Nordic Theater
136 W. Washington Street,
Marquette,
MI
49855
136 W. Washington Street,
Marquette,
MI
49855
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Related Websites
Nordic Theater (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Delft Theaters Inc., Rogers Cinemas
Functions: Bar
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Nearby Theaters
This theater, in downtown Marquette, Michigan, operated from April 11, 1936 with Barbara Stanwyck in “Red Salute”. On June 29, 1959 the Nordic Theater was chosen as the host of the world premiere of “Anatomy of a Murder” starring James Stewart. Some scenes in the film had been shot locally. In May 1994 it was sold to the Rogers Cinemas chain and they closed it on August 11, 1994 with Sean Bean in “Black Beauty”.
It was converted into a bookstore, which closed in 2018. In late-2019 it was planned to be restored to become a movie theatre once again, but the plans fell through and it will become a bar. It was announced in 2022 that it would be converted into a distillery with a planned opening in June 2022. Plans are to renovate and restore the marquee and façade of the theater. It was fully restored in 2022 and reopened as a distillery & bar.
Contributed by
David Wallick
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
I’m not surprised by this. Hollywood was pushing the envelope in the late 50’s which was also a decade of extreme censorship. I wonder how many other theatres have ‘stories’ such as this one.
The Nordic was a wonderful theater with a great entrance and concession lobby. It was a travesty when it closed. There is no hint that a movie theatre once existed where the new book store resides. So I find it ironic that they would trade on the history of such an amazing place. The Nordic was right across the street from another gem, The Delft Theatre. It still officially exists as a movie theatre, though it has been carved up into 5 “new” screening areas. The decor is more cheap English library (think upholstered wingback chairs and fox hunting pictures) and less cinema hall. For someone who grew up in those theatres, it was a double tragedy.
I saw “The Apartment” at the Nordic in August, 1960; the theatre was about half filled. There were many Art Moderne touches and blue-glass mirrors in the lobby. I spoke with the manager who said that a picture like “The Apartment” would have filled the theatre in the 1940s.
Thanks for the cement-slab story. The Rhodes Theatre in Chicago also had a collection of such footprints and signatures. When I visited Marquette that one time long ago, their sidewalks were carrying embossed warnings from the city fathers against spitting.
Circa 1983 photo added courtesy of Phillip Goodwin.
Article published yesterday states that this theater will be completely restored to original form including the marquee, lobby and ticket booth, but will contain distillery equipment in the auditorium. A large portion of this theater is still intact. Still will not play movies. It will be named The Honorable Distillery with “NORDIC” on the marquee according the news release.