Sun Theater
Monroe Street,
Bangor,
MI
49013
Monroe Street,
Bangor,
MI
49013
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Just wanted to clarify the spelling on the owners name, its Elsner and not Eisner. Its hard to make out the L in the article I had trouble myself. John and Gus were my Uncles, they along with 2 other brothers Ted and my father, Walter, all owned about 4 or 5 different theaters off and on in Michigan, as I am finding in my searches. My family only spoke about the Starlite Drive-In in Benton Harbor, but as I find more information my mother remembers the other theaters. Thank you all for keeping the theaters alive and thanks for posting what you know and find.
Here is an item from the Herald Press dated 11/18/49:
BANGOR, NOV. 18â€"The Sun Theater here has been sold by Gus E. Eisner to his brother, John Eisner, formerly of Berrien Springs, it was announced today. John Eisner previously operated the Berry Theater at Berrien Springs. He sold the theater there some five or six weeks ago and recently moved to Mishawaka, Indiana.
Gus Eisner has operated the Sun Theater here for several years. He and another brother, Walter Eisner of Benton Harbor, are proprietors of the Starlite outdoor theater at Benton Harbor.
It just says the north side of Bangor’s main street. I couldn’t find any other references to the address.
Here is an article from the St. Joseph Herald Press dated 3/6/52:
Fire Destroys Bangor Theater
Fire believed to have started in the heating and ventilation system yesterday afternoon destroyed the Sun Theater here with a loss estimated at $35,000 to $40,000. Effective action by volunteer Bangor firemen, aided for a time by South Haven firemen, prevented the roaring blaze from spreading to buildings immediately adjacent on either side.
The theater, owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Eisner of Bangor, was this village’s only movie house. Mr. and Mrs. Eisner were en route to Florida when the blaze occurred. They were recalled from Elkhart, Ind., by a state police message. Their loss was reported substan-
tially covered by insurance.
This morning, only the front wall and propped-up marquee of the building were still standing. Everything inside, including furniture and a new load of films, was in ruins. The loss was described as complete. The shell of the building was still standing, however, except for part of the west wall that fell after the roof caved. The theater’s location is on the north side of Bangor’s main street, 118 Monroe.
Some damage occurred to the roofs of the adjoining buildings from flying sparks, but Mr. and Mrs. Russell Smith, owners of the Bangor Wood shop, praised firemen for holding the damage to a minimum.