Via the link at the bottom.
I’ll add the corresponding photo in the Photos Section in case the link goes dead.
This mecca for art house film lovers began life as a Baltimore City Passenger
Railway complex in 1892. Evidence of the Charles Theater’s origins are
prominently displayed on the building’s pediment which is inscribed with the initials “BCPR” in the stonework. Originally the building housed a cable railway powerhouse that generated power for BCPR’s Blue line, which ran along Charles Street from South Street to 25th Street. After cable cars were phased out, it functioned as a car house. United Railways and Electric sold the structure in 1939 and it was later converted to a movie theater and restaurants.-caption by @suzykopf for her research leading up to her exhibition, “Leftovers” at the BSM on May 12th from 1-5. For more images from the archives relating to this project: https://www.baltimorestreetcarmuseum.org/the-last-streetcar-sites/
1935 photo added. Additional history credit Tom Brissey.
1935 photo of our original Bijou Theatre that was on Main St. This building opened in 1905 as the Unique Theatre, Greenville’s first. This changed names in 1908 to the Bijou. This was a class “A” first run movie house for many years. I went to this theatre many times in the late 30’s and early 40’s. This later went downhill very quickly and was referred to as the rat den along with the Branwood in W. Greenville. On May the 24, 1948 the Bijou burned completely to the ground and was not rebuilt as a theatre. The Bijou was one of six theatres on Main St. during the heyday of theatres. We also had two black theatres but they were not on Main St. The two were the Liberty Theatre on S. Spring St. and the Harlem Theatre on S. Hudson St. We had many other theatres in later years but they were not on Main St. during the movie heyday. In 1935 the price of admission was 10 cents for children and 15 cents for adults.
1935 photo added.
Additional history credit Tom Brissey.
1935 photo of our original Bijou Theatre that was on Main St. This building opened in 1905 as the Unique Theatre, Greenville’s first. This changed names in 1908 to the Bijou. This was a class “A” first run movie house for many years. I went to this theatre many times in the late 30’s and early 40’s. This later went downhill very quickly and was referred to as the rat den along with the Branwood in W. Greenville. On May the 24, 1948 the Bijou burned completely to the ground and was not rebuilt as a theatre. The Bijou was one of six theatres on Main St. during the heyday of theatres. We also had two black theatres but they were not on Main St. The two were the Liberty Theatre on S. Spring St. and the Harlem Theatre on S. Hudson St. We had many other theatres in later years but they were not on Main St. during the movie heyday. In 1935 the price of admission was 10 cents for children and 15 cents for adults.
The Google street view has not been updated since 2012, so it still shows the boarded up Ambassador Theatre.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/4604+Liberty+Heights+Ave,+Baltimore,+MD+21207/Shea’s Performing Arts Center.3311293,-76.6949205,3a,75y,9.43h,99.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3nRVVcH3v9cobth3c8NxXg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c81baeea468b9b:0x481f8777956b31b8!8m2!3d39.3314991!4d-76.6948525
1968 photo as Cinema-Midtown added via Bob Gagliardo.
7/15/49 photo as Loew’s Poli Theatre added.
Same curved marquee and windows as the Overview photo.
“Wanted: A Coward” is a 1927 film.
Via the link at the bottom. I’ll add the corresponding photo in the Photos Section in case the link goes dead.
This mecca for art house film lovers began life as a Baltimore City Passenger Railway complex in 1892. Evidence of the Charles Theater’s origins are prominently displayed on the building’s pediment which is inscribed with the initials “BCPR” in the stonework. Originally the building housed a cable railway powerhouse that generated power for BCPR’s Blue line, which ran along Charles Street from South Street to 25th Street. After cable cars were phased out, it functioned as a car house. United Railways and Electric sold the structure in 1939 and it was later converted to a movie theater and restaurants.-caption by @suzykopf for her research leading up to her exhibition, “Leftovers” at the BSM on May 12th from 1-5. For more images from the archives relating to this project: https://www.baltimorestreetcarmuseum.org/the-last-streetcar-sites/
May 30, 1915 Grand Rapids Herald print ad added via Rich Howell.
7/31/58 photo added credit Springfield Rewind Facebook page.
3 photos added.
4 photos added.
2 images added. Owners were W.T. & Pauline Morgan.
9/7/25 Grand Opening photo and 1939 staff photo via Tom Brissey.
Via Tom Brissey.
Feb. 1939. This is the 14th anniversary of the Rivoli Theatre.
Circa 1926 photo added via Bart Canfield. Demolition photo added credit James Dunlap.
1935 photo added. Additional history credit Tom Brissey.
1935 photo of our original Bijou Theatre that was on Main St. This building opened in 1905 as the Unique Theatre, Greenville’s first. This changed names in 1908 to the Bijou. This was a class “A” first run movie house for many years. I went to this theatre many times in the late 30’s and early 40’s. This later went downhill very quickly and was referred to as the rat den along with the Branwood in W. Greenville. On May the 24, 1948 the Bijou burned completely to the ground and was not rebuilt as a theatre. The Bijou was one of six theatres on Main St. during the heyday of theatres. We also had two black theatres but they were not on Main St. The two were the Liberty Theatre on S. Spring St. and the Harlem Theatre on S. Hudson St. We had many other theatres in later years but they were not on Main St. during the movie heyday. In 1935 the price of admission was 10 cents for children and 15 cents for adults.
1935 photo added. Additional history credit Tom Brissey.
1935 photo of our original Bijou Theatre that was on Main St. This building opened in 1905 as the Unique Theatre, Greenville’s first. This changed names in 1908 to the Bijou. This was a class “A” first run movie house for many years. I went to this theatre many times in the late 30’s and early 40’s. This later went downhill very quickly and was referred to as the rat den along with the Branwood in W. Greenville. On May the 24, 1948 the Bijou burned completely to the ground and was not rebuilt as a theatre. The Bijou was one of six theatres on Main St. during the heyday of theatres. We also had two black theatres but they were not on Main St. The two were the Liberty Theatre on S. Spring St. and the Harlem Theatre on S. Hudson St. We had many other theatres in later years but they were not on Main St. during the movie heyday. In 1935 the price of admission was 10 cents for children and 15 cents for adults.
1953 Fireman’s Day Parade.
Early Grand Theatre print ad image added via Jane Gradeless Phillips. Contains 4 photos.
Circa 1950 photo added via Thomas Landen.
1951 print ad image added via Thomas Landen.
There is one interior stairwell photo at the top of this link. 1955 when Detective Kerr was shot.
http://galleries.apps.chicagotribune.com/chi-vintage-carpenter-20131002/
Update: Credit Fred Herzog Photography.
Update: Credit Fred Herzog Photography.
1941 photo added credit FIU-Miami News Archives.
Wow. That’s only $19,900 less than the asking price. So perhaps they just want to break even, in the hopes a developer will bring it back.
Apparently still standing and for sale. This realtor’s listing was updated in July. Photo I believe is from 2017.
https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/md/baltimore/4604-liberty-heights-avenue/pid_20806326/
The Google street view has not been updated since 2012, so it still shows the boarded up Ambassador Theatre.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/4604+Liberty+Heights+Ave,+Baltimore,+MD+21207/Shea’s Performing Arts Center.3311293,-76.6949205,3a,75y,9.43h,99.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3nRVVcH3v9cobth3c8NxXg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c81baeea468b9b:0x481f8777956b31b8!8m2!3d39.3314991!4d-76.6948525
1968 photo as Cinema-Midtown added via Bob Gagliardo. 7/15/49 photo as Loew’s Poli Theatre added. Same curved marquee and windows as the Overview photo.
Original photo by Igor Stchogoleff.