Denham Theatre

Motion Picture Herald, Sept. 12, 1953: “The Denham this week is celebrating its 40th year.* Built in 1913 for legitimate plays, the house was also used for years for stock before closing for a time, and then opening for films in 1932, with the late Lou Hellborn managing until Dave Cockrill came in 1934 to manage until his death last year. His widow, Mr. (sic?) Vera Cockrill, now is managing director, with Robt. Lotito as manager, and with Wm. Fitzgerald handling the publicity.”

• Actually, it was the Denham’s 40th anniversary, marking the start of its 41st year.

Full size 01/25/51 photo and description below added. Credits at bottom.

January 25, 1951-The Denham Theatre, at the corner of California and Eighteenth streets, recently opened a modern coffee bar, which adjoins the theatre. The exterior is of glass and gray flagstone, the interior is constructed of combed plywood walls and has Formica counters in rose and chartreuse, with stainless steel fittings. The restaurant has entrances on both street and theatre lobby. Photo Getty Images Denver Post, copy credit Denver Post.

1955 photo and copy added courtesy of The Denver Eye Facebook page.

Captain Bill: Was Bob Clark the manager of the theater in 1959? Do you remember projectionists Chuck Weber and Dan Kelly? How about Vera Cockrill (the owner)? If you remember any of these people, please contact me at . Thank you.

The Denham Theatre underwent major overhaul in 1959, not 1951, in preparation for the 70mm Ultra Panavision roadshow engagement of “Ben-Hur”. MGM had much input into the overhaul, including mounting surround speakers in the ceilings in recessed fittings, not in speakers inside cabinets on the side and back walls. Two Norelco DP70/35 projectors were installed and fitted with purpose-built Ultra Panavision lenses. Studio engineers visited the theatre every month or two to tweak the projection and sound. The 12khz surround guide channel was especially troublesome for some reason.

MGM was also most insistent that the title of their movie be spelled “Ben-Hur”, with a hyphen. On the building’s two-sided neon sign mounted on the corner of the building, the letters were altered to read BEN-HUR rather than DENHAM. The hyphen was not neon but two metal plates fastened one on each side between the N and H. Later these letters were altered again to read EXODUS in very expensive blue neon for that movie’s run, then changed back to DENHAM. The hyphens disappeared.

I remember these things because I worked at the Denham as an assistant manager for several months during the “Ben-Hur” engagement, and later visited to get my fix of 70mm roadshow extravaganzas like “El Cid”, a studio preview of “Mutiny on the Bounty”, and “Mediterranean Holiday” which, along with “Windjammer”, seen at the Tabor Grand, pushed me toward my eventual career as a sea captain. Not bad for a geeky kid from Denver.