Madison Theatre
1231 Madison Avenue SE,
Grand Rapids,
MI
46507
1231 Madison Avenue SE,
Grand Rapids,
MI
46507
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Not to be confused with a nearby Madison Theatre at 1168 Madison Avenue SE which opened in 1916 (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures). The Madison Theatre opened in 1920 with seating listed at 480. This was a small neighborhood theatre. This house was owned by Beechers Inc. In 1931 it was given a make-over and was equipped for sound movies, reopening on September 5, 1931 with Janet Gaynor in “Daddy Long Legs”. In 1940 it was given a Streamline Modern style makeover.
The Madison Theatre closed on January 12, 1957 with James Cagney in “These Wilder Years” & Russ Tamblyn in “The Young Guns”. It was converted into a roller skating rink which opened on February 7, 1957. It was later demolished. Housing units are where the theatre once stood.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
This theater apparently had a predecessor nearby. The 1916 Grand Rapids City Directory lists a Madison Square Theatre at 1168 Madison Avenue, while the 1922 directory lists the Madison Theatre at 1231 Madison.
Listings ended in 1957 for this theatre.
Charles P. Dickerman opened the Madison Theater in 1916 in the Gifford Block building at 1168 Madison. If reported correctly, it reopens in a new build Madison Square facility in 1920 at 1231 Madison by the Beecher Theater, Inc. Circuit. Beecher operated the Madison, Franklin, Liberty, Biltmore and Alcazar at that time. Grovner Willer and Herbert Boshoven (later of Boshoven-Busic Theatres) take on the venue giving it a major makeover and converting it to sound to remain viable. It reopens as the “New” Madison Theater on September 5, 1931 with “Daddy Longlegs.”
In 1940, Willer and Boshoven gave the venue an even more drastic streamline moderne makeover with new-look marquee. B.K.R. Theatres with Busic and two partners takes on the venue in 1949 and then it operated by the reformulated Boshoven-Busic Circuit in the 1950s.
Joe Busic closed here on January 12, 1957 with “These Wilder Years” and “The Young Guns.” It was converted to a roller rink at a cost of $8,000 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Meholic opening on Feb. 7, 1957.