The Fox theater in Detroit, Michigan first opened in 1928. At the time it was the second largest theater in the world. It is styled in Far Eastern, Indian and Egyptian, which is displayed in the beauty and majesty of the interior. Guests were greeted by a M.P. Moller pipe organ over the entrance. The decor includes  gold statues and trim, red marble pillars and an unbelievable pallet of color in the domed ceiling. It almost makes me dizzy to keep looking up and finding new things to look at in the ceiling and everywhere you look. The 3,600 square foot lobby was covered by a wool rug, the largest ever made by an American manufacturer and it weighed 3,000 pounds. The theater was 175 feet wide and 110 feet high.

Some innovations included were three foot aisles in front of every row of seats which allowed people to move to their seats without having to make everyone stand up. Basically plenty of leg room, which is nice. It also had an a passenger elevator and escalators, the only theater in Michigan at the time. It was the first in the world to be equipped for talking movies.

The theater was originally owned by William Fox, but the credit for the design ideas go to his wife Eve. The architect was C. Howard Crane and it cost eleven million dollars to build it over a period of eighteen months. The doors opened in September of 1928 with the film "Street Angel".

Over the years the theater has changed hands many times, but in 1987 Michael and Marion Ilitch of Little Caesar pizza fame bought it and began restoring to a tune of twelve million dollars. It took about a year and 100 percent was restored with 80 percent of that being the original work. The Fox opened again in November, 1988. He also restored the surrounding office building. It is the largest surviving movie palace from the 1920's!

Some past acts include: Abbott and Costello, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Oprah Winfreys The Color Purple. I have seen The Nutcracker ballet, Beauty and the Beast, Jesus Christ Superstar the Disney film Pocahontas. The seats are old and original looking and the curtains over the stage are magnificent. They still show movies, but also plays, musical acts and on and on.

The area around the theater has changed over the years as well. Across the street is Comerica park, home to the Detroit Tigers. Ford field is near, home of the Detroit Lions and you are right in the heart of "Hockeytown" which includes a lot of entertainment for the Detroit Red Wings who play at Joe Louis Arena nearby.

There are some great things to do in Detroit but please if you come for a visit make an effort to visit The Fox Theater. They do offer tours, the marque outside is spectacular. I have a link below for more information. Come to Detroit!