Wyandotte Theatre

The information provided on this site regarding the Wyandotte Main and Annex theatre(s) is inaccurate. The Wyandotte Main and Annex Theatre was a two screen movie house, the Main and the Annex, under one roof. Each screen was in a seperate auditorium. This was in an age when multiplex theatres were unheard of, so the Wyandotte Main and Annex was an anomaly, and was therefore very very special. Both theatres shared a common concession stand, which was divided by a velvet rope which was closely patrolled by the ushers. Also, both auditoriums shared a single rest room area, which was located on a second level. I cannot remember if the restrooms were cordoned off for each theatre as the concession stand was. I seem to recall that once you went up to the restrooms, you could re-enter into either one of the two auditoriums unchallenged. The Main was the larger of the two, and was decorated in a conservative Art Deco style. The Annex was decorated in an American Indian theme, with backlit busts of Chief Wyandotte adorning each of the light niche’s running the entire length of both sides of the auditorium. This was a beautiful complex. Both the Main and Annex ran a complete double every evening. Saturday matinees were popular, showing grade B science fiction movies, western’s etc., and on special occasions the theatre would allow crossover to both theatres for one price (that equates to four movies folks). This gem was owned by a local theatre entrepeneur by the name of Nicolas George. He also owned the Fort George Drive In theatre in Southgate, Michigan, and the Allen Park Theatre in Allen Park, Michigan. Because I was a friend with his son, I got into the theatres for free. That is, when his son was present. I loved this old movie house. I just wish someone would fund a remodelling of this piece of downriver Detroit history to bring it back to it’s original ornate appearence.

It’s sad to see those pictures as I used to go there and see movies from about 1985-1992. I remember the auditoriums appeared to be twin, except for one being red and the other blue. I also remember a projection booth being accessed through the mens room. They were running discount at $1.50 a ticket and the people in the area, my folks included, didn’t seem to care about going to the movies. Someone do something with it, thge lights were cool!