Michigan Theater

it actually seats 1,590 people

Mike, I’m looking at a one-sheet for Daisy Miller and it has a G rating on it. IMDB also has it as G.

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Was that"BUCK ROGERS" the re-cut TV show for the big screen.Just wondering.

I like the old style marquee better than the new one,which is always the case.

Maybe I’m the only person who remembers this, but back in 1978 when Butterfield moved out of the Michigan there was serious talk of Jacobson’s moving in, gutting the interior and making it a new store (with movie theaters in the balcony). Though I’ve been seriously disappointed by many (most) of the changes I’ve seen in my hometown, the restoration of the Michigan is a big plus.

“first run”….clever! LOL

The second screen at the Michigan is located in a new-construction addition built onto the back of the theater, leaving the auditorium in its original configuration/size. The Michigan is used for symphony, ballet, jazz, folk and contemporary events in addition to films, so “twinning” would not be an option. In regards to SNWEB’s comment about “Hats off to U of M” the University has nothing to do (directly) with the operation of the Michigan. The building is owned by the city (purchased by an overwhelmingly approved millage during an economically difficult year) and run by the non-profit Michigan theatre foundation. The foundation was formed to save the theater, which was well on its way to being gutted and converted into a “food court” mall type place, and to operate it as an auditorium/performing arts facility separate from the University’s whim and why. Henry, who has posted comments above, was really the person who began the movement to save the theater. Without his actions the theater may no exist today.

Patsy, from the description given above, I don’t think the main auditorium was cut in half. It sounds like they acquired some space next door and expanded.

I spent a lot of time in that theater while going to U of M; heck, some of my film classes were held there, watching classic movies. I even made a short film in 16mm about the theater and its history. It included an interview with Russ Collins, who is still in charge some 20 years later.

Lost Memory: Thanks for this 2007 photo as I was concerned that this marquee and vertical MICHIGAN marquee had been changed because of the “recent” photo shown with the stats on the theatre. Are you sure this is a 2007 photo? I hope so. And I wish it hadn’t been twinned, but perhaps it will be a single screen cinema again one day.

Thank you for sharing these great photos! Art is the extension of the soul, and I bless the dedicated theater owners on a successful & worthwhile restoration. This theater was recently granted an award by the League of Historic American Theaters (LHAT). A job well done!

I went to this theater while in college in the mid ‘80s. I remember seeing Gone With The Wind and a Marx Brothers double feature. I hadn’t been able to appreciate the older films until then. The experience was always fantastic, a trip back in time as they would have an organist performing prior to the show. As the the trailers would start and the big velvet curtains would part the organ along with player would lower out of sight.

That’s from March.