Flat Roc Theatre - Flat Rock MI

Address: 26263 Gibraltar Rd
City: Flat Rock
State: MI
Zip: 48134
County: Wayne
Open:
Capacity:
Owner History:
Theater Type: Small Town Movie Palace
Number of visits to this page: 14903
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

Source: Andy Gray

Another theatre that served clientele southwest of Detroit was the Flatroc in Flat Rock, Michigan. My grandfather Al Johnson built this theater, which stood at 26263 Gibraltar Road, in 1939. His son's list of Johnson Construction Co. projects lists this job without the year, but I was able to deduce it from some historic online photos. On the WaterWInterWonderland site, there's an image of the marquee showing "Gala Premier Opening Friday September Twenty Second," and another marquee photo with "Ann Southern in Congo Maisie" which was released in 1940. The only year between 1935 and 1940 in which September 22nd fell on a Friday was 1939.

My grandfather shot his color Kodachrome slides of the Flatroc nine years later in 1948. Al's exterior slide was shot in May 1948 and it shows two pairs of his patented "art moderne" or "art deco" style "Johnson doors" with matching half-octagonal windows. Al took the four interior images in November 1948. One is labeled "Vlachos" and shows a sharply-dressed John Vlachos, who was the theater owner. Another image is the only one in 150 or more slides that my grandfather left behind that shows movie-goers in a theater that he built. A distinctly young audience appears to be waiting for the Western "Marshal of Amarillo" staring Allan "Rocky" Lane to start. Today the building appears to house an insurance business.

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Info Updates:
10/14/2018 - Kristi Barnett
Flat Roc Theatre is now home to several business's. The main business being Adkins Insurance Agency. (Since 2011) I can provide updated pictures of the building showing the marquee still being in use and the updates that have been made. Please let me know if you would like the updated pictures and information.
10/26/2010 - Gerald
There was a 14” Glo-Dial clock with purple neon (I think) to the right of and a few rolls back from the screen. It had the word TIME displayed on top. I assume it once said “TIME TO EAT” which was not uncommon for Glo-Dials. I also remember the “Coming Attractions” bi-fold flyers printed in a different color every week.
11/24/2009 - Kathy
This building was featured in the 1953 short subject, "THE CASE AGAINST THE 20FEDERAL ADMISSIONS TAX ON MOTION PICTURE THEATRES", shown recently on Turner Classic Movies.
1/30/2004 - WaterWinterWonderland
The long lost Art Deco Flat Roc appears to date back to the early 1940's based on the fuzzy picture that the owner of the music store had taped to the counter. The building today is still in good shape and is being used as a music store.
 Photos:16
Flat Roc Theatre - From Al Johnson
From Al Johnson
Flat Roc Theatre - May 14 2022 Photo
May 14 2022 Photo
Flat Roc Theatre - July 9 2022 Photo
July 9 2022 Photo
Flat Roc Theatre - July 9 2022 Photo
July 9 2022 Photo
Flat Roc Theatre - July 9 2022 Photo
July 9 2022 Photo
Flat Roc Theatre - From Glworthington
From Glworthington
Flat Roc Theatre - From Glworthington
From Glworthington
Flat Roc Theatre - From American Classic Images
From American Classic Images
Flat Roc Theatre - From Al Johnson
From Al Johnson
Flat Roc Theatre - From Al Johnson
From Al Johnson
Flat Roc Theatre - From Al Johnson
From Al Johnson
Flat Roc Theatre - From Al Johnson
From Al Johnson
Flat Roc Theatre - From Al Johnson
From Al Johnson
Flat Roc Theatre - Flatroc Theatre Photo By Al Johnson 1940
Flatroc Theatre Photo By Al Johnson 1940
Flat Roc Theatre - From American Classic Images
From American Classic Images
Flat Roc Theatre - Summer 2003
Summer 2003
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