Denmark Theatre
4601 Lorain Avenue,
Cleveland,
OH
44102
4601 Lorain Avenue,
Cleveland,
OH
44102
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Modern Theaters
Functions: Retail
Previous Names: Lorain Theater
Nearby Theaters
This was a very small theater located on Cleveland’s West side. It opened as the Lorain Theater prior to 1923. It had no marquee, just a reader board flat to the building. By 1957 it was operated by Modern Theaters chain. Last operated in the 1970’s as the Denmark Theatre, an adult movie theatre. In December 2013 it was awarded funding for a renovation to convert into a performance space.
Contributed by
Chas Springer
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
I believe the building was taken over by a local private high school who used it as classroom space. I remember seeing “Max Dugan Returns” there in the late 70s or early 80s. I think it was the first movie I ever saw at a theater!
The theatre that was taken over by “Freedom Academy” (anti-busing advocate Norbert Denerll’s former private school) as a performing arts school was the Variety, at West 117th and Lorain. The former Lorain Theatre, I think, became a porn house (the “Denmark Adult Theatre”) in the late 1960’s/early 1970’s. I do recall an adult theatre in that vicinity in the 1970’s, that closed by the late 1970’s after former mayor Ralph Perk was on his own “anti-pornography” crusade that eventually cost him the 1977 mayoral election. Afterward I think a secondhand furniture store occupied the former theatre.
Yes, you are right! I was thinking of the Variety Theater at West 117th and Lorain. I grew up right in that area (my childhood house was on Fortune Ave., a 5 minute walk from that location).
If anyone has photos of any of the theatres that were on Lorain Ave, I’d love to see them.
Thanks for the photos
Listed as Lorain 1923-1926 and 1935-1969 in the Plain dealer. Opened as the Denmark adult cinema 1970-1971 (remember the Plain Dealer had a ban on adult cinema ads during the 1970’s.)
Does anyone have any additional information about the current condition, including current photos of the inside, or old historical photos of the inside???
I live around the corner, and I’m curious about interior and exterior photos, both historical, and current. Thanks!!!
Added photo to photo section.
I read that the State of Ohio has awarded 4601 Lorain (and the neighboring 4517 Lorain) $250,000 in historic preservation tax credits to go towards renovation.
4601 Lorain Ave. (Cleveland) Total Project Cost: $2,511,107 Total Tax Credit: $250,000 Address: 4601 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102 Separated from 4517 Lorain Ave by a parking lot, this two-story building has distinctive bay and arched windows on the second floor. Home to a theater space hidden for decades, the building will again host performances in conjunction with a bookstore/cafe. The second floor will hold offices and support spaces. Damage from fire and water infiltration on the second floor will be remediated.