen this particular photo before. Nice one.
here’s link to TV news video on Fred Hermes basement theater & the theater’s Wurlitzer organ (per Comments above)
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The Theater’s original Wurlitzer organ, a five manual, twenty-eight rank masterpiece, still survives, installed in a basement replica of a movie palace in the home of man in Racine Wisconsin. There’s more information here: View link
Im doing my dissertation on Detroit “ the dying city”, and researching alot on the decaying buildings and spaces within this amazing city. If anyone has any opinions/thoughts on the building’s current state, the reasons for the destruction to such an architectural beauty, then they would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
A NY Times' review of the PBS show “Blueprint America” features a photo of this theater now in use as a parking garage.
Link to photo: View link
Link to article: View link
Its a joke