Denver Theatre
510 16th Street,
Denver,
CO
80202
510 16th Street,
Denver,
CO
80202
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Inter-Mountain Theaters Inc., Publix
Architects: William N. Bowman, Cornelius Ward Rapp, George W. Leslie Rapp
Firms: Rapp & Rapp
Nearby Theaters
The Denver Theatre opened by Publix on November 19, 1927 with Bebe Daniels in “She’s a Sheik”. It was located across the street from the Paramount Theatre. It was operated by Fox Intermountain Theatres Inc. It was twinned in May 1972. The Denver Theatre was demolished around 1980.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 30 comments)
The Denver to my view was the finest of all the Denver classic theatres and I would have wished for its preservation over the Paramount accross the street. Before it was twained it was one of the finest theatres in how it was arranged interior with the side balconies towards the front. The balcony stairs were a bit steep and a bit dangerous compared to today’s. As metro area native with either parents and later as teen I was lucky in having visited all of the theatres now gone.
I’m with you, Sagebrushed, having enjoyed many films at both theaters. My late husband used to tell me stories about someone who lived in the Denver Theatre, not too difficult, considering the many levels and sections, to include dressing rooms, etc. in the lower levels. I was privileged to see a “Nutcracker” performance at the Majestic Theater in Dallas, years back, that had a someone similar interior feeling. It was lovely. One of the last management type employees at the Denver, was a lady who always reminded me of Merle Oberon. Elegantly wearing long dark hair into a thick crescent atop her head. In those days, booking agents had to bid for films, guaranteeing specific returns for the studios. Popcorn was heated out of huge plastic bags, and hot dogs, cups and popcorn buckets were counted for inventory/income purposes. From “Jungle Book” to “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” – and now only the memory remains. Too bad.
I am not sure of the opening date listed for the Denver Theater. The theater was built during the latter part of 1926, and was listed in the 1927 City Directory as the Metropolitan in April 1927. This might be the date on which the theater was renamed. It was a Publix theater, built by Paramount, before becoming a Warner theater.
A promotional booklet published by the Federal Cement Tile Co. of Chicago has a photo of the auditorium of the Metropolitan Theatre in Denver under construction at center left on this page. The caption attributes the design to architect William N. Bowman. He apparently designed the building the theater was in, while Rapp & Rapp designed the theater interior.
1980 auditorium photo and copy added courtesy of The Denver Eye Facebook page.
Inside of The Denver Theatre, 1980, shortly before the wrecking ball
1956 photo added courtesy of Marc Sagrillo. Appears to show a remodeled front behind the blade sign.
1965 photo added, credit Save the Signs Facebook page. Double feature 8 years before it was divided.
It should be noted that a number of the photo links embedded in previous comments, now link to a generic Chinese web page.
Circa 1967 photo added courtesy of Wade Winsor.
in its later history, the denver closed for remodeling 4/18/72 – 5/23/72 and reopened as a twin 5/24/72. i am currently putting together books on the history of the denver area’s drive-ins and indoor theatres. if anyone has questions on the subject, please feel free to contact me at . i am always happy to share my research. see you at the movies ! – ken mitchell
A lengthy article from the Rocky Mountain Journal about Denver’s downtown theaters was reprinted in the Oct. 24, 1977 issue of Boxoffice. It began, “On Nov. 19, 1927, the cream of Denver society paid their 60 cents to see Bebe Daniel’s latest movie "She’s a Sheik” at the Denver Theatre. The patrons were awed by the new two million dollar structure built in French renaissance style and illuminated by more than 5,000 lightbulbs."