A Haunting on Washington Avenue: The Temple Theatre

A Haunting on Washington Avenue: The Temple Theatre is an engaging documentary-style horror film released in 2014 and directed by Steven "Prozak" Shippy. The film gives us an inside look into an investigation of paranormal activities that ostensibly took place in the famous Temple Theatre located down Washington Avenue. It stars Adam Eugenio, Eddie Goodsill, and Eric Kuchta. Over the course of this feature, we follow the experiences and stories of investigators and local people who are both captivated and terrified by the alleged supernatural events happening within this renowned but possibly haunted theater.

The Temple Theatre, known for its grandeur and breathtaking architecture, has remained a significant cultural mainstay in Saginaw, Michigan, since its opening on July 28, 1927. The theater's beautiful gothic-style architecture evokes a sense of old-world charm and mystery. Designed by famous theater architect C. Howard Crane, it stands as a testament to the height of American theater design in the roaring twenties with a history steeped in performances by numerous stars and titans of show business. However, like most architectural relics filled with history, the Temple Theatre holds legends and stories that are hard to dismiss.

A Haunting on Washington Avenue: The Temple Theatre delves into the unexplained events that have taken place in this famed American theatre, which some believe might be the result of paranormal activity. The documentary blends true life experiences of former employees, theater patrons, and paranormal investigators with in-depth research using various techniques to provide a rich and comprehensive exploration of the theater's supernatural mythology.

The narrative of the movie is driven by Adam Eugenio and Tim Rooney, who are experienced paranormal investigators. Using their expertise, they venture into the theater after hours hoping to validate the claims of paranormal happenings. Alongside them are fellow investigators Eddie Goodsill and Eric Kuchta. Packed with professional gadgets that they used during the investigation, the team employs electromagnetic field meters, thermal imaging cameras, and digital voice recorders to capture and document potential evidence of the paranormal.

From unusual noises to apparitions and even physical touches, the accounts are several and varied. Through the investigation, snippets of these stories are related by local people, employees and artists who spent time at the theater and had inexplicable experiences they simply couldn’t shake off. These stories of the theater's strange happenings form the core of the movie, capturing viewers' imagination and curiosity.

This is not just a movie that delights the viewers with promised spectral phenomena, but it's a film that also treats its audience to the theatre's atmospheric setting. The fantastic cinematography uses the eerie, expansive theater to empower the narrative and add depth to the unfolding exploration. More than just a supernatural investigation, the film presents the much-loved theater as a character in itself, enigmatic and alluring.

Director Steven "Prozak" Shippy, known for his horror documentaries, once again showcases his ability to merge suspense with horror toned documentary filmmaking. His distinctive narrative flair and exceptional grasp of the genre give life to the whispers of unusual happenings at the Temple Theatre. As director and investigator, he does an impressive job of maintaining a slow burn tension that builds throughout the film.

An unforgettable and spine-chilling journey, A Haunting on Washington Avenue: The Temple Theatre keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's both an exploration of the supernatural and a love letter to a cherished architectural marvel with more than just performances to its name. This film is not just another horror movie manufactured to scare but a genuine, credible insight into the world of paranormal investigation designed to intrigue and thrill. Regardless of whether you believe in the specters that supposedly haunt the Temple Theatre, the film promises an unforgettable viewing experience filled with mystery and suspense.

A Haunting on Washington Avenue: The Temple Theatre is a captivating and well-researched documentary, regardless of whether you're a skeptic or a believer in the paranormal. It's an exploration of the unknown that leaves the audience to think, wonder, and perhaps look over their shoulder the next time they're in an old theater.