Warner Theatre
1299 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington,
DC
20004
1299 Pennsylvania Ave NW,
Washington,
DC
20004
12 people
favorited this theater
A grand movie palace in the nation’s capital, the Warner Theatre currently houses concerts, stage shows and more. Following a $10 million renovation in 1992, its grand lobby, balconies and large auditorium make it one of the crowning jewels of DC. Movies, sadly, are no longer exhibited at the Warner.
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 44 comments)
Although “Cleopatra” did play there, I do believe that the world premiere of the film was at the Rivoli Theater in New York City and/or the Pantages in Hollywood on June 19, 1963, one week before it opened in Washington and most other cities.
This is a photo of the Warner.
Ron3853, “Cleopatra” had it’s World Premiere at the Rivoli Theatre in NYC on June 12th. 1963. The West Coast Premiere at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood was held on June 19th. 1963.
This article in Billboard (3-19-49) reports a one-time, one-week vaudeville show at the Warner after four years without any live performances. The article also reports that, at the time, Loew’s Capitol was the only theater in DC with a regular stage-screen schedule.
Here’s a 1942 view looking up Pennsylvania Avenue, with the Earle Theatre on the right side and a portion of the Palace Theatre visible on the left side: View link
On this day in 1939, Alfred Hitchcock’s B&W “Jamaica Inn,” a Paramount British import starring Charles Laughton with Maureen O'Hara, Leslie Banks, Emlyn Williams, and Robert Newton, opened its Washington premiere engagement at the Earle Theatre. Legendary comedian Joe Cook and his “Laugh Factory” revue provided the stage support.
“Jamaica Inn” also opened that day at WB’s Ambassador Theatre, but that engagement was mentioned only in the circuit’s directory advertising. The Ambassador presented the Hitchcock melodrama as a single feature, with five continuous showings daily.
Saw Ben-Hur on day 2 of its D,C, Premiere. Sat in row 1 left side. Too close, got a headache and a stiff neck. Saw it later at home in Boston in a bigger theatre with a bigger screen. Sat in the middle about 15 rows deep. Much better. You say the Warner can.t show movies anymore, what a shame. In Boston our 3800 seat Metropolitan AKA The Sack Music Hall or the Wang center and now the Citi Wang Performance center was completely restored in the late 80.s- early 70,s and it has Broadway Shows, MUSIC CONCERTS AND RUNS Classic Movie Festivals in 35mm and 70mm with stereo. The Warner should also do this,
I thought the Wang Center finished their classic movie series years ago & there are no more movies there.
The first movie I recall seeing here was Hello Dolly starring Barbra Streisand. It was amazing to watch from one of the upper tiers of the theater. The film is wonderful for many reasons, but I can still recall the opening credits as the train runs along the Hudson River. The sound was incredible! After the movie ended my mom and I exited the theater on Pennsylvania Avenue, and waited for the bus to take us back home to Glover Park. The snow set in, and the city was suddenly all quiet in the blanket of snow.
I also enjoyed Oliver here, and recall the warning at the beginning of the film … Beware .. for it is the Anniversary of Charles Dickens death .. all that white font on the screen against all of that black on the screen, and the music just about to begin the film.
I also enjoyed the restored version of A Star is Born here with Judy Garland and James Mason. Mr. Mason actually attended this event and you had to have special tickets to the performances. It was so great to watch it and to hear it on the big screen in stereophonic sound.
I also saw a live performance here shortly thereafter of The King and I with Yul Brenner. This theater was great for movies or live performances!