Calvin Theatre
22168 Michigan Avenue,
Dearborn,
MI
48124
22168 Michigan Avenue,
Dearborn,
MI
48124
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Wisper-Wetsman Theaters
Architects: Ted Rogvoy
Nearby Theaters
Built on the site of the earlier Strand Theatre, the Calvin Theatre opened in 1927. It also contained an organ. For many of its years in operation, it was part of the Wisper-Wetsman Theaters chain. It was remodeled in 1941 to the plans of architect Ted Rogvoy.
In 1965, it was modernized and began screening second-run films.
In 1980, the Calvin Theatre was gutted by two blazes in the space of two months, and shortly thereafter, the property was acquired by the city of Dearborn and the ruins demolished.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
The first fire was Sunday, September 21, 1980 at 1:00 p.m. The second fire was Sunday, October 26, 1980 at 1:00 a.m.
Pics:
Drawing
1
The site is now a Buddy’s Pizza
Aug. 26 1929: “Talkies” arrive at Calvin Theatre with “Broadway Melody.”
The fires that doomed the Calvin were very suspicious in nature, and there was rumor that the city wasn’t exactly disinterested in the theatre’s demise. I was in the Calvin in ‘78, it was a nice house, a little dirty and funky (they all were back then) but the building was all there.
Here is a postcard, circa 1920s:
http://tinyurl.com/5mnhde
The April 25, 1941, issue of The Film Daily said that Detroit architect Ted Rogvoy was working on a remodeling project for Wiseter & Westman’s Calvin Theatre in Dearborn.