Fillmore

2115 Woodward Avenue,
Detroit, MI 48201

Unfavorite 10 people favorited this theater

Related Websites

The Fillmore Detroit (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Kunsky Theatres, Publix, United Detroit Theaters

Architects: Charles Howard Crane

Functions: Concerts, Movies, Nightclub

Styles: Italian Renaissance

Previous Names: Palms Theatre, State Theatre, Palms-State Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 313.961.5451
Manager: 313.961.5450

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

Exterior

Now one of the best theatres in Detroit for concerts, the former 3,500-seat Palms Theatre (later State Theatre) still pays tribute to its glorious movie palace past by showing classic films during the summer. The theatre is located half a block from the Fox Theatre. It opened as the Palms Theatre for Kunsky-Loew’s Theatres on October 29, 1925, it was built on the site of the (first) Grand Circus Theatre (1913-1924). It was equipped with a Wurlitzer theatre organ. Renamed State Theatre, on June 18, 1928 it screened its first ‘talkie’:“Glorious Betsy” starring Dolores Costello & Conrad Nagel.

On May 22, 1937 it was renamed Palms-State Theatre. Later operated by United Detroit Theatres it was renamed State Theatre again. It was closed as a movie theatre in 1983. After several years laying empty, it became Clubland, a dance club/concert hall from September 28, 1989.

The State Theatre was taken over by Live Nation and in 2007 was re-named The Fillmore. It was restored in 2018, reopening in October 2018.

Contributed by Sean Doerr

Recent comments (view all 30 comments)

JerryD
JerryD on October 25, 2008 at 12:42 pm

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.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 18, 2009 at 7:43 pm

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.

Twistr54
Twistr54 on June 10, 2010 at 8:01 am

View link

New photos from May 29th 2010.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on June 21, 2010 at 3:39 am

Folks lined up at the Palms to see Mighty Joe Young and Isle the Dead, photo from the 1950s in Boxoffice issue of November 18, 1963:
View link

RickB
RickB on September 4, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Nice interior dome shot at the top of this page.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on May 7, 2014 at 10:08 pm

The Castle Theatre stood on this site in 1926 and seated 531.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 4, 2015 at 1:41 pm

October 29th, 1925 grand opening ad in photo section as State

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 20, 2018 at 8:23 am

Getting a new digital marquee.

https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2018/11/19/the-fillmore-is-replacing-its-historic-marquee?fbclid=IwAR1cHYd61dWOfOiCh6bGIpNcutXzn7fCjbg-RSSqzVvcqgUxoC3JgpSJUp4

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on January 17, 2019 at 4:19 pm

Promotional poster added to Photos gallery for :Clubland at the State Theatre", photo credit Geri Gillespie. Chicagos' Vic Theatre used the same niteclub concept & candy cane font for Clubland at the Vic Theatre in mid to late `80s below.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/341/photos/244946

BobHollberg
BobHollberg on June 6, 2021 at 7:20 am

On June 16, 1928, the State became “the first theatre in the world devoted primarily to the newest sensation in entertainment—TALKING PICTURES,” according to an advertisement in the Detroit Free Press. The movie was “Glorious Betsy” with Dolores Costello and Conrad Nagel. See the Photos section for more information.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.