Detroit Theatre
16407 Detroit Avenue,
Lakewood,
OH
44107
16407 Detroit Avenue,
Lakewood,
OH
44107
2 people
favorited this theater
This theater was built in 1924, closed for three years during WWII, and remains open for the public to this day. Originally built with a stage as a single auditorium, it was split down the middle in 1989 to become a twin theater.
Contributed by
Laura Parsons
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Recent comments (view all 25 comments)
To further comment on Patsy’s comment re: Dreamgirls, there never was a “Detroit theatre” in Detroit, Dreamgirls is about the Supremes, without naming names, every person, place and event has an alternate name to avoid litigation. The Supremes, and other Motown acts appeared in big stage shows at Detroit’s Fox theatre, a 5,000 seat house, and those shows were the only stage entertainment featured at the Fox during the 1960s. They were huge, sold the place out, and lasted all day! All of the fantastic stable of Mowtown acts would appear, The temtations, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Little Stevie Wonder and the Supremes, to name a few.
The Detroit was a first run house in the 60s and 70s,. showing films in tandem with the Cedar-Lee on the east side and sometimes with other theaters, once the downtown theaters started to close and first run movies started to be booked elsewhere in the city. It that seating capacity right? It seems far too small. Would think it was double that (at least back then).
1982 photo of the Lakewood Theatre.
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Another 1982 photo of the Lakewood Theatre.
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1975 night photo of the Detroit Theatre.
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It was a small theatre, but I think 425 was too small. We occasionally came west as a novelty to see first run shows here in the 60s. I remember seeing “Thunderball” there.
It is sad to report, but the Detroit shall be closing as of January 30, 2011: View link
It has indeed closed after the last show tonight. The other theatre this owner has, the Parma, has been up for sale but is still operating. We’ll see how much longer that one lasts.
The 1975 marquee was beautiful but it looks like it was let go to hell by 1982
Status should be closed.
I just read that McDonald’s wants to buy the Detroit and tear it down.