Regent Theater - Allegan MI

Address: 211 Trowbridge St
City: Allegan
State: MI
Zip: 49010
County: Allegan
Open: 1919
Capacity:
Owner History: Butterfield Theatres
Theater Type: Small Town Movie Palace
Number of visits to this page: 13468
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

Source: Cinema Treasures

The Regent Theatre opened in 1919 in what was formerly a late 19th century horse livery. It originally not only showed movies, but presented vaudeville acts on its stage.

In the 30s, the Regent received an Art Deco facelift, including a cream-colored vitrolite facade with red and green highlights. The six second-story windows have been closed up and covered with vitrolite with abstract decoration on them. The late Streamline era marquee, with its only decoration being a large white star, is lit with neon and light bulbs.

After decades entertaining the people of Allegan, the Regent closed in the early 80s. It was threatened with demolition by 1990. The non-profit Old Regent Theatre purchased the theater the same year and restored it to its 1930s glory in 1996. In 1997, during a violent rainstorm, the roof collapsed causing massive damage just an hour after the last movie of the night let out.

Since then, the Old Regent has been painstakingly rebuilt and restored once again, including recreating historic panels in the auditorium and the original 30s carpeting. The building was rewired electrically, and new curtains were hung. The 20 by 30 foot original screen was salvaged, but needed to be repaired. It is now one of the largest screens remaining in Michigan. "South Pacific" was screened at the Old Regent's second grand-reopening in 1999. Along with first run films, the theater also shows classic films and has a children's matinee on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

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Info Updates:
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 Photos:8
Regent Theater - 2002
2002
Regent Theater - From American Classic Images
From American Classic Images
Regent Theater - Recent Shot
Recent Shot
Regent Theater - Recent Shot
Recent Shot
Regent Theater - Interior
Interior
Regent Theater - Old Photo
Old Photo
Regent Theater - 1920 Ad From Paul
1920 Ad From Paul
Regent Theater - 1933 Ad From Paul Petoskey
1933 Ad From Paul Petoskey
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