Northland Theatre - Southfield MI

Address: 15600 J L Hudson Dr
City: Southfield
State: MI
Zip: 48075
County: Oakland
Open: 1966
Capacity: 1487
Owner History: AMC Theatres
Theater Type: Neighborhood House
Number of visits to this page: 21369
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: Cinema Treasures

Opened in 1966, the Northland Theater was designed by the firm of Ted Rogvoy, and located at the Northland Mall. This modernistic-style movie house with its unusually-shaped curving and upturned roof could seat nearly 1500. The first movie screened at the Northland was Hitchcock's "Torn Curtain". By the late 60s, the theater had become a 70mm roadshow house, including a year-long run of "Funny Girl". Both the Northland and Americana, also in Southfield, fiercely competed as roadshow houses for many years, and the Northland would end up usually showing the better films most of the time.

The large original auditorium was twinned in 1976. A decade later, AMC Theatres acquired the Northland, but only three years later, it was shuttered, due in large part to declining audiences and growing violence in and around the theater (a problem shared with the Americana as well in the late 80s). Today, after standing vacant for years, the former Northland operates as a mixed use live and movie venue, featuring East Indian entertainment, called the Millenium Theater.

Info Updates:
12/24/2015 - Greg Hunt
I moved there as the GM when AMC acquired it from SDT in 1986. We all went down and then we were delayed until after Memorial Day. I remember we lowered concession prices and a small drink and small popcorn was $1. 98 with the tax. Also a promotion was already set up by SDT so I took over with a promotion already in place with Anthony Perkins there for release of one of the Psycho Movies. Bud Leamon was the SDT manager there and then worked for me until I moved to the Southland Mall 4 in September of the year when AMC bought the MGT chain.
4/12/2015 - EUGENE E. GREW
Mr. Kirkland: Such a treat finding your posting, especially the glowing accolades about me. You're very kind, but perhaps the years have dimmed the memory. Well, perhaps not! I have some group photos that I can scan should you want to add them to your post. I'm looking at one now, perhaps you have it. A black and white, with you standing top row center, proudly in your uniform replete with cap with me and 25 others. Circa 1966. Regards, Grew.
2/26/2015 - Michael Kirkland
I was one of the original ushers hired at the theatre. Our grand opening was September 16, 1966. I remember a champagne party taking place prior to the opening. There were local celebs, news media, etc. Torn Curtain was our first cinema. I worked there until 1968, Funny Girl was still playing. Eugene Grouix, sounds like grew. The Solone brothers were the owners of the theatre chain at the time. My starting rate was $1. 15 per hour, usherettes were hired at $1. 05 per hour. Gene (Mr. Grouix) hired handsome ushers and beautiful usherettes, I think eye appeal was paramount, due to Northland being the flagship of the theatre chain. Gene was the best of the best, I've yet to see someone as fast on an adding machine, the paper was a foot long in minutes! Gene was also the best guitarist I've ever seen, and I've seen them all. Genes manual dexterity was almost unbelievable. He played the Grand Ol Opre, Motown, and I don't know how many others. I asked him why he quit playing, he told me he couldn't sing, and that he was tired of doing all the work (Lead guitar) and the singer getting all the girls. I have a lot of fond memories from working at the theatre. Email me if there's anything you'd like to know. By the way, we seated 1474.
 Photos:11
Northland Theatre - July 23 2022
July 23 2022
Northland Theatre - July 23 0001
July 23 0001
Northland Theatre - July 23 0002
July 23 0002
Northland Theatre - May 2002
May 2002
Northland Theatre - Vintage Pic
Vintage Pic
Northland Theatre - Concession Photo From Eugene
Concession Photo From Eugene
Northland Theatre - From Robert Morrow
From Robert Morrow
Northland Theatre - From Robert Morrow
From Robert Morrow
Northland Theatre - From Robert Morrow
From Robert Morrow
Northland Theatre - From Robert Morrow
From Robert Morrow
Northland Theatre - 1966-08-17 Ad
1966-08-17 Ad
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