New Embassy Theater

The Embassy was opened on November 18, 1931 with Bert Lahr in “Flying High”. Organist Dick Liebert played the theatre organ. Located in downtown Cumberland, joining the Strand Theatre (biggest name movies), Maryland Theatre (next biggest movies, plus big band live appearances), Liberty Theatre (low-budget re-releases), and Garden Theatre (same) in the “Queen City”.

The original capacity of the Embassy Theater was about 500, seated in both orchestra and balcony areas. A full stage was in front of the screen, as some lesser-known country acts appeared from time to time, such as Tom Mix, Jr., in 1942.

The Embassy Theater was converted into a dress shop in the 1960’s; however, the owner simply built the shop in the former lobby and orchestra areas, preserving much of the theater. His son, Broadway actor Mark Baker, restored the theater back to its 1931 appearance, taking several years. The entrance, lobby, ceiling and walls of the orchestra, the screen (original-was barely saved from becoming a painter’s drop-cloth), and mezzanine lobby/restrooms have been restored to original appearance. A facsimile marquee has been installed.

Of all the classic theaters mentioned above in Cumberland, only the Embassy, home of countless B-Westerns, remains, spared from urban renewal and catastrophe by Mark’s father’s decision to convert it into a dress shop.

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

kaykyserkenny on October 10, 2012 at 4:24 am

lostmemory—-thank you so much for adding all those great details to my first feeble attempt to write about the Embassy!

DavidZornig on December 30, 2018 at 12:45 am

1940 Embassy poster image added credit Mark E. Carder. Reads “A Darnell Theater” across the top.

rivest266 on April 6, 2021 at 9:59 pm

The Embassy Theatre opened on November 18th, 1931. Grand opening ad posted.