Boyne Theater
216 S. Lake Street,
Boyne City,
MI
49712
216 S. Lake Street,
Boyne City,
MI
49712
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Additional Info
Functions: Bar, Restaurant
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Bellamy Opera House
Nearby Theaters
The Bellamy Opera House was opened on March 19, 1904 presenting Gorton’s Minstrels on the stage. It screened its first movie on May 6, 1907. It was renovated into a theater in 1915-1916. In 1927 it received another renovation and reopened as Boyne Theater on September 13, 1927. It was remodeled again in 1938. It was closed in 2003 following a period screening adult movies. It was converted into a nightclub. By 2015 it was operating as a bar & restaurant.
My parents owned this theater in the late-1960’s for a decade. I have such wonderful memories of the colors and smells of the theater. My sister and I had special seats in the beautiful balcony.
I know the theater ran in the early days of cinema, and we inherited many fabulous antique movie posters from it.
Original marquee remains there, still. Some rebuilding has taken place in the box office.
Contributed by
Lisandrea Wentland
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Ms. Wentland, I’m interested in possibly doing a documentary on the theater in Boyne and I was hoping to get in contact with you about this. If anyone else has info on the theater, feel free to contact me as well. Thanks!
Adrea Korthase
Is this the theatre that was owned by Harry Burkhart quite a while ago?
I was just in Boyne City the other day (a really nice little city) and was glad to see this theatre still there (albeit altered internally). It appears that the balcony level and the upper portion of the building now have some sort of night/supper club and another club (or another level of the same club) occupies the theatre proper. I hope they retained (or at least covered over) whatever decoration existed prior, but it is a pleasure to see that they didn’t level the building like so many others have.
Lisa!!!
I know you and your sister!!!
Also know your special balcony seats! Your Mother was a friend of mine! Frequently, I would visit her in the box office while she worked! Somewhere, I do have photos of you and your sister waiting for Santa at the Boyne Depot with my sons,Shayne and Lon. Also, have a photo of you sitting on my horse – at your house! 50 yrs ago, I sold popcorn at your theater when Boyd Heaton owned it. He never knew how young I was and I never told him, since I needed to earn spending money! Popcorn was 10cents a bag! Long time ago! Old days!
The Boyne Theater has been recently acquired by Boyne City Main Street, a downtown development group, and is currently undergoing renovations.
Lisa, What a wonderful surprise to see your name on this site! Had to join just to say that you girls (and your folks) are very fondly remembered by your former neighbors down on Front Street as well. My brother, Mike, and your dad remained very good friends even after his move south. I too remember your seats in the balcony and taking trips with you and your mom down to visit the nesting swans in front of our houses. I got to see a LOT of movies growing up, thanks to your dad and my brother (who ran the projectors for him). Hard to believe it was so many years ago. Hope that this finds both of you girls well and happy!
On a more historic note… Charles I. Bellamy, who built the original theater building and opened it as the Bellamy Opera House, was also a stockholder in what is now the Wolverine-Dilworth Hotel. In researching information for the hotel’s history, I have been able to compile a rather detailed biography of Mr. Bellamy as well as his sister (who took over the business after his death in 1925). If this information would be useful to anyone, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Happy to share and exchange.
MY NAME IS HARRY BURKART. MY FAMILY AND I OPERATED THE BOYNE
CINEMA FROM 1992-2000 UNTIL MY DAD DIED.WE TWINNED IT IN 1993.
IT WAS A WONDERFUL TOWN AND A SUCCESSFUL CINEMA.I MAY BE WILLING TO RENOVATE AND CONVERT TO DIGITAL IF CONTACTED AT
317-379-8222 OR
The original building was constructed in 1903 by C.I. Bellamy as the Bellamy Opera House, owned by William J. Garland. It was renovated into a theater in 1915-1916. In 1926 the building was acquired by Mr. Heaton and renamed the Boyne Theater. Another remodeling was completed in 1938, and featured a seating capacity of 578. The theatre reeled both mainstream and adult films up until it’s closure in 2003.
The November 20, 1915 issue of Moving Picture World mentioned the plan to sometimes show movies at the Bellamy Opera House: “The Bellamy opera house at Boyne City is undergoing extensive improvements. Photoplays will be used when there are no dramatic attractions.”
An article published in 2004 on the occasion of the theater’s 100th anniversary said that the formal opening of the Bellamy Opera House on March 19, 1904 was not very well attended due to very bad weather. Fewer than 300 people showed up at the 750-seat house (Gus Hill’s 1914 directory listed it with 650 seats) for the performance by the popular Gorton’s Minstrels. On the whole, though, the theater was a welcome addition to Boyne City, hosting a variety of attractions and civic events, including the town’s first exhibition of motion pictures on May 6, 1907.
The November 20, 1915 issue of Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record had an item about the theater’s renovation that year:
The 1927 renovations were equally extensive. They involved reconstruction of the balcony and reconfiguring the stairs, a new projection room, the addition of a ladies lounge, a new heating plant and ventilation system, and complete redecoration of the interior. The revamped house opened as the Boyne Theatre on September 13, 1927.