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Looking Back

September 1932

Step back in time to see what area movie theaters were presenting in September 1932. Film titles are linked to the Internet Movie Database.

For more information about these theaters, see Cinema Treasures or Water Winter Wonderland.

"One to Watch" read the headline on a September 6 Detroit News photo of a handsome movie star who made two appearances in area theaters this month. The caption read, "A chap with plenty of personality is Cary Grant, stage leading man, whose promising career was transplanted to Hollywood, where it is thriving nicely."

"PUBLIX New Season Hits are Here!" read an ad in the September 2, 1932 Detroit News. The ad promoted Devil and the Deep (Tallulah Bankhead, Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, Cary Grant) at the Michigan, and Speak Easily (Buster Keaton and Jimmy "Schnozzle" Durante) at the Fisher. Also advertised was White Zombie (Bela Lugosi), which re-opened the United Artists on September 1, along with The Old Bull, Mickey Mouse in Mickey's Nightmare, and "Globe Trotter News Events".

Also back from a summer break was the Paramount, which re-opened on September 10 with Skyscraper Souls (Warren William). "This revival of activity opens all the big downtown houses with the exception of the State, which appears to be definitely out of the running, and the Madison, which is to be devoted to other than picture purposes," wrote Len G. Shaw in the September 8, 1932 Detroit Free Press. Still closed was the Redford, until October 7.

Other big premieres in Detroit were Back Street (Irene Dunne, John Boles) and The Most Dangerous Game (Joel McCrea, Fay Wray) at the RKO Downtown; Love Me Tonight (Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald) and Blonde Venus (Marlene Dietrich, Herbert Marshall, Cary Grant) at the Michigan, and Pack Up Your Troubles (Laurel and Hardy) at the Fisher. Also heavily advertised was the United Artists opening of Grand Hotel (which earlier played at the Wilson).

At the Michigan in Ann Arbor, the arrival on September 22 of Devil and the Deep (Tallulah Bankhead, Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, Cary Grant) also brought new ticket prices: Evening admission for 50 cents on the main floor, 40 cents in the balcony; and matinee prices of 30 cents for adults and 10 cents for "kiddies".

Monday night was always Guest Night at the Michigan, when a second feature followed the last showing of the main movie. Double bills included Guilty as Hell (Edmund Lowe, Victor McLaglen) and bonus feature Devotion (Ann Harding "in the picture that made her famous"); Two Against the World (Constance Bennett) / The Crowd Roars (James Cagney); Down to Earth (Will Rogers) / Cheaters at Play (Thomas Meighan); and Love Me Tonight (Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald) / This Reckless Age.

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