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Redford Theatre (photo credit ClickOnDetroit.com)

Redford Theatre

Detroit, Michigan, USA

First Opened: 27th January 1928 (96 years ago)

Atmospheric Style: Japanese

Architects: Verner, Wilhelm and Molby

Former Name: Kunsky-Redford Theatre

Website: www.redfordtheatre.com Link opens in new window

Address: 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit, MI 48219 Link opens in new window

National Register of Historic Places: #85000171 Link opens in new window (added 31st January 1985)


Overview

The Redford Theatre was opened by the Kunsky Theatres chain on 27th January 1928 and was originally called the Kunsky-Redford Theatre. The opening feature was The Gay Defender (1927) Link opens in new window starring Richard Dix.

The Japanese garden themed Atmospheric style auditorium
The Japanese garden themed Atmospheric style auditorium

Architects Verner, Wilhelm and Molby designed the auditorium in an Atmospheric style with an outdoor Japanese garden theme, “the walls picturesque with odd shaped roofs and spires of Japanese landscape and trees”.

The original seating capacity was 2,051; it is now 1,581. The theatre was built with a full stage and orchestra pit, and is still equipped with its original Barton 3-manual, 10-rank theatre organ, the console of which is decorated with gold and black painted themed motifs.

In 1931 the theatre was purchased by the Goldberg family – Irving and Adolph Goldberg – as part of their Community Theatres circuit.

According to Wikipedia Link opens in new window, during World War II, many of the original Japanese-style decorations, including the lobby chandeliers, were covered up or removed as part of a broader trend of anti-Japanese sentiment.

The Redford Theatre closed on 3rd November 1974 with the last showing of The Day of the Dolphin (1973) Link opens in new window. The Motor City chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society Link opens in new window (MCTOS) then took over operation of the theatre before purchasing the building in 1977. Since that time the all-volunteer staff has run it as a classic films/rental/stage show/organ concert venue. MCTOS Link opens in new window have also been working for many years to recreate what was lost of the original Japanese-style decorations previously altered or removed during World War II.

In recent years the theatre has gained a computerized light board and new, but historically accurate, seating. Restoration continues as funds and time permit. The theatre’s classic film series shows a different film every other weekend, plus music played on the Barton organ.

The Redford Theatre is the only known extant Atmospheric theatre with a Japanese theme.

Further Reading

Online

Historic Photos & Documents
Files displayed in this section may be subject to copyright; refer to our Copyright Fair Use Statement regarding our use of copyrighted media.

Photos of the Redford Theatre

Photo credits are noted where data was available at the time of inclusion. Photos displayed here may be subject to copyright; refer to our Copyright Fair Use Statement regarding our use of copyrighted media and contact us Contact Us with any concerns.

Photos
Redford Theatre: Auditorium from Balcony Center, courtesy <i>Metro Detroit</i>
Auditorium from Balcony Center, courtesy Metro Detroit
Redford Theatre: Auditorium at main floor level, courtesy <i>Redford Theatre</i>
Auditorium at main floor level, courtesy Redford Theatre
Redford Theatre: Exterior, courtesy <i>Metro Detroit</i>
Exterior, courtesy Metro Detroit
Redford Theatre: Auditorium from Balcony, courtesy Flickr user <i>Wading in Big Shoes</i>
Auditorium from Balcony, courtesy Flickr user Wading in Big Shoes


Photographs copyright © 2002-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos unless otherwise noted.

Text copyright © 2017-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos.

For photograph licensing and/or re-use contact me here Contact Us.





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