Michigan Theatre
238 Bagley Street,
Detroit,
MI
48226
238 Bagley Street,
Detroit,
MI
48226
29 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 106 comments
2021 Google aerial and street views from 2021 show the building still as a parking garage, with the roof above the auditorium full of holes. But the roof around the office portion looks new so that part may still be occupied.
A video of the Detroit Opera’s presentation of “Bliss” in what remains of the Michigan Theatre can be viewed here
August 23rd, 1926 grand opening ad in photo section
The Jim Jarmusch movie “Only Lovers Left Alive” was partially filmed here.
The film referenced was “Strategic Air Command,” filmed in VistaVision. I specifically went to the Michigan Theater to see it, thinking that projected VistaVision films were of a wider aspect ratio such as CinemaScope films. I was wrong about that, but the depth of field was unbeatable except by the Cinerama films.
Here’s the text of the report about Fred and his organ:
(CBS News) RACINE, Wis. — From the outside, the three-bedroom ranch in Racine, Wis., looks like any other house. On the inside, it looks like any other house.
But if you make your way down the stairs, you’ll find a cellar unlike any other cellar. And it’s down here where 87-year-old retired insurance salesman Fred Hermes works on his hobby in front of a live audience.
“It makes me happy to see the enjoyment they get out of this,” Fred says.
Yes, here in the basement, where most of us keep our water heaters and paint cans, Fred has a giant Wurlitzer and balcony seating.
Fred built this theater-in-the-ground in 1959. It wasn’t so much that he wanted a theater as he needed a place to keep his organ and the 3,000 pipes that came with it. He rescued the organ from the old Michigan Theater in Detroit.
“Biggest organ that Wurlitzer ever made with five keyboards,” Fred says of the organ. It was made in March 1926, which Fred notes was the “same month I was born.”
Fred says he feels a kindred spirit with the organ.
That explains the Wurlitzer, but what about the rest of his place?
“Then they started tearing down all these beautiful movie theaters around the country,” he says. “And that’s when I thought, ‘Why not pick up some of this junk and make it look like a movie palace?’”
Which leads to the question: Why would anybody want that?
“Because they’re crazy,” Fred replies.
A few years ago, word got out that Fred had this theater and the tour buses have been stopping by ever since — which is fine by Fred. In fact, he says he has a responsibility to share his place.
“Here’s the way I look at life: this is a gift that God gave me,” he says. “And I think I owe something. And that is why I have people coming around here.”
They say God works in mysterious ways. And if this is one of those ways, Lord knows what he’s trying to tell us. Maybe follow your dreams, or share your passion, or maybe we’re just supposed to appreciate the quirks of this great country.
Like Fred’s home theater, sweet home theater.
If you want more information or would like to visit Fred’s basement organ, go to RealRacine.com.
Wow, that is REALLY cool!!!
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57594651/wis-mans-basement-holds-ultimate-home-theater/ The original 5 manual Wurlitzer from the Michigan can be seen here in a basement decorated like a movie palace; working and playing!
I recently photographed the former Michigan Theatre. Check out the post at After the Final Curtain
The MICHIGAN’s spectacular vertical sign was called the largest in Michigan, and was 120 feet tall by fourteen feet high and weighing seventeen tons.
By 1954, corrosion was found inside the 27-year-old sign which wasn’t noticeable outside. Sign contractor Edward A. Long of the Long Sign Company worked several eight-hour shifts from midnight until 8 am using a huge Moto-Crane to remove the sign, cutting it from the top down with torches. United Detroit Theatres said the sign wouldn’t be replaced.
The Michigan is prominently featured in the climatic fight scene in the recently released film “Alex Cross.” There are shots in the balcony area and above the ceiling. How authentic those are is questionable because damage is done to the ceiling at one point.
If that is the case, then they must have had to film it twice, using two different systems (as they did when they filmed Oklahoma in two different formats.)
According to the IMDB, Warner’s filmed “The Command” in both Cinemascope and 3-D, but only released the CinemaScope version.
“The Command” was WB’s first release in CinemaScope…not in 3-D or VistaVision.
Click here for an exterior view of the Michigan Theatre in 1930.
Correction: The first VistaVision release was White Christmas and was likely shown at the Michigan. The Command was a Warner’s 3D release from a year earlier. I suspect that the Michigan, installed a wide screen in summer 1953 to show Paramount’s Shane, a different western.
The marble horses were located on the 2nd floor mezzanine, attached to a Roman Chariot. The mezzanine was only open to the public during heavy business. JerryD
Yes, that is the Michigan auditorium in “The Island.” Also, according to the Theatre Historical Society Annual which was published about the Michigan several years back, those horses in the inner lobby area were an actual marble statue.
And this theatre had a spectacular marquee! I wonder what happened to it…dare I ask?
Where were the plaster horses located in the theatre?
The photo posted on April 23, 2010 is most amazing to see…looks like there is an organ near the stage. Such a shame to have lost this elegant Rapp & Rapp theatre to the stupidity of the owners then. Who were the owners then??
The Michigan was seen on the TV show “Detroit 1-8-7” last night. A cop meets with an informant in the structure and ceiling and wall details are clearly seen.
The michigan is also seen in the movie “The Island”. As Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johanson are being chased through the town they run briefly through a parking garage. Judging by the cieling I believe it’s the michigan.
View link
I took a few new photos when I was in town, May 29, 2010.
Very sad to see this theatre as a parking lot.