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 | Redford Theatre |
Detroit, MI 48219
(313) 537-2560
View Website
Description:
The Redford Theatre opened on January 27, 1928 as a neighborhood movie house. It was billed as "America's Most Unique Suburban Playhouse." The theatre, with its three story grand foyer and
Services:
Matinee Discounts
Products:
Gift Certificates
Business Categories:
Movie Theaters
The Redford Theatre opened on January 27, 1928 as a neighborhood movie house. It was billed as "America's Most Unique Suburban Playhouse." The theatre, with its three story grand foyer and
full-size
stage,
has
been
in
continuous
operation
ever
since.
This
was
fortunate,
since
it
enabled
the
Redford
and
its
theatre
organ
to
escape
the
ravages
of
neglect
that
resulted
in
the
destruction
of
many
movie
palaces.
Silent
films
were
still
being
produced
when
the
plans
were
made
for
the
theatre,
so
a
Barton
Theatre
organ
was
installed
as
the
theatre
was
being
built.
The
theatre
was
designed
with
a
Japanese
motif.
That
design
included
appropriate
decorations
on
the
organ
console.
During
World
War
II,
much
of
the
Japanese-style
decoration
was
removed,
painted
over
or
covered
up.
As
the
theatre
continued
in
operation,
the
pipe
organ
was
used
less
and
less
frequently.
Eventually
heavy
draperies
were
hung
over
the
organ
grillework.
The
Motor
City
Theatre
Organ
Society
became
interested
in
the
Redford
Theatre
because,
while
many
pipe
organs
had
been
removed
from
theatres,
the
Redford's
instrument
remained
intact.
The
Redford
Theatre
and
the
Fox
Theatre
are
now
the
only
two
theatres
with
their
original
theatre
organs
in
the
metro
Detroit
area.
MCTOS
entered
into
an
agreement
with
the
owners
of
the
theatre
to
voluntarily
refurbish
the
organ
and
use
it
to
present
shows.
The
organ
shows
were
very
successful.
However,
the
audiences
for
the
movies
being
presented
by
the
owners
of
the
theatre
dwindled.
This
was
part
of
a
national
trend
that
saw
many
large
theatres
either
divided
into
smaller
auditoriums
or
demolished.
A
theatre
the
size
of
the
Redford
(currently
1,
661
seats)
became
a
liability,
instead
of
an
asset.
In
spite
of
attempts,
by
the
owners,
to
bolster
attendance,
the
theatre
became
commercially
unprofitable.
The
owners
of
the
Redford
Theatre
offered
to
sell
the
organ,
building
and
grounds
to
MCTOS.
MCTOS
took
a
giant
step
and
purchased
the
theatre
on
a
seven
year
land
contract.
At
the
end
of
the
land
contract,
MCTOS
was
able
to
make
the
balloon
payment
and
became
the
full
owner
of
the
theatre.
Work
on
the
building,
since
that
time
has
been
continuous.
In
addition
to
maintaining
the
1928
infrastructure
of
the
building,
MCTOS
has
replaced
the
furnaces,
repaired
the
roof,
brought
the
electrical
system
up
to
current
code,
replaced
the
carpeting
and
resurfaced
the
parking
lot.
In
addition,
countless
hours
of
volunteer
labor
have
been
expended
on
restoring
the
original
Japanese
motif.
The
projection
and
stage
facilities
have
also
been
upgraded.
The
projection
booth
has
2
Norelco
projectors
capable
of
presenting
35mm
and
70mm
film
programs.
The
projection
sound
system
is
capable
of
up
to
six
channel
stereo
sound.
The
recent
donation
of
a
Dolby
CP-100
processor
enhances
the
projection
capabilities
even
further.
The
stage
has
seen
the
replacement
of
the
grand
drape
and
the
huge
20
ft.
by
40
ft.
screen.
Thanks
to
a
substantial
grant
from
the
Redford
Community
War
Memorial
Association,
a
new
computerized
lighting
control
system
has
just
been
installed
to
replace
the
1928
Bulldog
light
control
system.
This
progress
was
made
possible
by
the
generous
donations
of
money,
time
and
materials,
both
from
members
and
others
interested
in
the
preservation
of
the
theatre
and
its
original
pipe
organ.
Admissions
to
the
many
shows
and
programs
presented
in
the
theatre
are
another
important
source
of
income.
Rental
of
various
parts
of
the
Redford
Theatre
building
and
grounds
also
contributes
to
the
operating
budget.
In
addition
to
the
auditorium,
the
theatre
building
includes
stores
on
the
ground
level
and
office
space
on
the
second
level.
The
stores
are
currently
occupied
by
a
bakery,
a
beauty
salon,
a
pharmacy
and
a
barber
shop.
Several
of
the
second
floor
offices
have
been
used
by
The
Detroit
Filmmaker's
Coalition,
a
society
of
independent
film
producers.
Even
the
parking
lots
provide
a
source
of
revenue
through
the
leasing
of
space
by
local
businesses
and
an
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Services:
Matinee Discounts
Products:
Gift Certificates
Business Categories:
Movie Theaters
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