Lyric Cinemas
208 S. James Street,
Ludington,
MI
49431
208 S. James Street,
Ludington,
MI
49431
1 person
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Butterfield Theaters, Carmike Cinemas
Firms: Foltz & Co.
Functions: Church
Previous Names: Lyric Theatre, Lyric Cinema 4
Nearby Theaters
Dating from 1926, by 1941 the Lyric Theatre was operated by Butterfirld Michigan Theaters Co. The last operators were Carmike Cinemas, and it was closed in September 2007.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
The Lyric was built in 1925, and closed on September 7, 2007. Large crowds were in attendance for the final shows. The city is looking for reuse plans and the Lyric is for sale.
New photos of the interior of the Lyric Cinemas can be seen at View link which shows the carved up cinema treasure 4-plex being used as church. The church took down the wall separating cinemas 2 and 3 to create a sanctuary. The original ceiling was exposed when the tiles on the drop ceiling were removed which shows that the theater is restorable. A news story telling the history of the theater is at View link from The Ludington Daily News.
Here is a 1975 photo. Interesting looking place.
http://tinyurl.com/dzrrgx
(Ludington Daily News, April 18, 1926)
FIREPROOF THEATER ASSURED LUDINGTON
Foltz & Co. of Chicago, Contractors, to Start This Week with Local Labor.
MODERN AND ATTRACTIVE BUILDING ON LYRIC SITE
Manager F. W. Hawley Announces New Home for Movie and Legitimate Drama.
Construction of Ludington’s new theater is scheduled to start this week.
Announcement that the contract has been awarded to Foltz & Co. of Chicago was made to The News Saturday by Frank W. Hawley, manager and stockholder.
To Have Large Stage.
Blue prints in Mr. Hawley’s office call for a fireproof structure, 50 feet in width on James street and running west 150 feet. Although to be devoted principally to movies, the new theater will be equipped to handle large productions with a stage 23 feet deep and full width of the building.
“The theater will be constructed as near fireproof as it is possible to make a building,” said Mr. Hawley. “It will be built of brick, stone, steel and concrete, with concrete roof and floors and tile partitions.
“Foltz & Co. are architects and builders of theaters. This firm has built theaters for Fitzpatrick, McElroy & Co. in Three Rivers and Alpena and is now erecting a combined theater, bank and store building for Fitzpatrick-McElroy in Chicago. The superintendent, E. J. Heckel, was here last week and wi11 return to start work this week.
Employ Local Labor.
“All local labor available will be employed.”
The front of the new theater will be attractive. It will have a height of two stories, with face brick and cut stone. There will be a marquise extending across the front over the sidewalk.
The lobby will be 20 by 40 feet. Off one side will be a ladies' waiting room and dressing room. On the opposite side will be the manager’s office and men’s wash room.
Details of the finishing and decorating of the lobby have to be worked out. Mr. Hawley says no pains will be spared to make it beautiful and to develop something out of the ordinary.
Just inside the entrance doors will be a series of boxes. The seats of the theater will be comfortable and roomy. There will be no balcony. The house will seat approximately 1.000.
Pipe Organ Equipment.
The orchestra pit will not accommodate a large orchestra but will have a place for the player of the pipe organ, which will be built with tubes on either side of the house.
Stage dressing rooms, furnace room, coal room, etc., will be located in the basement at the west side of the building. Access to the theater may be had by a 40-foot entrance off Loomis street and a 30-foot entrance from the alley to the south. “The contract calls for the completion of the theater by October first,” concluded Mr. Hawley.
The Lyric was closed March 26, 1926.
Nice Marquee.