Kal Theatre

Info Updates:

11/16/2014 - Robert Barnard

The old cement projection room is still in the 2nd story of the building (it's the only thing in the 2nd story). My dad, Larry Barnard, used to go to that theater. He's told me about going up to the projection room (he's always been interested in how everything works and people in the town seemed to enjoy showing people their craft when someone was interested). Years later he started and owned Larry's TV and provided TV service and repair in the area for many years (Zenith, Quasar and Motorola). The business was located about 2 miles East of Kalkaska on M-72 (where Ken Dupuie's Country Communication's is located now). In the 1970's dad sold the business to Jerry Beebe. Later Jerry moved the business to town where the old theater was at. About 5 years ago Jerry gave me a tour of his building. The building has some interesting differences from other buildings. As I said, the only thing accessible in the 2nd floor is the old projection room. It's a small room with a few small holes for the images and some ventilation. Other than that it has the feeling of a bomb shelter because of the cement walls, ceiling, floor and steel door. To access the projection room you have to climb a set of narrow stairs that are more like a ladder than a stairway. Looking out from one of the holes in the room you can still see the original ceiling. But today wires hang down to support the main floor's suspended ceiling below. There is also an old chimney for the projectors exhaust. The main floor's original floor still slopes down (as theaters do). Someone had build a second (level) floor over the original. From what I understand, the original floor is still in tact.

12/17/2009 - Dennis Calhoun

After talking to some of the oldtimmers here in Kalkaska. I found out the Kal was in the building that houses Jerry''s TV a small electronics repair shop.

2/15/2007 - Dennis Calhoun

I think the building the Kal was in is now answering service in Kalkaska.

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