Commodore Theatre
421 High Street,
Portsmouth,
VA
23704
421 High Street,
Portsmouth,
VA
23704
14 people
favorited this theater
The Commodore Theatre was opened in November 1945 and was was originally designed to hold 1,008 moviegoers. The theatre lasted for thirty years.
After a 12-year period in which the theatre was largely abandoned, restoration work began in June 1987. The theatre was restored back to the way it looked in 1945, but with a major change to the seating arrangements. Seating was significantly reduced to 188 in the main floor to accommodate dining during feature presentations. 318 seats are still available in the balcony.
The Commodore’s sound system was designed with the help of George Lucas' THX Group at Lucasfilm in California and shows 35 mm film exclusively in Dolby Digital sound. The screen measures 41 feet wide and 21 feet high and there are 9 large JBL speakers mounted in the sound wall behind the screen and 22 surround speakers throughout the auditorium.
The original stage was set up with a fly loft, which allowed live stage shows to be presented along with movies however, it was necessary to remove all of the rigging in order to meet the requirements of the THX Sound Certification.
The auditorium, designed by Baltimore Architect John J. Zink, A.I.A., measures 85 feet wide by 90 feet deep, an almost perfect shape and size for today’s film processes. The design is so good that balcony patrons and main floor patrons are not visible to each other, thus allowing each group to view the screen without distractions. The kitchen occupies the old manager’s office and men’s smoking lounge. The balcony originally had no rest room or concession facilities. These were added so that the patrons sitting in the balcony would not have to walk down the stairs during the show.
Contributed by
Brett England, Fred Schoenfeld, Marvin C. Frame, Jr., Maria Park
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Recent comments (view all 27 comments)
Another large view of the marquee from 2008 can be seen here.
Opened November 14, 1945. The theater was named for Commodore James Barron, veteran of the War of 1812. He is buried in the churchyard next to the theater. Source.
This is a 2009 shot for marquee aficionados.
Here is the National Register of Historic Places registration form for the Commodore and this photo goes with the form.
Here is a nice recent photo of the Commodore.
I enjoyed lunch and a movie at the Commodore over the weekend and urge everyone in, around or passing through the VA area to take the time to enjoy this unique theater!
The food was out of this world, quite reasonably priced and served quickly. The seating was delightful (main auditorium is table and comfy chairs – balcony is for popcorn and soda) and the theater is in great shape. An Art Deco delight! This is a single screen theater that is making a go of it by blending it’s historic decor with a very modern concept. They get my HIGHEST marks!!
Another 2007 photo of the Commodore Theatre.
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Another photo of the Commodore Theatre courtesy Miklos.
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Sorry The link don’t work.
From the 1950s a photo postcard view of the Commodore Theatre along with the Colony which is directly across the street.