Bluebird Theater

The Bluebird Theatre's address is 3317 E. Colfax Ave..

The following is a brief article that I found on this theater:

"Opened in 1913 as a small movie house, this theater survived various incarnations, including a long stint as a porn house, before closing in the 1970s. In 1994 it was refurbished and restored but still retains its image as a gritty survivor in a rough neighborhood. The three-tiered theater now serves as a multi-purpose venue hosting a diverse group of national acts, emerging recording artists, and the hottest local bands. On occasion the Bluebird still doubles as a movie hall, showing cult classics and carrying the annual Sick and Twisted Animation Festival".

Here are some great pictures of the Bluebird

http://www.agilitynut.com/p/blueb904.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/p/blueb2904.jpg

This is a night view of the Bluebird marquee.

This is another night view of the Bluebird Theater marquee.

The Bluebird Theater was originally opened on September 11, 1915 as the Thompson Theater. The owner (John Thompson)also owned and operated the Ogden Theater (1917) at 935 East Colfax Avenue. Thompson sold his theaters in 1920, and the Thompson Theater became the Bluebird Theater in 1922. Sometime before 1925, the Bluebird came under the control of Harry Huffman, who also ran the Bide-A-Wee Theater at 1036 West Colfax Avenue (next door to his Pharmacy) and later built the Aladdin Theater at 2010 East Colfax Avenue.

Here is a 2005 photo of the Bluebird Theater.

Here is a 1933 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/j8tz5

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997

Bluebird Theater (added 1997 - Building - #97000018)
Also known as Blue Bird Theater;Thompson Theater;5DV4519
3315--3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Person, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Edbrooke, Harry W.J.
Architectural Style: Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements
Historic Person: Huffman, Harry
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

This is a 2007 night view of the Bluebird Theater.

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.

paulomalley@comcast.net

Here is another recent photo of the Bluebird Theater.

This is a more recent photo of the Bluebird Theater.

A recent close-up of the marquee can be seen here.

Here is the website for the Bluebird Theater.

This is a June 2008 photo.

An October 2008 close-up photo can be seen here.

Anyone have shots that are not of the marquee?

Here is an album cover that features the theater:
http://tinyurl.com/dm2r48

Wow

1976 Photo

1976 Photo

1984 Photo

1984 Photo