Where Else But Detroit

Description:

Color 16mm film reel containing "Where Else But Detroit." a promotional film, intended to draw conventions to the city, produced for the Metropolitan Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau by D'Arrcy-MacManus and Masius, Incorporated. The film primarily features a narrator speaking over shots of the city, but occasion also features individuals speaking briefly about their experiences with conventions in the city. Following an introductory montage showing highlights of the city, the film first focuses on the Renaissance Center. The complex's atrium, swimming pool, Cartier jewelry story, a display of glassware, a clothing store, and the Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse are all shown. The next section is centered on Cobo Hall and Joe Louis Arena. The Detroit International Auto Show, and workers setting up for an SAE convention are featured. The voice-over emphasizes the smooth relationship between labor and management here. Regarding Joe Louis Arena, the narrator states that it is "ultra-modern," and cites its use by the Detroit Red Wings, and for the 1980 Republican National Convention. In the film's third section, the narrator explains that there is a plentiful amount of hotel space in the area over shots of the Pontchartrain, the Hyatt Regency Dearborn, the Southfield Holiday Inn, the Dearborn Inn, a Ramada Inn, the Renaissance Center, the Hotel St. Regis, a Hilton, the Richelieu Inn in Windsor, a Sheraton, a Stouffer's, the Book-Cadillac, and Somerset Inn. The film then notes the convenience of metro Detroit's freeway system, and a member of the Prince Hall Affiliated Shriners appears on camera to state that his organization has come to the city seven times. Several shots and a brief explanation are then dedicated to the Ethnic Festivals in Hart Plaza. The next segment of the film concerns Ford Auditorium, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As the Orchestra performs the 1812 Overture, footage of the musicians is intercut with that of cars being built along an automotive assembly line. Several shots of and taken from a trolley of the Detroit Citizen's Railway follow this sequence. After a brief transition shot of the Dearborn Hyatt Regency with its the monorail track in place, the film then moves to Greenfield Village for the next short segment. Afterward the narrator notes Detroit's central location for airline flights. Entertainment and nightlife is the focus of the next section; Greektown, a disco, the Fisher Theatre, the Music Hall, Yesterday's, and Meadowbrook are all shown in quick shots. Then, a man appears on camera on the Rainbow Escalator of the Detroit Science Center to note that SME has already booked an event in Detroit in the year 2001. The Cultural Center then becomes the next area of the city spotlighted. This segment includes footage of a concert in the Detroit Institute of Arts' Kresge Court, the Paint Creek Folklore Society performing on the Streets of Old Detroit in the Detroit Historical Museum, and a night time event happening on Woodward Avenue between the Detroit Institute of Arts and the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. There is also a quick aerial shot of the neighborhood, and a shot of the exterior of the Children's Museum, and several shots of exhibits inside of the Detroit Science Center. The narrator also notes that Cranbrook is a short drive away. Hart Plaza, and the Detroit Zoo are receive brief spotlights. The next major theme the film tackles is sports. The Detroit Tigers, the Red Wings, are shown and as an excerpt of the promotional song "Detroit Is A Good Sports Town" plays, the narrator notes that the 1982 Super Bowl is to be held at the Pontiac Silverdome. The film then transitions to the topic of Belle Isle. This section includes a fly-over from the western tip of the island, a band performing at the Jerome H. Remick Music Shell, and quick shots of the interior of the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, and a family playing ball. The action then moves to Eastern Market. A vendor briefly speaks to the camera over various shots of the market. Dining then becomes the film's focus. In a montage peppered with shots of a belly dancing act (presumably at the Bouzouki Lounge, the exterior of which appears in the film's intro), Schweizer's, the London Chop House, the Roma Cafe, Kyoto, Doug's Body Shop, and Joe Muer Sea Food are also shown. The final portion of the film highlights attractions in the broader area around Detroit. The interior of Fairlane Town Center is shown in a short pan. Ann Arbor's Michigan Theater also makes a brief appearance. When discussing the proximity of Windsor, the Olde Steak House, The Old Fish Market, and Place Riviere are shown. Boblo Island's STE. CLAIRE, Thunderbolt rollercoaster, an dolphin show are also shown. Shots of canoeing, boating, and skiing are used to represent activities available in Michigan. The film's closing montage begins with a shot of ice skaters in the bowl area of Hart Plaza. Many of the locations and sights are repeated from earlier in the film, but with the notable addition of an aerial shot of the Pontiac Silverdome.

Date Issued:

1980-01-01T00:00:00Z

Data Provider:

Detroit Historical Society

Collection:

General History

Subject Topic:

Metropolitan Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau, Conventions, Renaissance Center, Promotional Films, Cobo Hall, Joe Louis Arena, Hotels, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Cultural Center, Detroit Science Center, Hart Plaza, Belle Isle, Eastern Market, and Windsor

Rights:

No Copyright - United States

URL:

http://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/archive/CFF9E777-5FF8-47AE-A061-652395319210