Palace Theatre
205 E. Kearsley Street,
Flint,
MI
48502
205 E. Kearsley Street,
Flint,
MI
48502
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: W.S. Butterfield Theaters Inc.
Architects: Charles Howard Crane, John Adolph Emil Eberson, Cornelius Ward Rapp
Styles: Art Deco
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News About This Theater
- Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
The Palace Theatre was built in 1917 for the Butterfield Theaters chain. It seated 1,348. This theatre and the Capitol Theatre just two blocks South were the two first run movie theatres in Flint. The Palace Theatre went through a renovation in 1950 both inside and outside to the plans of C. Howard Crane & Associates. The renovation removed the previous ornate design and replaced it with Art Deco style decorations.
It closed on January 25, 1976 with Pam Grier in “Foxy Brown” & Richard Pryor in “The Mack”. It was demolished in 1977 to make way for the University of Michigan-Flint campus. There was a plea to save the theatre building itself, but it was determined that it would be too costly to save the 60 years old building.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
C. Howard Crane & Associates was the architectural firm that designed the 1950 renovation of this theater.
Clarifying the architects of C. Howard Crane & Associates who designed the 1950 renovation of this theater, the architects from that firm who did the actual designs were Elmer Keihler and Dixon Kellogg. The original 1917 design was by Chicago architect “John W. Everson.” I wonder if that is a misspelling of the legendary theater architect John Eberson.
I now believe the original architect of the theater was John Eberson.
Don"t you just love the fascade and marquee of the palace.
That date for the picture is incorrect. “The Furies” was released in 1950. The automobiles in the picture date from the late 1940s and early 50s.
You are correct. And I am a 40 year collector car hobbyist and missed that… There was a second image that included a dated description with the photo credit. I will delete and re-post it.
The upside is that that proves the photo was from the Palace’s 1950 reopening after it’s renovation mentioned in the Overview.
Interestingly, the theatre was designed by John Eberson in association with C.W. and George D. Rapp and remodeled by C. Harold Crane. A triple play of big names.
Circa 1919 photo added source unknown.
Opened by Colonel Butterfield and his Circuit on August 30, 1917, the Palace cost $200,000 to build. It ceased operations on January 25, 1976 with Pam Grier in “Foxy Brown” and Richard Pryor in “The Mack.”