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Source: Theatre Catalog
Key-Run pictures figured prominently in the operating policy of th Ryan, which was opened December 28, 1949, to serve the entertainment needs of a drawing populace of some 20,000. The principal special feature is a side exit vestibule opening on the 500-car parking lot with a canopy so that the patrons may wait under shelter.
The fireproof brick building has a mottled cream, tan, and red porcelain enamel front. The double marquee is studded with bright stars in the center. Flowers are painted on the green background of the lobby walls, and the floor is of red, green, and tan rubber tile. Both the auditorium and foyer have colorful decorations on cinder block. Toilet rooms have cream tile walls and terazzo floors.
From Andy Gray
Here’s another “new” one, along with the back of the photo. Here’s a description:
The archives of my grandfather (Al Johnson, whose Johnson Construction Company built the Ryan) include a copy of this promotional photo. The back is stamped with: “Photography by Russ Milligan, Star Commercial Photo Co., 1112 Charlevoix Bldg, Detroit 26, Mich, WO. 1-9531,” along with a print number. The back is also date stamped DEC 17 1949 with my grandfather’s “RYAN” written in.
My grandfather’s collection includes two other original black and white photos with the same “Photography by Russ Milligan…” imprint. One is the marquee/entrance photo (“Watch Grand Opening Soon…”), and the other is the parking area photo. Both are labeled on your Ryan Theatre page as “Old Photo.” I would suggest relabeling them as Russ Milligan photos December 17, 1949 on your page to give the photographer proper credit.
I suspect that the other promotional photos labeled “Auditorium” and “Interior Pic” on the Ryan Theatre page were also taken by Russ Milligan, but of course without an original copy, we can’t say that for certain.