Regal Continental Stadium 10 & RPX
3635 S. Monaco Parkway,
Denver,
CO
80237
3635 S. Monaco Parkway,
Denver,
CO
80237
15 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Commonwealth Theaters Corp., Regal Entertainment Group, United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.
Architects: Calvin Garrett
Previous Names: Commonwealth Continental Theatre, United Artists Continental 5, United Artists Continental 10
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News About This Theater
- Aug 29, 2008 — Continental main screen stadium renovation
- Jul 15, 2008 — Remembering "Die Hard" -- A 20th Anniversary Tribute
- Jul 15, 2008 — Remembering "Die Hard"
The Continental Theatre stands as Denver’s last remaining giant screen movie house. Along with the Cooper and Century 21 theatres, the (then) Commonwealth Continental Theatre was one of Denver’s premiere showcase theatres when it opened January 26, 1966 with Charlton Heston in “The Agony and the Ecstasy” and continued throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, with a screen that measured 35'x 83'. Seating for the theatre was originally 916.
The theatre played host to dozens of large screen 70mm presentations over the decades including “Die Hard”, the original “Star Wars” trilogy, “The Abyss”, and “Terminator 2”. With the right booking, the Continental Theatre could be responsible for 35% of a film’s business in the city of Denver.
In 1983, during its run of “Return of the Jedi”, the theatre fell victim to a fire that destroyed part of it. The following day’s Rocky Mountain News contained a front page photo of theatre workers rushing the 70mm print of “Jedi” out of the theatre to safety. During the fire, all of the projector lenses (except the 70mm lens, which was in use) were destroyed. The new lenses for 35mm put to use after the fire were inadequate for the theatre’s long throw distance and, because of this, all 35mm presentations on the screen would require severe masking on all four sides to accommodate the smaller image size. The estimate is that 35mm reduced the screen size to 23'x 55'.
In 1994, for an exclusive engagement of “The Shawshank Redemption”, lenses from a recently closed drive-in were put to use at the Continental Theatre for the 35mm presentation and all films shown since 1994 have again utilized the full screen size.
In November 1995, the Continental Theatre closed for an extensive remodel/expansion. The theatre reopened on June 21, 1996 with five new screens (several THX approved) built around it. During this remodel, the seating was reduced to 869 to accommodate new handicap accessible seating. In 2008, the number of screens was increased to ten. It was closed on April 16, 2023.
Contributed by
Cliff Stephenson
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Recent comments (view all 66 comments)
Does anyone remember if Disney’s “Tron” played here in summer 1982 and/or during its autumn ‘82 re-release?
the continental originally opened 1/26/66 with the agony and the ecstasy. opening night was a benefit performance for the metro association for retarded children. regular performances began on 1/27/66. I am putting together a series of books on the history of the denver area’s drive-ins and indoor theatres (including a full booking history on the continental.) if anyone has any questions on the subject, please feel free to contact me at . I’ll be happy to share my research with you. Thanks ! Ken Mitchell
I’ve always thought it ironic that the 70mm projectors installed at this complex were installed in one of the side theaters, not in the RPX house that once hosted 70mm screenings.
I’ve put together a booking history for the Continental, from 1966 up to 1978 so far, in case anyone might like to know when a particular movie played there. I’ll be happy to share my research with you. Take care – Ken Mitchell ()
A chronology of Denver’s 70mm presentation history has recently been published. The Continental is mentioned numerous times.
Sad to report this location has closed.
Dronie:
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.
Grand opening ad and an article claiming the world’s largest screen posted.
Six screens on June 21st, 1996 after being closed late in 1995.