Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Dearborn MI

Address: 24105 Michigan Ave
City: Dearborn
State: MI
Zip: 48124
County: Wayne
Open: 1941
Capacity: 1200
Owner History: National Amusements / Redstone
Theater Type: Shopping Center - Early Multiplex
Number of visits to this page: 12554
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

Source: Cinema Treasures

Opened in 1941 as the Dearborn Theatre, this Charles N. Agree-designed movie house could originally seat just under 1500. The Dearborn was a smaller version (around 1000 less seats) of Agree's Royal, which opened in Detroit less than half a year earlier. Both were designed in bold Streamline Moderne style, and like the Royal, the Dearborn contained a small stage, but had no dressing rooms or orchestra pit. The Dearborn was run by the Wisper and Wetsman circuit from the time it opened, until 1973, when it was acquired by the Wayne Amusement Company.

In the late 60s, a small 300-seat auditorium was added to the theater, called the Dearborn Living Room. In the 70s, a third screen was added to the Dearborn. By this time, it was now called the Dearborn Entertainment Center. It was also one of the first theaters in the state of Michigan to serve alcohol, along with Wayne Amusement's Quo Vadis.

In the 80s, the original nearly 1500-seat auditorium was carved into four smaller auditoriums, and in 1986, the complex was sold to National Amusements. During its six-year operation of the Dearborn, National Amusements added yet another three screens. In 1992, Showcase Cinemas took over the Dearborn, with it today going under the moniker of Showcase Cinemas Dearborn. Though a bit frayed around the edges, the Dearborn remains a popular venue for seeing the latest first-run films.

Click the following links for locations of interest nearby:
Info Updates:
8/23/2013 - Ed K.
Two hotels will be built on this site and where Wendy's used to be. A Holiday Inn Express and another one geared for business travelers. Both will be four stories tall. It's better than the vacant lot that's there now.
1/9/2011 - Johnn
Frank - the giant whipped cream cans were Delsoy Corporation and were on the E side of Telegraph, just S of the E-bound ramp to Michigan Ave. I recall they were torn down when the new hotel was built there (owned by the Crysan family that owned the Sunco/Car Wash further S on Telegraph). The hotel was known for having 3 levels of bar/clubs - and this complex was torn down and is presently occupied by a multi-brand car dealership. We grew up down on Carlysle and recall riding our bikes or walking to/from the Dearborn. So many great memories!.
10/28/2010 - Frank P.
Some things are foggy from the past, but was this the theatre that around the winter of 1972,73 on Friday or Saturday nights, after midnight would have rock & roll concerts featuring local talent, and some surprise groups? If it is the same place, I once saw a group that called themselves St. Francis Duvall that was either a cover band or was actually Jethro Tull playing under a false name as many groups have done when playing very small venues. Which ever it was, it sound like and looked like Tull, the guy playing the flute was dead on the mone, it had to be Tull. I rmemeber one other thing about the area that we used as a land mark, giant silo size Ready Whip cans on Telegraph south of where we turned off to go to the theatre I am speaking of. Does this ring any bells out there???.
5/17/2010 - Unknown
Auditorium Seat Count (circa 2006): 1-205, 2-212, 3-285, 4-304, 5-367, 6-306, 7-307, 8-306
3/15/2010 - Bob Klutz
According to the local paper, A Sonic Burgers Drive-in will be built on the site of the old Wendy's. That deal is 90% complete. As to the theater, No date has been set to tear it down. A new Hampton Inn hotel will be built on the site to replace another Hampton Inn further east on Michigan Ave. They should build a new theater on the site of that strip mall that is situated nearby. A new Emagine Theater would be nice and there is plenty of room for it.
3/2/2010 - Ed K.
The Wendy's nearby has been torn down. The Theater will also be torn down soon. No news yet what will be built on the site. A hotel is a possibility according to the previous writer. I had wished that the Theater would be renovated to show movies again or turned into a playhouse. There are enough motels or hotels on Michigan Ave.
6/5/2009 - Steve Bielawski
One of the Dearborn papers reports that the old Dearborn Theatre, along with a long-closed Wendy's next door, will be torn down to make way for a new hotel. The new owner tried another site first, but was turned down by the city; now, the owner has contacted Showcase Ciinemas about the land. The odds of it happening are good, as no other buyer has emerged for the building in the last three years, but it's not quite a done deal yet.
9/8/2006 - Theater Lover
Showcase Dearborn closed for good at the end of business, Monday, September 4th 2006.
 Photos:41
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - As The Dearborn From American Classic Images
As The Dearborn From American Classic Images
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - 2002 Photo
2002 Photo
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo May 2010 From Mark
Demo May 2010 From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo May 2010 From Mark
Demo May 2010 From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo May 2010 From Mark
Demo May 2010 From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo May 2010 From Mark
Demo May 2010 From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo May 2010 From Mark
Demo May 2010 From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Inside Demo From Mark
Inside Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Inside Demo From Mark
Inside Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Inside Demo From Mark
Inside Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Inside Demo From Mark
Inside Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Inside Demo From Mark
Inside Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Inside Demo From Mark
Inside Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Inside Demo From Mark
Inside Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Inside Demo From Mark
Inside Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Demo From Mark
Demo From Mark
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Hdr Shots From Lance Rosol
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - From Mark Hall
From Mark Hall
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - From Mark Hall
From Mark Hall
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - From Mark Hall
From Mark Hall
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - From Mark Hall
From Mark Hall
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - From Mark Hall
From Mark Hall
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - From Mark Hall
From Mark Hall
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - From Mark Hall
From Mark Hall
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - From Mark Hall
From Mark Hall
Showcase Cinemas Dearborn - As The Dearborn
As The Dearborn
WaterWinterWonderland.com © 2024 Over 70,996,575 Served