Today is a sad day in Denver movie theater history. The last of the original big screen movie theaters has closed. Over the years I seen many movies at the Continental on the original D-150 screen in 70mm 6 track stereo, then later in 70 mm 6 track Dolby. I’m Hopeful another theater chain will reopen this Denver treasure. Maybe Harkins Theater chain.
Thank you dallasmovietheaters for posting the pictures of the beautiful Centre Theater. Please post more of any Denver movie theater if available. Thanks again.
Went to the 88th drive in last night to see a triple feature..! Still Showing film, no digital. Drive-in clean with a very friendly staff. I will return.
MontyM
commented about
Cooper 7on
May 13, 2013 at 5:08 pm
See Ghostbusters there in 70mm June 1984. This theater is located in the Columbine High school area of Littleton and was a very nice large screen multiplex. If I remember correctly the building is still standing.
What a blast from the past. The 1973 trade article from Box office posted by Tinseltoes is from the Thornton three theaters located on 88th Ave & Corona St. in Thornton, Co. The building is standing as used as a church. Seen lots of movies there as a kid as it was a second run house in the middle and late 70’s.
Great post Michael AD. I have great memories of the Cooper Theater myself.
The first movie I seen at the Cooper was That’s Entertainment in 1974, I was mature nine years old. Was too young to see the original Star Wars on May 25th, 1977, had to wait for mom to take me on my birthday in June. Although I did see the Empire Strikes Back opening day May 21st, 1980, (10:30-10:45am) showing.
I skipped school with some of my buddies that day and caught the RTD bus at 7am.
As the bus approached the top of the small incline in front of Celebrity Lanes, I Could see the Cooper’s theater marquee on the left side bus. What a site to see, (THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK) with all the show times listed blow including (IN 70MM & 6 Track Dolby Stereo) and the line around the building to the south side.
Other fans making breakfast runs to McDonalds for other die hard Star Wars fans. I also remember a channel 4 mobile truck pulling up to the theater, setting up a desk on the lawn under the Cooper’s marquee with reporters getting ready to do the 11am live news cast.
If I remember correctly the balcony was never permanently closed. The last time I sat upstairs was when Dances with Wolves played there moving over from the Continental Theater.
I saw Jaws July 4th weekend 1975 at the Cooper Theater in Denver on the giant curved Cinerama screen. I was a little guy at the time all of ten years old. I remember my sixteen year old brother coming home after seeing it himself and telling us how scary it was. He also proceeded to tell my parents not to take me see it as it was too intense for children to see, but they did anyway. Thank Goodness they did as It was great scary fun, but think my mom was more scared than I was.
I also remember when Jaws was moved over to the shoebox Cameo Theater adjacent to the Copper in December 1975 to make way for Liza Minnelli and gang in Lucky Lady.
Blade Runner played in Denver at the Cooper Cinerama Theater. It was in Dolby Stereo but don’t remember 70mm. I’m thinking if the test screening was in 70mm at the Continental, maybe the same print was sent to the Cooper and it’s engagement was in 70mm.
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.
I would love to see more pictures of the Centre. I do remember it had a beautiful box office both outside decorated in bold gold trim, lots of neon and the marquee was big, bold and beautiful. For some reason I cannot remember the lobby?
I did see a few scope movies over the years at the Centre and do remember it having a very large wide screen. Ben Hur played there a few times during an MGM revival series every few years or so and I’m sure it played in 70mm. Personally I never seen Ben Hur there or any other 70mm feature at the Centre.
I was told that when Mann theaters closed the Centre permanently, the projectors were shipped and sent to the Chinese in Hollywood.
Ken MC,
thanks for sharing the photo. Seeing it brings back lot of memories. The Centre was an elegant movie house. They don’t build them like that any more. Do you have any more photos? Monty-Denver
Today is a sad day in Denver movie theater history. The last of the original big screen movie theaters has closed. Over the years I seen many movies at the Continental on the original D-150 screen in 70mm 6 track stereo, then later in 70 mm 6 track Dolby. I’m Hopeful another theater chain will reopen this Denver treasure. Maybe Harkins Theater chain.
This Harkins Arvada 14 theater is open showing movies.
Maybe the 70 in East 70 drive in name came from Colfax Avenue being the I-70 Business loop thru metro Denver.
Thank you dallasmovietheaters for posting the pictures of the beautiful Centre Theater. Please post more of any Denver movie theater if available. Thanks again.
You’re welcome terrywade..! Super Panavision 70 does look great on the marquee..!
Opening Day May 25th, 1977
Went to the 88th drive in last night to see a triple feature..! Still Showing film, no digital. Drive-in clean with a very friendly staff. I will return.
See Ghostbusters there in 70mm June 1984. This theater is located in the Columbine High school area of Littleton and was a very nice large screen multiplex. If I remember correctly the building is still standing.
What a blast from the past. The 1973 trade article from Box office posted by Tinseltoes is from the Thornton three theaters located on 88th Ave & Corona St. in Thornton, Co. The building is standing as used as a church. Seen lots of movies there as a kid as it was a second run house in the middle and late 70’s.
Cool video…….!
Cool video…….!
Great post Michael AD. I have great memories of the Cooper Theater myself.
The first movie I seen at the Cooper was That’s Entertainment in 1974, I was mature nine years old. Was too young to see the original Star Wars on May 25th, 1977, had to wait for mom to take me on my birthday in June. Although I did see the Empire Strikes Back opening day May 21st, 1980, (10:30-10:45am) showing.
I skipped school with some of my buddies that day and caught the RTD bus at 7am. As the bus approached the top of the small incline in front of Celebrity Lanes, I Could see the Cooper’s theater marquee on the left side bus. What a site to see, (THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK) with all the show times listed blow including (IN 70MM & 6 Track Dolby Stereo) and the line around the building to the south side.
Other fans making breakfast runs to McDonalds for other die hard Star Wars fans. I also remember a channel 4 mobile truck pulling up to the theater, setting up a desk on the lawn under the Cooper’s marquee with reporters getting ready to do the 11am live news cast.
If I remember correctly the balcony was never permanently closed. The last time I sat upstairs was when Dances with Wolves played there moving over from the Continental Theater.
Silent Movie and Close Encounters of The Third Kind played at the Cooper Theater four blocks north.
This theater has reinstalled it’s 70mm/15 perf imax film projector.
Thank you William for the interesting and great information on the Denham Theater.
I saw Jaws July 4th weekend 1975 at the Cooper Theater in Denver on the giant curved Cinerama screen. I was a little guy at the time all of ten years old. I remember my sixteen year old brother coming home after seeing it himself and telling us how scary it was. He also proceeded to tell my parents not to take me see it as it was too intense for children to see, but they did anyway. Thank Goodness they did as It was great scary fun, but think my mom was more scared than I was.
I also remember when Jaws was moved over to the shoebox Cameo Theater adjacent to the Copper in December 1975 to make way for Liza Minnelli and gang in Lucky Lady.
Blade Runner played in Denver at the Cooper Cinerama Theater. It was in Dolby Stereo but don’t remember 70mm. I’m thinking if the test screening was in 70mm at the Continental, maybe the same print was sent to the Cooper and it’s engagement was in 70mm.
Does anyone know were I can obtain a list of what movies played at the Denver Cooper Theater during it beautiful existence?
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.
Thank you Jonesy!
It would be great to see some films on that big beautiful screen in 70mm again! Other cities in the US and around the world continue to show 70mm.
Ryan, Thanks for the update, And I agree with you. Hope the renovation gets cancelled.
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
Trainmaster,
I would love to see more pictures of the Centre. I do remember it had a beautiful box office both outside decorated in bold gold trim, lots of neon and the marquee was big, bold and beautiful. For some reason I cannot remember the lobby?
I did see a few scope movies over the years at the Centre and do remember it having a very large wide screen. Ben Hur played there a few times during an MGM revival series every few years or so and I’m sure it played in 70mm. Personally I never seen Ben Hur there or any other 70mm feature at the Centre.
I was told that when Mann theaters closed the Centre permanently, the projectors were shipped and sent to the Chinese in Hollywood.
Monty-Denver
Ken MC,
thanks for sharing the photo. Seeing it brings back lot of memories. The Centre was an elegant movie house. They don’t build them like that any more. Do you have any more photos? Monty-Denver