Mayan Theatre

What resources would you suggest for someone who wants to own and operate a new independent movie theater?

The Mayan Theatre seated 966 people when it was a single screen theatre.

It was part of the Fox Inter-Mountain Theatres, Inc. and later National General Theatres.

My husband's grandparents were married at the Mayan theatre after they won a contest for a free wedding. They were married on Dec. 2, 1932. I would appreciate any information the Mayan may have.
Thanks,
Kim

Here is a recent photo

http://community.webshots.com/photo/234396666rFxkUT

There are a couple of pix in the 2005 Landmark calendar. It looks like a very cool place.

Recent close up of the facade.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/234385160/234385160jjcwfG

My girlfriend and I saw "March Of The Penguins" at the Mayan last week (great documentary, btw) in one of the little theatres made from the balcony. It was pretty nice, with Mayan-style decor as intact as possible. The former balcony made for nice "Stadium style" seating with a clear view for all. I'd guess there's room for about 100-150 in each balcony theatre.

Afterwards, I got permission to pop into the main auditorium for a look. While I don't normally appreciate "twinning" a classic movie palace, it was about as artfully done as possible at the Mayan! Instead of leaving a bare stucco wall over the front of the balcony like you might usually see, they did a solid decorating/finishing job.

Also, for those interested (like me) in theatre organs, the Mayan did indeed have a smallish Wurlitzer despite the fact that the theatre opened after the silent-movie era was over. The organ resided there from 1930-1945, when it was purchased by a private party and installed in their Denver home.

An enlarged copy of the photo above and a night shot of the theatre.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/Chuck1231/Colorado%20Theatres/MayanFoxTheatreDenverCo.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/Chuck1231/Colorado%20Theatres/MayanTheatreNightShotDenverCo.jpg

Since Chuck's link has expired, here is the expanded view of the photo above:
http://tinyurl.com/grkkl

The Mayan never closed. It did change to a 50¢ bargain theatre in the 1970’s when I worked there. National General Corp. had it then and sold to Mann Theatres. My grandfather worked there during the depression (Fox Theatres) and was able to let his children in free. My father (then a child) brought in a pocketful of white mice one time. He laughed when women started screaming and they had to stop the movie. After working in many Denver theatres for over 30 years, the Mayan is still in my heart.

Here's another 1930 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/f3k45

And one from 1931:
http://tinyurl.com/glm5f

There are some recent photos of the Mayan theater at this link. Click each photo to expand it.

We need to get some interior shots....

Hi! I'm doing the National Register Nomination for the Mayan! I would desparately like to speak with the woman who's husband's grandparents were married at the theater. I have found some information that you might find interesting. In response to some other comments: I have very colorful interior shots like you wouldn't believe, as well as recent and historical photos, I don't have a record of the Mayan ever closing either- just not being taken care of or doing well, I'm guessing there were two organs because another one ended up at the Epiphany Lutheran Church when the talkies came in (http://www.epiphanylutheran.net/yourti84855.html) and I also have found someone who used to play the organ in the 30s, I also have that it was a Fox Intermountain theater- and there is a photo at DPLs Western History and Genealogy, you're right that last seat count I found was 800 seats (but this was before an ADA issue), and call the box office to get the phone numbers of the directors for info on running a theater. I can always use more information, opinions, insight, etc!!! Thanks so much!

Hi, I am the one who posted about my husbands grandparents marriage (Edmond) at the Mayan in 1932. I would love to hear what info you may have Coppock! Thanks so much. You can e-mail me at dnkedmond1@msn.com (that's the number 1)
Kim

We would all love to hear your story Coppock.
We’d love to see your photos too. I only have a few photos of employees that I took inside the lobby and they really don’t show much of the theatre.
When I first started working there, it had changed from Fox Intermountain to NGC (National General Corp.) and then to Mann then to…
I do remember that I was told that one of the two organs went to the Paramount downtown.

Tell ya'll what, I will e-mail a copy of the nomination and pictures (they're large to qualify for the national register) to anyone who's interested. I am so excited to have gotten a hold of you, Kim! Those pesky organs keep popping up. Maybe I should head over to the Paramount and the Presbyterian Church just to confirm! This has been pretty much the story of nominating the Mayan- a lot of things are being contradicted or we can't confirm! argh! My e-mail is TEC_2_1@hotmail.com for anyone who's interested or has any leads. Thanks again! Tiff

Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/23ep7r

A larger image of The Mayan Theatre in 1937

http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?11010592+Z-10592

Here's a 2008 auditorium view in glorious color:
http://guide.denverpost.com/photos/2008/may/02/mayan-theatre/

Here is a 2008 exterior view.

This is an October 2008 photo.

Looking up at the Mayan Theater.

The Mayan is a very beautiful treasure to have in Denver. I have visited recently on two occasions...one in December of '08 to see "Milk" in the large auditorium on the main floor and once in January '09 to see "Doubt" which was playing in one of the two upstairs theaters (what was once the balcony). Although I am not a fan of splitting up single screen theaters, this triplexing was done in a very tasteful manner. Both lobbies, upstairs and down, are very beautiful and inviting. The upstairs lobby features a bar and on the west wall, an article and photographs regarding the restoration. The huge main theater is simply stunning complete with a screen curtain, beautiful murals on the walls and sculptures around the proscenium arch. The wall sconces are made to resemble Indian masks. This auditorium is equipped with both platter and changeover projection. Although "Milk" was a stunning movie, I found it hard to keep my eyes from wandering from the screen to the grand auditorium during my visit. The upper theaters are also very nice and pretty original. The seating configuration is the same as it was when it was the balcony and it is easy to imagine that you are actually sitting in a balcony viewing the screen down below when watching a film up there.
Another highlight is the fact that you still buy your tickets from a box office on the street...a very rare feature indeed.
Landmark Theaters gets and A+ from me for this theater that was restored in a historically sensitive fashion and is extremely clean,comfortable and well run!

1984 Photo

1984 Photo

1988 Photo

1988 Photo

My wife and I enjoyed the Jimmy Page/The Edge/Jack White documentary, "It Might Get Loud" at the Mayan two weeks ago while visiting family in Denver. This theatre can be described as both grand and charming all at once. It is a rather small movie palace, but has the decor--inside and out--of a theatre four times its size. The triplexing that was done in the 80s is very tasteful, one of the best such jobs I've seen. We were allowed to check out the downstairs main auditorium, but the upstairs ones (we were upstairs on the left) are decorated such that you don't feel you're missing out on the "historic theatre feel" as is so often the case with old triplexed theatres. Long may the Mayan live.