United Artists Theatre

[Gistok]

Thanks for that 1950 clipping...

Now we know when the United Artists was remodeled. The original 1928 interior had sidewalls painted to look like medieval ashlar stonework, with Spanish Gothic details, and English Gothic fan vaults. Above the sidewalls there was a "Rajahstan" exotic India painted scene. There were American Indian maidens in feather headresses, and medieval statuary as well as the exotic Gothic tracery organ grilles.

During the 1950 remodeling... the stonework sidewalls were painted a flat drab color, as was all the Gothic detailing. The mural above the sidewalls was painted over, and the organ grilles were covered in drapery, "so you won't have to look at all that old stuff anymore"... which was the mantra of 1950s theater remodelings nationwide. The best remodeling did involve curtains, because in the future their removal exposed the original plasterwork. Many remodeled theaters of that era used curtains as a cheap way to remodel. For whatever reason, all of the other sidewall ornament was left exposed, giving the theater a rather awkward look, but not doing any serious damage. Those curtains remained even under the Ilitch [[destruction by neglect) era.

In 1955 the UA became the first Detroit theater to have 70mm film, and it required cutting out a piece of the procenium arch on either side of the stage, for a wider screen.