Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning January 2006 » Photo Location? « Previous Next »
Top of pageBottom of page

Ray1936
Member
Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 331
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 5:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Came across this photo on a post card web site today, and wondered where the exact location might be. It says "Redford", and I'm thinking of the southeast corner of Grand River and Lahser. There's streetcar power lines there, and the only streetcar line that hit old Redford was the Grand River line.

What say you?
card
Top of pageBottom of page

Dodgemain
Member
Username: Dodgemain

Post Number: 88
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 68.41.191.58
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 6:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here is one from the Ruins collection. Looks close

ruin
Top of pageBottom of page

56packman
Member
Username: 56packman

Post Number: 74
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 129.9.163.234
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 6:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ray, that bank building is on the Northwest corner of Lahser and Grand river. Dodgemain, that building is on Fenkell in brightmore. Here is a picture of the SE corner of Lasher and GR.
grand river and  lahser, looking south on GR
the Other bank building on the RH side of the photo is the SE corner. That bank building has been gone for years, it has been a parking lot since at least the early 70's

(Message edited by 56packman on March 02, 2006)
Top of pageBottom of page

Barnesfoto
Member
Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 1734
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.2.149.97
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 9:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

wow, beautiful.
When Barnesfoto was small, that corner was occupied by a one story building that had been a shoe store, and before that, Cunninghams. It was torn down in the early 80's.
The building on the left side of the above photo housed Meyer's Rexall Drugs, and it today it is a party store. The building on the right side of the photo is still there too, and where the smaller sign is was the China Clipper Restaurant, where my parents took me for our MSG fixes in the seventies.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jams
Member
Username: Jams

Post Number: 2804
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 70.236.184.231
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 9:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

There's streetcar power lines there, and the only streetcar line that hit old Redford was the Grand River line.




I'm not sure if that is totally correct. There were the interurbans as well. I'll try to research that, but if MikeM or any of our resident experts can answer, I'd appreciate it.
Top of pageBottom of page

Ray1936
Member
Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 332
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 11:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Think you're right, 56packman....that's why I couldn't place it in my mind....a long gone building. Thanks, all.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3201
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 12:30 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

jjaba is having problems with orientation. Where's the Redford Theater?
Thanks.
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2132
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.163.181.81
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 12:34 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ray'36's postcard is NW corner GR lahser. Had a post war facade modernization and was unrecognizable cw was it usedta be but AIR it was a fabric store for a loong time in the 70s 80s (IT had a large bilboard-like sign atop). I _THINK_ the building is still standing but I may be wrong -- google shows a building still there
see why it is called OOOOOLD redford?
Top of pageBottom of page

Barnesfoto
Member
Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 1737
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.2.148.18
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 1:09 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

hmm, rustic may be right. Packman's photo is definitely Grand River looking east, but look at the top of the building and note the difference from Ray's photo.
If Rustic is correct, the building in Ray's pic was a beauty college in the 60's-70's and does indeed have a large billboard atop it. Still standing.
Top of pageBottom of page

Ptero
Member
Username: Ptero

Post Number: 18
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 4.229.60.38
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 1:58 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jjaba, The Redford Theatre is up in the top right corner, partially showing, in the Google picture in Rustic's post. It is definitely up Lahser a bit from the intersection with Grand River, on the East side of Lahser.


ptero, watching bad 3D movies with the funny glasses at the Redford... (w/a nod to Jjaba!)



(Message edited by ptero on March 03, 2006)
Top of pageBottom of page

Ptero
Member
Username: Ptero

Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 4.229.60.38
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 2:32 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

yup, that's it...

Redford Theatre

(Message edited by ptero on March 03, 2006)
Top of pageBottom of page

Itsjeff
Member
Username: Itsjeff

Post Number: 5628
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.42.168.211
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 8:08 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You guys scare the hell out of me sometimes.
Top of pageBottom of page

Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1207
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.238.170.39
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 10:55 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The building in question (the very first picture in the post) is still standing today. It's on Grand River, a few blocks west of Lahser. It's now an after-market car instalation service (stereos, rims, spoilers, etc.).

It was in the exact condition as the picture above until a year or two ago when the owner of the car business thought it would be really cool to paint their limestone building maize and blue. Apparently the painter's ladder wasn't tall enough because they only painted the bottom 15 feet or so of the building in the maize and blue scheme.

I'd post a picture of the building, but I doubt I'd remember to bring my camera the next time I drive by. Anyone else game? It's not hard to miss this building driving up Grand River.
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2133
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 128.36.14.213
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 11:36 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

BV knows his stuff, I defer to him on this ...
Top of pageBottom of page

Bertz
Member
Username: Bertz

Post Number: 528
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.61.15.89
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 11:54 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I wonder what Detroiters of the 1920s would think if you showed them photos of Detroit as it is today?
Top of pageBottom of page

Atl_runner
Member
Username: Atl_runner

Post Number: 1834
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 24.98.116.13
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 12:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think they would think the same thing that most Detroiters past and present think.. and that is >>> What Happened? or Why? or How could anyone let this happen?

They also might think.. The hell with this, I'm moving to Troy.
Top of pageBottom of page

Eric_c
Member
Username: Eric_c

Post Number: 670
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.21.62.206
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 12:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think they would want to adopt an Amish/Islamic hybrid lifestyle and legalize capital punishment.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3205
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 1:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Maybe when the Arabs move up from Dearborn, they'll restore some preservation ethic in the buildings on Grand River. Well, we do have The Redford Theater in good hands atleast.

Detroit's corner banks were built like temples. Bank of the Commonwealth, NBD, and the Detroit Bank branches were really wonderful buildings in their prime.
They were built in the Neo-classical revivial period of 1900-10 and have stood the test of time.

jjaba, Northwestsider.
Top of pageBottom of page

Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1208
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.238.170.38
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 2:31 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you look at Rustic's Google Earth shot, the first street to the west of Lahser is the intersection that the building is on. It's the NW corner of that intersection. The building doesn't have a sharp corner like the other corner buildings in the area.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 282
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 2:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From http://maps.a9.com/ , here's the Grand River face of that building on the NW corner of Redford St.:
Redford
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 283
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 2:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The corner door:
Redford2

(Message edited by Jimaz on March 03, 2006)
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 284
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 2:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Redford face:
Redford3
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 285
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 2:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The footprint proportion seems a match but the height's off.
Top of pageBottom of page

Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw

Post Number: 5347
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.216.150.127
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 4:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That's not the same building.

The G.R. side has 2 windows while the top photo shows 3. Plus the whole 1 story vs. 2 story thing...
Top of pageBottom of page

Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1209
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.238.170.50
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 4:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oops! You're all right. How embarasing! However the present day building pictures that Jimaz has posted was the building I was thinking of that now has a maize and blue paint scheme. I guess that's what happens when one works from memory, not actual pictures.

So using the nifty website that Jimaz referenced (I thought Google Earth by itself was cool. These two programs together are incredible), what do you think the possibilities of this building are? It's directly on the NW corner of GR & Lahser but wrapped in an attractive metal sheathing (I don't know what's worse, metal sheathing or paint on stone/brick).building 2
Top of pageBottom of page

Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1210
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.238.170.50
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 4:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sorry about that post. I don't know why the pic is so small. I guess type in "Grand River Avenue & Lahser, Detroit, MI" into A9 and check out the building for lease on the NW corner of the intersection.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 287
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 4:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, I noticed those windows too. Ray mentioned the post card said "Redford" and that's Redford St. so I think it's the same location.
Top of pageBottom of page

Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1211
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.238.170.50
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 5:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Grand River & Lahser intersection is what was formerly the downtown of Redford. It existed long before the city of Detroit annexed it. Redford Twp. today is what's left of Redford after the annexation.

So the reference to Redford on the postcard is more likely a reference to the town of Redford rather than the street since the building I referenced on Redford St. & Grand River is not the building after doing a visual comparison.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 288
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 6:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bvos, ah, I wouldn't have known that. Thanks.
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2134
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.163.181.81
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 8:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

ok here is the building I first thought it was:
NW corner GR/Lahser
I think that is it.

Imagine the cornice was removed and some unfortunate post war modernizaton occurred. That is the building.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3215
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 8:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Rustic, that is absolutely awful adaptive re-use. Say it isn't so.

jjaba, in tears.
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2135
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.163.181.81
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 8:32 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

yup it is:

first

second

can ya see the triplets of seconf floor windows behind the metal screen? I Think that' sthe building ...

Hey it usedta be worse when I was a kid I remember it had wood panelling on it, imagine that!
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2136
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.163.181.81
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 8:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

btw that nice circular arched balcony over the corner door might be intact behind the sheet metal ....
Top of pageBottom of page

Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1213
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.255.241.205
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 10:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for doing some Photoshop work for me there Rustic. At work I only had access to MS Paint! That certainly doesn't cut the mustard as you saw from my miniature picture above.

With those metal "modernizing" jobs, there's no telling what's beneath. Sometimes they just simply covered up stuff and left the things underneath intact. Othertimes they chiseled off all protruding ornementation to make everything flush with the exterior walls. You'd have to peek around for a while on this building to see what lies beneath.

Unfortunately with this building the owner doesn't seem to have any concerns for its architecture. They're just out to make as much money as possible off of it. There's a gigantic billboard on top and the first floor commercial space changes from one poorly planned and thought out business to the next. It's always a lease offer, never for sale.

Old Redford is an area where if the right groups and people got together, it could become the next place to be. It's a traditional downtown and is loaded with great architecture from the commercial buildings to the churches to the residential apartments and homes. There's a lot of history to build on as well.

Thanks for all the help all you former and current Northwest Detroiters! (Isn't it amazing how many random pictures get posted on this site and get identified. We should start a business out of it).
Top of pageBottom of page

Ray1936
Member
Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 333
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 10:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, if that's it, it sure got butchered.

Those bank buildings were something, as jjaba noted. I remember my battered little Detroit Bank savings passbook, taking a couple of bucks to the bank at Grand River and Meyers now and then. Hours were 10 am to 3 pm, closed weekends. If you don't like those hours, take your business elsewhere....they're all the same. And no ATMs, either.

Some changes are for the better, after all.
Top of pageBottom of page

Barnesfoto
Member
Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 1739
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.2.148.235
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 11:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

that's it, the former State College of Beauty.
I always wonder what it looked like under the aluminum siding and the metal grates.
I'm skeptical about the neighborhood coming back idea. There were lots of efforts made in the seventies (which is when those awful street lights were put in) but most of the businesses that are not related to hair and nails have left,
and the folks I knew who had studios there moved out on the mid-eighties when crime spiked. However, John George has led a crusade for years to save the neighborhood and has recently rehabbed the old Masonic Temple on Lahser. He is also developing an "artist's village" behind some of the vacant storefronts on Lahser. Then there are the Redford Theater folks, who have kept that place going for 30 years now.
Maybe someday they will show something a bit racier than those old musicals...I'm thinking "Last Tango in Paris" or something...
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2137
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.163.181.81
Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 1:14 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Barnesfoto, yeah Redford has sure hit the skids. Re coming back tho ... stranger things have happened, if ya look beyond the post apocolyptic storefronts GR Lahser has still retained many of its buildings. In additon the crooked little streets between GR and McNicholls have a charm which is unique to the region. Like you, I can't imagine that area bouncing back any time soon, but then again I can't imagine who is buying those condos on the distant fringes of Midtown or in the odd pockets of the CBD yet somebody MUST be. Who knows? Maybe generation AA will want relatively tiny woodframe bungalows and crumbly sidewalks over canned faux-burban lofts. Meanwhile you can always catch the annual showings of Gigi and Paint Your Wagon at the Redford ...
Top of pageBottom of page

Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3216
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 1:33 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don't forget the Mighty Barton pipe organ and the Japanese-revival faux interior of The Redford.
jjaba loves the ladies in those walkers negotiating the slant of the aisles.

Years ago, you could load up on candy and popcorn at the shop on the corner, then go to the show.

jjaba, Westsider.
Top of pageBottom of page

Pamequus
Member
Username: Pamequus

Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 158.229.218.204
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 4:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wish I had a nickle for everytime I walked past that building when I was growing up....or going to the Redford for the latest western....held hands with a boy there for the first time....got my first kiss on the way home. Used to be a little beauty shop right next to it where my Mom and I had our hair done. So sad to see that area gone so downhill. Was a super place to grow up. Redford High School kept their pool open in the summer time for daily open swimming, all of us boomer kids would walk up and swim the afternoon away, go across the street to the drugstore (can't remember the name of it to save my life) and have a phosphate or coke and split an order of fries. Dang......brings back lots of memories.
Top of pageBottom of page

56packman
Member
Username: 56packman

Post Number: 78
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 129.9.163.106
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 6:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Barnesfoto--I'm actively involved with the Redford theatre group (it was my neighborhood movie theatre when I lived on Braille), have been since'73
(before we took the theatre over from community theatres). I found your comment re: musicals interesting. We have been branching out away from a pure "wholesome musical" format for years now, and every year, it's getting more difficult to make the kind of numbers we need. Our January gas bill was staggering. We have anchored that neighboorhood for over 30 years now, and want to continue doing so. Come on by and see the restoration of our outer lobby from the 1960's rec room paneling-drop ceilinged "thing" to it's original wet plastered beamed ceiling and walls.
Seriously, what would you program there?
Top of pageBottom of page

Jsmyers
Member
Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1467
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 209.131.7.68
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 6:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

56packman,

Keep up the good work. My girlfriend and I saw A Christmas story and Hard days night.

A couple of suggestions if you don't mind:

1. I think you could raise your prices to $5 without effecting the attendance of people like me. (Though I am attracted by the low prices.)

2. I think the "old-timey" image of the ads I've seen doesn't really mesh with my experience. It is a classic theatre, and a beauty of a building, but it isn't old and stuffy.

3. (Not sure if you do this already) Advertise in college newspapers, not just the South End, but also UDM, Oakland, EMU, others. Students are always looking for something different to do for very little money.

4. Work to help the neighborhood in other ways. Maybe advertise other places you can go in the neighborhood before/after the show. Part of your image is the neighborhood's image.

BTW - How related is your group and the Senate Theater group?

As for the neighborhood:

If Grand River ever got rapid transit, I'd imagine that would be one of the most rapid improvements you'd ever see in an area.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3229
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 6:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

56 packman, maybe Lowell will let you advertise a bit on this site and give us the name and address of the Redford Theater org. for contributions.

jjaba has enjoyed many shows there over the years.
Please hang in there. Hey, there must be some movies or events that will go there. Don't you do body building festivals there or is that another old theater?

Pammequus, welcome to The Forum. Glad another Westsider is tuning in.

jjaba, Proudly Westside, Cass Tech. Grad, 1959.
(From Northlawn and Schoolcraft.)
Top of pageBottom of page

Jsmyers
Member
Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1470
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 209.131.7.68
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 6:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

http://www.redfordtheatre.com
Top of pageBottom of page

Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3231
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 7:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks jsmyers. This Forum is incredible.
Great service.
jjaba.
Top of pageBottom of page

Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw

Post Number: 5363
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.228.203.129
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 8:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here it is a few summers ago...

redford
Top of pageBottom of page

Jams
Member
Username: Jams

Post Number: 2853
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.212.124.161
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 8:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I miss Master's Chocolate a couple of doors down from the Redford.
Loved those delectable chocolate covered dates and all those special molds for Easter.
Top of pageBottom of page

Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1220
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.255.241.205
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 10:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Redford Theater is one of Detroit's great hidden gems. I hardly ever miss the Three Stooges Festival. Where else can you see Larry, Curly and Moe in the setting they were meant to be seen in? Next one is March 31 and April 1 (is there a better day to see the Three Stooges than April Fools Day!?).

North by Northwest, the Maltese Falcon and a host of other landmark films are coming up soon as well. Can't beat the price (got to agree with Jsmyers, $5 wouldn't hurt the pocket book any more noticably than $4) for most features.

Hell, I'd pay $5 just to take a guided tour of the gorgeous place. Now that's an idea - offer tours before and possibly after of the back stage area, the projection room, the organ, point out notable features and history, show how restoration work is planned, paid for, done, etc. I've always wondered how the show goes on there. I think folks would have a greater appreciation of the theater and your organization if they better understood everything that goes into a weekend film showing, especially on a totally volunteer basis.

Another idea is to sell subscriptions like the Detroit Film Theater, DSO, MOT, etc. do. You'd get guaranteed money up front, get more people in the door on a consistent basis and build greater loyalty among atendees.

While my creative juices are flowing here, I'm going to throw out a few more ideas: do you guys talk to Elliot Wilhelm (sp?) of the Detroit Film Theater? He does a classic movie show every Friday night on ch. 56. It would be a perfect tie in with the Redford since you guys are already showing most of the movies they're showing on a regular basis. Maybe you could work out a cross advertising program with Ch. 56 and/or the DFT. Maybe Elliot would be willing to do a pre-show discussion at the Redford on the film being shown that evening, just like the DSO and the MOT do for many of their concerts. Now I know that Wilhelm's main gig is promoting the DFT since he's the Exec. Dir. there, but he's a real Detroit booster and arts booster and I'm sure there's some sort of valuable partnership that could be worked out. He would/does really enjoy the Redford and I really think this would be a beneficial relationship to build.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 328
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK, now I'm intrigued. Does this organ actually play? When? During the movies? I think I'd like to take my elderly mother there. She loves old movies.
Top of pageBottom of page

Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos

Post Number: 1223
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.255.241.205
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The organ plays for a half hour before every show. It's not some crappy church music or anything like that. This is a full blown (no pun intended!) pipe organ recital of fun music. Think more circusy (without the corniness) than churchy. Nearly everyone I've taken has enjoyed the organ recital, including the NASCAR types.
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 329
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh, my God. Oh, my God! I just visited the website and answered my own questions. Marvelous.

We'll be there!
Top of pageBottom of page

Jimaz
Member
Username: Jimaz

Post Number: 330
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 68.2.191.57
Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 11:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

56packman, you can't possibly imagine my gratitude for what your group has done to preserve these gems. I haven't been able to enjoy it until now, yet now I shall. (fighting back a tear) :-)
Top of pageBottom of page

Barnesfoto
Member
Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 1744
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.2.148.14
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 9:01 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

56 packman: The Redford was also my neighborhood movie theater many years ago. It warms my heart to know that it has survived this long..Where did you live on Braile? (Barnesfoto grew up on Burt Rd, south of Grand River)
I miss the Real Home Bakery, Christo's Coney, Master's, and the pedestrian traffic that used to make the neighborhood vibrant
Programming things like the 3 stooges fest is a start. Getting a younger crowd is one goal you need to work on, I think..
How about showing some contemporary music related movies?
Quadrophenia? Let's Get Lost?
Bvos suggestion to sell books of tix, like the DFT does, is a good one...
The DFT's schedule seems to get tamer every year. But one thing they did recently was kind of fun...A Ninja Film Weekend.
Top of pageBottom of page

Pamequus
Member
Username: Pamequus

Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 158.229.218.204
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 11:53 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

56 packman.....I grew up on Patton. Maybe we were neighbors.
Top of pageBottom of page

Pamequus
Member
Username: Pamequus

Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 158.229.218.204
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 11:57 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey guys, Outer Drive and Six Mile Road....restuarant was there. All the kids went there on prom night. Anyone remember the name??
Top of pageBottom of page

56packman
Member
Username: 56packman

Post Number: 79
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 129.9.163.234
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 12:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pamequus-18556 Braille--did you go to Holcomb elementary? We actually do give tours (for free! after every show, to anyone who asks--perhaps we should advertize this, charge a fee and punch that business up!). We would be happy to talk with Elliot, I think all of us film heads admire what he has built at the DFT--We have Dr. Greg Summer, who is a prof. at Marygrove, he does the "Ellliot" thing before shows (Elliot will no doubt remember me as the person who riled up the audience at the DFT in 1981, playing "Star Wars" on the giant Cassavant organ in the DFT auditorium before the 3-D showing of "House of Wax". They were so wound up, they didn't want to hear his wonderful introduction). We set the movie series up to be a little more popular than DFT, so as not to try to compete with an established program. We will be looking at the structure of our programming, and business model for the movie series in the near future, it's not going away!. We do offer package deals through our 15,000 household-address flyer for each grouping of 8 films (=16 weeks, three shows per weekend).
JS meyers--The Senate theatre is owned/operated by the Detroit theater organ club, a seperate organization, actually founded before the Motor city theatre organ society, the group that owns the Redford. The DTOS was founded in 1961 as a private club, whose mission is the preservation of the Fisher theatre Wurlitzer organ, and the presentation of concerts on same. We converted that group from a private club to a 501-C3 non profit in the late 80's, when I was on the board there. About 80% of both groups belong to both, and support both. Detroit is unique in our strange, minute world of theatre organ loyalists. Our nationl society has 5,000 members, with chapters in every major city, and none of them own their own theatre, they basically restore other peoples property (organs), or purchase, restore and install in theatres to keep it alive to the public. Here in Detroit we have TWO groups that own their own building.
The one thing I would ask of this list is to talk up our shows to friends, and especially to decision-makers in social,church and educational groups who organize group-bus trips.
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2150
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 130.132.177.245
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 12:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

56packman, I have been a big fan of the Redford Theater for years, how your group has been able to keep it active and what you have done to do it. IT is a wonderful unique place, not JUST to the Detroit area. I don't live in the region anymore but I usualy try to go to a movie at the Redford if I can when I am home. (Last one I saw tho was the silent Ben Hur epic two(?!) years ago ...)

Since you asked for some suggestions have you considered the following? Note I have NO IDEA how one gets and shows old movies and I apologize if my suggestion are naiive. Also I am sure you have considered some if not all of them already but anyway ...

(1) showing "race movies", these had been long forgotten but are now being freshly reapreciated ... also if properly marketted (e.g. through Detroit's great churches) you could likely expand your demographic base from what it current is.

(2) having a retrospective series about the American folk music phenomenon of the 50'/60's Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell docs come to mind, there are also a few B&W 60's era docs of folk music out there, A mighty Wind for laughs and movies like Bound For Glory etc for mythology. The could help attract another complimenting demographic to your customer base. Many of the local Detroit folk characters are still around and I'm sure they could have after-movie discussions.

(3) Martial arts movies. There are a fair number of guys (like me!) who grew up going to karate movies at the moldly rundown theaters downtown (Fox, UA) in the 70's. Talk about nostalgia --- seeing some vintage Bruce Lee, Bruce Li etc on the big screen in an old Detroit theater would be fun! Even later 80's, 90's movies would be cool too.

(4) 60's and 70's era movies with strong black characters. Sidney Poitier movies of course but also movies like Sweet Sweetback’s Baad Asss Song and Claudine or hollywood variations like Shaft and Slaughter etc.

(4) Working with the local university professors to encourage their students taking intro film courses to see a movie at the Redford for their course work. (Let's say they hafta write a paper on some movie, why not one at the Redford instead of one at the local megaplex?)

(5) Detroit themed Rock/Jazz and Soul music movies. See comment re folk music.

(6) If ya wanna play with fire ... Al Pacino's Scarface ...
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2151
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 130.132.177.245
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 12:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pam', family buggy?
Top of pageBottom of page

Pamequus
Member
Username: Pamequus

Post Number: 4
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 158.229.218.204
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 2:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

19567 Patton, 56packman. Yep, went to Holcomb, then Christ the King and then onto Our Lady of Mercy. Graduated from Mercy in 67.

Rustic...I was wrong.....not Six Mile and Outer Drive. Grand River and Outer Drive. Was it the Pickwick House or something like that??

Wish I was in Michigan to go to the Redford once again but alas I'm in Tallahassee and have been since 78. Detroit will always remain my hometown though.
Top of pageBottom of page

Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2153
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 130.132.177.245
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 2:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Creagers.
Top of pageBottom of page

Barnesfoto
Member
Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 1748
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.2.149.152
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 9:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

here's another wild idea...How about some old b-movies with some live burlesque entertainment by Hell's Belles or the Bottle Rockettes?
Top of pageBottom of page

Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 3238
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 67.160.138.107
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 1:14 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

jjaba will be attending the American Theater Organ Society Convention, May 24-30 in Tampa, Florida. ATOS puts on an incredible show for a week of theater organ concerts in vintage settings.

Put your note on the note board addressed to JJABA and jjaba will arrange to meet you.

The Redford area was much ritzy compared to jjaba's neighborhood, Schoolcraft and Northlawn.

See you in Tampa.

jjaba, Proudly Westside. (west to Westown and Beverly theaters yrs. ago.)
Top of pageBottom of page

56packman
Member
Username: 56packman

Post Number: 86
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 129.9.163.106
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 12:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

jjaba-you and I must have met at one time or another. I won't be making the ATOS convention this year--enjoy. Here is another view of the Lahser/grandriver intersection, thanks to my buddy Gary at waterwinterwonderland.com

lahser at GR looking north
Top of pageBottom of page

Psip
Member
Username: Psip

Post Number: 1056
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 69.246.13.131
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 12:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pisp wonders if Jjaba has been on one of Hector Olivera's winter cruise trips? One day Pisp would love to go on one.
Top of pageBottom of page

Ray1936
Member
Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 343
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 12:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Despite the fact that I lived at Houghton and Pembroke for seven years ('70-'77), I never attended the Redford Theatre. But I sure pounded around the intersection shown above quite a bit. There was a "Good Housekeeping" store on the north side of GR-Lahser that got a lot of business from me due to it's "90 days same as cash" policy.
Top of pageBottom of page

56packman
Member
Username: 56packman

Post Number: 88
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 129.9.163.234
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 1:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ray1936-here is another view of the intersection, this time looking to the southeast. The caption on this photo might read:
"I hereby dedicate this bowling alley in the name of all Detroiters seeking recreation"grand river and Lahser, looking at SE corner

(Message edited by 56packman on March 09, 2006)

Add Your Message Here
Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.