Downer Theatre
2589 N. Downer Avenue,
Milwaukee,
WI
53211
2589 N. Downer Avenue,
Milwaukee,
WI
53211
7 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Landmark Theatres (USA), Universal Chain Theatrical Enterprises Inc., Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Architects: Martin S. Tullgren
Firms: Martin Tullgren & Sons Co.
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
414.276.8711
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News About This Theater
- Mar 14, 2005 — Avalon Theatre To Return
- Nov 10, 2003 — Milwaukee in Theater Spotlight
The Downer Theatre opened in 1915, and was soon recognized as one of the most modern urban movie houses of the day, and became a model for subsequent neighborhood theatres. Not only did the elegantly Classical style Downer Theatre have its own Weickhardt Pipe Organ, but its own in-house orchestra. It was remodeled in a Streamline Moderne style reopening on October 17, 1937.
Acquired in 1990 by the Landmark chain, it became a twin screen theater, but was given a badly needed renovation that was respectful of its history. Gold leaf was reapplied, the auditorium was repainted, and carpeting that duplicated the original 1915 carpeting was laid in the lobby and auditorium floors.
The Downer Theatre is the oldest operating cinema in the city of Milwaukee and specializes in art and foreign films. It was closed suddenly by Landmark Theatres on September 19, 2023.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 17 comments)
That Weickhardt Pipe Organ that was in the theatre when it was first open was made by the Wangerin-Weickhardt Organ Company, 112-124 South Burrell Street, Milwaukee, just 8 miles South from the theatre. They had another factory Southeast around the corner .2 miles, at 117-121 South Austin Street and by World War II had a factory less than 2 miles North at 2330 South Burrell Street. Founded in 1895, they made over 1,000 mostly church organs. During the theater organ boom in the 1920’s the Barton Organ Company of Oshkosh, Wisconsin could not keep up with production demand. This factory stepped in to assist Barton and provided space as a second manufacturing facility during the years. They made wood parts for aeroplanes during World War I and in World War II made things of wood that had been made of metal so metal could be used for defense. Does anyone know what happened to the Weickhardt organ?
The Wondering WurliTizer
A Mighty Wurlitizer Theater Pipe Organ, Opus 1630, 2/7, manual/ranks, keyboards/sets of pipes, was shipped 640 miles from the WurliTizer factory in North Tonawanda, New York, on May 2, 1927. It had a curved console, 511 pipes, 18 notes cathedral chimes, 37 notes xylophone, 30 notes glockenspiel, 49 notes chrysoglott, bass drum, kettle drum, cymbal, crash cymbal, snare drum, tambourine castanets, Chinese block, tom tom, sleigh bells, triangle, horse hoofs, surf, bird, siren, auto horn, fire gong, steamboat whistle, machine gun and door bell.
It was later sold and shipped 307 miles to a Lutheran church in Iona, Michigan.
In June, 1972 it was sold and shipped 242 miles to the Windsor Theater Organ Club in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
This last location is 14 miles from North Tonawanda, New York, the location where the WurliTizer was born!
Anyone know what’s happened to the organ in the last 41 years since June of 1972?
Updated website link: https://www.landmarktheatres.com/milwaukee/downer-theatre
October 17, 1937 re-launch as a streamlined deco house in photos.
Now the WurliTzer organ (style E opus 1630) is the first and only theatre organ ever sent to Italy. It is in an organ builder’s office in Modena and is in perfect conditions. I’ve played it at the end of August this year and is in great shape. it uses the original motor and blower. The console pneupatics are still the originals and there are the original relays that are not connected yet. It uses an optical fiber system built in the 90s just for it that can play, record and store combinations and pieces. On youtube, searching wurlitzer opus 1630, there is a video of it.
Update on the WurliTzer: now it’s installed in a private home in northern Italy and it still is the only theatre organ in all of Italy.
I think these eagle corbels are originally from this theatre.
https://www.vintagegrindhouse.com/antique-rare-old-milwaukee-landmark-theater-building-architectural-salvage-large-eagle-corbels-pair?fbshop=1&fbclid=IwAR11O1P8Maa6QuklZZgILvOhU6mQcg4rnRb8fTuZghTKi-UjFFetnK4gFZE
WISN just reported a short time ago that the theater has suddenly closed last night for unknown reasons.
Story
The theater’s last day was September 19, 2023:
Milwaukee, WI: Landmark Downer Theatre Closed [Sep 20, 2023]
It will be reopening in April:
Milwaukee, WI: Downer Theatre Reopening in April [Mar 5, 2024]
Milwaukee Film is taking over operations of the Downer Theatre, with plans to reopen the historic East Side movie house in April. Landmark Theaters, which had run the 109-year-old theater since 1990, announced on Sept. 19 that it was closing the venue. Around that same time the head of Milwaukee Film, which runs the annual Milwaukee Film Festival, expressed interest in being involved in the theater’s future in some way. In a press release today, Milwaukee Film confirmed its interest in the venue, announcing that it will be reopening the two-screen theatre, starting with the 2024 Milwaukee Film Festival on April 12 with regular cinema operations are slated to resume on April 26. Milwaukee Film officials called the move a “strategic expansion” and a testament to the nonprofit’s “commitment to enriching the community’s cultural landscape and preserving the legacy of one of the city’s oldest and most beloved cinemas,” adding “The Downer Theatre, with its storied past and charm, has been a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s cinematic and cultural scene since its opening in 1915. Milwaukee Film and its board are thrilled to bring life back to the theatre and cinema back to the neighborhood. Our mission has always been to make cinematic experiences possible for as many people as possible, and expanding our footprint in this way is a key next step in doing that,” said Susan Mikulay, chair of Milwaukee Film’s board of directors. Anne Reed, Milwaukee Film’s Interim CEO, called the move “a story of what dedicated supporters can do. Stepping forward to support Milwaukee Film, our community is saving another historic cinema, and all the moments of story and connection that can happen there again,” Reed added. Milwaukee Film is also the owner and operator of the Oriental Theatre, also located on Milwaukee’s East Side. The 2024 Milwaukee Film Festival presented by Associated Bank runs April 11-25 and will include screenings at the Downer Theatre, the Oriental Theatre, the Avalon Theatre and the Times Cinema with a diverse lineup of local, national, and international films. The Downer Theatre will reopen to the public on April 26, offering a year-round program of first-run independent, foreign, and documentary films, curated by Milwaukee Film’s programming team. “Our being able to reopen the Downer this spring is a significant occasion for our organization as well as for the neighborhood,” said Cara Ogburn, artistic director at Milwaukee Film. “When the Downer closed last year it meant that many films could not show on screens in our city. Adding these two screens to our footprint will allow us to better serve our community with high quality films year-round."