Bluebird Theatre
3317 E. Colfax Avenue,
Denver,
CO
80206
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Related Websites
Bluebird Theater (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Inter-Mountain Theaters Inc.
Architects: Harry W. J. Edbrooke
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Thompson Theater
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
303.377.1666
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News About This Theater
Opened on September 11, 1915 as the Thompson Theater. By 1941 it had been renamed Bluebird Theatre. By 1977 it was operating as an adult movie theatre. Renovated early-20th century theater with restored frescos and statues.
The Bluebird Theater currently hosts both concerts and film presentations.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Place on January 31, 1997
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
The Bluebird Theatre was operated by Fox Intermountain Theatres, Inc.
The Directory of Colorado State Register Properties entry about the Bluebird Theatre says that it was “…the first Denver theater designed specifically for the exhibition of movies.” They give the opening year as 1914.
I am not sure where the Colorado State Register obtained its information concerning the Thompson/Bluebird Theater, but it is inaccurate. The 600 seat Thompson Theater opened on September 11, 1915 and was far from being the “first Denver theater designed specifically for the exhibiton of movies.” The first “movie” theater opened in Denver was the Princess Theater (1620 Curtis Street) which opened on October 11, 1910 and sat 1,300. The next was the Paris/Rivoli Theater (1751 Curtis Street) which opened on October 5, 1912 and sat 2,300. This was followed by the New Isis Theater (1724 Curtis Street) which opened on May 1, 1913 and sat 2,200; and the United States/Rialto Theater (1544 Curtis Street) which opened on February 12, 1914 and sat 1,200. All of these downtown theaters opened before the Thompson/Bluebird and were larger theaters.
In addition there were three smaller (450 seat) theaters opened outside the downtown area before the Thompson/Bluebird. The Royal Theater (243 Broadway) was in the Schomberg Theater Building and opend in June 1910. The Rex/Queen Theater (110-112 Broadway) was opened on April 1, 1911 on the site of the present Mayan Theater. The York Theater (2221 East Colfax Avenue) was opened on September 1, 1911.
The Thompson/Bluebird Theater is the oldest theater site still operating as a theater in Denver. However, they have not shown films at the theater for several years and the projectors have been removed. The building that housed the York Theater is still standing, but is a watch repair store. All of the other building have been torn down.
Anyone have shots that are not of the marquee?
Here is an album cover that features the theater:
http://tinyurl.com/dm2r48
Facade shot taken 6/9/2010:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/37075437
Was a porn theater during the short time I lived in Denver; this would be 1976.
Now I see that the pictures in lostmemory’s post already made that clear.
Facebook page for the Bluebird Theater.
https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdtheater/
Opened as Thompson on September 11th, 1915. Ad posted.