Berkley Theatre
Berkley, MI
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

The Berkley Theatre has been lighting up downtown Berkley since 1941. Its bright neon blade sign and classic marquee have remained local landmarks, even as the building behind them has changed dramatically over the years.

Originally built as a neighborhood movie theater, the Berkley became well known during the 1970s and 1980s for its "$1 At All Times" admission before showing its final movie, Jurassic Park, in 1993. The building was later converted into a pharmacy, but fortunately the theater's iconic marquee stayed in place. For years, the City of Berkley even used it to post community announcements, keeping the vintage sign alive long after the movies had ended.

Today, the building is undergoing a major restoration and is being transformed into a new live entertainment venue. Best of all, the historic neon marquee is being preserved as the centerpiece of the project, ensuring that one of Berkley's best-known landmarks will continue to light up 12 Mile Road for years to come.

UPDATE: The Berkley Theatre is being renovated into a live entertainment venue, and its historic marquee is being preserved. 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 specifically for the era of sound films, the theater entertained generations of moviegoers before closing in 1991 as newer multiplexes drew audiences away. Fortunately, the Town of Normal stepped in and saved the building, completing a meticulous restoration in 1994 that returned both the theater and its beautiful neon marquee to their original appearance.

Today, the Normal Theatre continues to show classic movies, independent films, foreign releases, and special events, proving that an old-fashioned movie house can still have an important place in the community. If you're passing through town in the evening, the glowing marquee is well worth a look.

UPDATE: The Normal Theatre remains beautifully restored, and its historic neon marquee continues to light up Uptown Normal every night. 07-26

Birmingham Theatre
Birmingham, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The Birmingham Theatre has been lighting up downtown Birmingham since 1927. With its tall vertical neon sign and classic marquee, it's one of those theaters that immediately catches your attention while strolling down Old Woodward Avenue. It's hard to imagine downtown without it. 02-07

Originally built as a grand single-screen movie palace, the theater eventually adapted to changing times and was divided into multiple auditoriums. Today it's known as the Birmingham 8, but thankfully the beautiful marquee and iconic "BIRMINGHAM" sign are still right where they've always been.

The theater has been updated over the years with modern comforts, but it never lost the vintage character that makes it such a great downtown landmark. It's another reminder that some of the best movie marquees are the ones that have continued doing what they were built to do—welcoming people to a night at the movies.

UPDATE: The Birmingham Theatre remains open as the Birmingham 8, and its historic neon marquee continues to shine over downtown Birmingham. 07-26

Drury Lane Theatre and Martinique Restaurant (Demolished)
Evergreen Park, IL
Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 2004

Originally located in Chicago, the business was housed inside of a tent and was only open during the summer months.Drury Lane Theatre and Martinique Restaurant moved to Evergreen Park in 1948. They played host to top name entertainers and singers throughout the years. Stars such as Bob Newhart, Mickey Rooney, Phyllis Diller, Charlton Heston, and Jane Russell all appeared on its stage. A wedding chapel was added in the late 1970's. A second location opened in the 1980's in the upscale town of Oak Brook. Sadly, the original closed on January 1, 2004 and was demolished to make way for a Walmart. From the west, this massive sign could be seen from up to two miles away. Many thanks to Bruce R. Cassi for info. 04-07

By the time this photo was taken in 2004, the theater's final curtain was about to fall. After decades of entertaining generations of Chicago-area families, the complex closed and was demolished later that year, ending the story of a place that helped define the suburban dinner theater experience.

UPDATE: The Drury Lane Theatre and Martinique Restaurant were demolished in 2004, and the marquee was removed. 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

The Redford Theatre has been lighting up Detroit since 1928. Its towering vertical neon sign and beautifully restored marquee make it one of the city's best-known theater landmarks and a favorite among fans of classic movie palaces.

The theater is just as impressive inside, with its Japanese-inspired décor, ornate details, and one of the country's few original Barton theater pipe organs still in its original location. It's the kind of place where the building itself is part of the experience.

Thanks to the efforts of dedicated volunteers, the Redford was saved and restored when many other neighborhood theaters disappeared. Today, it continues to show classic films, silent movies, and special events beneath one of Detroit's finest neon marquees.

UPDATE: The Redford Theatre remains restored, and its historic neon marquee continues to light up Detroit. 07-26