Alhambra Theater
9428 Woodward Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48226
9428 Woodward Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48226
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Kunsky Theatres
Architects: Charles Howard Crane
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The Alhambra Theater, which opened in 1915, was an early design by C. Howard Crane, for the affluent neighborhood of Boston-Edison. It could seat about 1,475 and was originally operated by the Kunsky Theaters circuit.
In the late-1930’s, Crane’s firm completely remodeled the Alhambra Theater. Besides movies, the theater hosted live acts on its stage. Among the celebrities to perfom there was Gypsy Rose Lee.
After its days as a movie house ended, the Alhambra Theater was converted into a recording studio in the mid-1970’s.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The Alhambra WAS, and had been a recording studio (Artie Fields productions) when I was there in 1975 (the mid 70’s) I would guess the studio took over the theatre in the mid to late 60’s. There were stud frame walls dividing the lobby areas into the studios, and the auditorium was one huge echo chamber and tape library. The place was positively ancient backstage—the switchboard looked like 1900, not 1915, and the rigging was a true all-rope pinrail. All gone now.
I lived at 74 Kenilworth street around the corner from the Alhambra from 1940 to 1943. I went to the Alhambra regularly particularly on the Saturday matinees. I was born in Detroit in 1930. I remember seing Errol Flynn in Robin Hood and John Wayne in several WWII movies. The last movie I saw there before moving to California in 1943 starred Rudy Valley he sang a song which was the title of the movie but I can’t remember it.
According to the Moving Picture World for Jan 15th 1916 that Tinseltoes links to, the Alhambra opened on November 14th 1914, and seated 1,600 – 1,400 on the main floor and 200 in the balcony, plus 60 box seats. As well as the Hillgreen-Lane organ it had a six piece orchestra and was decorated in the Adams style. Screengrabs of the foyer (which according to the article could hold 600)and auditorium are now in the photos section.
The Alhambra Theatre can be marked as demolished. A liquor store and its parking lot now occupy the site of this theater.