The Ford-Tel Theatres
(aka: Fairlane, Fairlane 1&2, Ford-Telegraph, the Ford-Heights)
Open: 1969 | Closed: 2004 | Capacity: 850
The marquee from the Ford-Tel Theatre, 2002-earlier
The Theatre opened on July 6, 1969, as the Fairlane and was operated by Suburban Detroit Theaters (SDT). The theater was later known as the Fairlane 1&2 until the mid 1970's when Fairlane Mall opened with its own Theatre, coincidentally named "The Movies at Fairlane Mall". After the mall theatre opened, numerous patrons confused the two theatres, showing up for movies at the wrong times at the wrong theatre. Most of the time, the owners of the Mall theatres would name those theatres after the Mall name. As UA, who I believe operated the mall-based Movies at. theatres, labeled all their theatres with the name of the mall and so it wasn't practical for the Mall theatre to change its name.
So this theatre had four different names: the Ford-Telegraph, the Ford-Heights, and finally known as the Ford-Tel.
Entrance to the Ford-Tel, 2001
The Ford-Tel had gone through some changes in name and ownership over the years, but had bucked the trend and remains open as a second-run house the last few years it was open. Most theatres based in shopping plazas or centers were forced out by the larger multi-plexes that are everywhere today, but not the Ford-Tel.
Marquee, 2002
Marquee, 2007-2008 after closing.
The marquee was definitely a throwback to when it opened in 1969 and had only been updated once in 2003-4 when the management of the Theatre changed after 2002. With the updated Marquee on the Telegraph side, the management added a marquee along Ford Road where there hadn't been one for the Theatre before in the 25+ years that the theatre had been here. The original marquee was starting to show its age and had some panels missing from its sides.
Another entrance view, 2003-4
In the early 2000's, the Ford-Tel was one of two dollar-show theatres that ran movies in this area. These theatres were pretty good to visit on a budget and usually the showtimes were spot-on for their starting-times. Many area residents knew about the Ford-Tel and considered it a small cozy theatre, but many of the shows that were here were second-run and it wasn't as busy as some of the larger local cineplexes. Most folks that remember it didn't realize it was going to close until after it was gone and how nice it would be to see a movie for just a little bit of money. For just a few bucks, you could go see 2 movies, get 2 tubs of popcorn and a couple sodas.
Former box-office.
After it closed, there was a letter in the window which said that an electrical surge had knocked out the projectors, and that replacement parts were on order. However, the theatre would not reopen. By March 2005, the theatre's web site was no longer online, and in late May, 2005, the signs went up inside the theatre, saying that the building was for rent.
Poster for "The Grudge" (2004) which may or may not have been shown here.
The location would later be remodeled and repurposed into retail space and then later divided into several spaces for Retail stores.
IF you have any more information or details on this theatre, please email me and i will include it in the description.
Thank you.
PLEASE Enjoy the hunt and be aware
of your surroundings as always!