GC4JY02 HNY-14 (MCH) The Carmen Theatre (Traditional Cache) in Michigan, United States created by RayQix

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GC4JY02 ▼

A cache by RayQix Message this owner

Hidden : 12/14/2013

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Geocache Description:

This cache is placed for the Roseville, MI
HNY14 event (GC4Q44X) on January 1, 2014

The Michigan Cinema History (MCH)
caches are dedicated to the local creation,
viewing, or enjoyment of cinema-related
items in the local area.

This can include, and is not limited to, people, places, and things
relating to Cinema or both past-and-present.

This series is a companion to
the Detroit Cinema History (DCH) and
the Ontario Cinema History (OCH) series.

Michigan Cinema History:
The Carmen Theatre
5760 Schaefer Rd - Dearborn, MI

OPEN: 1941 | CLOSED: 1980's | SEATS: 1490

The Carmen Theatre building...As an Auto Parts Store

Opening shortly after the larger Dearborn Theatre, in early 1941, the Carmen was another Art Moderne movie house with an unusual gear-like dome over its lobby, rising three stories high. The theater's name was spelled out in large, illuminated letters on the roof. The Carmen sat about 1490, and operated as a movie house through the 80s.

The Carmen was a moviehouse that was state of the art for the time, having the latest projector and sound-equipment available. They had an ice cream parlor up in the big Rotunda, which was an added attraction and went beyond the popcorn, potato chips, and the Milk Duds. But the main attraction for most younger patrons was was that they had "dating seats" which were two seats glued together without the arm rests. Many young-adults could get a little bit of "romantic sparking" done when you went to the movies, which cost 25 cents per person to get in.

A glimpse of the auditorium from August 1941 shows that the house is slightly smaller than that of its twin, The Civic Detroit Theatre (on the East Side of Detroit) which was built in the same year and designed by the same architect, Kenneth S. Frazier.

Auditorium in 1941

The City of Dearborn held Christmas parties for school kids at theaters like the Carmen and Calvin (on Michigan Ave) and the Circle over on Warren. Kids usually could get in for free and would be given a candy bar (many times a Baby Ruth) and be able to watch a movie. A Deal for the entertainment, for sure.

In early 1959, the Carmen was sold by Oscar Gorelick to the Nederlander family, who had also owned the Shubert (downtown) and Grand Riviera (on Grand River) theatres.

In the mid-1970's, the ownership of the Carmen would rent-out portions of the building for other purposes, such as wedding-receptions, which could be held in the tower near the front. There were bands that would play on the roomy stage, the room was circular, and the walls were covered in velvet drapes. There was also a long wooden bar and nice dance floor.

The main stairway was curved and widened as you descended to the entry on the north side of the building. It's said that this was a very well-managed facility for the time, however there really were no windows visible (to the outside) in the building as many halls had at the time.

It later was converted from a movie-house into an auto parts store and would later be demolished to build an office-center that currently stands on the property.

Those that remember this classic theatre do so with warm
memories and fondness that will live-on for a long time to come.

This theatre was a wonderful part of
Metro Detroit...and was a beautiful
sight to behold in its day.

This is what makes it part of
Michigan Cinema History.

IF you have any more information or
details on this theatre, please email me
and i will include it in the description.

Thank you.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

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Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
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(letter above equals below, and vice versa)