The jaw-dropping opulence of the lobby. Date unknown.

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library - Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The 10-story blade marquee that once hung outside.

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library - Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The magnificient marquee of the Michigan

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library - Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

One of the statues that decorated the theater before it became a parking garage.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The jaw-dropping opulence of the lobby.

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives.

A rare color shot of the beautiful Michigan lobby

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library

The lobby.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The screen from the balcony

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection.

The rear elevation, showing the theater

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection.

By 1960, the Michigan had lost much of its luster.

The Michigan Theatre in 1952.

The Michigan Building, which houses the Michigan Theatre

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection.

One of the statues that decorated the theater before it became a parking garage.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library

One of the statues that decorated the theater before it became a parking garage.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

One of the statues that decorated the theater before it became a parking garage.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The grand staircase in the 1970s.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The auditorium.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The Michigan Theatre shortly after opening

Photo from the Detroit Free Press archives.

The Michigan Theatre on the right with the Leland Hotel in the background

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection.

The glorious marquee in 1935.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The lobby of the magnificent Michigan.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The Michigan Theatre on the right with the Leland Hotel in the background

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection.

The ticket line, silent and empty in the 1970s.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

A parking cop tickets a car outside the Michigan Theatre in 1952. Maybe its owner was at a movie.

Photo from the Detroit News archives.

The marquee on the rear of the Michigan.

Photo from the collection of John Lauter.

The gallery.

Photo from the collection of John Lauter.

The mezzanine

Photo from the collection of John Lauter.

The mezzanine promenade.

Photo from the collection of John Lauter.

The grand staircase in the 1970s.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The theater was decorated with various sculptures and statues, such as this chariot seen in the 1960s.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The Michigan Theatre's lobby about 1970.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The Michigan Theatre's lobby about 1970.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The blade marquee was removed, as shown here in 1966, leaving only the bottom.

Photo from Walter P. Reuther Library.

The Michigan Theatre, left, with blade sign during the 1950s.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The horse and chariot sculpture.

Photo from the collection of John Lauter.

The projection booth.

Photo from the collection of John Lauter.

This is why they called them movie palaces.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The auditorium, as seen from the balcony.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.

The view from the balcony.

Photo from the Theatre Historical Society of America.

A fountain in the lobby.

Photo from the collection of John Lauter.

The Michigan's blade marquee illuminated in 1946. Looking down Bagley Avenue.

Photo from Walter P. Reuther Library.

The blade marquees of the Michigan and United Artists.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library.