Suspiria (1977) 3rd Annual Halloween Fundraiser and Costume Party 

Sat. Oct. 25 

Doors – 6:00 PM 

DJ Adam Stanfel (aka DEATH) 6:45-7:30 PM

Spooooky Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM  

1hr 35min | R | Mystery/Horror | Italy

Tickets – $10 

Costume contest 

Seasonal Vibes 

Join us for a special screening of Dario Argento’s supernatural horror classic Suspiria, a movie that synthesizes its sound and vision to such an extent it might just be about trippy colors and totally sick music. What happens on screen? Murder and magic at the intersection of ballet and an actual coven of witches. What happens in your mind? A descent into our collective, primordial terror, conjured from the mind of a cinematic sorcerer.  

All proceeds support the Senate Theater and the further restoration of our historic Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. 

In addition to our usual film screening, you can expect an Death himself as DJ, extra special spooky organ overture, vendors costume contest and eerie seasonal music. Admission starts at $10 but further donations of any amount are graciously accepted.  

Vendor List:
Cherismagikalmanifestations

Beth_amber_detroit

MichelleL. Unique Jackets

Green Brain Comics

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Frankenstein (1931) PLUS Silent Frankenstein (1910) 

Sat. Oct. 18 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Films – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

Frankenstein (1910)  

Live organ accompaniment by Dave Calendine

16min |NR| Horror| USA 

Frankenstein (1931) 

1hr 11min |NR| Horror | USA 

Demoralizing! Gruesome! Unsuitable for the nervous! Banned for “strangeness”! Blasphemous! Morally debased! It must be 1931’s Frankenstein! 

Don’t miss this Universal monster classic at the Senate, starring Boris Karlof as the monster! Based on Mary Shelley’s famous gothic novel about the folly of man and the potentially destructive nature of creation, Frank Whale's adaptation was a sensational and controversial hit. Today it remains true to say IT'S ALIVE . . . with lavish photography, iconic makeup, and timeless chills and thrills!

And before the feature we are excited to present, with live organ accompaniment from Dave Calendine, a short silent film version of this familiar tale. Produced in 1910 by Thomas Edison’s Edison Studios, this one-reeler is a very loose but fascinating adaptation. It is the very first screen appearance of Frankenstein and a great chance to behold a feat of early 20th century technology, the Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ in action! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Silents at the Senate Presents: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) 

Sat. Oct. 11 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $12 

1hr 15min | NR | Horror | Germany

Live Organ Accompaniment by Stephen Warner 

Pipe chamber tour to follow 

 Silents at the Senate returns for its fall 2025 season with a masterwork of German Expressionism, Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with live organ accompaniment from Stephen Warner on our Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ! 

This art film dressed as a nightmare dazzles the eyes and spirit with style and substance, predating the current trend of “elevated horror” by about a century. Using twisted and distorted sets and telling a tale of murder and madness, this anti-authoritarian allegory explores the hypnotic allure of power, its ability to coax from us our free will. 

And, as always, following the silent film presentation patrons will have a chance to take a tour of the organ pipe chambers. Additionally, the organist for the evening will be available to field any questions you may have about theater organ and the art of silent film accompaniment! 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Frankenweenie (2012) PLUS Frankenweenie (1984) 

Sat. Oct. 4 

Doors – 2:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 2:30 PM  

Film – 3:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

Frankenweenie (1984) 

30min | PG | Family | USA 

Frankenweenie (2012) 

1hr 27min | PG | Family | USA 

 Are you unwilling to relinquish the unconditional love of a deceased pet but savvy enough to know there is no “nice farm upstate?”  

Why not take a page from ol’ Victor Von and try giving your dearly departed a little jolt? That irreplaceable little scamp will be back up and running in no time. 

Any unintended consequences are, however, not the responsibility of The Senate Theater and are, in fact, simply the plot of Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie. This beautifully animated stop-motion gem features the vocal talents of Martin Short and Catherine O’Hara. It is a playful retelling of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein and an affectionate satire of the 1931 film adaptation starring Boris Karlof, replacing Karlof’s lumbering monster with a bull terrier named Sparky. 

But it’s also an expansion of its director's breakout short film of the same name, 1984’s Frankenweenie, featuring Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern. And no this isn’t a case of re-animation. The original is all live-action, and we’re screening it before the feature. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Thur. Oct. 2

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:40 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $12

Cast & Crew Q&A to follow film

1hr 38min | NR | Horror/Sci-fi/Comedy | Canada

The Senate Theater is excited to present this independent film out of Canada on its "Drac Attack" tour of North America! Be sure to stick around after the film for a Q&A with the cast and crew!

If you put Mel Brooks, Ed Wood, and South Park into a blender you’d get VAMPIRE ZOMBIES…FROM SPACE! an over-the-top comedy which satirizes and pays homage to drive-in, creature-feature horror films of the 1950’s. It’s the latest film from award-winning writer-director Mike Stasko (The Birder, Boys vs. Girls) and award-winning comedy writers Jakob Skrzypa and Alex Forman (Your Money’s No Good Here, Fun Uncle, Funny or Die).

Vampire Zombies…From Space! features a horde of appearances by cult icons including Night of the Living Dead’s Judith O’Dea, Troma’s Lloyd Kaufman, Tim & Eric’s David Liebe Hart, and SAW VI’s Simon Reynolds.

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

El Cantante (2006) 

Sat. Sep. 27 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 46min | R | Drama/Musical | USA 

Come see “the singer of all singers” on the big screen at the Senate! 

With a powerhouse performance from Jennifer Lopez and a soundtrack that will have you dancing in the aisles, this musical biopic is an unsparing but adoring exploration of the life of salsa legend Héctor Lavoe. Told from the perspective of his widow (Lopez) the film follows Lavoe (Marc Anthony) on his journey from a Puerto Rican nobody to a genre innovator, all while fighting his inner demons and the pressures of fame. 

At his best, throughout his tragically brief life, Lavoe personified that special ingredient that made salsa—a blending of rhythms and modes from Cuba and Puerto Rico—into a phenomenon of Latin music in the 1970s and 80s. In his commanding voice and electrifying charisma was a powerful, vivacious energy. In his songs and in his soul was an irresistible call to dance, to celebrate, to live.  

In El Cantante the many sides of the man are laid bare. But the love inherent in his enduring art shines brightest. And, for one night only you can see—and hear—it at the Senate! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

The Most Dangerous Game (1932) 

Sat. Sep. 20 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 18min | NR | Horror/Adventure | USA 

Is this screening of a classic “pre-code,” psycho-sexual adventure involving hunting humans for sport a family friendly event? 

Not really—too much carnage—though you could afford to bring the whole family at these prices!  

The Most Dangerous Game was the first film adaptation of the classic short story, telling the tale of shipwreck survivors confronted with a double threat of aristocratic excess and hedonistic depravity. It stars Joel McCrea, (archetypal burly leading blonde man) the original scream queen Fay Wray (King Kong) and Leslie Banks as an exiled Russian nobleman with sadistic proclivities.  

Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack using the same jungle sets from his next film, King Kong, its violence and sexual themes led to walkouts during its original theatrical run. It may even shock some today, making it a perfect example of the short lived free-wheeling era of early 1930s Hollywood before the self-censorship of the “Hays Code” took hold. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

FREE

We’re bringing LILY to the Senate Theater for a public screening in collaboration with Who Got the Props, one of the biggest breaking jams in the Midwest.

Date: August 29th, 2025
Time: 6-9PM
Location: Senate Theater
6424 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

Come through for a night of cinema, music, and drinks.

Sat. Aug. 9  

Doors – 8:00 PM 

Film – Dusk (approx. 9:00 PM) 

Tickets - GRATIS! (FREE!) 

1hr 19min | NR | Horror/Mystery | USA 

En Español (with English subtitles) 

Es verano en el Senado y una vez más con calor, sudorosos y raros con una serie de películas para satisfacer tu ardiente deseo de tonterías y subculturas, exageramientos y cultos, e incluso un superhéroe/detective/héroe popular mexicano de lucha libre!

¡El Santo (con Demonio Azul and Mil Mascaras) en Las momias de Guanajuato!

Únase a nosotros para esta PROYECCIÓN GRATUITA AL AIRE LIBRE en el Senate Coney Lot (al lado del teatro en Michigan Ave.) y disfrute de esta exagerada y cursi pieza de la historia de la cultura pop mexicana.

¡NO OLVIDES TRAER TU PROPIA SILLA!

¡EL PUESTO DE CONCESIONES Y LOS BAÑOS ESTARÁN DISPONIBLES DENTRO DEL TEATRO!

It’s summer at the Senate and we’re once again getting Hot, Sweaty & Weird with a series of flicks to satisfy your burning desire for schlock and subculture, camp and cult, and even a wrestling Mexican superhero/detective/folk hero! 

El Santo (with Blue Demon and Mil Mascaras) in Las momias de Guanajuato!

Come join us for this FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING in the Senate Coney Lot (next door to the theater on Michigan Ave.) and enjoy this campy piece of Mexican pop culture history. 

DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR! 

CONCESSIONS STAND AND BATHROOMS WILL BE AVAILABLE INSIDE THE THEATER! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 54min | R | Surrealist Fantasy/Adventure | Mexico 

For one night only, the Senate Theater invites you to attempt an ascent through the unseen, mystical world of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain.  

Taking its inspiration from 16th century spiritual treatise and an allegorical novel from a 20th century French surrealist, this cult classic out of Mexico is a symbolic trip and stylistic triumph. It overflows with metaphysical philosophy, making cross-cultural religious allusions as it dazzles with surrealist, psychedelic imagery. Essentially it tells the story of a thief climbing a tower. But in the reality of The Holy Mountain, ascending becomes transcendence and what is “real” is revealed to be but a plane on which we project our perceptions. 

Join us for this decidedly strange installment of our Hot, Sweaty & Weird summer series, where the movies are offbeat, the air conditioning is non-existent, and our doors, (of perception and otherwise) are wide open. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sat. Jul. 19

Tickets - $6 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

First Film – 8:00 PM 

Second Film – 9:45 PM (approximately) 

100 Cries of Terror (1965) 

1hr 40min | NR | Horror/Drama | Mexico 

The Curse of the Doll People (1961) 

1hr 21min | NR | Horror/Mystery | Mexico

16MM PRINT, DUBBED IN ENGLISH 

Fear knows no boundaries. Terror crosses any border. But do you dare walk the line between shock and shlock? 

Experience this in-between space—a netherworld of both good and bad taste—at our double feature of vintage Mexican horror, presented on 16mm film in partnership with our friends at the Motor City Cinema Society! 

These tales of homicidal infidelity, premature burial, voodoo curses, and killer dolls make up our first show in the Senate Theater’s annual Hot, Sweaty & Weird summer film series. As always we’re focusing on the strange, the cult, and the so bad it’s good. We aim to provide the kind of oddball entertainment that is sure to distract as you enjoy our 99-year-old theater’s non-existent climate control system. 

Good or bad. Scary or absurd. It’s all going down in a classic neighborhood movie theater with the flicker of film on our big screen. You won’t find that streaming. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Doors/Car Show – 4:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 4:30 PM  

First Film – 5:00 PM (Full schedule below) 

Spectator Entry – $10 

Car Entry – $25 (IMPORTANT DETAILS BELOW)

Cars and movies. An iconic pairing. 

Cars transformed the way we moved through our world. Movies put an endless universe of experience within our reach. They brought us freedom, excitement, joy and connection. Cars provided thrilling action to the movies. Movies enhanced the seductive power of cars. Together, they helped define the 20th century experience. 

Join us this summer in the Motor City as we celebrate them both at the Senate Theater with a car show and car flick film festival! Expect cool cars in the Senate’s parking lot, four classic features revolving around car culture, a silent short film with live organ accompaniment and more. 

Come admire some cool rides parked outside the theater, Steve McQueen on the racetrack, cruising 1950s teens, vintage car comedy, cross-country racers, and Kurt Russel's goofy hijinks at the used car lot. See you there! 

 Car Show Details:

CASH ONLY!

$25 parking fee includes entry for driver and 1 passenger.

This show is first come, first park.

The car show will take place in the Senate Theater parking lot. Spectators must find parking in the neighborhood.

Film Schedule: 

5:00 Le Mans (1971) 1 hr 46 min 

6:55 American Graffiti (1973) 1 hr 50 min 

8:50 Get out and Get Under (1920) Silent short film w/live organ accompaniment 25 min 

9:20 Last call for 50/50 raffle tickets. Your chance to win cash or prizes! 

9:45 Two Lane Black Top (1972) 1 hr 41 min  

10:25 Used Cars (1980) 1 hr 50 min 

The Car Show will take place in our Parking lot on Gilbert St. Spectators can park anywhere in the neighborhood and on Michigan Ave. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Sat. Jun. 21 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

2hr 15min | R | Horror/Noir | USA 

We’ve met before. At the Senate. We’re there right now. With David Lynch’s horror-noir mind trip, Lost Highway.  

Starring Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette and Robert Blake, this surrealist melodrama of sinister surveillance, body doubles, and madness will keep you guessing as it defies your expectations. It melds genre tropes and avant-garde left turns, sending viewers on a twisting journey. And this trip was one that initially polarized and perplexed audiences on release. It still does, offering familiarity and subversion, splitting and then devouring itself, mutating within an unnerving and dizzying narrative churn.  

Love it or hate it. You won’t be bored. 

If this mystery has a resolution, it is up to you to find it. Perhaps the answer lies on the big screen. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets – $12 

Total runtime – 1hr 26min  

7 short films with live organ accompaniment by Scott Smith 

Silents at the Senate continues its 2025 season with a selection of short films from the French magician, theater director and pioneer of cinematic art, George Méliès, with live organ accompaniment from Scott Smith on our Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ! 

Filmed around the turn of the last century, these early moving pictures retain their ability to delight and surprise. They tell fantastic stories from folklore and history, travelling far into outer space and deep into the spectral realm. The work remains timeless, and their uncanny illusions—the awesome technological sorcery of modernity—will be made extraordinary with a live score and a crowd of fellow movie lovers to share in the wonder. 

Join us as we reach into the past and revive it right before your eyes and ears! 

And, as always, following the silent film presentation patrons will have a chance to take a tour of the organ pipe chambers. Additionally, the organist for the evening will be available to field any questions you may have about theater organ and the art of silent film accompaniment! 

Film Schedule: 

Part 1 - 40 min 

Joan of Arc (1900) - 10 mins  

The Kingdom of Fairies (1903) - 16 mins  

A Trip to the Moon (1902) - 14 mins 

Part 2 – 46 minutes 

Cinderella (1899) - 6 mins  

Gulliver’s Travels Among the Lilliputians and the Giants (1902) - 4 mins 

The Witch (1906) - 12 mins  

The Impossible Voyage (1904) - 24 mins  

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Doors and Vendors – 6:00 PM 

Live Band (Midnight Station) – 6:30 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM  

1hr 38min | R | Horror | USA 

Tickets – $15 

Satin, silk, chiffon, lace . . . a bucket of pig’s blood? It’s Carrie Prom at the Senate! 

Whether your prom was a night to remember or just a nightmare, we cordially invite you to partake in an evening of music and film at our historic neighborhood movie house! All proceeds will go towards a new projector. Expect a live band, our regular organ overture, punch at concessions, vendors, prom-themed decorations, and Brian De Palma’s unmatched adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, Carrie! 

A tale of repression, vengeance, and extreme teen angst, this supernatural take on the teen drama will end your magical evening with a (metaphorical!) bang. It's the all-timer that introduced the world to the distinctive screen presence of Sissy Spacek in the title role and the unforgettable performance of Piper Laurie as Carrie’s religiously overbearing mother. 

Now that’s something you can probably leave your prayer closet for, right? 

It’s all about the memories, so don’t drink too much of the suspiciously piquant punch—you wouldn’t want them all to laugh at you, would you?  And be sure to dress like it’s whatever year it is that you definitely didn’t peak. Of course, we promise not to turn you away just because you’re still too much of a non-conformist to get gussied up for the dance. We just ask that you keep your dirty pillows to yourself. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

PROUDLY PART OF THE 2025 ARAB FILM FESTIVAL!

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $15

1hr 6min | NR | Family/Adventure | Germany 

Live Organ Accompaniment by John Lauter 

Presented with the Arab American National Museum and the Arab Film Festival 

Complimentary ma'amoul (Arabic cookie) included with admission!

Silents at the Senate, along with our partners at the Arab American National Museum and the Arab Film Festival, is proud to present The Adventures of Prince Achmed with live organ accompaniment by John Lauter!  

This magical tale, the world’s oldest surviving animated feature film, is a landmark of cinematic history—a work of artistry and innovation. Combining several stories from One Thousand and One Nights, the film's depictions of Arab and Muslim cultures demonstrate how folktales from Southwest Asia circulated around the globe for centuries,. It will surely delight audiences of all ages with its whimsical story of adventure, sorcery and transformation. 

Director Lotte Reiniger and her small team of animators spent three years in the attic of a garage making this timeless fantasia, developing and utilizing a then cutting-edge multiplane camera to change cardboard, paint, metal, light, (and even soap) into a reverie of character and setting. Nearly a century later, their ornately designed animated puppet show remains as vital as ever. 

And with the immediacy of live musical accompaniment from a Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ, enhancing the action and emotions on screen in real time, this picture from long ago will never feel more alive! 

 As always, following the silent film presentation patrons will have a chance to take a tour of the organ pipe chambers and the organist will be around to field any questions you may have about theater organ and the art of silent film accompaniment!

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sat. May 3 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 36min | PG | Comedy/Sci-fi | USA 

Presented in partnership with Motor City Cinema Society on 16mm film  

May the . . .  umm 3rd be with you? 

Close enough.  

The Senate and Motor City Cinema Society are proud to present a special 16mm screening of supreme sci-fi silliness. Don’t miss Spaceballs, starring John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, and the sultan of spoofery himself, Mel Brooks!  

 This classic conglomeration of bits and gags, a very loose retelling of the Star Wars saga, had way better aim than your average spaced out stellar soldier. With accuracy and abandon it blasts away at just about every beloved piece of cosmic intellectual property this side of the galactic divide. It’s enough to make one reconsider their attachment to those “action figures” they keep around.  

 But don’t worry you can always replace your old movie tie-in toys with some Senate merchandise, though we won’t be selling a Senate Theater flamethrower any time soon.  

See you there! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Laurel & Hardy Day at the Senate 

Sat. Apr. 19 

Matinee Program  

Silents at the Senate Presents: Hal Roach Comedy Shorts  

Doors – 1:00 PM 

Films – 2:00 PM 

Tickets – $12 (KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE!)

Runtime – 1hr 10min (plus intermission) 

Live organ accompaniment by Lance Luce 

Evening Program 

Atoll K (1951) starring Laurel & Hardy 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets – $6  

1hr 20m | NR |Comedy| France/Italy 

All Day Pass – $15 

Come to one show, come to both, and always feel free to add a donation to your ticket!

The comedy team of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy is iconic. Even those who haven't seen their movies, recognize their image. Beginning in 1926, they were teamed up at with other comedians at Hal Roach Studios as part of Roach's “All-Stars” series of shorts. Soon, it was obvious that Stan and Ollie should be paired together in their own series, and the two adopted the personas that audiences have known and loved ever since. 

The Senate Theater presents a day in tribute to Laurel and Hardy with two separate shows! First, in the afternoon Silents at the Senate Presents: Comedy Shorts, a selection of short films from the early days of the team, plus one more classic from Hal Roach Studios. Live organ accompaniment will be provided by the magnificent Lance Luce! For the second show, we are excited to present a screening of the boys' final film, ATOLL K!

Filmed in Europe, ATOLL K was released there in 1951 with little fanfare. It wasn't released in the United States until three years later and was quickly forgotten. Among other production issues, the multi-national cast and crew had communication problems and Stan and Ollie both suffered serious illness. ATOLL K has since become known more for its plagued production than for the content of the movie itself. It deserves a reassessment, which is why we are excited to screen it as part of this event. 

Film Schedule

2:00 PM –Silents at the Senate Presents: Hal Roach Comedy Shorts 

Leave 'Em Laughing – Laurel and Hardy 1928 (22 min) 

Ollie takes Stan to the dentist, but both get gassed. 

A Pair of Tights – Anita Garvin and Marion Byron 1928 (20 min)

Marion, Anita, and their dates stop for ice cream. Not much gets consumed, but plenty gets tossed.

INTERMISSION 

Habeas Corpus – Laurel and Hardy 1928 (20 min) 

A mad scientist offers the boys $500 to dig up a body, so Stan and Ollie venture in to the spooky cemetery at night.

The Battle of the Century – Laurel and Hardy 1927 (19 min) 

Ollie takes out insurance on Stan in an effort to make some easy money by causing him to slip on the sidewalk. What happens next ends in an epic pie fight, reportedly one of the largest in cinema history. 

8:00 PM – Atoll K starring Laurel & Hardy with sound (and even some color)!

The Tree in a Test Tube 1942 (10 min) 

A short made for the National Forestry Service, narrated by Pete Smith and featuring Laurel and Hardy in their only color film appearance! 

Atoll K 1951 (100 min) 

Laurel and Hardy's final film, produced in Europe. The boys are shipwrecked on a deserted island. They settle there and form a government, but are soon besieged with hundreds of settlers, some of who have designs on taking over. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue

Sat. Apr. 12 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 44min | R | Action/Western | USA 

Guns, guitars and guts in the dirt and dust.  It must be Desperado, the bloody, bombastic neo-western from maverick director, Robert Rodriguez, starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek! 

In the wake of Quentin Tarantino mid-90s American cinemas were brimming with pulp—gritty crime stories reaching back to the genre tales of the past, updating them for a flashier modern style and a disdain for the very idea of “good taste.” Desperado fit right in there, telling a timeworn “stranger comes to town” tale with a manic sense of pacing and a relentless focus on action, action, action. Bold in its narrative simplicity, the film dazzles the viewer with stylized but still dreadful brutality. It is the kind of popular entertainment that dares audiences to confront their attraction to violence while at the same time saying, “Because it’s so much fun!” 

Come see for yourself at the Senate. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

DIFA 10

 Saturday, April 5th, 2025

 Doors Open 7pm, Organ Pre-show 7:30pm, Showtime 8pm

 Senate Theater, 6424 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

https://www.senatetheater.com/parking

Join us for the 10th Annual DETROIT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION (DIFA) on Saturday, April 5th, 2025. Immerse yourself in an eclectic 90-minute mix of animated shorts showcasing a vibrant selection of works from both local and international animators.

Set in the historic Senate Theater in Detroit, this 1920’s Art Deco gem is not only known for its visual charm but also houses the world’s 8th largest Wurlitzer pipe organ. Enjoy the classic concession stand, comfortable lounging areas, and the added convenience of secure parking.

Be sure to catch the enchanting Wurlitzer Pipe Organ pre-show by the Detroit Theater Organ Society, beginning at 7:30pm. Doors open at 7pm with the main show beginning at 8pm.

Tickets are $10 and advance tickets will be available on March 1st, along the full animation schedule. Please note, this event is recommended for a mature audience (18 and over) due to some content and themes.

To stay in the loop and for more details, visit difestofanim.com.

For updates, join the DIFA newsletter or the DIFA Newsgroup:

www.difestofanim.com/newsletter

www.facebook.com/groups/DIFANewsgroup

The Senate Theater, home of the Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sat. Mar. 29 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 25min | R | Action/Comedy | Hong Kong/USA 

Thirty years ago, Jackie Chan, the undisputed king of kung fu comedy, broke through to worldwide mainstream success and superstardom with Rumble in the Bronx.  

Beloved by kung fu heads everywhere, the Hong Kong action star had long earned fans with his incomparable feats of agility and a timeless sense of physical comedy. But with this flick, set in the New York City borough of the Bronx, (looking suspiciously like Vancouver, Canada) Jackie was unleashed onto North American screens like never before. And audiences were enthralled, reveling in its antic fights and chases, delighting in its goofy charms. They laughed and gasped at its thrills and absurdities, marching in droves to theaters as the film tumbled and leapt its way improbably toward becoming the most profitable film of the year.  

Join us as we relive the stunts, the brawls, the goofy hijinks, (and the ridiculous dubbing) on the Senate’s big screen! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sat. Mar. 22 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $12 

2hr 13min | NR | Drama | USA 

Live Organ Accompaniment by Andrew Rogers 

Silents at the Senate begins its 2025 season with Pandora’s Box, a silent masterpiece from Austrian director G.W. Pabst, starring the American flapper icon Louise Brooks! Come see this impeccable example of pre-sound cinematic artistry, accompanied by organist Andrew Rogers on our Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ!  

Produced during the artistically vibrant Weimar Republic period in Germany, Pandora’s Box adapts two popular stage plays into a single tale of depravity, temptation, wrath and ruin. It’s melodrama at its finest, made on the eve of the sound era when the visual language of silent cinema reached its absolute peak.  

And with the majesty of the world’s best instrument for silent film accompaniment enhancing the imagery and emotions, the awesome power of live sound and recorded vision—the original magic of the movies—cannot be denied. 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sat. Feb. 22 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 59min | PG | Drama | USA 

Citizen Kane! "It's Terrific!" proclaimed the posters. And they were right. 

Marking the feature film debut of the famously mercurial Hollywood auteur, Orson Welles, this drama of power, politics and regret is as engrossing as it is innovative. The film examines the tumultuous life and career of its title character, newspaper owner Charles Foster Kane (played by Welles) a composite of American business tycoons reminiscent of real-life media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Told in flashback, the film pieces together a life, an attempt to explain a mystery from the recollections of a man’s friends, enemies, and lovers. At turns poignant and biting, Citizen Kane looms large as an enduring and artful piece of entertainment that has often been credited with revolutionizing the language of cinema. 

But it’s also just terrific. Come experience it with us at the Senate! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

FREE ADMISSION!

Doors - 10 am

Show - 11 am

Runtime - 1hr 30min including intermission

Step back in time to experience some of the most iconic animated classics that shaped the golden age of animation! Our Retro Cartoon Festival brings you an unforgettable journey through the 1930s, 40s, and 50s with some of the greatest cartoons ever made. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the magic of vintage animation, this festival is packed with humor, nostalgia, and timeless artistry. Did we mention this screening is completely free to attend? I repeat. Free admission. 

Part 1:

1. Yankee Doodle Daffy (1943) - 7 mins
   Watch Daffy Duck hilariously fumble through his role as the patriotic hero, trying to live up to the title of “Yankee Doodle” with his trademark chaos and charm!

2. Popeye for President (1956) - 7 mins
   Popeye steps into the political ring in this uproarious cartoon. Can the sailor man win the election by flexing more than his muscles?

3. Betty Boop’s Rise to Fame (1934) - 9 mins
   Get ready to fall in love with the legendary flapper as Betty Boop’s career takes flight, bringing her unmistakable voice and charm to the screen in this early gem.

4. Merry Melodies - A Corny Concerto (1943) - 8 mins
   A musical romp featuring Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig. A delightful mix of classical tunes and slapstick comedy, it's a perfect introduction to the magic of Merrie Melodies!

5. Woody Woodpecker - Pantry Panic (1943) - 8 mins
   Woody's zany antics lead to a wild adventure in a pantry, where chaos reigns supreme! Laugh along as the iconic woodpecker stirs up a mess.

Intermission: Stretch your legs, grab a snack, and get ready for Part 2, where we bring even more of your favorite animated characters to life!

Part 2:

1. Mickey Mouse - The Mad Doctor (1933) - 7 mins
   Join Mickey as he faces a creepy mad doctor in this thrilling, yet charming, early Mickey short. Will he save the day or become a part of the doctor’s twisted experiment?

2. Superman - The Arctic Giant (1942) - 8 mins
   Watch as the Man of Steel battles a menacing giant from the icy Arctic. Packed with action and heroism, this short showcases Superman at his finest.

3. Popeye - Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (1939) - 21 mins
   Popeye embarks on an epic adventure as the beloved sailor takes on the story of Aladdin! Expect plenty of laughs, spinach-fueled strength, and magical mayhem.

Join Us for a Day of Classic Cartoons!

Whether you’re a fan of the wild humor of Daffy Duck, the heroic escapades of Superman, or the jazzy tunes of Betty Boop, our Retro Cartoon Festival has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this celebration of animation history! Grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the laughs, the thrills, and the unforgettable charm of these timeless cartoons.

Sat. Feb. 15 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 30min | NR | Drama | France 

In French with English subtitles 

Presented in partnership with Cinema Lamont 

This February 15, put Valentine’s Day behind you and come celebrate sixty-five years of Jean-Luc Godard's anti-romance Breathless, projected in all its tragic glory on the Senate’s big screen! 

A perennial pick for “best films of all time” lists Godard’s debut feature stands as a prime example of the French New Wave film movement. Set in Paris, it tells the story of a two-bit, Humphrey Bogart obsessed criminal as he attempts to escape the law, hiding out with his naive American girlfriend while trying to look as cool as possible. In defiance of convention this 1960s art-house classic instead favors bold stylistic experimentation.  With a then innovative use of jump-cuts, juxtaposed with documentary-style natural lighting and a hand-held camera, Breathless simultaneously blurs and calls attention to the line between art and reality. 

Come see why we’re still talking about it! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Dolemite (1975)  

Sat. Feb. 8 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 30min | R | Comedy/Action | USA 

Join us for an anniversary screening of Dolemite, the quintessential independent blaxploitation flick! 

2025 marks fifty years since the theatrical debut of comedian Rudy Ray Moore’s character Dolemite, the foul-mouthed proto-rapper and manager of a certain class of lady. Long a part of Moore’s X-rated nightclub act, the Dolemite character jumped to the big screen in 1975, taking with him his dirty jokes and adding to that action hero antics and a stable of kung-fu chicks. Moore himself, who co-wrote the film and starred in the title role, mostly self-financed the endeavor, much as he did with his self-released comedy records.  

Following a pimp’s (somewhat ironic) quest to clean up the streets, revive his reputation, and reclaim his nightclub after a stint in prison, Dolemite is everything you expect from the blaxploitation genre, but with jokes. Don’t miss it! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sun. Feb. 2

Doors – 1:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 1:30 PM  

Film – 2:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 53min | PG | Family/Fantasy | USA

Presented on 16mm film

In partnership with Back Alley Cinema

Join us for a special matinee presentation of Return to Oz on 16mm film! This dark fantasy was a bust on release but has rightfully gained a cult following thanks in no small part to its Oscar winning visual effects. Come see this faithful adaptation of L. Frank Baum's timeless children's novels on a big screen with the real flicker of film at the Senate.

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

The Wiz (1978)  

Sat. Feb. 1 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

2hr 16min | G | Family/Musical | USA 

Ease on down the road for a screening of The Wiz, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, Nipsey Russell and more! 

A Motown Productions film directed by Sidney Lumet, (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon) this reimagining of a reimagining has captured the imaginings of families for decades. Based on a hit “Super Soul” stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic of children’s literature The Wonderful WIzard of Oz, the 1978 film version moves the setting from Kansas to New York City.  

Don’t miss your chance to see the monumental sets and fantastic costumes on the big screen, all set to the beloved 70s R&B tunes that make this show a timeless family classic! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sat. Dec. 14 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $6 

1hr 37min | PG-13 | Comedy/Holiday | USA 

It’s going to be a fun, old-fashioned family Christmas this year at the Senate, filled with unwelcome cousins, blinding light displays, yuppie neighbors, and a smorgasbord of holiday themed shenanigans that will surely set your heart aflame, (along with your yuletide decorations) and send tears of laughter down your rosy cheeks.  

Don’t miss National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the Christmas film for anyone who has ever experienced the dueling holiday forces of joyful fellowship and family fueled tension. Written and produced by John Hughes (Home Alone, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Breakfast Club) this third installment in the saga of the Griswold family finds high-strung dad Clark (Chevy Chase) in the midst of his bickering extended family as he attempts to create the perfect family Christmas. But, as always, Clark’s best efforts go a bit haywire 

We expect you all to be there because, as Clark Griswold says, “we’re all in this together.” 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue