Historic Detroit

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Michigan Theatre - Old photos

One of the statues that decorated the theater before it became a parking garage.

The jaw-dropping opulence of the lobby.

A rare color shot of the beautiful Michigan lobby

The lobby.

The screen from the balcony

The rear elevation, showing the theater

By 1960, the Michigan had lost much of its luster.

The Michigan Theatre in 1952.

The Michigan Building, which houses the Michigan Theatre

One of the statues that decorated the theater before it became a parking garage.

One of the statues that decorated the theater before it became a parking garage.

One of the statues that decorated the theater before it became a parking garage.

The grand staircase in the 1970s.

The auditorium.

The Michigan Theatre shortly after opening

The Michigan Theatre on the right with the Leland Hotel in the background

The magnificient marquee of the Michigan

The glorious marquee in 1935.

The lobby of the magnificent Michigan.

The Michigan Theatre on the right with the Leland Hotel in the background

The ticket line, silent and empty in the 1970s.

A parking cop tickets a car outside the Michigan Theatre in 1952. Maybe its owner was at a movie.

The marquee on the rear of the Michigan.

The gallery.

The mezzanine

The mezzanine promenade.

The grand staircase in the 1970s.

The theater was decorated with various sculptures and statues, such as this chariot seen in the 1960s.

The Michigan Theatre's lobby about 1970.

The Michigan Theatre's lobby about 1970.

The blade marquee was removed, as shown here in 1966, leaving only the bottom.

The Michigan Theatre, left, with blade sign during the 1950s.

The horse and chariot sculpture.

The projection booth.

This is why they called them movie palaces.

The auditorium, as seen from the balcony.

The view from the balcony.

A fountain in the lobby.

The Michigan's blade marquee illuminated in 1946. Looking down Bagley Avenue.

The blade marquees of the Michigan and United Artists.

The 10-story blade marquee that once hung outside.