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Updates on Manistee’s closed movie theaters
posted by
Britarchivist
on
September 6, 2006 at 7:15 am
MANISTEE, MI — Many people have shown an interest in the history of Manistee’s “other” movie theaters. Today I went and spent a day at the museum compiling information that has been virtually unknown until now.
From the Manistee News Advocate, 8-25-15..article mentions new theater, (Lyric), to be built on the site of the old Royal Theatre on River Street.
Nov 25 1915
News Advocate announces “Lyric Theatre at 415 Rivert St opens.”
Here’s a photo of the exterior of Lyric Theatre .
It was both a vaudeville and moving picture show showing silent films. On June 16, 1916 The pipe organ was first used. On March 13th, 1954, the theater closed.
One of the Lyrics old projectors is currently housed at the Manistee County Historical Museum.
In the mid 60’s, much of the inside of the theater was converted to the current Salvation Army building.
The Chippewa Drive-In Theatre opened on July 30th, 1950. It closed 3-13-54. Check out a photo of that drive-in. It still operated in the early 80’s.
