Esquire Theatre
590 Downing Street,
Denver,
CO
80218
590 Downing Street,
Denver,
CO
80218
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As of 7/18/2024 Landmark Theatres has closed the Esquire. Future uncertain.
This reopened on November 10th, 1942 as the Esquire theatre after closing in 1939. It was the first theatre in the area to have an female manager, Helen Spiller. Article and grand opening ad posted.
Opened September 3rd, 1927. Grand opening ad posted.
The Esquire is scheduled to close on July 17. More about its troubles in the Denver Post.
Update:
https://theknow.denverpost.com/2021/05/05/esquire-theatre-regal-ua-movie-theaters-colorado-reopening/258227/?fbclid=IwAR3Vb7KeEF92fi8q-YgZZKYPseKOJeCQXqiFJ9DyFMr3eRQBXLtQeN8Z38E
now part of the landmark theatre chain now landmark’s esquire theatre and shows art/ independent fare along with new releases! please update.
The Graduate was shown at the Esquire from 12/22/67 until 12/19/68. It also had a sneak preview on 12/14/67. I am putting together a series of books on the Denver area’s drive-ins and indoor theatres – if anyone has any questions on the subject, I will be happy to share my research with you. You can reach me at . Thanks – Ken Mitchell
“The Graduate” opened here fifty years ago today. The film went on to play (a venue record?) 52 weeks. And here’s a new retrospective article which includes some exhibition history (and other) details to commemorate the classic film’s golden anniversary.
saw Last Stop Greenwich Village when I homesick for NYC and for the first time Singing in the Rain, in the seventies, so I will always have a soft spot for this theater.
Recent photos of the Esquire now posted in the Photo section.
Hi! I have only posted once and never received a response to my question, so I’d like to talk to you all…
I am the current manager of the Esquire, and as such would have been trying to collect pics, history, stories, etc. from former employees, folks who remember, or just anyone with information. I’d like to invite anyone with any info to contact me so we can talk. My email is Please help me get this project together.
thanks!
Gerry
A photo of the Esquire from 1988 – showing the then-controversial “Last Temptation Of Christ”:
View link
Iv'e enjoyed visiting the Esquire on a number of occasions for their “Midnight Madness” film series. This program features classic and cult films on the big screen, on Friday and Saturday nights at midnight. This theater is very clean and well run with a friendly staff, many of whom have worked there for years. The theater is now a four plex with two screens upstairs and two downstairs. Still the auditoriums are very attractive with comfortable, yet vintage seats and a curtain that opens just as each feature starts and closes after it is over. The audience also loves this theater and there are great audience reactions to each film. I have visited with Matt Morris, a younger guy who programs the Midnight Madness series and assists with the management of the theater. He has a true passion for film, the movie theater business, quality projection and The Esquire Theater. At least one of the auditoriums is also capable of 70mm projection. A wonderful theater in a wonderful neighborhood to support!
How sad that kids who clearly haven’t been taught any better and who’re not mature enough to think beyond this kind of destruction managed to get away with vandalizing the screen, which lobbing spitballs at the movie screen clearly is. Hope the people who installed the new Dolby sound system, etc., were able to remove the spitballs relatively easily.
Seriously….who raised those disgusting, spoiled, destructive brats?
Is it true that when it was the Hiawatha there giant Indian head nickels on the wall that runs along 6th Ave.? I managed this place in the early 80s. One day a tech guy was there to install Dolby and re-do the sound system. He had to put a ladder along the screen. On the screen were hundreds of dried spitballs, no doubt from the days of kid matinees (maybe when it was Mann theater). How long those spitballs were on the screen I have no idea.
At one time this theatre was operated by Fox Intermountain Theatres, Inc.
Hello! How do you know it seated 780 folks? I am a manager at the Esquire, and have a great interest in finding and preserving it’s history. There isn’t much on the theatre, and I’ve had trouble finding stuff on it.
To Chuck1231: do you have the picture that was (but is no longer) on photobucket? I would be interested in seeing it. thanks!
The Esquire Theatre seated at one time 780 people.