Baronet Theatre
7414 Wisconsin Avenue,
Bethesda,
MD
20815
7414 Wisconsin Avenue,
Bethesda,
MD
20815
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: K-B Theatres
Architects: V.T.H. Bien
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: State Theatre, Hiser Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened as the State Theatre in the 1920’s, it was renovated in an Art Deco style in 1939 by Bethesda based architect V.T.H. Bien, with interior decoration by Paramount Decorating Co. It was renamed Hiser Theatre on September 24, 1939 opening with Ann Sothern in “Hotel for Women”. Organist Pearl Hauer opened the organ (make unknown). It was a single-screen theatre while the Baronet West was a twin built in 1975 several blocks from its namesake. The KB Baronet Theatre, with its 498 seats and no concession stand, was relatively small - compared to other theatres in the area such as the KB Bethesda, KB Silver, KB Flower, KB Langley - but very popular as it often had “exclusive” bookings.
In the mid-1970’s, it played “Save the Tiger”, “Bloom in Love”, “The New Land”, “Blazing Saddles”, “Dog Day Afternoon”, “Uptown Saturday Night”, “Young Frankenstein”, and “White Dawn” among others. Many of these bookings were either exclusive or limited within the Greater D.C. Metro area. “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein” each played for 22+ weeks grossing $300,000 and $350,000 respectively in 1974 dollars!
While the theatre lacked a lobby of any appreciable size as well as a concession stand - a temporary one was installed for the run of “Young Frankenstein” - it did have a variety of vending machines - a small plain popcorn was $.40($.10 more for butter). Among the theatre’s charms was a full stage with recessed lights and the aforementioned organ. After years of restoration, the organ was used for select bookings of old silent films with live organ accompaniment.
“The Omen” was among the last “big-budget” films to play there. The very last booking was “The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington”. The theatre closed down 23 August 1977 - one week after the death of Elvis Presley! On the site now sits a Hyatt Hotel.
Contributed by
Allen Tomlinson
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
PHOTOS AVAILABLE at www.hugobrooksimages.com
I grew up in Bethesda and spent many a Saturday at the Hiser Theatre.
Saw King Kong there in the 50s with my cousin Sam twice. My father, a professional photographer, in Bethesda took many photos of Bethesda Chevy Chase during the 30s, 40s, 50s,60s, 70s, 80s. Many of these vintage images are available on the website listed above.There are photos of the Baronet and the Hiser. I believe the old State Theatre is also in one of the images. Many people collect these old images and they make unique gifts and are great for decorating your home and office. Just looking at these images brings back so many memories and wonderful stories.
I was a projectionist at the Baronet in the early 1970s while the regular operator, Fred Kelley, was recovering from health issues. I ran the matinees of Wizard of Oz mentioned above and remember the overflow crowds. The booth had Simplex XL projectors with Peerless Magnarc lamps running 7mm positive and 6mm negative trim. It also had Motiograph magnetic penthouses that were no longer functional. The house lights were controlled by a bank of radial dimmers mounted near the ceiling. I have some pictures somewhere that I’ll try and post. Overall I really enjoyed my time there. That staff was really friendly and occasionally we’d all party together. A regular occurrence was pizza at the Zebra Room down at Wisconsin & Macomb Streets in DC.
I remember going with my family in the early 1960s. On Sunday mornings, they had a British Comedy Series. There would be maybe 10 people in the theatre and my Dad (Canadian) and one other guy would get the jokes. The rest of us were baffled. I was fascinated by the wall paper which featured a pattern of crowns which I guess were there because the theatre was the baronet.
Grand opening ad as Hiser from September 25th, 1939 in photo section
October 10th, 1960 grand opening ad as Baronet in photo section.
I was surprised to see rlvjr’s comment from 2005 saying “the Blacks targeted Mr. Hiser’s theater for their annoying ‘sit-in’ shakedowns.” That characterization is inappropriate. Hiser shamefully refused to admit African-Americans long after other area theaters had integrated. It was entirely justified and appropriate for people to picket the theater for this.
In later years, after the theater became the Baronet, I remember seeing newsreels and cartoons before the feature. Also old serials as part of weekend matinees. I saw The Sound of Music there during its very long run. The machines in the back were not as appealing as the concession stands at other theaters.
My first visit back to this site and the Baronet Theater entry in quite some time. Nice to see all the comments added over the years. I agree, PPDDSS, about rivjr’s comment from 2005 and note it has since been taken down. Documenting important history on this site goes far beyond bricks, mortar, and marquees. A photograph posted here shows one of such protests outside the building. Be well as we outlast this COVID pandemic.
Grand opening ad:
Hiser theatre opening 24 Sep 1939, Sun Evening star (Washington, District of Columbia) Newspapers.com
Address was 6970 Wisconsin Avenue. Multiple sources confirmed.
It may have been, but the old post office now has a 7400 adress, making 7414 quite sensible for the next lot north.