Mayan Theatre
110 Broadway,
Denver,
CO
80203
110 Broadway,
Denver,
CO
80203
11 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 27 comments
Mann sells it to other discount operators in 1977 who closed it in 1984. It reopened with three screens on November 7th, 1986, by Landmark. Ad posted.
The Fox Mayan theatre opened on November 20th, 1930. Grand opening ad posted.
As a landmark and example of 1920’s theater architecture, the Mayan is beautiful and amazing. As a place to see a movie, it absolutely blows whales. I get a better viewing experience on my laptop. The seats are cramped even if you’re a child, I’m typing on a bigger screen right now, and the craptastic sound system and slap echo make watching anything a painful experience. The projection is sloppy… the films are consistently dirty and scratchy and exactly what I don’t want to pay for in a theater experience.
And don’t even get me started on those two balcony conversion iPhone-sized screens upstairs.
But hey, the building is pretty and that’s all that matters, right?
Avagara,you ain’t kidding.what sorry looking marquee.Seen better marquees on Dollar Theatres.Sad.
Another recent shot. Anyone know what the story is with the marquee? It looks really run down in contrast to the rest of the theater.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/40696280
This sure brings back some memories. In 1972 we moved from TN to Denver and my Dad told us about seeing Mash and Patton at the Mayan for 50 cents. We lived just a few blocks up on Clarkson Street….135…but there are Congregate Care Facilities there now. Would love to know if anyone may have any pictures of that house or the surrounding area. Always loved Denver—Cinderella City, the old Montgermory Wards and Gates Rubber co on Broadway, The Yum Yum Tree, Casa Bonita, 2001 South Broadways Best(always had cool chevelles and gtos in there). And though I never went( I was too young!), I remember tricky dickies on colfax next to the McDonalds where me and my brother used to work. Oh the good ole days!!!
Cool looking theatre.
My wife and I enjoyed the Jimmy Page/The Edge/Jack White documentary, “It Might Get Loud” at the Mayan two weeks ago while visiting family in Denver. This theatre can be described as both grand and charming all at once. It is a rather small movie palace, but has the decor—inside and out—of a theatre four times its size. The triplexing that was done in the 80s is very tasteful, one of the best such jobs I’ve seen. We were allowed to check out the downstairs main auditorium, but the upstairs ones (we were upstairs on the left) are decorated such that you don’t feel you’re missing out on the “historic theatre feel” as is so often the case with old triplexed theatres. Long may the Mayan live.
The Mayan is a very beautiful treasure to have in Denver. I have visited recently on two occasions…one in December of ‘08 to see “Milk” in the large auditorium on the main floor and once in January '09 to see “Doubt” which was playing in one of the two upstairs theaters (what was once the balcony). Although I am not a fan of splitting up single screen theaters, this triplexing was done in a very tasteful manner. Both lobbies, upstairs and down, are very beautiful and inviting. The upstairs lobby features a bar and on the west wall, an article and photographs regarding the restoration. The huge main theater is simply stunning complete with a screen curtain, beautiful murals on the walls and sculptures around the proscenium arch. The wall sconces are made to resemble Indian masks. This auditorium is equipped with both platter and changeover projection. Although “Milk” was a stunning movie, I found it hard to keep my eyes from wandering from the screen to the grand auditorium during my visit. The upper theaters are also very nice and pretty original. The seating configuration is the same as it was when it was the balcony and it is easy to imagine that you are actually sitting in a balcony viewing the screen down below when watching a film up there.
Another highlight is the fact that you still buy your tickets from a box office on the street…a very rare feature indeed.
Landmark Theaters gets and A+ from me for this theater that was restored in a historically sensitive fashion and is extremely clean,comfortable and well run!
A larger image of The Mayan Theatre in 1937
View link
Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/23ep7r
Tell ya’ll what, I will e-mail a copy of the nomination and pictures (they’re large to qualify for the national register) to anyone who’s interested. I am so excited to have gotten a hold of you, Kim! Those pesky organs keep popping up. Maybe I should head over to the Paramount and the Presbyterian Church just to confirm! This has been pretty much the story of nominating the Mayan- a lot of things are being contradicted or we can’t confirm! argh! My e-mail is for anyone who’s interested or has any leads. Thanks again! Tiff
We would all love to hear your story Coppock.
We’d love to see your photos too. I only have a few photos of employees that I took inside the lobby and they really don’t show much of the theatre.
When I first started working there, it had changed from Fox Intermountain to NGC (National General Corp.) and then to Mann then to…
I do remember that I was told that one of the two organs went to the Paramount downtown.
Hi, I am the one who posted about my husbands grandparents marriage (Edmond) at the Mayan in 1932. I would love to hear what info you may have Coppock! Thanks so much. You can e-mail me at (that’s the number 1)
Kim
Hi! I’m doing the National Register Nomination for the Mayan! I would desparately like to speak with the woman who’s husband’s grandparents were married at the theater. I have found some information that you might find interesting. In response to some other comments: I have very colorful interior shots like you wouldn’t believe, as well as recent and historical photos, I don’t have a record of the Mayan ever closing either- just not being taken care of or doing well, I’m guessing there were two organs because another one ended up at the Epiphany Lutheran Church when the talkies came in (http://www.epiphanylutheran.net/yourti84855.html) and I also have found someone who used to play the organ in the 30s, I also have that it was a Fox Intermountain theater- and there is a photo at DPLs Western History and Genealogy, you’re right that last seat count I found was 800 seats (but this was before an ADA issue), and call the box office to get the phone numbers of the directors for info on running a theater. I can always use more information, opinions, insight, etc!!! Thanks so much!
We need to get some interior shots….
Here’s another 1930 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/f3k45
And one from 1931:
http://tinyurl.com/glm5f
The Mayan never closed. It did change to a 50¢ bargain theatre in the 1970’s when I worked there. National General Corp. had it then and sold to Mann Theatres. My grandfather worked there during the depression (Fox Theatres) and was able to let his children in free. My father (then a child) brought in a pocketful of white mice one time. He laughed when women started screaming and they had to stop the movie. After working in many Denver theatres for over 30 years, the Mayan is still in my heart.
Since Chuck’s link has expired, here is the expanded view of the photo above:
http://tinyurl.com/grkkl
Also, for those interested (like me) in theatre organs, the Mayan did indeed have a smallish Wurlitzer despite the fact that the theatre opened after the silent-movie era was over. The organ resided there from 1930-1945, when it was purchased by a private party and installed in their Denver home.
My girlfriend and I saw “March Of The Penguins” at the Mayan last week (great documentary, btw) in one of the little theatres made from the balcony. It was pretty nice, with Mayan-style decor as intact as possible. The former balcony made for nice “Stadium style” seating with a clear view for all. I’d guess there’s room for about 100-150 in each balcony theatre.
Afterwards, I got permission to pop into the main auditorium for a look. While I don’t normally appreciate “twinning” a classic movie palace, it was about as artfully done as possible at the Mayan! Instead of leaving a bare stucco wall over the front of the balcony like you might usually see, they did a solid decorating/finishing job.
Recent close up of the facade.
View link
Here is a recent photo
View link
My husband’s grandparents were married at the Mayan theatre after they won a contest for a free wedding. They were married on Dec. 2, 1932. I would appreciate any information the Mayan may have.
Thanks,
Kim
It was part of the Fox Inter-Mountain Theatres, Inc. and later National General Theatres.