Cooper Theatre
960 S. Colorado Boulevard,
Denver,
CO
80246
960 S. Colorado Boulevard,
Denver,
CO
80246
32 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 109 comments
I am almost positive this is a shot of the concession stand – newly renovated at the time – at the Cooper Twin, circa 1993. If anyone can verify that from this unfortunately dark exposure, I’d appreciate it!
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Re-new link.
A couple of not-so-great shots of the exterior of the late Cooper Twin in Denver, circa 1993. The main auditorium was something to see…
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GaryJB, and Other Employees of the Denver theatres,
Mom and Dad managed a small theatre in a mall in Arvada off I-25 and what is now Thorton. When I returned to Denver for college I was also worked at several of the theatres in Denver. I was employed by the Continental, while under Common Wealth. I was then “Lent†out to various Denver Theatres from the Cooper5 to the Cooper7, and every Cooper between them. Yes even the Copper Twin. After getting to know several employees, union projectionists, Managers, and District Managers, I moved to CA and worked at a Fox theatre for 2 years. When I moved back, I worked again at the Continental, before opening the Greenwood Plaza 12 (as an assistant). After a few years there I transferred to The UA Corporate Offices. I moved back to CA and Managed the “Golden State†theatre (Complete with Pipe Organ), until UA sold it to become a historical landmark. I love the Motion Picture theatre business, or at least I did.
What I miss the most is how close everyone was. It really was like family. Yet I have been in contact with no one. It makes me so happy to see past employees checking on places where they were, and how much they still mean to them… even if most of them are nothing more than a reminder.
I would like to be found by those who I’ve come to miss. Those who remember me and those worked at the same theatres, around the same time. I would even like to hear from someone who has worked at “My†theatres before, or after, me.
Tim Quealy
You can obtain by researching the local newspapers on microfilm at the library or newspaper. That’s how many people here find that info out.
Does anyone know were I can obtain a list of what movies played at the Denver Cooper Theater during it beautiful existence?
Somehow, the topic has strayed away from The Denver Cooper Theater. Cen we return our comments to where they belong?
I never had seen a movie at the Towne. I only remember the outside of the theater. I think it was a porn movie house late in it’s life.
I well remember the Towne.
During the mid- to late 1970s, I attended Metropolitan State College and frequently took in shows at the Towne. The theater had the feeling of a small-town cinema. I remember few of the films I saw there, but I know I saw “Slither” with James Caan and “Wicked, Wicked” with Tiffany Royce. The latter is an interesting movie that I’ve never seen since. It was presented in “Duo-Vision” — a scope ratio image split down the middle throughout almost all of the picture.
What I remember most about the Towne is that a number of aisle seats were double-sized — presumably for couples.
Here’s a scan of a book I bought I bought a few years ago with a bunch of Star Wars ticket stubs stapled inside. Most are from the Glenwood Theatre in Overland Park, KS but one is from the Cooper.
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Lynne,
I do remember a movie theater in downtown Denver called The Towne. It was located on Welton Street between 15th and 16th street. I never seen any movies there but do remember it. I was demolished sometime in the mid to late 70’s.
The Denver public library may have some pictures of the building.
Monty-Denver
Okay, I have a question for those of you who are from Denver. My grandfather was an Oklhahoma City architect back in the late 40s – 50s, and I found an old resume of his that states that he designed the Tower Theater in Denver. I haven’t found that theater on this website. His resume says that he designed it in 1949, and he describes it as follows:
“Economical utilitization of steel rigid frames and roof system of standard manufacture for wide auditorium span” and “First moving picture theater with television projection booth”
It seated 1,000 patrons and cost $90,000 to build, so I don’t think that it was a big glamour palace — maybe just a small suburban theater.
Does anyone know of this theater, have photos of it, etc.?
What a fantastic theater, and how sad that it’s gone — for yet another same-as-it-ever-was strip center. Blah! When will people realize that mid-century modern architecture, such as the Cooper, is worth preserving, and, if Barnes & Noble wanted the site so badly, why couldn’t they have revamped the old theater? Sad.
I have incredible memories of seeing Die Hard 2 and a revival showing of Ben Hur at the Cooper in its later years when it went by the name “United Artists.” The interior was absolutely spectacular, including the semi-circular apparent one-time smoking lounges located to the sides of the main seating area as seen here:
http://cinerama.topcities.com/ctcooper.htm
My strangest memory is when I tried to get permission to take pictures of the interior when they announced it would be closing, and was DENIED permission to do so by UA management! I’ve no idea what they were concerned about or why they had an issue with my request.
Since that time I’ve learned to just take photos at palaces after the last showing of the night as there is usually no one around and if there are the 18 year-olds working clean-up couldn’t care less. :–)
I’ve been told that Cooper Cinerama Chain was vaguely connected to Paramount/Publix.
Oklahoma City also had a Cooper Cinerama with a ribbon-strip screen. This operation was a remodel of the old (Publix) Liberty Theatre, which was an easy conversion process since the original projection booth was located on loge level, a necessity for 3 strip/70mm equipment.
http://cinerama.topcities.com/coopercinerama.htm
Vintage views
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Seen on Robinson Ave. looking North (Ramsey Tower was designed by W.W. Alschlager who created the NYC Roxy Theatre)
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1926 exterior shot of old Liberty
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Hi KPRESTON, The other theatre you are thinking of is the Century 21 which was also on Colo. Blvd. The Century 21 building actually is still standing but has been converted to the Soundtrack store which is next to Hooters restaurant. In my opinion the Century 21 was OK but couldn’t hold a candle to the fabulous Cooper.
What great memories of that theater.
I too saw 2001 at that theater, twice. It made me totally fall in love with movies (well, back then, not now.) We lived in southwest Denver so going to the Cooper was not an every day thing, but we would always then go over to some place like Furr’s Cafeteria or all the way down to Top of the Rockies to cap off a matinee.
I think I saw Krakatoa East of Java (sp?) there, although sometimes I get confused between films I saw there and another theater that is gone, which I think was called the 21st Century.
I saw Return Of The Jedi here in 1983 and was completely blown away. What a magnificent theater. It’s a shame it was torn down for a bookstore.
With regard to the Cooper in St. Louis Park, Minnesota (Minneapolis): The building was torn down in 1992 for an Olive Garden, which was so worth the demolition of building of historical significance in the film industry. I say that sarcastically….Last presentation was “Dances With Wolves” in January, 1991.
With regard to the Cooper in St. Louis Park, Minnesota (Minneapolis): The building was torn down in 1992 for an Olive Garden, which was so worth the demolition of building of historical significance in the film industry. I say that sarcastically….Last presentation was “Dances With Wolves” in January, 1991.
Monty-Denver:
Sounds like you’re a “Star Wars” fan. I predict you’ll enjoy this article:
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Michael Coate
I forgot that Empire opened on Wed May 21st, 1980 and not the 20th. (Thanks for the correction) I do remember, and I was 13 at the time, Empire opened in 70mm.
In 1977 when I seen Star Wars, I did see it in both formats, 35mm and 70mm.
Thanks Monty-Denver.
I’ve not seen this posted:
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Richard Crowther; Denver architect; 96
Denver architect and author Richard Crowther, who died Dec. 26 in Denver, achieved international renown for his progressive holistic compositions, particularly his pioneering designs employing passive solar energy. He was 96.
Mr. Crowther designed the Cinerama Cooper theaters in Denver, Minneapolis and Omaha, Neb. All were the first theaters designed around the then-new Cinerama technology, with cushioned seats on curving risers.
I too had a highly enjoyable experience watching Empire Strikes Back at the Cooper. I was 13 at the time(seemed to be the perfect target age for the “Star Wars” series)and was invited by my cousins who could pull some strings. Coming from a place where an auditorium is no more than 300-400 seats and seeing a film on 70mm was unheard of. It was an unforgettable experience, even by todays standards. Experiencing a movie as great as Empire in the Cooper with the sound and visual effects and to pull them off on such a huge screen is something that is not soon forgotten.
Hearing later in my adult life that the Cooper had been torn down was no less than a travesty.
Monty-Denver:
“The Empire Strikes Back” opened on May 21, 1980, not the 20th (although some cities ran benefit screenings on the 20th). Also, if you saw the original “Star Wars” at the Cooper in its first three months, you saw it in 35mm; they didn’t get a 70mm print until August ‘77.