Budd Theatre - Harrison MI 

Address: 166 E. Main
City: Harrison
State: MI
Zip: 48625
County: Clare
Open:
Capacity: 300
Owner History:
Theater Type: Small Town Movie Palace
Number of visits to this page: 7552
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

Source: Joe

I went to the Budd Theatre as a child. My grandparents lived in Harrison. I saw Puff the Magic Dragon there. I dont remember what year that movie was made. I also saw the movie Grease there when that came out in 78. I think it was a small theatre maybe seated 100 or less people. It was on M-61 right in the town of Harrison. I am not sure when it opened but it closed I believe in the mid to late 80s.

Doing some detective work, I found the recent street view photo of the "theater hall" is in fact the old Budd Theater. Seth Landon indicated it was once the location of Mid Michigan Community Action. Doing some checking I found that organization did indeed use this address.

Info Updates:
5/9/2023 - Michael
I grew up in Harrison in the 80's and 90's and it wasn't until the mid-90's that I discovered that this building had used to be a movie theater. When I asked my parents about it, they actually told me that it was where I was, technically, first in a movie theater for a movie. My parents went to see The Empire Strikes back there in 1980, and took me along when I was just a baby. It would be interesting to see more pictures not only of the outside, but inside as well. My career choice actually took me into working in television and film, so to know that I was in a movie theater at just months old is kind of neat.
4/13/2007 - Seth Landon
I was just at the old budd Theatre, It is now a the Mid Michigan Community Action agency, I went to pick an application up and noticed the theatre was intact, The projection booth, Balcony and sloped floor is still their. even what appeard to be all the original lights and auditiorium enterance. The Auditorium just has 2 offices in the very front then it is separated by not just short walls as deviders for sections. I was able to see all the way to the back and I also noticed a storage area on one side of the theatre at the back, I am hoping to get up their soon to take some pics for the site.
12/18/2003 - Box Office Magazine
May 1959 - Warren and Lester Millard reopened the Budd at Harrison.
11/26/2003 - John McDowell
In the early 70s the Budd was owned by Dan Creighton. At one point, Dan operated theatres in Mancelona, Reed City, Harrison, Lakeview, and Lake Odessa. I was projectionist in Reed City from 10/65 to 10/73 when the Reed closed. Dan also worked at various radio stations in the northern Michigan area. I was only in the Budd once or twice, but I suspect the seating capacity was in the 300 range.
 Photos:5
Budd Theatre - July 11 2021
July 11 2021
Budd Theatre - From American Classic Images
From American Classic Images
Budd Theatre - Restaurant Next Door
Restaurant Next Door
Budd Theatre - Clare Sentinel Ad May 1953
Clare Sentinel Ad May 1953
Budd Theatre - Z5 May 1966 Ad
Z5 May 1966 Ad
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