(DCH) The Redford Theatre Traditional Geocache
(DCH) The Redford Theatre
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Detroit Cinema History
The Redford Theatre
17354 Lahser Ave
Detroit, Michigan
OPEN: Jan 27, 1928 | CLOSED: (n/a) | SEATS: 1,661 (estimated)
page update june-05 2013
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Front of the Redford Theatre (L) and the Vertical sign (R), 1928
Another view of the front and Sign.
About 25 square miles of the original Redford Township was annexed to Detroit in 1926 and included the "Old Redford" area (the area around McNichols and Grand River including the Redford Theatre). The community known as Redford Township today is what remains of the original. The 36 sq. mile township was bounded by present day Eight mile rd., Greenfield, Joy and Inkster and was first surveyed in the 1830's.
The name "Redford" refers to the fact that a "ford" over the rouge (red) river existed in the area.
The Crown Jewel of Old Redford (what is believed to be the original "downtown Redford") is the spectacular Redford Theater. Built in 1928, the venerable movie palace has been lovingly preserved, maintained and has been known for it's showing of vintage movies including "Three Stooges", "Laurel & Hardy", and other classic Films.
The Redford Theatre is a red brick structure with a symmetrical, two-story front containing the entrances to the theatre and flanking storefronts. The exterior contains a composite of stylistic elements while the interior contains Chinese and Japanese design themes. A recessed area at the center of the west facade houses five sets of aluminum doors which open into the theatre lobby. A ticket booth projects from the center of the recessed area. The walls at the entrance are now faced with aggregate panels colored brown and white.
Recent view of the Redford's Marquee
A yellow and red enameled metal marquee spans the west facade above the entrance. The second story of the west facades central portion houses four windows, two of which are obscured by the marquee. The windows decorative surrounds consist of twisted columns with Corinthian capitals, limestone, round-arch heads, and a tympanum containing swags and comedy-tragedy masks executed in relief. The central portion has a low gable and its cornice is embellished with a brick corbel table.
The Redford Theatre is significant as an unusual example of Chinese-Japanese theatre design and as a well preserved example of the atmospheric theatre genre of the 1920s. The theater is significant as well for its long and continuing role as an entertainment center. The Detroit firm of Verner, Wilhelm and Molby, engineers and architects, with Detroit engineer Ralph F. Shreve as an associate, designed the theatre.
The Auditorium as it looked in 1928 (top) and 2005 (bottom)
The Theatre opened on January 27, 1928 as a neighborhood movie house. It was billed as "America's Most Unique Suburban Playhouse." The theatre, with its three story grand foyer and full-size stage, has escaped the ravages of neglect and destruction that many other movie-houses have suffered over the years due to the folks that have worked to keep it going.
Silent films were still being produced when the plans were made for the theatre, and because of this, a Barton Theatre organ was installed as the theatre was being built.
The theatre was designed with a Japanese motif. That design included appropriate decorations on the organ console. During World War II, much of the Japanese-style decoration was removed, painted over or covered up.
A Watercolor Design depicting the design that was to be applied to the North auditorium wall.
One of the Japanese-motif figures.
As time went on, the pipe organ was used less and less frequently. Eventually heavy draperies were hung over the organ grillework, but the Organ itself remained relatively well-preserved and left mostly-undamaged.
The Motor City Theatre Organ Society became interested in the Redford Theatre because, while many pipe organs had been removed from theatres, the Redford's instrument remained intact. The Redford Theatre and the Fox Theatre are now the only two theatres with their original theatre organs in the metro Detroit area.
One of the more unique features of having the Barton Theater Organ here was the ability of the Barton and its player being able to rise some 8-10 feet up out of the orchestra pit. The original purpose was so the organist could see the movie to provide music for it.
The Barton Theater Organ at the Redford
MCTOS would enter into an agreement with the owners of the theatre to voluntarily refurbish the organ and use it to present shows and help keep this historical sound flowing within the City of Detroit.
The organ shows were very successful. However, the audiences for the movies being presented by the owners of the theatre dwindled. This was part of a national trend that saw many large theatres either divided into smaller auditoriums or demolished. A theatre the size of the Redford (currently 1,661 seats) became a liability, instead of an asset and attempts to keep it going became increasingly difficult financially.
1940's Plans for the Redford
The decision was made to sell the organ, building and grounds to MCTOS. MCTOS took a giant step and purchased the theatre on a seven year land contract and at the end of the land contract, MCTOS was able to make the balloon payment and became the full owner of the theatre.
Work on the building, since that time has been continuous. In addition to maintaining the 1928 infrastructure of the building, MCTOS has replaced the furnaces, repaired the roof, brought the electrical system up to current code, replaced the carpeting and resurfaced the parking lot. In addition, countless hours of volunteer labor have been expended on restoring the original Japanese motif. The projection and stage facilities have also been upgraded. The projection booth has 2 Norelco projectors capable of presenting 35mm and 70mm film programs. The projection sound system is capable of up to six channel stereo sound. The recent donation of a Dolby CP-100 processor enhances the projection capabilities even further.
40-year anniversary of the theatre, 1967, with "vintage cars" parked out front.
The stage has seen the replacement of the grand drape and the huge 20 ft. by 40 ft. screen. Thanks to a substantial grant from the Redford Community War Memorial Association, a new computerized lighting control system has just been installed to replace the 1928 Bulldog light control system.
Progress has only been made possible by donations of time, money, and materials from those who have been interested in keeping this jewel of Detroit intact. This has allowed the theatre and the original pipe organ to be preseved for many generations to come.
Financial support of the theatre has also come from rental of the retail and office spaces of the building and grounds. There are various types of retail establishments here, from a bakery to a beauty salon, a pharmacy, and even a barber shop. Even some of the offices have been occupied by film-related industry in the form of the Detroit Filmmaker's Coalition, a society of independent film producers.
The Redford is known for offering "Festivals" of various vintage and classic films as well as "Themed" or Seasonal films around seasons of the year including showing Christmas or Holiday films during October, November, and December.
In the time that i and my family have been coming here, the Redford has always been a place to enjoy for either the architecture or the theme of the festival that was being presented. This cache was placed here in honor of this Gem of Detroit, for both past-and-present reasons. Because of this, it's one of my favorite places... and from what i've learned, many other folks have enjoyed it as well.
If you have any memories of the Redford, please feel free to share. Thanks! :-)
Thanks to Bob Briese
(One of the MCTOS Board Members)
for approving the placement of this cache.
TWO of the Security patrol members are also aware of this cache,
but this DOES NOT mean ALL of them are.
This cache should be hunted during DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY or when the AREA around GZ is clear of vehicles.
This cache is designed to bring you here and give you some history. It is NOT designed to be hard-to-find. PLEASE be mindful and aware of your surroundings at all times.
You MUST Sign the Log in order to Claim the Find!
Enjoy the hunt as i've enjoyed the hide.
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)
Vg'f n Cvcr (Betna) Qernz