Byrd Theatre

Yep, I think we all agree that the statement above made by Camden was rather ridiculous. Unfortunately, that sort of sentiment runs rampant with many New Yorkers. “If it’s not in New York…..IT’S CRAP!!!” Give me a break.

I’ve never spent any time in Richmond (only passed through), but everything I’ve read and seen of the city looks just great. The Byrd Theatre looks incredible, and I hope to visit in person some day soon.

Keep your heads up, Richmond. I’d rather be in a dungeon in your town than a penthouse in New Stinkin' York.

One fun thing about the Byrd is the eateries close by.The Thai place just out the front door and to the East is great.BBQ right across the street.Everything you could want is close by.Parking isn’t a big deal.The downtown private contract parking nazis aren’t much in evidence here.The funky stores should be avoided by all females-that means you Patsy-the temptations are irresistable to that side of the human race.

Sometimes we forget what this is all about.Sat.night my wife and myself went to the big Byrd.The Chronicles of Narnia was the earlier feature.Full house with tons of families and people of all ages.The organ program was great,just not long enough.People loved the movie,clapped,cheered,left with smiles.I watched people before the lights went down.You could tell who had never been there before.The wide-eyed wonder was not hard to see.It was like going to the theater 50 years ago.WHAT A BLAST!!!What a treasure.I still wish there was a section here on JUST movie palaces that show movies.Anybody within 100 or so miles of Cary St.should support this marvelous place.Every time I go there I feel like a little kid again,going to the Florida or the Palace in a Jacksonville that is long-gone.

Another exterior photo of the Byrd Theater can be seen here.

I agree with Mr. Gibbs and others that the statement, “a shame the theatre isn’t here in New York City, where it could serve a more discerning population and wouldn’t more or less go to waste,” a very insulting comment. Many Richmond locals as well as tourists enjoy the Byrd Theatre. It is certainly not a waste being in Richmond, as this city has quite a history. Being only eighteen, my friends and I go to many of the shows at the Byrd and appreciate its marble, crystal chandaliers, and velvet drapes. New generations should be able to appreciate it just as the old generations did. Perhaps I am overly defensive being a Richmond “native,” but Richmond is an amazing town and deserves to have such an incredible piece of histoy in its town.

Quote from above:
a shame the theatre isn’t here in New York City, where it could serve a more discerning population and wouldn’t more or less go to waste

What an absolutely insulting thing to say! Richmond is a beautiful old city with a fine history. Although nowhere near New York’s size, it has a well-educated, lively and interesting population. Although a Baltimore native I lived for two delightful years in Richmond and, frankly, have never seen anything in Babylon-on-the-Hudson that could match Richmond for elegance and graciousness. If New York is so discerning, why are the Paramount and the Roxy gone? Of course New York is more metropolitan, but please, Camden, don’t write off Richmond just because it isn’t New York. The Byrd is not wasted on Richmond; nor is the Loew’s or the Mosque. It does seem, though, that the Paramount WAS wasted on New York.

I had a conversation recently(last wk.)with a Byrd manager type.I tried in a nice way to convey that they do a less than satisfactory job of communicating what they do to the public.Not everyone is going to seek out the website.There could be out reach to school groups and community clubs,etc.I’ve seen elementary age kids going into the Byrd the first time.The wonder in their faces is something to see.99% of adults under 35 have never been to a REAL movie theater in their lives.The near uniqueness of this grand ols lady MUST be preserved,nutured and,most of all,used.The National Trust and other groups need to be utilized and constantly communicated with,in order to keep the Byrd’s restoration on the front burner.

By the way,does anyone know what will become of the lovely old theater in Tappahanock?I think I spelled it wrong.It is a handsome bldg.Too nice to waste.It was sad when that lovely theater on Forest Hill closed.Lucky thing about Richmond is the availibilty of the really fine volume on the theater history of the area.Barnes and Noble has it.The Venus still stands on Hull St.Is that the saddest street you’ve ever seen?The great theater still standing empty and in fine shape on Broad begs to be saved.One old theater West of the BLVD & Broad intersection is being used as a camera store.WHY no mention in the listings for the Mosque(Richmond’s Landmark Theater)????It must have been the largest theater ever in Richmond.

People cry over the demise of REAL: theaters,weeping and howling,but it’s a rare house that closed with crowds being turned away.Support the Byrd or lose it.Richmond has lost so many great theaters.By the way,I never heard a word when the oldest theater in VA,in downtown Frdericksburg was destroyed a few years ago.It’s across the street and down from a much larger theater that is being used as a church.I remember meeting the owner of the Old theater(he also owned car dealerships)at the theater.He told me he would never allow anything to happen to his historical treasure.What happened?Did he pass away?

My neighbors have their parents visitng from Richmond VA this weekend so needless to say I have informed them of their 2 special theatres..this one and the Carpenter PAC both built in 1928! It is really quite something to have 2 beautiful theatres in a city the size of Richmond.

Martha: Interesting that you note about a bowling alley in the basement as my hometown theatre was to have had a bowling alley, but that may have only been a rumor in regards to my theatre.

What a splendid survivor this theater is! And what an excellent web site its operators have provided, so that those of us who live in places where theaters such as this no longer exist, or never did, can get a glimpse of what a functioning movie palace that is properly cared for can still be. The citizens of Richmond are very fortunate not to have lost this treasure.