Clawson Theatre

Info Updates:

3/30/2021 - Andy Gray

My uncle Bud Johnson's documentation includes the Clawson Theatre project, at 116 W. 14 Mile Road in Clawson, but without the year of the job. With none of Al Johnson's vintage slides, we need to look online for some photos.

I've attached two images: one is a photo from the WaterWinterWonderland.com site showing the theater with a 1954 film "Demetrius and the Gladiators" on the marquee. In that image the right-hand door is propped open and you can see that it's a half-moon glass "Johnson door." A post by David Zornig on the Cinema Treasures website provides this clue to the building's history and the year that Al Johnson remodeled it: "Past realty listings show it as having been built in 1930. But it didn’t open as a theater until 1941."

The building is still in use. A 2015 article on the oaklandpress.com website says: "A replica of the 1941 marquee has been erected on the original building, which was being remodeled for a café and retail space:"

5/24/2015 - Kathleen K. Ferris

The Clawson Theatre is now owned by the couple who purchased and lovingly restored the Ambassador Roller Rink, which is next door. Both the theatre and the roller rink were built in 1941. Mary Liz Curtin and her husband Stephen founded Leon & Lulu (formerly the Ambassador Roller Rink) in 2006. It has since become an award-winning retailer, which features high-end furnishings, clothing, gifts and more. It is also the site for more than 80 non-profit events each year. The Clawson Theatre is currently being renovated, including with an exact replica of the 1941 marquee, which was installed May 21, 2015. The theatre will become, The Show, and will feature a cafe and more fabulous shopping. It's slated to open fall 2015.

3/8/2015 - Steve W

Guardian Angels Church used to have mass there on Sundays while their new church was being built. Matinee on Saturdays, mass on Sundays. Around 1960 give or take.

8/22/2010 - Michael Bolan

I am positive that the photo of the Clawson Theatre at 14 Mile Rd. near Main St. is genuine. I went there as a child living about ten blocks away to see the Three Stooges.

12/13/2009 - Jason Womack

Clawson Theater building is still there on the west side of what was Ambassador rolling rink, on 14 Mile just west of main(Livernois) It has also been an Auto parts store and a Cafe/ coffee shop. Its being renovated for something exciting in the future.

3/25/2007 - Tera

The Ambassador Roller Rink WAS on 14 Mile - not Maple. The Ambassador closed a couple of years ago and the building is now the home of a furniture shop.

11/16/2004 - Paul Muczynski

The Clawson Theater is actually on the side of 14 mile road, just west of Main Street, in Downtown Clawson. It sounds like the lady is confused. There is a roller rink on Maple (15 Mile Road), but thats in Troy, or Sterling Heights. There is a roller rink next door the former Clawson Theater, but its not the same building at the old theater, and its not on Maple, but on 14 mile in downtown Clawson. Also, the former Clawson Theater building is currently a coffee shop in the front, and an imported car autoparts store on the side. If you want more info on the Clawson Theater, you can check out the new book on Clawson History by the curator of the Clawson Historical Museum, Delores Cumler. It has a photo of the theater I hadnt seen before, plus a photo of three of the theaters female staff.

2/24/2004 - Lauren Rusin

It is on Maple Road and is now a roller rink. My grandmother worked there.

12/2/2003 - Box Office Magazine

H. Pierre LaMarre is changing the name the Clawson Theatre at Clawson to the Cinema 14 Clawson.

HomeMovie TheatersClawson Theatre