By Ron OrtizFloodlight beams crisscrossed the skies above Lasher Road. A black limousine is parked at the curb under the theatre's marquee. A red carpet covers the sidewalk while a doorman guards the entranceway. Groucho and Harpo Marx look-a-likes parade outside, greeting the theatregoers. Many patrons are dressed like "stars" in their vintage finery as they flounce into the theatre amid the photographer's flashbulbs.
Photograph by Don Nicholson www.donnicholson.netThe Academy Awards?? No... it was the Second Annual Detroit Area Art Deco Society's "Oscar Night at the Redford Theatre." The special "Oscar" event featured a special screening of the 1936 Academy Award nominated film, "Libeled Lady." This lively four star romantic comedy, nominated for "Outstanding Production," was cleverly written and lavishly costumed and sums up the Art Deco era as well as any film. Those who attended the event on Friday, February 27th, were thrilled with the outstanding Deco movie sets and the fabulous fashions worn by the movie's headliners, Jean Harlowe and Myrna Loy. William Powell and Spencer Tracy also starred in this Art Deco gem about an heiress who sues a newspaper and the editor who tries to compromise her by hiring a friend to seduce her.
Harpo (Kathie King) & Groucho (Bob King)Prior to the doors opening at 7:00 PM, Rebecca Binno Savage and Greg Kowalski, authors of their new book "Art Deco In Detroit" were there to promote the book and sign copies. The book features many photographs of deco era architecture in and around Detroit. Once inside the theatre, patrons were treated to the majestic sounds of the completely restored Mighty Barton Theatre Pipe Organ played with gusto by Lance Luce. It was this organ that first interested the Motor City Theatre Organ Society in the Redford Theatre. The allvolunteer organization now owns and runs the theatre and continues to work hard in restoring the Redford back to its original 1928 splendor.
Aside from the regular Redford theatregoers, the DAADS "Backstage Pass" event attracted over 180 patrons who bought the $10.00 ticket to view the movie, take a tour of the facilities and participate in the "Backstage" afterglow, complete with coffee and a dessert buffet. Before going backstage, several MCTOS volunteers gave an interesting history of the Redford Theatre and the efforts being made to collect funds to complete the restoration. One of the many facts not known to us before was that the theatre's Japanese motif interior was painted over with battleship gray paint during World War II. It was only after the MCTOS started to remove the gray paint that they discovered the original beautiful Japanese frescoes that have been restored and once again adorn the interior. Many of the moviegoers commented that they remembered "going to the Redford" during its splendor days.
If you haven't been to the Redford Theatre recently, treat yourself to a movie at the giant single screen theatre that seats over I,600. The main floor viewing area has been completely restored with new seats installed. Among the many ways the MCTOS is raising funds is to allow patrons to "buy" a seat and have a plate with their name attached. There are still many seats to "purchase" for a $250 donation. The outer lobby is in the midst of restoration and there is much work still to be done in the balcony, including new seats.
This was the second year in a row that DAADS held this outing as a special fundraiser and have donated the proceeds to the Motor City Theatre Organ Society. Additionally, some DAADS members donated Art Deco and other such items for a silent auction that was held for the benefit of MCTOS. Included in the auction were masonry pieces from the Detroit Opera House, Olympic Arena and other Detroit historic buildings, some items from Hughes & Hatcher and Hudson's stores, an American Beauty electric iron, old Detroit postcards, barware, old photos, books and magazines, a framed fashion picture, a needlepoint handbag and a gentleman's hat. All money raised from the silent auction also went to the MCTOS.
We wish to thank the Motor City Theatre Organ Society volunteers for their assistance that evening. A special thanks goes to Bob (Groucho) and Kathie (Harpo) King for their tireless effort in organizing the Backstage event. The delicious dessert buffet was possible through the generosity of Nancy Potton, Laura Lybeer-Hilpert, Gary Spondike, Rebecca Binno Savage, John Gere, Amy LaBarge and Lucy Ortiz. Last but not least our thanks go to Carl and Robin Cohen, Gary Spondike and Ron Ortiz for their able assistance in making the evening an enjoyable event.
The only thing missing that evening was YOU! Many thanks goes to Antiques on Main for serving as our ticket outlet. They were the main reason that we sold as many tickets as we did. We were disappointed that the event attracted only a proportionately small number of DAADS members to support this fun-filled fund raiser. Hopefully, we can encourage more DAADS members and their friends to participate in future outings such as DAADS "The Oscar Night at the Redford Theatre."
