Little Theatre
523 N. Howard Street,
Baltimore,
MD
21201
523 N. Howard Street,
Baltimore,
MD
21201
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Trans-Lux Movies Corp.
Architects: Stanislaus Russell, John J. Zink
Previous Names: Europa Theatre, Little Cinema, Mayfair II Theatre, Little X Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Little Theatre was a unique theatre located at the edge of downtown Baltimore. It was located at Howard Street and Franklin Street. Opened on December 8, 1927. In 1929 it was operated by a local film society, and showed foreign films that were rarely shown in American film houses. The theatre provided a four page brochure program which highlighted the feature film along with the program itself.
Later it was run by Trans-Lux theatres and by the local chain JF. It ended its days showing video porn flicks, closing in 1989.
It literally was a little theatre, including the screen! Many of the films shown there have become recognized classics. These include “Grand Illusion” and “Blowup” (where it did tremendous business). In the 1970’s, due to the downtown area’s decline, it was renamed the Mayfair II. The “movie palace” Mayfair Theatre was directly across the street.
Contributed by
Michael Levin
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
I believe the theatre is demolished. I recently drove past the Little’s original site where a parking lot and new office building seem to have replaced the original buildings.
It is definitely confirmed. According to the listing of Maryland theatres on the Killduffs.com website the theatre was definitely torned down, replaced by a parking lot . Accordingly please list the theatre as closed and demolished. Also, a 1930’s photograph shown in the Kildduffs site shows the theatre marquee as the Europa while reopening under its more familiar nomenclature the Little. Is there anyone out there in Baltimore (or elsewhere) who knows the complete story of this small theatre? I only remember it from the 1950’s through the 1970’s.
The Little Theatre actually opened in the 1920’s and for a brief time was called the Europa Theatre. When the Little was showing ‘X’ rated movies it was called the Little ‘X’ Theatre.
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/y5xqjft
Films I remember seeing at The Little were: “Funeral In Berlin”, “Bonnie and Clyde”, “The Valachi Papers” and “Blowup” among a few others.
The Little was not at the corner of Howard & Franklin Streets….it was in the middle of that block, between Franklin and Centre Streets. The photograph that was posted clearly shows it not to be on the corner. I saw a handful of movies there…“Sink the Bismarck”, “C.O.D.” (with Peter Cushing) are the only ones I can recall, off the top of my head.
The Little Theatre was older than we thought, and might have operated under yet another name prior to being the Europa. All I’ve found is this line from the April, 1912, issue of Motography: “Plans have been prepared by A. L. Forrest, architect, for a new theater to be erected at 523 Howard street, Baltimore.”
This opened on December 9th, 1927. Grand opening ads in the photo section.
September 6th, 1931 grand reopening ad as Europa can be found in the photo section.