Guild Theatre

12719 Gratiot Avenue,
Detroit, MI 48205

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Additional Info

Previous Names: Franklin Theatre, Guild Art Theatre

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Guild Theatre

Opened as the Franklin Theatre in 1926, this very small theatre became known as the Guild Theatre on March 8, 1962, when it started showing foreign features, the first being Claudia Cardinale in “Girl with a Suitcase” (La Ragazza con la Valigia).

Later, it was renamed the Guild Art, and began showing adult films. In 1992, the “Art” portion of the name was dropped.

The Guild Theatre has been closed since the early-2000’s.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

DetroitDerek
DetroitDerek on January 15, 2008 at 8:14 am

Picture of it’s condition as of the summer of 2007:

View link

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 29, 2010 at 12:38 pm

Is this theater being demolished? I saw something on CNN to that effect.

Matthew Prigge
Matthew Prigge on November 11, 2012 at 8:21 pm

If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre in its adult days, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 26, 2015 at 10:38 am

Undated photo added courtesy of Tom Emm.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 15, 2022 at 9:52 am

Reopened as Guild on June 8th, 1962 with “Girl with a Suitcase”. Ad posted.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 15, 2022 at 10:48 am

Still standing in the August 2021 street view. It is interesting to scroll around as the years change depending on the angle. No channel sign letters left on the top of the marquee now, but 2 were left in 2019, 3 in 2013, 4 in 2009, versus most of them in the 2007 photo posted earlier. Likely grabbed by metal scrappers. The income from the two billboards on the roof is likely paying the property taxes. Down Waltham Street to its left are many vacant lots, boarded up, abandoned homes. One burnt out. Goulburn Avenue to its right is about the same, but with some homes still occupied.

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