Detroit Cinema History:
The Vogue Theatre
16926 Harper, Detroit, MI
info update: May 10 2013
OPEN: 1937 | CLOSED: 1977 | SEATS: 1,460 (approx)
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS HERE.
MUGGLES ARE AROUND DAY/NIGHT/24-7.
The Vogue, 1940's-1950's.
The Vogue opened at this location here in 1937 and was designed by the firm of Periera & Periera. This neighborhood theater could accomodate around 1460 patrons. It was located here on Harper Ave., not far from the similar-looking Harper Theater (now a Music Concert Theater).
Both theaters featured a large vertical sign over their curving facades, however, the Harper was larger by about 500 seats, and had a different designer (the Harper was designed by Charles N. Agree). The Vogue was part of the United Detroit Theaters chain and through the early 1970's, it showed first-run films on a single screen.
A local drugstore chain even gave free passes to the Vogue when you bought your school supplies there and also many a Saturday morning, they would show a matinee with a feature film and several cartoons. It was a "neat" and "cool" theater even though it was small.
An interesting, albeit possibly not-so-positive thing about the Vogue is when during the 1974 film "EARTHQUAKE!", the building suffered structural damage due to the audio track which utilized an audio "feature" called "Sensurround" to enhance the film's experience.
This was an experience, at the Vogue.
This process added extended-range bass to the sound-effects of the film and were felt by the audience, more than heard. This process became impractical, in addition to obviously causing some minor-damage to the theaters themselves.
This was also the first Detroit theater to show the film "Jaws" in 1975. The crowd reaction here was memorable and unforgettable.
For the last several years of its life it was showing a film series called The Greek and Arabic Film Festival, which was the last title on the marquee. The theater closed in 1977.
In 1979 a fire of suspicious circumstances severely damaged the structure and the decision was made to demolish the building in which the Vogue was home. Many folks were saddened when they tore it down to build the fast-food restaurant on the site.
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