Lake Theatre

Info Updates:

3/23/2021 - Andy Gray

My grandfather A.S. "Al" Johnson built the Lake Theatre in Walled Lake, but family records don't include the year of the project. An undated newspaper advertisement for the "New Lake Theatre" lists a 1947 film "The Voice of the Turtle," so it's likely that the theater opened in 1947 or 1948.

The theater was located at 420 Pontiac Trail. After the theater closed, the building went on to house a variety of businesses before being demolished. In June 1948 Al shot a slide from outside the theatre (see below). In this image, the entrance has a pair of red double doors with half-moon glass. These are the classic "Johnson doors" for which my grandfather was said to have held a patent. The theater is tan with red accents and the marquee is cream and maroon. Humphrey Bogart's classic 1948 film "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" appears on the marquee.

The Cinema Treasures website offers this history: "The Lake opened in the late 40s, and [seated] around 300. After the theater closed, it was used as a bait shop. It was torn down in 2003 after falling into disrepair, having stood vacant for many years."

2/25/2013 - jim

I have an ad from 1950 showing that it was open at that time.

11/29/2012 - Sonny Triplett

Born in 1945 on the opposite side of Walled Lake, we moved into a small house on Common St approximately 1 1/2 blocks from the theater in 1950. I remember paying 12 cents to get in until I turned 12 years old and it went to 20 cents. YEOWWWWW! l. o. l. I remember seeing Elvis in Blue Suede Shoes holding my younger sister sitting on the little wall in the rear of the theater because it was so packed. Truly some of the good old days.

8/20/2012 - Jim Harter

It also use to be a bowling alley. They had a professional bowling tournment there back in the late 50's that I went to and got to watch a 300 game bowled by Johnny King. Tom Dunckley and myself use to also bowl in a league there at that time.

12/2/2011 - Rich Hornbuckle

I remember the theater having a roller rink phase in the early 70's. I went to a birthday party there in 1972. I lived in Walled Lake from 1967-1975, and I believe it was a roller rink most of that time frame.

11/24/2009 - Sandra Huhtala

The lake theater was still open in 1966; I saw "Born Free" there when I still lived in Commerce Township.

12/6/2005 - Barbara Camarillo

The indoor theatre in Walled Lake is listed as closing in 1959. Well that cant be quite right. I wasn't born until 1961 and I went with my cousin to see, Valley of the Dolls (My Aunt didn't exactly know what the movie was about) at that theatre. I am not sure what year the movie came out, but to say the least I didn't understand alot of it. I was probably under 10. Just thought you might want to check into this. Also, this building was a roller rink for quite a few years (or it seemed along time anyways). I skated there before the built the other one at the other side of town (on Pontiac Trial). I haven't lived in the area for 24 years, but still remember somethings.... Thanks for listening.

7/14/2005 - Keith Collins

The Lake Theater remains an empty weed-filled lot. I noticed there are some posts that would hold a FOR SALE sign with a specific realtor. Either someone bought the lot, or the realtor just gave up.

12/18/2003 - Box Office Magazine

The Lake at Walled Lake, operated by William "Bud" Harris Jr. is being dismantled.

1/6/2003 - WaterWinterWonderland

The Lakes was a nice little downtown theatre that was probably built in the 1950s. After it closed, It was unsuccessfully converted to a bait store and an archery range. It eventually fell into such disrepair that the City of Walled Lake condemned the buiding. It sat dormant for a few years and was eventually demolished. The site is now an empty lot.

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