Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
By Ryan Stanton | ryanstanton@mlive.com
The Ann Arbor News published this pencil sketch on Nov. 30, 1940, showing plans for a new movie theater on State Street in downtown Ann Arbor. It offered a preview of the building that would become a major Ann Arbor landmark that still stands today and is set to reopen next week after more than a year of extensive renovations.
“Stretching 132 feet along State St. at the head of Liberty St. and extending back from State St. for 150 feet, this is how Ann Arbor's new theater will look when it is completed next summer not later than Aug. 1,” the text in this 1940 news clipping reads. “The front of the building as shown above is the approximate width of the auditorium, which will run from west to east. The doors at the left are auxiliary exits. The display panels along State St. will be illuminated. For purposes of display, the theater is named the State in this drawing, but the final name has not yet been decided by W. S. Butterfield Theaters. The drawing was made by the architects, Howard Crane Associates of Detroit.”
Eck Stanger | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
State Theatre grand opening in 1942
When it opened in March 1942, the State Theatre was described as the most modern theater in Michigan and possibly the country. The Ann Arbor News reported that the Butterfield theater company spared no expense in building the State, which was originally estimated at $179,000, exclusive of land, “but which may have exceeded estimates by thousands of dollars.”
Designed by architect C. Howard Crane, it boasted all the most recent developments in construction of motion picture theaters, “modern from its functional structure to the motif of its decorations,” the News reported, calling it the only Ann Arbor theater specifically designed and built for “talking pictures” and the only Ann Arbor theater completely air conditioned. Built of steel, reinforced concrete and pressed brick, it used no wood except for trim. It took up the space formerly occupied by six store buildings and the Brecourt apartments. Demolition of those buildings began in December 1940 and the building permit for the theater was issued in February 1941.
“Thus, work was started on the State many months before the outbreak of war,” the News reported in 1942. “W.S. Butterfield Theaters, Inc., which owns the theater, was able to obtain materials and equipment which are no longer available. At the present time, it would be impossible to build a theater like the State. Ann Arbor’s newest motion picture house probably will also be Michigan’s newest until the end of the war.”
Eck Stanger | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Grand opening film: 'The Fleet's In'
The 1942 film "The Fleet's In," featuring Dorothy Lamour and Jimmy Dorsey, played as part of the grand opening of the State Theatre on March 18, 1942.
The State opened with five shows a day — at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. — and showed only first-run features. Tickets were 25 cents before 5 p.m. and 40 cents after.
In addition to "The Fleet's In," there were four other films scheduled to show in late March and early April of 1942 when the State Theatre first opened, including "Shanghai Gesture," "You're in the Army Now," "Ride 'em Cowboy," and "Dangerously We Live."
Eck Stanger | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Seating for 1,900
Ann Arbor News photographer Eck Stanger captured some of the first images inside the new theater ahead of its opening in March 1942.
The balcony, with a seating capacity of about 670, and the main floor together could accommodate an audience of about 1,900.
"An outstanding feature of the theater is the seats, which are the most recent and the most scientifically designed theater seats known," the News reported at the time. "They are bodiform chairs, with a self-lifting hinge that automatically raises the seat when it is not in use. The front edges of the seats are specially built to cushion the underside of the knee to avoid impeding circulation and thus putting feet 'to sleep.' The rows are spaced a few inches farther from one another than is customary."
Eck Stanger | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
A modern theater
Another photo inside the theater ahead of its opening in March 1942. The projectors and the screen were said to be of the latest type, built to make the pictures brighter and clearer and to accommodate Technicolor. Instead of being fabric, the screen was molded plastic and had no seams. It was 20 by 26 feet in size.
Only two weeks before the State was set for its grand opening, the interior looked to the untrained eye as though the work was at least two months from completion, the News reported. The small concert stage was heaped with boxes, crates, barrels and piles of material. Remnants of the scaffolding were still visible in the big auditorium, and it was obvious that finishing touches remained to be put to the flexwood and the panelling along the walls.
Seats were only half assembled and half installed and the sound of hammers filled the theater as workers went about getting seats in place, while painters were busy decorating the lobby, foyer, mezzanine lounge and restrooms. Up in the projection booth, experts were rigging the heavy and complicated projectors, and occasionally a torch could be seen cutting through metal. The concrete floors of the theater were littered with trash. Carpeting and expensive glass work was not put into place until the other work was done.
Eck Stanger | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Art deco style
The mezzanine lounge area outside the theater ahead of its opening in March 1942. “Pillars, rich color tones and the room sweeping away from him in a graceful curve are what the patron sees when he enters the mezzanine-lounge of the new State theater,” the News wrote. “The dominating color is rose burgundy, contrasting to the deeper red of the rosewood flexwood on the pillars. Tones of gold and bands in various shapes of green are also visible. Illumination is provided by indirect neon lights. Stairways from the foyer lead to the mezzanine-lounge, and other stairways from the lounge ascend to the balcony.”
Eck Stanger | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
State Theatre grand opening 1942
The theater stretched roughly 132 feet along State Street and extended back from the street about 150 feet. The front of the building contained no shops at the time. The Butterfield theater company emphasized that the whole building was devoted to motion picture entertainment.
"The front exterior is brilliant red structural glass, broken by display cases and by doors of green formica, which is a plastic pressed onto a wood core," the News wrote.
Eck Stanger | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Marquee glowing in 1942
The marquee lit up at night ahead of the State Theatre's grand opening in 1942. It reads: "Grand opening, Wednesday, March 18."
"The sign, which required an amendment to a city ordinance before it could be accepted, employs neon lighting instead of the usual bulbs," the News reported in 1942, elsewhere noting more than 1,600 yellow light bulbs were "set for brilliance" under the marquee, which could be seen from Main Street on the other end of downtown.
“Ticket machines, coin-changers, heating equipment, the cooling system, lighting and restroom equipment all represent the most modern machinery, and most of it has now been made unavailable by the war," the News also noted.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Businesses on State Street in 1942
The new theater was between Goodyear's College Shops to the north and Marshall's Drugs to the south when it opened in 1942. North of Goodyear's was the Wolverine Cafeteria. State Street was still a brick street at the time and not yet paved over with asphalt.
Stores that had to vacate spaces on State Street to make way for the State Theatre included The Little Shop, the Campus Shoppe, State Street Barber Shop, McKinsey Hat Shop, Ball & Thrasher and Marshall's Cut Rate Drug Store. An apartment building also had to be demolished. It was when notices to vacate were given to tenants that the public had the first indication that a new theater was in the works.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
'Ablaze with radiant beauty'
On March 17, 1942, the day before the State Theatre was set to open, The Ann Arbor News published a special section, describing it as "ablaze with radiant beauty."
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
The day before it opened
The caption under the 1942 photo at left makes note of special features inside the new State Theatre, including “rich Brazilian rosewood flexwood” paneling stretching from floor to ceiling and also some “panelling of walnut with zebra wood stripes.” It also says the sidewall lighting fixtures were not standard and were specially designed and built for the theater. The photo at right offers a look inside the projection booth high up in the back of the theater’s balcony. The booth contained a work bench, sound controls and two giant projectors.
“One of these big projectors, which in the State are equipped with special projection heads for brilliance and clarity, has about the same relation to a home movie projector that a battleship has to a rowboat,” the caption reads. “The size of the machine can be seen from the fact that it is higher than Mary Sellon (left) and Carolyn Denfield (right), who watched as Doris Marty (in the ‘highchair’) pulled the lever that sent a powerful beam of light pouring against the screen below.”
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
'The new pride of Ann Arbor'
Congratulations are offered to the Butterfield theater company in 1942 for its “substantial expression of faith in Ann Arbor’s future” with the construction of the new State Theatre, which was built by George W. Auch Co., a construction company founded in Detroit in 1908.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Celebs offer congratulations
The News reported in March 1942 that telegrams from all over were arriving to congratulate W.S. Butterfield Theaters Inc. and Larry Mull, the theater’s manager, on the opening of the State. Some reportedly came from screen celebrities such as Clark Gable, Hedy Lamarr, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland and Katharine Hepburn, as well as many others.
Mull told the News he was going to try to put the telegrams up in the lobby or foyer so film fans could read what their favorite actors and directors had to say about the Ann Arbor theater.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
A team effort
This story from the day before the theater opened in March 1942 notes more than 35 construction, supply and specialty firms — some from Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Flint and Kalamazoo — were involved in the creation of the State Theatre.
Local labor was used when possible. Walker and Co. of Detroit supplied the neon lighting inside the building. Carpeting was made by the Mohawk Rug Co. and supplied through Goodyear’s. Other Ann Arbor firms involved were the Fingerle Lumber Co., Ann Arbor Construction Co. and General Electric Co.
The photo caption above proclaims the theater’s chairs were “really tops” and had approval from everyone who used them.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
First new Ann Arbor theater in 14 years
“With the completion of the State, Ann Arbor has six theaters, one of which — the Majestic — is going out of business tonight and faces a doubtful future,” reads this story from March 1942. “The State is the first new theater the city has had since Jan. 5, 1928, when the Michigan was opened with a gala ceremony.”
The story notes the Michigan and the State, both under the management of Butterfield theaters, would remain “first-run houses” and show very few double features.
“The State is the only Ann Arbor theater owned by the Butterfield circuit,” it states. “The Michigan, Majestic, Whitney, Wuerth and Orpheum are all leased.”
The story also includes this detail: “Cleaning the State will be simplified by a built-in vacuum system with outlets all over the theater. Dirt will be sucked directly into an incinerator.”
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Majestic theater closes
The opening of the State Theatre coincided with the closing of the Majestic, another theater operated by Butterfield and a landmark on Maynard Street for more than 34 years. It opened in 1907.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Theater manager Larry Mull
Described as “blond and friendly,” the State Theatre’s first manager in 1942 was 35-year-old Larry Mull, an Illinois native who managed movie theaters in different cities in Michigan before coming to Ann Arbor in 1930 as the manager of the Majestic. He also opened the Whitney theater after coming to Ann Arbor and operated it independently. He lived at 1221 W. Liberty St. with his wife and two children.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Butterfield operates 114 theaters
“The old folk saying that great oaks grow from little acorns probably never had a better example than in W.S. Butterfield Theaters, Inc., an all-Michigan theater circuit which happens also to be the largest independently owned circuit in the United States,” the News wrote in 1942, noting it operated six theaters in Ann Arbor and 114 altogether.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
State Street, 1949
The State Theatre's marquee is partly visible in this photo of State Street at North University looking north in December 1949.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
State Street, 1951
The State Theatre can be seen off in the distance in this photo from 1951 when State Street's bricks were paved over with asphalt.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
'Our new giant miracle mirror screen!'
A 1953 ad for a film showing at the State Theatre boasts about a new panoramic screen.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
1953 article about new huge screen
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
'The new dimensional photographic marvel'
Another State Theatre ad from 1953.
Duane Scheel | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Beatlemania in 1964
Children line up along State Street for tickets to a Beatles film, presumably "A Hard Day's Night," in August 1964. The line stretched past the Vieux Carre Restaurant. The letters above read B.E. French & Co., which was a children’s clothing, gift and toy store that opened in 1959 where Goodyear’s used to be.
Duane Scheel | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
'I love the Beatles'
Youths hold up signs proclaiming their love for Beatles while waiting in line outside the State Theatre in August 1964.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
'Jaws,' 1975
The State Theatre’s marquee advertises the “terrifyingly brilliant” movie “Jaws” playing during the Ann Arbor Art Fair in July 1975.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Pirate days, 1975
State Theatre ticket taker Dave White dons his pirate garb and a menacing snarl as part of the theater's promotion of two Walt Disney pirate films at the State in 1975.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Converting from one screen to four, 1979
In February 1979, a major renovation was underway to convert the 37-year-old State Theatre, still operated by Butterfield, from one large movie house to four smaller theaters, two screens upstairs and two screens downstairs. Seating capacity was reportedly being reduced from 1,756 to about 1,400 total seats. The existing seats were to be refurbished and re-spaced. In addition to the State, Butterfield also operated the Michigan Theater, the Wayside, the Campus Theater and the University Drive-In at the time.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Quadding the State Theatre, 1979
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
'Purple Rain,' 1984
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
'Twins,' January 1989
“Twins,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, was among the films listed on the marquee at the State in January 1989.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
First-floor retail plans emerge, February 1989
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Theater closing, February 1989
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Divided State, February 1989
In February 1989, an Ann Arbor development company confirmed it was buying the State Theatre and planning to convert the two first-floor theaters into retail shops while trying to find a way to keep operating two movie theaters upstairs in what used to be the balcony. Roger Hewitt, general manager of Hogarth Management, said the fate of the two upstairs theaters would depend on the project’s cost, whether code regulations could be met and finding an operator to lease the theaters. “If there’s any way we can keep it open, we will,” Hewitt said of the two upstairs theaters, which seated about 600 people.
Hogarth bought the building from an Illinois-based company that determined it was no longer viable as a commercial theater. Hewitt said a decision hadn’t been made on whether to renovate or remove the theater’s trademark vertical “State” sign or marquee.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Marquee restoration, August 1989
While the theater’s marquee was being restored and repainted in August 1989, roughly six months after the theater’s closure in February, the News reported there still was some uncertainty whether movies would be shown in the building’s second-floor theaters.
The story quotes Roger Hewitt, general manager of Hogarth Management, which owned the building. It was his idea to put Urban Outfitters on the first floor and keep movie theaters on the second floor. He told the News in 1989 there would be changes to the lower part of the marquee and there would be a sign for Urban Outfitters, a Philadelphia-based clothing store moving into an 11,000-square-foot space on the first floor. There still was a vacant 750-square-foot space on the first floor yet to be leased. And if Hogarth Management could find an operator for the two movie theaters on the second floor, Hewitt said, the top portion of the billboard would once again list movies playing. Hogarth was negotiating with several potential operators for the two 300-seat theaters on the second floor.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Marquee restoration, August 1989
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Marquee restoration, August 1989
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Marquee restoration, August 1989
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Movies coming back, 1992
Aloha Entertainment Inc., a Canton-based company behind a renovation of the State Theatre in 1992, discussed its plans for reopening the theater with a tropical Hawaiian theme. “The re-opening is a triumph for Thomas P. Borders of Borders Book Shop fame,” the News wrote. “He bought the building in 1989 and has maintained the 50-year-old landmark marquee even as the upstairs theaters remained vacant.”
The News reported that Borders turned away investors who wanted to convert the upper floor into retail space, holding out for someone who would keep it as theaters. Borders’ bookstore was on the same block.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Hurrah, 1992
The expected return of movies to the State Theatre is celebrated in The Ann Arbor News in September 1992. Movies started showing again two months later.
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Funky new vibe, 1993
Paul Braman, manager of the newly reopened State Theatre, poses in front of one of the State's two screens in this February 1993 news article. Closed since early 1989, the State reopened its doors to moviegoers in November 1992. The story says that building owner Tom Borders preserved the upper-level screens in hopes that some entrepreneur would someday bring movies back to the State, and that dream had come true after Bill Spurlin and his son Billie Spurlin brought the State back to life in 1992.
The reinvented State — complete with tropical colors, palm trees and gaudy paintings of Hawaiian scenes adoring the walls — showed movies for $2.50 and sold popcorn for $1, according to this article, which quotes Bill Spurlin saying their concept was to show recently released movies at a discount price.
“The entrance is hard to spot these days, even underneath the giant neon marquee glowing like a beacon in the night. But look closely, and you’ll see the glass door lurking between Urban Outfitters and the Maize ’n’ Brew party store,” the News wrote, describing going inside as crossing into a “counter-earth in which things both are and aren’t the same.”
Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org
Clowning around outside the theater, 1997
The State Theatre sold to a local investor group in 1997, and then in 1999 the Michigan Theater was contracted to provide film programming and marketing services for the theater. In 2007, the Michigan Theater created a contingency plan to respond to a possible threat to the State Theatre, and in 2014 the Michigan Theater bought the State Theatre cinemas to preserve and improve them.
The State Theatre in September 2016 shortly before it closed for a multimillion-dollar renovation. (Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News)
State Theatre closes for renovations, 2016
The State Theatre under renovation in Ann Arbor in June 2017. (Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News)
2017 renovations wrapping up
After more than a year of being closed for extensive renovations in conjunction with its 75th anniversary, the State Theatre is getting set to reopen in early December 2017. Read more about what to expect.
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