Historic movie palaces / New Center / North End
Trans-Lux Theatre (Woodward)
Closed – archive entry · 1932
The only Detroit work of celebrated New York theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb: a small 1932 newsreel house on Woodward whose rear-projection daylight system meant you didn't need a fully darkened room.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1932
- Architect
- Thomas W. Lamb
- Style
- Art Deco
- Seats
- about 340 (700 from 1934)
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
This small newsreel house opened in 1932 as Detroit's branch of the Trans-Lux circuit, the only Detroit work of the celebrated New York theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb. It used Trans-Lux daylight projection, which was actually rear projection, so patrons could move around without a fully darkened room. In 1934 a standard booth replaced the system, seating doubled to 700 and it became the Center Theatre, later run by Associated Theaters. Television finished it off in the 1960s, and the building was converted to retail.
- Thomas W. Lamb's only Detroit work
- Rear projection, no full blackout needed
- The Center Theatre from 1934
Plan your visit
The building was converted to retail and hasn't shown films since the 1960s. For a movie night, see the working cinemas in our guide.
Cinemas nearby
Back to cinemas ↗
Multiplexes / Detroit
Bel Air Luxury Cinema
The only first-run multiplex inside Detroit's city limits: ten screens on East Eight Mile with luxury rockers, recliners and a giant custom chandelier. No need to drive out to the suburbs for the new releases.
IMAX & giant screens / Detroit
Michigan Science Center – Immersive Dome Theater
Midtown's science museum runs three screens: the giant Immersive Dome Theater, the Penske Planetarium and the 3D Toyota Engineering Theater. The museum calls the dome the largest theatre in Michigan.
Film festivals / Detroit
Detroit Black Film Festival
Independent films directed, written or produced by Black filmmakers, at a Detroit festival Lazar and Marshalle Favors started in 2020. The 7th edition in September 2026 screens 89 films from 30 countries, with the Charles H. Wright Museum as its hub.