This poor theater sat vacant for years and fell into disrepair. One local entrepreneur, Mike Ilitch (Little Caesar's Pizza) wanted to save it and bring it back to its former glory. What he did for Detroit was the stepping stone to bring the city back to life. RIP Mr. Ilitch. It's just a shame someone wasn't there to save the original Fisher Theater.
I live about 65 miles from here! Thank you so much for posting this. I meant to add: your reading of the poem about the Fox Theater was absolutely the perfect touch for this video. So well done.
Thank you for this great snapshot of architectural history. You obviously have a lot of love for all facets of the 1920's with your videos appearing well researched, interesting and not overly long. To those in the comments who are reminding that the theatre had two organs, he 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 mention that it contained two. If you listen closely to the dialogue from around 4:32 - 4:39 you will hear that it is said that there are two as it is stated, "Also in the lobby is an organ COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM the organ in the auditorium. This is used to entertain those waiting for seats."
This Chicago architect thanks you for your wonderful video. I've been considering visiting Detroit and this gives me an excellent reason to do so. For all the old theaters no longer around, and for all the destroyed and dilapidated buildings Detroit is known for, it's great to hear this is still a working theater.
I grew up in Detroit and I've been to the Fox many times. A long time ago I dated a girl who's father was part owner of the Fox, it was not open to to the public at that time and in need of restoration. The theater actually has two organs, It would have been nice if you talked a little about the magnificent 4-manual 36-rank Wurlitzer.
I saw Lawrence of Arabia at the FOX in Detroit. Great movie. Great theater. If you get the opportunity to see something at the FOX in Detroit do it it is absolutely stunning.
Worth finding images of a wonderfully ornate beautiful building it is great that it has been saved. It's difficult to even imagine 5000 people would gather to watch movies.
I spent half my life working in metro Detroit, and never attended anything in this theatre. It makes me feel bad that I missed out on this jewel of architecture. I'm more a fan of traditional Art Deco than this style, but I should go see it. You mention they play old movies sometimes, that would be perfect.
Last show i caught there was Bob Dylan On MAY 15, 2015 Loved the other Theater too formerly...the Fillmore .... Which was known as the State Theatre for most of its history. Prior to its renaming, the structure was known as the Palms Theatre, a movie house built in the Renaissance Revival style of architecture.... Saw loads of Rock Concerts there .. As well
Yes, wasn't that theater demoed in 1963? What were they thinking? Unfortunately, this kind of thing takes place all over this country... and I don't know why.
Detroit at one time had several movie palaces and I believe the Fox is the sole survivor. The United Artists theater building still exists, thankfully, and is now under full restoration after many decades of complete neglect. However, the theater was gutted and used as a parking garage for many years and only a few traces of its grandeur exist. I don't know if they're going to incorporate the remains of the theater into the restoration. It's a bit odd that given that sound movies were a looming reality in the movie business that the Fox decided to install a big theater organ that would soon be obsolete. After sound movies took over many theaters that had installed them simply stopped paying for them and invited the organ companies to remove themselves if they wanted them back in lieu of nonpayment.
Unfortunately it ( the theater of United ) is being demolished as of early Nov 2022 but the rest of the building is being redeveloped into apartments !
@@brucebeamon5460 I'm aware of that. It's a shame that the theater couldn't be saved but I think it was just too far gone to save. I hope that at least some of the historical integrity of the UA office building will be saved and restored.
Detroit was not the Fox flagship, The Fox flagship was the slightly larger Fox in San Francisco which Fox boasted as being the worlds finest theater, and "The Last Word"
