Biograph Theatre

Washington, DC

2819 M StreetNW

, Washington, DC 20007 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Drugstore
Seats:	270
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Unknown

Exterior view of the Biograph Theatre, as it appeared while still operating

Photo courtesy of Jef Hyde

The Biograph Theater was a repertory movie house, built inside the shell of an old auto dealership, that lasted for almost 30 years. Sadly, the theater was closed in 1996 and replaced by a CVS drugstore.

An old photo of the theater hangs in the store's window, but it only adds to the misery of those who loved this Georgetown favorite.

Later in 2001, Landmark Theatres is planning to open a new multiplex on nearby F Street. The new theater will be named after the Biograph and will dedicate one of its auditoriums to the tradition of screening foreign and independent films.

Contributed by Ross Melnick

YOUR COMMENTS

Well, Landmark Theaters just opened (Jan 2004) the "E Street Cinema" on E St. between 10th and 11th in DC. I've been there once (it's very, very nice) but I don't know if one of the auditoriums is in fact dedicated to the Biograph.

I've been to the Biograph many, many times. One of the oddities of it was that when you bought your ticket, you were given an old metal token (NY subway-style) and you used it to get through a turnstile into the theater! When it closed they sold all their old vintage one-sheets and my husband bought the one for "Bullitt", which we had framed. Towards the end they were showing porn (video projected, but projected nonetheless) during the day, I guess for extra income. It seems even porn lovers can be purists and theater lovers! There's nothing like seeing a movie in a theater. There's no repertory theaters anymore in this area, so we really miss the Biograph. Nearby the Key in Georgetown was also an art/repertory place, but it died too.

posted by UM on Jan 28, 2004 at 2:01pm

The Architect for the Biograph theatre was Eldred Mowrey.

posted by Chuck1231 on May 3, 2004 at 6:38am

now a CVS!

posted by MediaQueen on Mar 22, 2005 at 8:11pm

Any fans of the old Biograph may be interested in seeing a bit more of it on my website. The current link is:

http://www.quitbuddies.org/Jef's/theatre.htm

Please drop me a line if you see and enjoy the page. I'm always interested in hearing from friends and fans of the place.
Thanks--

Jef. Hyde

posted by Jef. on Mar 14, 2007 at 1:47pm

Here is a night shot from January 2008 of the former Biograph.

posted by JackCoursey on Jan 26, 2008 at 7:20pm

The Biograph opened on 9/30/67 with the films A DAY IN THE COUNTRY (1946) and MASCULINE-FEMINE (1966).

posted by Stephen Connell on Mar 22, 2009 at 10:06pm

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