Byrd Theatre

Sometimes we forget what this is all about.Sat.night my wife and myself went to the big Byrd.The Chronicles of Narnia was the earlier feature.Full house with tons of families and people of all ages.The organ program was great,just not long enough.People loved the movie,clapped,cheered,left with smiles.I watched people before the lights went down.You could tell who had never been there before.The wide-eyed wonder was not hard to see.It was like going to the theater 50 years ago.WHAT A BLAST!!!What a treasure.I still wish there was a section here on JUST movie palaces that show movies.Anybody within 100 or so miles of Cary St.should support this marvelous place.Every time I go there I feel like a little kid again,going to the Florida or the Palace in a Jacksonville that is long-gone.

I agree with Mr. Gibbs and others that the statement, “a shame the theatre isn’t here in New York City, where it could serve a more discerning population and wouldn’t more or less go to waste,” a very insulting comment. Many Richmond locals as well as tourists enjoy the Byrd Theatre. It is certainly not a waste being in Richmond, as this city has quite a history. Being only eighteen, my friends and I go to many of the shows at the Byrd and appreciate its marble, crystal chandaliers, and velvet drapes. New generations should be able to appreciate it just as the old generations did. Perhaps I am overly defensive being a Richmond “native,” but Richmond is an amazing town and deserves to have such an incredible piece of histoy in its town.

Quote from above:
a shame the theatre isn’t here in New York City, where it could serve a more discerning population and wouldn’t more or less go to waste

What an absolutely insulting thing to say! Richmond is a beautiful old city with a fine history. Although nowhere near New York’s size, it has a well-educated, lively and interesting population. Although a Baltimore native I lived for two delightful years in Richmond and, frankly, have never seen anything in Babylon-on-the-Hudson that could match Richmond for elegance and graciousness. If New York is so discerning, why are the Paramount and the Roxy gone? Of course New York is more metropolitan, but please, Camden, don’t write off Richmond just because it isn’t New York. The Byrd is not wasted on Richmond; nor is the Loew’s or the Mosque. It does seem, though, that the Paramount WAS wasted on New York.

I had a conversation recently(last wk.)with a Byrd manager type.I tried in a nice way to convey that they do a less than satisfactory job of communicating what they do to the public.Not everyone is going to seek out the website.There could be out reach to school groups and community clubs,etc.I’ve seen elementary age kids going into the Byrd the first time.The wonder in their faces is something to see.99% of adults under 35 have never been to a REAL movie theater in their lives.The near uniqueness of this grand ols lady MUST be preserved,nutured and,most of all,used.The National Trust and other groups need to be utilized and constantly communicated with,in order to keep the Byrd’s restoration on the front burner.

By the way,does anyone know what will become of the lovely old theater in Tappahanock?I think I spelled it wrong.It is a handsome bldg.Too nice to waste.It was sad when that lovely theater on Forest Hill closed.Lucky thing about Richmond is the availibilty of the really fine volume on the theater history of the area.Barnes and Noble has it.The Venus still stands on Hull St.Is that the saddest street you’ve ever seen?The great theater still standing empty and in fine shape on Broad begs to be saved.One old theater West of the BLVD & Broad intersection is being used as a camera store.

Just watched Food Nation with Bobby Flay and he was in Richmond VA. He told us about some great restaurants there, but we know there are 2 great theatres there, too…..thanks to CT.

“…..its own Wurlitzer (which is still in use and plays every Saturday night).” What a wonderful thing to read about this theatre and what it offers the residents of Richmond.

The City of Richmond is so very lucky to have 2 beautiful theatres and one of them is an atmospheric that is being restored! Consider yourself lucky, Richmond!

I am an out-of-towner that came here from Washington DC. You can make your own good time here with friends so I believe Camden missed out on a lot. The only thing that is really missing here in this wonderful city (besides good management, which is changing) is a selection of good FM radio stations. The Byrd is one of those treasures that is so magnificent that you can’t believe it was open to the general public – surely it must have been for the elite only.
The main chandelier alone is priceless – well, hundreds of thousands anyway! The organ, the classic preview, the ‘flappers’ at the fountain, the incredible curtain….what a pride and joy for this city. Thanks and come see it! Bill

i am doing a paper on the byrd, so if anybody has some interesting stories, could you please post them (and note that i can use it in my paper) thanks very much!
—123456

Don’t miss the Byrd’s official website. It is just incredible.

Camden

it’s two dollars now, but the byrd is still a great place to see a movie (and as camden said, a couple hours' respite from the rest of richmond can be a very good thing).

Martha — please contact me. I’m researching the Arlington Theatre, which is apparently one of the last projects your grandfather worked on. Would love to learn more about it.