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Landmark Theatres(USA) (Official)
Additional Info
Operated by: Landmark Theatres (USA)
Previously operated by: Fox Inter-Mountain Theaters Inc., Mann Theatres, National General Theatres
Architects: Montana S. Fallis
Functions: Movies (Independent)
Styles: Art Deco, Mayan Revival
Previous Names: Fox Mayan Theatre
Phone Numbers: Box Office: 303.744.6796
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News About This Theater
- Dec 28, 2004 — Calendar Features Color Photos of Classic Landmark Theatres
Opened on November 20, 1930 with Jeanette MacDonald in “Monte Carlo”. The Fox Mayan Theatre was a first run movie theatre for several decades, operated by Fox Inter-Mountain Theaters Inc. It was later taken over by Mann Theatres who sold it to discount operators in 1977 and they closed it in 1984. The building then sat unused. In the mid-1980’s, a local group saved the Mayan Theatre from demolition and Landmark Theatres took over its operation.
The theatre was triplexed on November 7, 1986 with the original orchestra floor of auditorium containing one large theatre, while the upstairs balcony was converted into two smaller theatres.
Recent comments (view all 27 comments)
Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez on March 24, 2009 at 11:49 pm
The Mayan is a very beautiful treasure to have in Denver. I have visited recently on two occasions…one in December of ‘08 to see “Milk” in the large auditorium on the main floor and once in January '09 to see “Doubt” which was playing in one of the two upstairs theaters (what was once the balcony). Although I am not a fan of splitting up single screen theaters, this triplexing was done in a very tasteful manner. Both lobbies, upstairs and down, are very beautiful and inviting. The upstairs lobby features a bar and on the west wall, an article and photographs regarding the restoration. The huge main theater is simply stunning complete with a screen curtain, beautiful murals on the walls and sculptures around the proscenium arch. The wall sconces are made to resemble Indian masks. This auditorium is equipped with both platter and changeover projection. Although “Milk” was a stunning movie, I found it hard to keep my eyes from wandering from the screen to the grand auditorium during my visit. The upper theaters are also very nice and pretty original. The seating configuration is the same as it was when it was the balcony and it is easy to imagine that you are actually sitting in a balcony viewing the screen down below when watching a film up there.
Another highlight is the fact that you still buy your tickets from a box office on the street…a very rare feature indeed.
Landmark Theaters gets and A+ from me for this theater that was restored in a historically sensitive fashion and is extremely clean,comfortable and well run!
GaryParks on October 13, 2009 at 10:59 pm
My wife and I enjoyed the Jimmy Page/The Edge/Jack White documentary, “It Might Get Loud” at the Mayan two weeks ago while visiting family in Denver. This theatre can be described as both grand and charming all at once. It is a rather small movie palace, but has the decor—inside and out—of a theatre four times its size. The triplexing that was done in the 80s is very tasteful, one of the best such jobs I’ve seen. We were allowed to check out the downstairs main auditorium, but the upstairs ones (we were upstairs on the left) are decorated such that you don’t feel you’re missing out on the “historic theatre feel” as is so often the case with old triplexed theatres. Long may the Mayan live.
TLSLOEWS on February 17, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Cool looking theatre.
jjw455 on August 13, 2010 at 7:00 pm
This sure brings back some memories. In 1972 we moved from TN to Denver and my Dad told us about seeing Mash and Patton at the Mayan for 50 cents. We lived just a few blocks up on Clarkson Street….135…but there are Congregate Care Facilities there now. Would love to know if anyone may have any pictures of that house or the surrounding area. Always loved Denver—Cinderella City, the old Montgermory Wards and Gates Rubber co on Broadway, The Yum Yum Tree, Casa Bonita, 2001 South Broadways Best(always had cool chevelles and gtos in there). And though I never went( I was too young!), I remember tricky dickies on colfax next to the McDonalds where me and my brother used to work. Oh the good ole days!!!
Avagara on September 26, 2010 at 8:25 am
Another recent shot. Anyone know what the story is with the marquee? It looks really run down in contrast to the rest of the theater.
Mike Rogers on September 26, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Avagara,you ain’t kidding.what sorry looking marquee.Seen better marquees on Dollar Theatres.Sad.
JRed on October 6, 2010 at 11:33 pm
As a landmark and example of 1920’s theater architecture, the Mayan is beautiful and amazing. As a place to see a movie, it absolutely blows whales. I get a better viewing experience on my laptop. The seats are cramped even if you’re a child, I’m typing on a bigger screen right now, and the craptastic sound system and slap echo make watching anything a painful experience. The projection is sloppy… the films are consistently dirty and scratchy and exactly what I don’t want to pay for in a theater experience.
And don’t even get me started on those two balcony conversion iPhone-sized screens upstairs.
But hey, the building is pretty and that’s all that matters, right?
rivest266 on April 2, 2024 at 8:58 pm
The Fox Mayan theatre opened on November 20th, 1930. Grand opening ad posted.
rivest266 on April 8, 2024 at 1:44 am
Mann sells it to other discount operators in 1977 who closed it in 1984. It reopened with three screens on November 7th, 1986, by Landmark. Ad posted.
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