Historic movie palaces / Eight Mile / Oak Park
Duke Theatre
Closed – archive entry · 1947–1953
Named in honor of Duke Ellington, this Eight Mile cinema opened in 1947, but television arrived almost at once and it didn't last six years. Afterward it became a bowling alley.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1947
- Closed
- 1953
- Architect
- Charles N. Agree
- Style
- Late Streamline Moderne
- Seats
- 1500
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The Duke was named in honor of Duke Ellington and built by the Wisper & Wetsman circuit to a late Streamline Moderne design by Charles N. Agree. It was planned before World War II, but construction didn't start until 1946. The $300,000, 1,500-seat theater opened on May 2, 1947, with The Thirteenth Hour and Wife Wanted. Television arrived almost immediately, and Wisper & Wetsman closed it after less than six years. The building became the Starlite Lanes bowling alley, then a heating and cooling business, and was demolished in August 2010.
- Named in honor of Duke Ellington
- 1,500 seats, designed by Charles N. Agree
- Later the Starlite Lanes bowling alley
Plan your visit
The Duke's building was demolished in August 2010, so there's nothing left to see on Eight Mile. For a movie, check the open cinemas in our guide.
Cinemas nearby
Back to cinemas ↗
Multiplexes / Canton
Emagine Canton
A 19-screen first-run multiplex on Ford Road in Canton, run by Michigan-owned Emagine: EMX and Super EMX premium screens with Dolby Atmos, cuddle chairs and a bar. Tickets are $5 on Tuesdays.
Multiplexes / Hartland
Emagine Hartland
A 10-screen first-run cinema on Hartland Road in Livingston County: an EMX premium room with laser projection and Dolby Atmos, heated recliners, a small screening room and a lobby lounge. Tickets are $5 on Tuesdays.
Multiplexes / Macomb Township
Emagine Macomb
A 9-screen, 1,171-seat first-run cinema on 23 Mile Road in Macomb Township, built inside a former Kroger. Every seat is a reserved leather recliner, the biggest room is an EMX with Dolby Atmos, and there's a full bar in the lobby.