Regent Theatre
133 Crescent Street NW,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503
133 Crescent Street NW,
Grand Rapids,
MI
49503
2 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: RKO, W.S. Butterfield Theaters Inc.
Architects: Charles Howard Crane
Styles: Italian Renaissance
Previous Names: RKO Regent Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Regent Theatre opened August 10, 1923 with Norma Talmadge in “Within the Law”. It was equipped with Robert Morton 3 manual 76-stops organ. It was closed by RKO on September 29, 1964 with Paul Newman in “The Hustler” & Carol Lynley in “Blue Denim”. It was purchased by the city for urban renewal and demolished. The Robert Morton organ was saved and removed from the building. On top of the building was a 16-lane Ten-Pin bowl.
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Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Here is a 1923 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yvaxsf
The Grand Rapids History web site provides this page about the Regent Theatre. This theater was designed in the Italian Renaissance style by architect C. Howard Crane.
Opened 10 August 1923.
Grand opening ad posted. Listings ended in 1964.
Final shows at the RKO Regent Theatre were held September 29, 1964 at end of lease with “The Hustler” and “Blue Denim.” Leonard VanderMate was on duty on opening night and was still working the booth on September 29, 1964. Good effort!
The city took on the property as part of urban renewal. They were able to salvage the Robert Morton organ - once played by Hazel “Bird” McGahey in its silent years - prior to the Regent’s demolition in 1966 and its extensive art collection. Houting & Meeusen Wrecking Company of Holland reportedly did a good job of salvaging useful items including the 16-lane bowling alley above the theater.