George Burns Theatre

33330 Plymouth Road,
Livonia, MI 48150

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TopazAngel
TopazAngel on April 16, 2017 at 8:09 am

We moved to Livonia, Michigan in 1973. I took our children to the Mai Kai many times. I loved watching movies on the big screen, just as I did while growing up in Cleveland, Ohio. After the theater was remodeled for live stage shows, I saw Bobby Vinton in concert. I also had front row tickets to see Paul Anka but the theater closed and the concert was canceled.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 16, 2016 at 6:58 pm

Norm: When a theater has had multiple names, the old names, when known, are listed in the “Previous Names” field on the right hand side of the page, and should come up in a search for any previous name.

Norm Lindway
Norm Lindway on November 16, 2016 at 2:50 pm

Why aren’t there pictures of the inside of many Detroit area suburban theaters like there are of those in other cities. Detroiters must not be as interested in Cinema Treasures as the rest of us are. Also both names of theaters should be listed on Cinema Treasures website when a theater name has been changed. Some of us only know theaters by one name.

CMHurley
CMHurley on March 20, 2016 at 7:57 am

Visited the Mai Kai a few times growing up. Always was neat to see as you went by on Plymouth Road. Last movie I saw there was “Platoon” with my Dad, which would have been not long before it closed. The screen was huge, unlike any theater in the area. Sad to see great old movie houses like this gone forever. Thank God the State-Wayne in Wayne is still going strong thanks to Phoenix Theaters! If you haven’t been there lately, GO! It’s a wonderful experience!

rivest266
rivest266 on November 7, 2015 at 11:39 am

April 10th, 1963 grand opening ad in photo section. It claimed to be the world’s most beautiful theater.

JulieL
JulieL on August 26, 2013 at 11:26 am

Cathie—I believe it was Lettice and Lovage.

scottymac
scottymac on May 25, 2008 at 9:06 pm

I am looking for any photos anyone might have of the mai kai, my father was an usher there and he took my mother there on a few dates.
If anyone has any ideas please email me at

Cathie
Cathie on June 1, 2007 at 7:53 pm

Does anyone know the name of the play at the George Burns Theatre with Julie Harris?

kak
kak on May 7, 2005 at 1:11 pm

I remember the night the world premier of the movie “The War Lord” was shown at the Mai Kai. I was a member of the Franklin High School marching band, and we performed at the theater before the film. Charleton Heston and Rosemary Forsyth were there and spoke breifly just prior to showtime.

JimRankin
JimRankin on January 6, 2005 at 7:23 am

Information about the kindred Polynesian themed KON-TIKI theatre along with photos is found here: http://cinematreasures.org/news/12583_0_1_0_C/
Such a pity that both of these unique designs are lost to us, apparently with no photos of thier interiors at opening.

dmac
dmac on December 1, 2004 at 7:52 am

If anyone has photos of either the Mai-Kai or the Terrace I would greatly appreciate it if you could send them to me at .com I am working on a photographic history of Livonia for a book to be published in 2005 and I would like to be able to use the best photographs available. Any and all help would be very welcome, and of course I would be happy to give appropriate credit for any photographs that are used. Many thanks.

dwnrvrguy
dwnrvrguy on September 27, 2004 at 7:32 am

There are a few pictures of the Mai Kai facade and George Burns marquee on this site: View link

sdoerr
sdoerr on March 22, 2004 at 8:14 pm

I wonder how the much the theater could have been bought for and used again, I think it would have worked this time. Wayne Theatre Corp. could have bought it and raised funds for the Historic Wayne Theatre(which I am a volunteer at btw). Sub feel free to send me your pictures to and I’ll upload them and link them here for you. Thanks for more info!

SubtheatreUrban
SubtheatreUrban on March 22, 2004 at 3:31 pm

I managed to gain access (with permission) about a year before the theater was demo’d. It was really in excellent condition—no roof leaking or major deterioration—although that gaudy geometric theme was also carried into the carpeting, on the concession stands and elsewhere. There are a few shots of the concession area on another theater-documenting website. The red upholstered seats were in beautiful shape; hopefully some other theater group ended up with them. Also in the auditorium were cigar-shaped wall lights commemorating the trademark of the old comedian. The lobby had a few large wooden “cigar boxes” on the walls with quotes from Mr. Burns inside. Looking at it objectively, it really wasn’t anything too high-budget or fancy. However, there were many excellent artifacts lying around, including a box full of programs from one of the Burns’ final productions, original Mai Kai building plans, and an old film projector in the projection room. I have no idea what sort of fate befell these wonderful items. All in all, it looked as though with a bit of cleaning and patchwork here and there, the theater was all set for another opening of another show.

I did take quite a few pictures, and am hoping to get them posted somewhere in cyberspace soon. Hopefully Cinema Treasures will soon be accepting pictures again, as it would be nice to have one of the GBT on this page.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what it looked like inside as the Mai Kai, although I’ve been told it was quite fantastic with its Polynesian décor. People often reminisce about the animated “erupting” volcano that was formerly on the side of its marquee (apparently neon?), as well as another decorative volcano that was behind the concession stand. If you get a chance, check out the old Livonia Observer microfilm from April 1963 from at the local library. There are a few cool black and white ads for the Mai Kai’s grand opening which show the exterior of the building in all of its new (though newsprint-fuzzy) glory.

Oh, and one other somewhat interesting note: When they were in the process of tearing the theater down, if you looked in through the north / back side (i.e., in the general area where the screen once was), the blue curtain that had surrounded the orchestra pit was still visible. Apparently that’s just one of those things they don’t bother to remove before the wrecking machines arrive…

sdoerr
sdoerr on March 20, 2004 at 12:53 pm

Thanks, SubtheatreUrban, it really made me think. I woner if there is any pictures of the interior around somewhere, I have never seen it.

SubtheatreUrban
SubtheatreUrban on March 20, 2004 at 7:15 am

It can be argued that Bill Brown Ford helped keep the Mai Kai/George Burns intact for the good 10 years the theater lay dormant. Since they stored their new vehicles there, they had security patrolling the area, which doubtlessly kept vandals away (although, based on stories I’ve heard, the occasional rabble-rouser, dare-accepter or thrill-seeker still managed to sneak in). I was always amazed that after all the passed time, the glass front doors were never shattered. In fact, the first time I recall seeing them boarded up was just before the structure was torn down.

As far as the Terrace goes, it actually closed its doors in 1999. Although I was at first irritated to see Bill Brown move in around 2002, after talking to a representative, I learned that they were very conscientious of the theater’s importance to the community when they made the conversion. When it first opened as a used car showroom/lot, I was told they allotted some time for residents to stop by and check things out. Also, when I was driving by, I noticed that the side of their white company truck has a picture of the theater and reads something to the affect of “Bill Brown Ford at the Terrace.” There’s some comfort, I think, in the fact that it’s still standing and respected in a historical sense, whereas the Mai Kai—which was situated on a prime chunk of real estate—now lingers only in memory.

I’ll admit that the weather-beaten geometric patterns on its facade were quite an eyesore—and the silhouette of Mr. Burns hanging from the marquee awkward and eerie. However, after the city tried for years to revive it as a possible community theater/venue, the suburban demand just wasn’t there. “Fountain Park,” as it is now called, offers you a shiny smattering of generic new homes, a Walgreen’s and a TCF Bank. But for me, at least, they’ll never match up to that Polynesian-themed, single-screened white elephant.

sdoerr
sdoerr on January 10, 2004 at 12:29 pm

It is now completely GONE. Congratulations we have new houses…….and that dreaded corner eyesore… Walgreens, all coming soon.

sdoerr
sdoerr on December 12, 2003 at 5:25 pm

I thought this place would definitely be safe from the wrecking ball with it’s location and condition, but I was wrong. I think the Bill Brown Ford and their parking screwed everything up. It looks like a place that would have thrived now days. I really wish I could have seen it. Also Kevin, the Terrace is now a showroom for Bill Brown… I cant dtand him anymore..

KevinAnderson
KevinAnderson on November 11, 2002 at 8:10 pm

I saw “Aliens” at the Mai Kai in 1979 and can attest to it’s big theater reputation. As kids, we always believed that a drive in would be built directly behind it because the rear of the building seemed just the right size for a screen. The Terrace Theater was the chief rival in the area being located a mile or so east on Plymouth road. Even though the Terrace was closer to our neighborhood, the Mai Kai was the place to go! Sad, I am only 47 and can remember the Mai Kai being built. Not a very long career for a nice local theater. P.S., the Terrace was subdivided and is barely surviving showing multiple features for $1. Life is tough when there is a multiplex in the mall right across the street.