Denver Theatre
510 16th Street,
Denver,
CO
80202
510 16th Street,
Denver,
CO
80202
4 people
favorited this theater
The Denver Theatre opened on November 19, 1927. It was located across the street from the Paramount Theatre. It was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres. The Denver Theatre has since been demolished.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 33 comments)
I forgot to mention that there is some confusion about the opening dates of the Denver Theater, and the reason is probably because the theater mentioned here was the third Denver Theater. The first one was built at the corner of 16th St. and Lawrence St. (G Street), where the Tabor Center is now. It is listed in the 1866 Denver City Directory. There was another built downtown in the late 1800s, replaced later by the one on Glenarm.
A 1980 photo of a theatre demolition with the letters D E N V still showing.
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Another photo of the demoliton of The Denver Theatre. A portion of the older Theatre building can be seen in the background. This must have been the side entrance discussed above, apparently after a remodel.
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The Denver Theater was operated by Cooper-Highland Theaters in the 1970’s. You could get a small view of the lobby from the entrance and it was spectacular, even after being cleared of its furniture.
1964 Photo
Have some history and pictures I will post if interested. I was Manager from 70-73. The pics of the Glenarm side are correct but the Denver sign was removed by 65. The new marquee on the front entrance was then replace by a Marquee that you could program the pattern of red and white panels. In 1973 the theatre was divided into two theatres and most of the mezzanine and loge seats were removed to run a floor to the screen. The original seating had 2110 seats 1000 in the balcony. The theatre ran the “Indaianapolis 500” yearly closed circuit as well as the “Thrilla in Manila” and other closed circuit fights. There were seven floors of dressing rooms behind the stage with an elevator to all floors. More later.
Another Denver Public Library photo of the Denver’s demolition:
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From the 1950s a postcard view of the Denver and Paramount Theatres in Denver.
The Denver to my view was the finest of all the Denver classic theatres and I would have wished for its preservation over the Paramount accross the street. Before it was twained it was one of the finest theatres in how it was arranged interior with the side balconies towards the front. The balcony stairs were a bit steep and a bit dangerous compared to today’s. As metro area native with either parents and later as teen I was lucky in having visited all of the theatres now gone.
I’m with you, Sagebrushed, having enjoyed many films at both theaters. My late husband used to tell me stories about someone who lived in the Denver Theatre, not too difficult, considering the many levels and sections, to include dressing rooms, etc. in the lower levels. I was privileged to see a “Nutcracker” performance at the Majestic Theater in Dallas, years back, that had a someone similar interior feeling. It was lovely. One of the last management type employees at the Denver, was a lady who always reminded me of Merle Oberon. Elegantly wearing long dark hair into a thick crescent atop her head. In those days, booking agents had to bid for films, guaranteeing specific returns for the studios. Popcorn was heated out of huge plastic bags, and hot dogs, cups and popcorn buckets were counted for inventory/income purposes. From “Jungle Book” to “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” – and now only the memory remains. Too bad.