Guild Theatre
12719 Gratiot Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48205
12719 Gratiot Avenue,
Detroit,
MI
48205
1 person
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Franklin Theatre, Guild Art Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened as the Franklin Theatre in 1926, this very small theatre became known as the Guild Theatre on March 8, 1962, when it started showing foreign features, the first being Claudia Cardinale in “Girl with a Suitcase” (La Ragazza con la Valigia).
Later, it was renamed the Guild Art, and began showing adult films. In 1992, the “Art” portion of the name was dropped.
The Guild Theatre has been closed since the early-2000’s.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Picture of it’s condition as of the summer of 2007:
View link
Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/czqzt2
Is this theater being demolished? I saw something on CNN to that effect.
Not demolished, just fewer letters and bigger graffiti.
If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre in its adult days, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!
Undated photo added courtesy of Tom Emm.
Reopened as Guild on June 8th, 1962 with “Girl with a Suitcase”. Ad posted.
Still standing in the August 2021 street view. It is interesting to scroll around as the years change depending on the angle. No channel sign letters left on the top of the marquee now, but 2 were left in 2019, 3 in 2013, 4 in 2009, versus most of them in the 2007 photo posted earlier. Likely grabbed by metal scrappers. The income from the two billboards on the roof is likely paying the property taxes. Down Waltham Street to its left are many vacant lots, boarded up, abandoned homes. One burnt out. Goulburn Avenue to its right is about the same, but with some homes still occupied.