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Fox Theatre
2001 Photo from the Adam Martin collection
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2211 Woodward Ave
Detroit MI
(313) 983-6611
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| Record #9918 |
Opened: 1928
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Capacity: 5048 seats
Architect(s): C Howard Crane
Architectural Style(s): Siamese Byzantine
National Register: 1985
Current Organ: 4/36 |
| Also Known As: |
Built in 18 months, this "Temple of Amusement" cost nearly $3.8 million and contained what is reputed to be the largest clear span balcony in the world. Siamese-Byzantine in design, the Detroit Fox is nearly the twin of the Saint Louis Fox, which is slightly smaller. A 3-manual, 12-rank Moller organ was located in the mezzanine lobby and the auditorium featured a 4-manual, 36-rank "Crawford Special" Wurlitzer.
The Fox opened with a staff of 400, including a 100-piece orchestra led by Adolph Kornspahn. The projection booth was located on the 8th floor and was equipped with two Simplex projectors aimed at a proscenium that was 77 feet wide and 45 feet high.
In 1953, the Fox became the first theater in Michigan to show films in the CinemaScope process, debuting "The Robe" on October 1. The theater also debuted the CinemaScope 55 process in 1956, with "The King and I".
In 1963, the Fox was leased to Herman Cohen and Bill Brown, who began showing low-budget horror films and beach party movies. They also began hosting the Fox's legendary Motown Revues. Classic films were occasionally shown, with live accompaniment on the organ or a live orchestra. These films included the silent "Wings", Douglas Fairbanks in "Robin Hood" and the Buster Keaton classic, "Steamboat Bill, Jr."
In 1981, the Fox reopened with movies, but this only lasted for a few months. The Fox was sold to Charles Forbes for $1 million in 1984 and a year later the theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater continued to operated for just a few days a month until it was purchased in 1987 by Michael Ilitch.
In July 1988, the marquee was replaced and, after several months, the Fox reopened as a live venue in November of that year. Eighty percent of the theater had been restored at a cost of $8 million.
In 1989, 70mm projection equipment was installed for the Detroit premiere of the restored version of "Lawrence of Arabia".
Photos
Photos remain the property of the Member and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Member. |
Photos from the Andrew Foot collection. 
24 KB 400x226
The State Theatre (l... |
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Last updated 2005-03-20.
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