Bronson Theater
206 E. Chicago Street,
Bronson,
MI
49028
206 E. Chicago Street,
Bronson,
MI
49028
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Additional Info
Architects: Peter DeVos
Functions: Community Center
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Nearby Theaters
Opened on February 16, 1949 with Mickey Rooney in “Words and Music”. All seating was on a single floor. It had a cry room, which was located on the right-hand side of the projection booth. It was closed in early-1981. It reopened in late-November 1983. It closed as a movie theatre around 1988.
The former Bronson Theater was converted for use as a community center.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
The October 15, 1949, issue of Boxoffice Magazine published an article about the new Bronson Theatre, with three small photos. The pitched roof in recent photos is an addition. The original facade was pure streamlined Art Moderne. The interiors were also streamlined, with indirect lighting from round ceiling domes in the lobby and one large oval covering the auditorium. There is very little decorative detail visible in the magazine photos, but the carpet was fairly ornate.
The 606 seat Bronson Theatre was the eighth Michigan house to be operated by E.J. Pennell, and was a replacement for the smaller Coliseum Theatre.
My Grandfather, Eugene Jacob Pennell, built this theater. The interior was beautiful. It had red velvet curtains and very ornate carpeting. It was used for stage shows as well as motion pictures. My Grandfather would always show a cartoon prior to the movie. The ceiling in the auditorium sparkled as if you were out under the stars at a drive in. Well done, Grandpa!
Who was E J Pennell? Was he Eugene Jacob Pennell? Eugene is a brother of Fred E Pennell who is supposed to have run a movie theater in Michigan.
To dafna62, My son-in-law is the grandson of Fred E Pennell, Eugene’s brother. Please contact me at
Actual opening date is February 16, 1949 with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in “Words And Music” along with a few unnamed shorts. It closed in early-1981, but reopened in late-November 1983.
It most likely closed as a movie theater around 1988 when the Bronson Community Foundation was formed and it became a community center following renovation and restoration.