Berkley Theatre
Berkley, MI Photo courtesy Emily Steele
Check out the neon at the Berkley Theatre along 12 Mile Road. The vertical sign and wide marquee have been catching eyes since 1941, surviving long after the popcorn stopped popping. For generations of local moviegoers, this was the place to catch a bargain-priced show.
The Berkley became especially well known for its dollar admission before showing its final movie, Jurassic Park, in 1993. A pharmacy later occupied the building, but fortunately the theater signs stayed. The marquee even found work displaying community announcements—a pretty good second career for an old movie house.
UPDATE: Renovation work began in early 2026 to turn the building into a live entertainment venue called The Berkley. Plans include preserving the historic marquee, giving this longtime landmark another chance to welcome a crowd. 07-26
Normal
Theatre
209 North St.,
Normal, IL Photo courtesy Dawn Riordan
Located in Normal, IL is a recently restored, 1937 Art Moderne theater,
with neon marquee ablaze. The Normal Theatre was restored
completely in 1994 and has been open and operating for over ten years
as a classic movie theater, showing classic film as well as independent
and foreign films every weekend. It's got a great neon marquee that's
on every night! Many thanks to Dawn Riordon for info.
Built by Sylvan and Ruth Kupfer, the theater opened in November 1937, when talking pictures were still a relatively recent attraction. After falling on harder times, it was purchased by the Town of Normal and restored. Appropriately enough, its October 7, 1994, reopening featured Singin’ in the Rain.
UPDATE: The Normal Theatre continues showing classic, independent, and international films, along with special programs. Fortunately, its restored neon marquee remains part of the show, giving another generation a reason to spend an evening at this old movie house. 07-26
Birmingham Theatre
Birmingham, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Look up along Old Woodward Avenue and you'll spot the Birmingham Theatre, complete with its tall vertical sign and classic marquee. This is the kind of downtown movie house that makes an evening at the movies feel like an occasion before you even reach the ticket counter. 02-07
Opened in 1927, the Birmingham began as a single-screen theater before changing with the movie business. A major rebuilding and restoration completed in 1996 transformed it into an eight-screen complex. Fortunately, the familiar exterior survived, keeping a little of the original movie-house character along the sidewalk.
UPDATE: The theater continues operating as the Birmingham 8. The auditoriums have changed considerably since opening day, but the historic sign and marquee still give downtown Birmingham a welcome touch of old-fashioned theater style. 07-26
Ionia Theatre
Ionia, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
This old theatre located in downtown Ionia is none other than the Ionia Theatre. The letters of the Ionia blink one at a time until the entire sign lights up.
The Ionia Theatre was built in 1931 intended for Vaudeville entertainment. However, due to the Great Depression, Vaudeville had passed and the theatre showed moving pictures instead. The design of the theatre was made after the New York Roxy theatre. When the theatre fell into disrepair and closed, concerned citizens, local businesses, and the city contributed towards its restoration. More info can be found at the City of Ionia site. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info.03-07
Built during the golden age of movie palaces, the Ionia was designed for both the new "talking pictures" and live vaudeville performances. The beautiful Art Deco interior featured decorative murals, a grand chandelier, elegant woodwork, and architectural details inspired by New York's legendary Roxy Theatre. Even today, much of that original character remains, giving visitors a glimpse of what going to the movies was like nearly a century ago.
Ionia Theatre
Ionia, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Like so many neighborhood theaters, the Ionia eventually struggled as audiences shifted to modern multiplexes. For a time, its future looked uncertain, but a dedicated group of local residents refused to let their hometown theater disappear. Their efforts ultimately led to the building being saved, restored, and placed in the hands of the City of Ionia, ensuring it would remain part of the community.
Today, the theater continues to do exactly what it was built to do. First-run movies share the schedule with concerts, live performances, and community events, while the restored neon marquee still lights up Main Street each evening. It's a wonderful example of how a classic movie palace can adapt to changing times without losing the character that made it special in the first place.
UPDATE: The Ionia Theatre remains open, and its historic neon marquee continues to light up downtown Ionia. 07-26
Drury Lane Theatre and Martinique Restaurant (Demolished)
Evergreen Park, IL Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 2004
You certainly didn't need to squint to find Drury Lane Theatre and Martinique Restaurant. This enormous Evergreen Park marquee announced an evening of dining and entertainment with the kind of roadside presence usually reserved for a major hotel. It must have been quite a sight after dark. 04-07
The permanent Drury Lane theater opened in 1958, becoming a well-known destination for suburban theatergoers. The complex grew over the years, adding banquet space and a wedding chapel. Between the restaurant, stage productions, and celebrations, there were plenty of reasons to turn beneath that towering sign.
UPDATE: The Drury Lane and Martinique complex is gone, replaced by Walmart development. Its oversized marquee disappeared as well, taking away one of the area's most memorable signs and a familiar welcome for generations of dinner-theater patrons. 07-26
Redford Theatre
Detroit, MI Photo courtesy Ed Seward / 2006
The MCTOS (Motor City Theatre Organ Society) owns and operates the Redford Theatre with its original fully restored Barton Theatre Organ. Classic movies are shown regularly, with rentals offered for events. An 80th Anniversary celebration will be upcoming in 2008. Many thanks to Ed Seward for info. 07-07
Opened on January 27, 1928, the Redford features a Japanese-inspired auditorium and its original Barton theater pipe organ. The organ was installed when silent films were still being made, and it remains part of the entertainment today. The Motor City Theatre Organ Society purchased the theater in 1977 and has worked to preserve it ever since.
UPDATE: The Redford continues presenting classic films, organ programs, and special events. Thanks to its volunteers, both the theater and its wonderful marquee remain working pieces of Detroit movie history. 07-26
Berkley Theatre
Normal
Theatre
Ionia Theatre
Ionia Theatre
Drury Lane Theatre and Martinique Restaurant (Demolished)
Redford Theatre
