Punch and Judy Theater
21 Kercheval Street,
Grosse Pointe Farms,
MI
48236
21 Kercheval Street,
Grosse Pointe Farms,
MI
48236
1 person
favorited this theater
The Punch and Judy Theater, opened in 1930, was designed by Robert O. Derrick in Colonial Revival style, looking more like a Virginia country manor than a movie house. The theater seated around 740 and contained an organ, a balcony (which originally had a higher ticket price than the orchestra seats).
After it was closed as a movie theater in 1977, the Punch and Judy Theater was almost purchased by a church, which ended up being turned down by the city due to zoning laws. Later the same year, plans were made to turn the old movie house into a venue for live stage shows and concerts, but in December of that year, the city threatened to cancel a concert at the theater due to supposed safety code violations, then made the new owners sign an “anti-smut” agreement in early-1978. That same year, the Punch and Judy Theater turned to repertory films, but still the city continued to squelch the theater’s operation by banning “ticket lines of 50 or more persons” outside the front entrance.
In 1988, the beloved theater was gutted and converted into offices, though its quaint Colonial American exterior remains relatively unaltered.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
A photo of the interior of the Punch and Judy Theater can be seen here:
View link
Here is a photo of the exterior:
View link
What a beautiful building and theatre, the city council should be shot.
More photos of the Punch and Judy Theater can be seen here.
Actually I was part of the management of the Punch in the late 70’s.
We had plenty of bands play there with out any problems.
It’s where The Rocky Horror Picture Show was shown at midnight every Friday and Saturday.
Also, Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell used the theater to show a rough cut of “The Evil Dead"
to potential investors.
Hey brooklynbobby – I was an usher at that time, under Mr. Etter. I think I remember you, before the Shaker tenure, which all but ruined the place.
I’m still pals with Marianne as well, from the concession stand.
Nice to see you still boppin around. BTW the screening of the first Evil Dead was called Within the Woods. I still have my ticket stub. All the best.
DearlyDeparted,
I’d be really interested in asking you about seeing ‘Within The Woods’
Could you send me over an email to rob@breakawayfxDOTcom (replace DOT with . just to stop spam)
1974 Photo
1984 Photo