LM: Great photos! Does make me recall when I went to this theate during my life in the Sunshine State. And I do wonder if the Lyric Theatre Robert-Morton organ was white?
To have an original Eberson/atmospheric still standing in the midst of Flint is more than most communities have in their downtown areas so I vote to have this theatre restored somehow, someway! It can be done with a few good supporters and organizers. And having UM involved is an asset for the good of the cause. We’re not in the age of “urban renewal” anymore, thank goodness, so a renovation focus needs to be on this theatre!
$40 million seemed high to me, too! Though I do hope that through State grants, etc., UM can restore this theatre because…it is what it is…an Eberson/atmospheric and as you say “one of the few remaining in Michigan”.
The April 22, 2006 link doesn’t work anymore so can we confirm that this theatre was demolished? If so, the status needs to be changed from closed to demolished.
SchineHistorian: That’s wonderful….read that bit of information over on the Hamilton Theatre link. I have now sent an email to my neighbor with a marquee photo of the theatre provided on CT.
SchineHistorian: Interesting to read that the Hamilton Theatre in Hamilton NY was purchased by Colgate. I have a neighbor who graduated from that college so will have to ask him about it.
That vertical marquee with the name Don Gibson, in small writing, was not even there so it had been taken down by someone. The only marquee still there was the horizontal marquee with the words..“Now Showing…Patton”. I don’t know when that movie was shown or why it would still be up there on the marquee??
Didn’t notice that you had posted this drive-in photo almost a year ago prior to my recent follow-up post. We’re thinking along the same lines…only several months apart!
“They plan to compile a book of experiences from anyone who went to the theater. The book will be written concurrently with the restoration of the theater.”
And again, I wonder what happened to the book of Roger Theatre experiences that the town was to compile? I’m sure the 2 ladies I met at the local restaurant could contribute to that future publication…if and when the theatre gets renovated!
That’s a good question now that this Mr. Owensby has entered the illusive picture! BTW, where did you find the above quoted information? It’s interesting that the quote mentions “outdoor drive-in theaters throughout the South”. It just so happens..I was told during my visit to Shelby that the town still has a drive-in theatre outside of town though I didn’t go investigate that lead…will in March though! I learned of this drive-in information while chatting with 2 local ladies who grew up in Shelby. They were sitting at the next booth over at a local restaurant that the Mayor recommended for lunch that day…..Pleasant City Wood Fired Grill. In fact, the one lady told me that she remembers going to see the movie, Gone With The Wind at the Rogers. When I told them why I was in town that day to see the Rogers they said they’d love to see the Rogers again. I wasn’t able to tell them what time I’d be taking the tour so they weren’t able to meet me which turned out to be 4:00 that afternoon!
Great photo and will forward it to a friend of mine whose daughter will be attending Hope College in Holland MI next Fall.
A friend of mine called me today and told me that she and her husband plus another couple recently took a tour of this small town theatre.
LM: Great photos! Does make me recall when I went to this theate during my life in the Sunshine State. And I do wonder if the Lyric Theatre Robert-Morton organ was white?
In the recent Charlotte Observer (Feb. 13th) there is an article entitled A Gem of a Deal: Free Movies.
View link
FSBO: Yes, truly amazing as I have been to this theatre…saw and heard the famous Rosa Rio play the theatre’s organ prior to Valentine’s Day last year.
Very nice photo. I have friends who live in Normal so I’m sure they can attest to this theatre’s presence in that city.
To have an original Eberson/atmospheric still standing in the midst of Flint is more than most communities have in their downtown areas so I vote to have this theatre restored somehow, someway! It can be done with a few good supporters and organizers. And having UM involved is an asset for the good of the cause. We’re not in the age of “urban renewal” anymore, thank goodness, so a renovation focus needs to be on this theatre!
$40 million seemed high to me, too! Though I do hope that through State grants, etc., UM can restore this theatre because…it is what it is…an Eberson/atmospheric and as you say “one of the few remaining in Michigan”.
The April 22, 2006 link doesn’t work anymore so can we confirm that this theatre was demolished? If so, the status needs to be changed from closed to demolished.
SchineHistorian: That’s wonderful….read that bit of information over on the Hamilton Theatre link. I have now sent an email to my neighbor with a marquee photo of the theatre provided on CT.
My neighbor may have graduated from the Class of 1956 so will have to ask if it was his class who donated the marquee.
LM: Would love to see some interior photos of this theatre!
SchineHistorian: Interesting to read that the Hamilton Theatre in Hamilton NY was purchased by Colgate. I have a neighbor who graduated from that college so will have to ask him about it.
Corrected site for UM article.
View link
Well, thank you from this Patsy! ;)
And it’s an Eberson/atmospheric theatre! A well-worth project!
Glad to read this UM news in regards to the Capitol Theatre!
That vertical marquee with the name Don Gibson, in small writing, was not even there so it had been taken down by someone. The only marquee still there was the horizontal marquee with the words..“Now Showing…Patton”. I don’t know when that movie was shown or why it would still be up there on the marquee??
And when clicking on the name “Charles C. Benson” the only theatre that is listed is the Rogers Theatre.
Now we have to see if we can find out more information about a Charles C. Benson who supposedly was the architect for this theatre.
Didn’t notice that you had posted this drive-in photo almost a year ago prior to my recent follow-up post. We’re thinking along the same lines…only several months apart!
LM: Great photo of this drive-in that I didn’t get to see in my travels to Shelby last week.
“They plan to compile a book of experiences from anyone who went to the theater. The book will be written concurrently with the restoration of the theater.”
And again, I wonder what happened to the book of Roger Theatre experiences that the town was to compile? I’m sure the 2 ladies I met at the local restaurant could contribute to that future publication…if and when the theatre gets renovated!
That’s a good question now that this Mr. Owensby has entered the illusive picture! BTW, where did you find the above quoted information? It’s interesting that the quote mentions “outdoor drive-in theaters throughout the South”. It just so happens..I was told during my visit to Shelby that the town still has a drive-in theatre outside of town though I didn’t go investigate that lead…will in March though! I learned of this drive-in information while chatting with 2 local ladies who grew up in Shelby. They were sitting at the next booth over at a local restaurant that the Mayor recommended for lunch that day…..Pleasant City Wood Fired Grill. In fact, the one lady told me that she remembers going to see the movie, Gone With The Wind at the Rogers. When I told them why I was in town that day to see the Rogers they said they’d love to see the Rogers again. I wasn’t able to tell them what time I’d be taking the tour so they weren’t able to meet me which turned out to be 4:00 that afternoon!
Earl Owensby was a film producer who did use the theatre at some point in time though not sure in what capacity.