GaitherTheater

The Gaither Theater, once named the Lyric Theater, was built by Paul and Hobart Ramsdell on Frederick Avenue, between Diamond and Brookes Avenues. It was the only theatre in town for a long time. The building burned down in the mid 1990s and by then, was being used to sell ready-made kitchen cabinets. The old photo was taken in 1959.

Name Date Comment
Cathy Drzyzgula 4/17/09 The theatre building burned down between July 1990 and March 1991, I think during the summer of 1990. I remember worrying about going to close to watch because I was pregnant.
Pat 4/21/09 I've been a resident of Gaithersburg since the mid-1970's but never knew about this theater. The one I knew about was in Gaithersburg Square where HoneyBaked Ham is now - as I recall.
Bob Hartley 5/23/09 I lived in Gaithersburg for about 9 years, '53-'57 and '59-'64 and remember seein "Spartacus" w/Kirk Douglas at the "COMET" theater, as it was known then.
Nancy Zanner Correll 7/29/09 The theater in Gaithersburg Square (referenced by Pat above) was where Bed, Bath, and Beyond is now. It's where my husband and I went on our first date in June 1972.
Chip Ward 9/9/09 When we first went to the Lyric Theater in G'burg, it was owned by Walter K. Hall who lived on Maryland Avenue right at the top of the hill. It was then sold to Connie Fields. We used to go every Saturday to watch Kit Carson, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Las Larue, as well as the serials. Once a year we could get into the show if we brought a can of food rather than pay the small fee.
Robert Fulghum 11/23/09 John Caulfield was the projectionist at the Lyric Theater back in the 1940's. John lived at The Woodlands and was the father of Helen Caulfield Madine Gregory. I have a picture of John who was an uncle by marriage. I expect that Helen has a copy of this photo.
Mitch Gardner 5/9/10 Saw my firat James bond flick at the then "Comet Theater" had a Balcony for segregation and we as unrully kids would sneak up the side entrance and toss popcorn and otherwise annoy girls from school Ticks were 35 cents and there was always a cartoon.
Danny Brodt & Suzanne Cissel Brodt 5/18/10 Suzanne and I grew up in G'burg in the 50's. Her grandfather was Doc Broschart and my father was Doc Brodt of Diamond Drugs. We loved old G'burg. The memories are always there. The Gaither theater was the "make out" place and Suzanne's Uncle Bill owned the Esso station next door.I worked at Selby's and a bellhop at Washingtonian Motel. Cant wait to read the book!
Laura Farkas Miller 9/25/10 I saw many movies here as a child, but the most memorable was Don Knotts in the Ghost and Mr. Chicken. I will never forget the diamond shaped windows in the doors.
Robin Gardner 11/5/10 Saw many a movie as a kid here. The one that comes to mind: "House on a Haunted Hill."
Andrew Odom 5/25/11 As a newcomer to the area (2006), this loss of buildings like this has helped to make Gaithersburg to me a city (a small town really) that is missing many pages from it's past - more than many places I've lived. It's always sad when a town theater goes. What was the reason for it's burning? The usual insurance scam? Thanks for the stories, folks.
Shep Burton 6/17/11 As a kid, I didn't know segregation was existant... I sat on the balcony because that's where my friends were!!
Jay Noffsinger 8/11/11 As a very young boy in the 1960's I remember my mother taking me to this theater to see Mary Poppins.
Suzanne Cissel Brodt 10/8/11 I remember rats in the old Gaither theater. Didn't stop any of us from going to the movies though. It was the only one in town. I see my husband has commented earlier. I want to go on record stating that I did not use the theater as a "make out" place. Danny probably did but not with me. ha.
Jonnie 2/6/12 We used to go there as kids in the 1950's. Black folk couldn't go through the main entry doors or sit on the lower level. They had to go in through the entry door at the lower right side of the old photo and sit in the balcony.
Ellen Frye 3/24/12 I lived in Gaithersburg all my life to graduation and when I was young the movie house was called the Comet. We went to the movies almost every weekend.
P.E. "Packy" Pickrell 5/9/12 I saw my first movie there in 1957 "Old Yeller" with my Dad and never forgot it. Later it became the Comet Long live the memories of G'Burg
Larry French 2/9/13 I also grew up in G'burg in the 50's and spent many, many Saturday afternoons at the Gaither. My recollection is that the theater was often full at the time of kids who couldn't get enough of cowboy movies as well as some of the shows presented before the films.
Sharon (Hanson) Swierczynski 4/16/13 Anyone remember the promotion when BOZO (Wilard Scott) came and there was an envelope with a coin taped under the seat. I got a dime, I think the movie was Thief of Bagdad.
Sharon Roberts Lowrey 10/20/13 I remember spending many hours at the Comet. We could walk and stay all day. I remember watching "13 ghosts" too !
Donnie Hottinger 2/22/14 As a teenager,I ran the projectors at the Gaither from 1966 until it's closing. I don't remember the older gentleman's name that taught me, but Miss Connie Fields owned it and collected the money, MaryFranscis Bussard sold the candy and popcorn. I recall the price being $.75 for adults and $.35 for kids.
AJ 5/15/15 Hard to tell from the current photo what's there now, or where exactly this was located. Does anyone remember what year the theater closed?
robin Talbott Swope 8/30/15 Watched many a movie there!
Donnie Hottinger 2/14/16 If I remember correctly, the theater closed in 1969 when Roth's Theater opened in the new Gaithersburg Square shopping center. And that's been gone for a few years now.
Lynn Ballinger 3/20/16 I think the last movie I saw there was Shane when I was in 10th grade and the book was an English class reading assignment. My family moved to VA in 1963.
Sandra (Heuvelhorst) Haan 12/23/16 I remember going to the Gaither almost every Saturday. I saw the Beatles first movies there in the early - mid 60's.
Susan 1/24/17 was last movie Ben? about the rats?
Jeryll Dorsey 3/29/17 Donnie Hottinger and I were the same age classmates, but only went there once (as the Gaither). It was 1958 and we saw a Gordon Scott Tarzan movie. Yup, we sat in the balcony; but in those days, we didn't think about it. I was 6 and my cousin was 12; we actually hitched a ride from the "boonies" to go see it.