Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 1964 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 2:53 pm: | |
Anyone remember the old dirty movie theaters that used to dot the CBD? What are your memories of them? What were they like? |
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1
Post Number: 8577 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 2:57 pm: | |
I enjoyed them a lot. Sincerely, Pee Wee Herman |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 813 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 2:58 pm: | |
I don't recall the ones in CBD, perhaps I'm too young? However I do remember the PussyCat, on US 24 south of McNichols, the Irving in Brightmoor, and the Melody in Inkster. When I turned 18 I saw it as a rite of passage to attend a movie at the PussyCat. It was gross, how I made it outta there without getting gang raped I'll never know. |
Ravine Member Username: Ravine
Post Number: 802 Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 3:40 pm: | |
Help out the dope. What does CBD stand for? There was the Capri (Gratiot by 9 Mile,) the Guild (Gratiot by 6, or 7, Mile,) the Stage (Gratiot around 10 Mile.) (Yours Truly used to hitch-hike up Gratiot a lot.) I was in the Stage, once, because "Deep Throat" was the Big Deal, at the time, and I was curious about it. The Stage had a double-billing of it with "The Devil In (&?) Miss Jones" for what seemed like forever. It was very, very small, more like a screening room than a real theater. The crowd was young, maybe about college-age or slightly older than that, lots of couples. (Probably the fellas trying to give their girlfriends the idea.) The Capri was, clearly, a real theater, and probably was once home to more mainstream screenings. It seemed like mostly a bunch of older guys (you know, the "raincoat" crowd) going in and out of there. We're talking early seventies, here; I don't know how long they lasted, because I moved to the WSU area around 1975, and was no longer hitching up Gratiot. |
Cushkid Member Username: Cushkid
Post Number: 70 Registered: 08-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 3:44 pm: | |
Central Business District |
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox
Post Number: 131 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 3:45 pm: | |
CBD=Central Business District. |
Douglasm Member Username: Douglasm
Post Number: 789 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 3:45 pm: | |
Cambrian.... ....I believe both the Stone and the Empress ended up as dirty movie houses near the end of their respective runs, didn't they? |
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey
Post Number: 174 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 3:48 pm: | |
CBD=Colorless Butt Deadly |
Ravine Member Username: Ravine
Post Number: 804 Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 3:54 pm: | |
Wow!! That's right; I remember the little ads, in the Free Press' Amusement section, for the Stone "Burlesk." They sometimes mentioned someone named Yakum Yakum. I guess I remember because it's a funny name. Maybe a stripper, but probably a comedian. |
Michmeister Member Username: Michmeister
Post Number: 141 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 3:57 pm: | |
We all went to a theater on the southwest side, don`t remember the name of it but I`ll never forget the name of the movie, "On White Satin". We then graduated to a strip joint in Windsor, called "The Beanery"-Nude but not Rude! OHHH-OHHH, growing up! It seems so silly now, but then it seemed to hold some kind of importance. Wouldn`t trade the times for anything in the world. |
Ravine Member Username: Ravine
Post Number: 805 Registered: 01-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 3:57 pm: | |
And thanks for the CBD explanation. I don't always keep up with all these initializations that are so popular on the "internets." |
Detroit_girl Member Username: Detroit_girl
Post Number: 81 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:00 pm: | |
The sign from the Burlesk is featured on some goth band's album cover/art. I think it was the Sisters of Mercy or one of their contemporaries(maybe Lords of the New Church?) Pretty cool. |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 779 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:06 pm: | |
There was a theater on Michigan in Inkster, I think. I don't recall the glory days of downtown's blue theaters, though. |
56packman Member Username: 56packman
Post Number: 1137 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:12 pm: | |
The Gem used to run porno in the early 70's, the Follies burned down while running porno, the ubiquitous "Deep" and "Devil" double feature. There was the Studio North (now the Magic Bag) and the Studio 8 in the Green-8 shopping plaza.
|
Beavis1981 Member Username: Beavis1981
Post Number: 370 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:14 pm: | |
Why would anyone go to these? Even strip clubs creep me out! And what perv would have a fond memory of rubbing one out? I also don't understand the rite of passage thing. I am going to save strip clubs, nudie booths, and hookers for when I am old and disgusting or just somehow become completly socially inept. |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 820 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:21 pm: | |
That must be why the Yankees are my favorite baseball team. |
Beavis1981 Member Username: Beavis1981
Post Number: 372 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:24 pm: | |
"whats your favorite little rascal? alfalfa or SPANKY?" |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 821 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:29 pm: | |
The funniest reference to self gratification I've ever heard was on one of TerryH's threads somebody accused him of "sitting around and roughing up the suspect" |
Beavis1981 Member Username: Beavis1981
Post Number: 374 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:32 pm: | |
put the lotion in motion? flogging the dolphin has to be one of my favorites! |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 822 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:34 pm: | |
"Slappin' around the bald headed dummy" |
Beadgrl Member Username: Beadgrl
Post Number: 121 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:38 pm: | |
Oiling the penny whistle? After hearing about what people do in those theatres and booths...i lost all interest in visiting them. Just rent your porn and watch it in the privacy of your own home. |
Beavis1981 Member Username: Beavis1981
Post Number: 378 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:48 pm: | |
^Exactly! Or just contact your satellite provider! |
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 1966 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:50 pm: | |
Well that was the interesting thing about it, wasn't it? There was no internet or dvd or vhs or cable tv back then. Wasn't the theater that is now Bleu or whatever nightclub on Woodward once known for showing blue movies as well? The Fine Arts theater in a previous incarnation was one as well, right? And the National Theater? Man, all those smaller old moviehouses seemed to be porno theaters back in the day. It was our own Times Square. It just seemed with all the reminiscence threads going on, we might as well create a permanent record of this as well. (Message edited by dialh4hipster on March 19, 2007) |
Beadgrl Member Username: Beadgrl
Post Number: 122 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 4:56 pm: | |
Heh..."art" theatres! Wink Wink, nudge nudge. Some people (ala Bob Crane) had 8mm cameras and projectors in their homes. I've heard a few stories from a friend of mine (a former DP officer in the 70's) about raids they would do on some of the "art" theatres. Talk about getting caught with your pants down! |
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 823 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 5:09 pm: | |
I remember a friend from the old days would play porno flicks in his garage while he wrenched on cars, why I don't know. But it would be humorous to see what excuses guys that were there would come up with for having to leave suddenly. "Uh-uh I gotta get up early tomorrow", or "I forgot, mom needs me to pick up something at the store, gotta go" |
Skipp Member Username: Skipp
Post Number: 119 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 5:12 pm: | |
Knuckle Children!! Ha, thats funny to me. |
Beavis1981 Member Username: Beavis1981
Post Number: 380 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 5:16 pm: | |
something suddendly popped up! gotta go |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1619 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 5:24 pm: | |
Itsjeff had that great picture of the Follies theater in the CBD, with the "Deep Throat" marquee, the full Monroe block facade, the giant whiskey billboard, and the girls walking by in 70's miniskirts. He posted it a few times, but I'm not able to locate it in the archives. (same theater as in 56packman's post) |
Ookpik Member Username: Ookpik
Post Number: 144 Registered: 01-2007
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 5:41 pm: | |
I remember the Capri very well. While I "may" have been in there once or twice, the real action for me was across the street. That is where the thrift store was located. I still have stuff I bought from that store over 30 years ago. |
Terryh Member Username: Terryh
Post Number: 231 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 5:58 pm: | |
You can have anyone you want when you self gratify. The Wood-Six in Highland Park was always a kick because the strippers would do a routine on the stage and do lap dances in the dark theatre, where if the tip was right you would walk out feeling relieved. Part of the thrill was is anyone I know going to see me coming and going from this place. The sleaze factor made it all the more exciting. One of the strippers asked me "what are you doing in here"?" You don't seem like the type that would come here" |
Formerspringgardener Member Username: Formerspringgardener
Post Number: 33 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 6:03 pm: | |
Ravine - The Guild was just south of Houston-Whittier on Gratiot. Across the street from Burke Pontiac... |
Ro_resident Member Username: Ro_resident
Post Number: 211 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 6:14 pm: | |
Sorry for a bit of a diversion... In the Supreme Court decision [Coleman] Young vs American Mini Theaters (http://www.law.cornell.edu/sup ct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0427 _0050_ZS.html), Detroit's ordinance regulated "taxi dance halls". Anyone know anything about famous/infamous taxi dance halls in or about the city? Doing some googling, it seems that they were already out of favor when the city had adopted the ordinance in the early '60s. |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1620 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 6:18 pm: | |
Time to start an "Old taxi dance halls" thread. |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 1734 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 6:27 pm: | |
quote:Why would anyone go to these? Younger folks might understandably puzzle about nostalgia over such things. The shock value of films like Deep Throat is obvious today but that wasn't the only attraction. What attracted people was that the film had "gone main stream." It wasn't unusual for even one's (gasp) parents to go see such things (gasp) together! At that time there was a constant cultural celebration going on, a giddy exuberance over new freedoms to be enjoyed after overturning repressive Victorian attitudes of earlier decades. It was all about liberation. I guess it was AIDS that put the brakes on that party. It's a shame. Good times. |
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia
Post Number: 793 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 6:30 pm: | |
Wasn't there a place called the Sassy Cat on Woodward? Did that get torn down or turn into something else? |
Beavis1981 Member Username: Beavis1981
Post Number: 382 Registered: 08-2006
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 7:18 pm: | |
jimaz- The picture you painted makes sense. Couples celebrating new found sexual freedom. The picture in my head was probably the later days of these establishments- The trenchcoat/raincoat crowd/pedosmile crowd. I don't think many people would get nostalgic over the latter. |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 1735 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 8:03 pm: | |
Beavis1981, glad to help. Sex can be healthy. We wouldn't be here without it. |
56packman Member Username: 56packman
Post Number: 1138 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 8:52 pm: | |
"Taxi" dance halls were ballroom-like (very seedy, un-glamorous large rooms) that were huge in the late twenties thru the fifties where "gentlemen" (ah-hem) could pay "ladies" (un-huh) to dance with then, that's all, just dance. They usually had a small combo that played the music and the girls would dance, and instruct men (who were usually shy, or just not smooth with the ladies) how to dance. Sort of like being able to rent rejection before you try it out for real. The gentlemen would buy tickets from the fat old lady in the ticket booth and would present them to the girls for dances. Rodgers and Hart wrote a great, lowdown song called "ten cents a dance" that summed up the whole trend perfectly--google it. The advent of Rock and Roll killed the taxi dance girls. Young guys could just sort of gyrate around, no particular "leading" skills were required, and social mores had loosened such that it was easier to hook up with girls. "Ten cents a dance" music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart (verse)I work at the Palace ballroom, but gee that palace is cheap When I get back to my chilly hallroom, I'm much too tired to sleep I'm one of those lady teachers, a beautiful hostess you know; One that the palace features, at exactly a dime a throw. (chorus)Ten cents a dance, that's what they pay me Gosh how they weigh me down. Ten cents a dance, pansies and rough guys, tough guys who tear my gown. Seven to midnight I hear drums, loudly the saxophone blows, Trumpets are tearing my ear-drums, customers crush my toes. Sometimes I think, I've found my hero But it's a queer romance; All that you need is a ticket, Come on big boy, ten cents a dance. Fighters and sailors and bow-legged tailors can pay for their tickets & rent me Butchers and barbers and rats from the harbour are sweethearts my good luck has sent me Thought I've a chorus of elderly beaus stockings are porous with holes at the toes I'm here till closing time Dance and be merry it's only a dime Sometimes I think, I've found my hero But it's a queer romance; All that you need is a ticket. Come on, come on big boy, ten cents a dance. (Message edited by 56packman on March 19, 2007) |
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick
Post Number: 579 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 9:12 pm: | |
I was the last projectionist at the Capri before the city of East Detroit claimed eminent domain and tore it down for a strip mall. My friends thought I had the best job in the world, but for me, the novelty quickly wore off. I was told to shut the projectors off and turn on the house lights every night at 11 PM sharp, whether the film was over or not. It was quite a sight looking at the house thru the projector port when the houselights suddenly came on. Luckily I never had to mop up the main floor. When the theater was finally shuttered we were not allowed to take anything from the premises. The building was bulldozed with the seats, projectors, fixtures and everything else intact. I would have liked a few souvenirs from the old building. One day while I was snooping around I discovered the equipment used to retrofit the projectors to show 3D, from when they showed "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" in the 50s. |
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity
Post Number: 562 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 9:33 pm: | |
"Ten Cents A Dance". Rogers & Hart may have written it but Doris Day owned it. Her rendition from the movie "Love Me Or Leave Me" (w/ James Cagney) about the travails of a dime-a-dance girl is one of the best movies of all time in my opinion. |
56packman Member Username: 56packman
Post Number: 1140 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 9:37 pm: | |
"Love me or leave me" was a biopic about Ruth Etting---seek out her recording of "ten cents", she delivered it as only one who had walked at walk could, more so than Doris Day, who did try--but was still Doris Day! |
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity
Post Number: 563 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 10:01 pm: | |
Listened to 'em both (many times) and DD wins hands down in my opinion. Being "still Doris Day" is/was not a bad thing. Etting's version in my opinion is less permeated w/ sadness than DD's and it's a very sad song, as you know. Thanks for posting the lyrics. |
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13
Post Number: 1445 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 11:12 pm: | |
The Sassy Cat was/is at 3929 Woodward (the building still stands, vacant). That one is a 19th-century building that was remodeled into the Garden Theatre about 1918. In the late '50s, it became the second incarnation of the 509 Club, a nightclub featuring live music, notably R&B (originally located at 509 Woodward, hence the name). In 1962, it became the Village, a teen dance club where local acts like Gino Washington, Billy Lee (Mitch Ryder), and Nathaniel Mayer performed. It seems to have morphed into the Sassy Cat porno house in the '70s. |
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13
Post Number: 1446 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 11:13 pm: | |
Ironically, the Follies was formerly the Family Theatre. |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 462 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 11:21 pm: | |
Anyone remember the old dirty movie theaters? You mean my grandfather's living room? |
56packman Member Username: 56packman
Post Number: 1144 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 10:06 am: | |
The Porno house in Inkster was the Melody, which ironically was built by the Walt Disney company in 1940. They attempted to build a chain of theatres like the other producers. The anti-trust act of 1949 killed the business of movie companies owning the outlets, and the Melody became just another local movie house. |
56packman Member Username: 56packman
Post Number: 1145 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 10:19 am: | |
In the late 70's I did occasional work for a friend who serviced movie theatre equipment. We were in a lot of Detroit and area theatres to remove equipment before demolition (lots of them) but one summer ('78 I think) we replaced a series of movie screens in porno houses. We would begin work after midnight when the "show" closed. When we replaced the screen at the Studio North in Ferndale we took the old screen off of the frame, dragged it outside, laid it out in the parking lot and began rolling it up, starting a one narrow end and rolling it up for transport. Just as we got to the last part of the roll up, these two young drunks came stumbling out of the coney island next door to the theatre, saw us rolling up this white thing about 16 feet long, 10 inches in diameter. They looked at what we were doing and said "If we help you lick it can we help you smoke it?" the thought of a doobie that big cracked us up. One thing you never want to see: an old porno house with the lights all the way up! |
Plymouthres Member Username: Plymouthres
Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 9:31 am: | |
Doesn't anyone remember the Mel? |