Mall Cinema
Summary and history of the Marquette Mall Cinema (1974-1994)
Marquette Mall Cinema
The Marquette Mall…we’re your first choice.
The Cinema resided on the west “Woolworth’s Wing” of the Marquette Mall at the address of 2025 US Highway 41 in Marquette, MI.
It opened on Friday, May 24, 1974 with the film “The Sting” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
The Cinema was owned by Em-Lee, Inc., owners of the Delft and Nordic Theaters which were both downtown. The Cinema featured exclusive run films that played an average of three to four weeks in its earlier years.
Seating capacity of the Cinema was 500 patrons, with air conditioning, cushioned seating and clear viewing from all angles for it’s 30-ft screen. The interior was decorated in a modern tone, with walls and curtains in colored shades of red, orange and yellow. The lobby area, with typical theater concessions, was constructed with brick facings. Projection and sound equipment was new and of the latest semi-automated design. Sound-fold drapes provided maximum acoustics.
The Cinema was managed by Paul Florence when it opened in 1974 and then Rogers Cinema in 1994. A staff of 12 was employed at the Cinema. A notable screening at Marquette Mall was the original Star Wars (1977) which ran for 11 straight weeks.
Due to the presence of the GKC Royal Cinema which opened in December of 1993, the single screen Cinema failed to generate enough business which led to Rogers Cinema deciding to not renew its lease at the Marquette Mall.
The cinema closed on Sunday, July 17, 1994 with the film “Maverick” starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster.
It has since been demolished due to the entire demolition of the Marquette Mall in 2019.
The Final Films of the Marquette Mall Cinema (1993 to 1994)
The following details the final year of the Marquette Mall Cinema from July 1993 to July 1994. The list is noted on a week by week basis, as some films played multiple weeks.
Date / Film
1993
7-2-93 - Guilty As Sin
7-9-93 - Jurassic Park
7-16-93 - Jurassic Park
7-23-93 - Jurassic Park
7-30-93 - Jurassic Park
8-6-93 - Jurassic Park
8-13-93 - Jurassic Park
8-20-93 - In The Line of Fire
8-27-93 - In The Line of Fire
9-3-93 - In The Line of Fire
9-10-93 - In The Line of Fire
9-17-93 - Robin Hood: Men In Tights
9-24-93- Robin Hood: Men In Tights
10-1-93 - The Fugitive
10-8-93 - The Fugitive
10-15-93 - The Fugitive
10-22-93 - The Fugitive & Happily Ever After (Saturday & Sundays Matinees at 2:00pm)
10-29-93 - The Beverly Hillbillies
11-5-93 - The Beverly Hillbillies
11-12-93 - The Beverly Hillbillies
11-19-93 - Jurassic Park
11-26-93 - The Secret Garden (Friday, Saturday & Sunday Matinees at 1pm) & Rudy
12-3-93 - Prancer (Sunday Matinees at 1pm & 3pm) & Rudy
12-10-93 - Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
12-17-93 - Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
12-24-93 - Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
12-31-93 - Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
1994