Memories of the Main Art Theatre

In spite of spirited efforts by Friends of the Main Art, the inconic theatre marquee came down this week to make way for the building's demolition.

Friends President Jason Krzysiak wrote:

"We held successful screenings and fundraisers, we attended Royal Oak City meetings, we organized rallies in front of the theater, we gathered over 3,600 signatures of support, we spoke out on local radio and TV and in newspapers and online. Always in vigorous support of keeping independent film at its longtime home at the corner of 11 Mile and Main.

"All this effort culminated in the hope that Royal Oak’s elected leaders, the property owners North Main LLC. and the Friends of the Main Art could find a win\win solution that would preserve and improve the historic theater and return independent film to its home in Downtown Royal Oak.

"Unfortunately, that win\win solution never materialized. After discussions with Friends of the Main Art, North Main decided they would not preserve the theater and the Royal Oak City Commission subsequently voted unanimously at their May 23rd City Commission Meeting to approve the company’s plans to demolish the historic theater and replace it with mixed use development."

Last year, when the Main Art was first shuttered, we asked you to share some of the memorable films you saw over the decades...

June 14, 2021

There's nothing else. Just us, and the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark. All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my closeup.

Just two months shy of its 80th birthday, the Main Art Theatre has gone dark.

The Main surfed sea changes in cinema – opening as a single, 800-seat theater the same week as 1941's iconic Lady Scarface and shortly before the lesser-known Citizen Kane.

Rosebuds abound for generations of moviegoers who embraced the Main's studio spectaculars, B movies and independent fare.

Whatever the future holds, we heard you – as loud and clear as the the MGM lion – and your picks for the unforgettable flicks that lit up the Main's screens.

Here they are, in chronological order – with the caveat that many lived on as midnight movies, including a screening of The Room "with Tommy Wiseau himself in attendance."

Let us know (in the comments below or so@nu-detroit.com) if there are any major motion pictures you want to add to the list.