If you’re over the age of 40, you probably have memories of drive-in movie theaters scattered around the Detroit metropolitan area. Those drive-ins, which peaked in popularity in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, began disappearing in the 1980s when their property became more valuable for strip malls, restaurants, and other year-round businesses.
Archive for the ‘Detroit Film Theatre’ Category
Under the Stars
Sunday, August 17th, 2014Renewal and Growth
Saturday, July 19th, 2014One of the philosophies that I carry around in my pocket is: Life is movement—either growth, decay, or renewal—and renewal always precedes growth.
The Detroit Film Theatre and Michigan Theater are currently applying this philosophy in different ways as they face the endless challenges of time and competition.
Early Hitchcock
Sunday, March 2nd, 2014No film director unites the audiences of the Detroit Film Theatre, Michigan Theater, and Redford Theatre more than Alfred Hitchcock.
DFT Classics
Saturday, January 11th, 2014The Detroit Film Theatre is probably best known for screening new foreign language, documentary, and American independent films that you are not likely to see in a mainstream commercial theater.
That’s Not All Folks
Saturday, October 19th, 2013For many decades, a trip to a movie theater in the Detroit area promised more than just the feature film. It could also include extras like cartoons, newsreels, short comedies, travelogues, or other entertainments, both live and on screen.
A Quarter Century
Monday, August 5th, 2013This past weekend marked 25 years since I first started attending movies at the Detroit Film Theatre. I first visited the DFT around August 1, 1988 for the German drama Wings of Desire.
Cinetopia Selections
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013A two-day program of silent films starring Mary Pickford might have seemed out of place among the many new movies at the Cinetopia International Film Festival, but guest speaker Christel Schmidt helped put things in perspective.
So Long Til Summer
Monday, April 29th, 2013The Detroit Film Theatre and Redford Theatre finished up their current seasons on the weekend of April 26-28, 2013 with the usual wide variety of movie entertainments that included classic, silent, and foreign language films. But before patrons enjoyed these treasures of the silver screen, theater representatives announced many special events in the coming months.
Synergies
Saturday, April 20th, 2013I was pleasantly surprised the other day to see that this year the Detroit Film Theatre will be participating in the Cinetopia International Film Festival that the Michigan Theater started last year.
Collecting Images
Saturday, January 19th, 2013A double feature on the opening weekend of the Detroit Film Theatre’s Winter 2013 season helped me better understand and appreciate how images are combined to create film and film-like experiences.