The Americana Theatre
(Later known as Southfield City 12)
Open: 1967 | Closed: 2001 | Capacity: 1743
Artists concept drawing of the Americana
The Americana opened in 1967, for Nicholas George, designed by Samson Associates, and seating around 1750 in its ultra-modern auditorium. Its vast screen, 30' by 60' was one of the largest ever in Michigan before the era of Imax theaters.
Poster from 'Hurry Sundown' - 1967
The Americana's opening-night film was Otto Preminger's 'Hurry Sundown'. The Americana quickly became a "roadshow house"with it's 70mm projection equipment, along with the nearby Northland Cinemas, though the Northland originally ended up screening superior films than the Americana in the first few years. Early roadshows included 'Finian's Rainbow' (1968), 'Song of Norway' (1970) and 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' (1970).
The Marquee in 1967 showing "Barefoot in the Park"
Two additional smaller auditoriums were added on in 1972, both seating 750, and designed by noted theater architect Louis Wiltse. Later the same year, a fourth, similarly-sized auditorium was added by Wiltse, and the theater became known as the Americana I, II, III, IV.
The "Expand-a-Theatre" concept that the Americana expansions were based on.
(Above image NOT from Americana)
During the mid-70s to early 80s, the Americana was best known for its highly successful runs of blockbuster films like the original 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' trilogies, especially in its large main auditorium, which became one of the only ones in the area after the Northland was twinned in the mid-70s.
The original lobby of the Americana
What also enhanced the experience for the patrons here was the installation of the 70mm six-track Dolby Stereo equipment for the exclusive showing of 'Star Wars' which made the Sci-Fi feature just 'that much more exciting'.
'Star Wars' would later move down the street to the Northland when 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' came to the theatre later in 1977.
Original Auditorium and main Screen area
In 1986, Nicholas George added three more screens and would soon sell the Americana to the AMC Theatres chain. Within a couple years of AMC taking over the Americana, the number of screens had been increased to eight, but the original large auditorium had not been divided--yet.
When the Americana opened, it was the "most luxurious theatre" at the time.
Unfortunately, the late 1980's would also see a dubious distinction for the Americana as well with the installation of metal detectors at the entrances due to a couple of shootings at the theatre during the showings of "Colors" (1988) and later "Harlem Nights" (1989).
The shootings made the national news on more than one occasion and it's been noted by former patrons that the metal detectors did little to help the security situation, as the rougher-element patrons would fight regularly in the parking lot. The police were on regular visits to the area around the Americana from then on due to various problems that cropped-up. There have been very few theatres that used metal detectors since.
1972 view of the Marquee and Theatre
In 1990, AMC spent $2.5 million remodeling the Americana which finally included the gutting of the original auditorium and loss of its huge screen, carving the space into five smaller auditoriums. The theater also lost its original name as well, becoming the AMC Southfield City 12.
In 2001, AMC closed the aging multiplex down, unable to compete with the nearby even larger, flashier and cutting-edge Star Theatres 'Southfield 20' complex. The former Americana Theatre was demolished soon after it was closed to make way for new development that now includes both retail and residential.
Please BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS at all times.
Enjoy the Hunt and be aware of your surroundings as always!