The First Michigan Theater to Show Talking Movies: The Fox

As we re-visit one of Michigan’s most historic and revered structures, we realize Detroit’s Fox Theatre will soon be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Opening in 1928, it was billed as “The Most Magnificent Temple of Amusement in the World”. The ten-story, C. Howard Crane-designed mammoth structure was built as part of William Fox’s movie empire – yup, the same William Fox of 20th Century-Fox, Fox Film Corporation, Fox Broadcasting, etc…..that Fox network, the one also responsible for giving us Married With Children.

That particular theater in Detroit was just one of many Fox Theatres he owned throughout the country – hundreds of them. But the Detroit theater was more lavish than most of the others.

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Dig these facts:
400 designers, doormen, matrons, and ushers
Brass doors
3,600 square-foot, six-story high lobby
Lobby decorated with butterflies, lions, and peacocks
5,000-seat auditorium
Egyptian, Indian, and Oriental decor

When built in 1928, it was during the time America was still enthralled with Egyptian architecture, thanks to the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. Thus, the Egyptian decor of the Fox Theatre (and others), and then all the mummy movies of the 30s and 40s.

What else did the theater offer customers?
Wurlitzer pipe organ
The first theater with escalators and elevators
The first theater to feature talking movies
Chorus girls on stage between film showings
Live shows: big band, jazz, and rock
First film shown: 'Street Angel' on September 21, 1928
Elvis Presley appeared three times in 1956

The theater was renovated and in 1989 was listed as a National Historic Landmark.

The modern theaters we have in the 2020s may be wired for 3D, or five-story tall screens, or hi-definition, or relaxing lounge seating, or other types of perks to spoil movie-goers…but they still can’t compare to the lavish, extraordinarily decadent décor and atmosphere of the Fox Theatre. It’s a place where the great, the not-so-great, the ordinary, the extraordinary, the mundane, and the exceptional all came to visit…whether on stage, on film, or as a member of the audience.