Parkway Theatre

BalmerGirl on April 14, 2005 at 9:23 pm

The architect, Oliver B. Wight, used his full name: Oliver Birkhead Wight. He was my great-uncle.

lostmemory on March 24, 2005 at 10:46 am

Here are two old photos of the Parkway. Notice on the marquee that it says Loews Parkway:
http://www.kilduffs.com/PC16.jpg

http://www.kilduffs.com/PC3.jpg

Chuck1231 on December 21, 2003 at 12:27 pm

Some History on The Parkway:
North Avenue has undergone unbelievable change since it first rose out of the pastures of Baltimore County in the 1870’s. Known originally as Boundry Avenue, it was just that, the city’s boundry, until 1888.
The first efforts to civilize the broad avenue came in the form of exclusive residences. However, “Taney Place”, as the two blocks on either side of Charles were to be known, never took off succerssfully. (A few of the grand homes may still be seen, on the even side of the West 100 block.)
North Avenue, so named when the street ceased to be a boundry, was destined to be one of the city’s most elegant small business districts. Two small hotels, the Walford and the Chateau, opened at the corner of North and Charles. Stylish cages and very proper dance halls opened nearby as well. This corner would also be the home of Baltimore’s first traffic light.
North Avenue had a few theatres before the Parkway opened. One, the Aurora, is still standing at 7 East North. It opened in 1908 and originally housed a bowling alley as well, and it still in reasonable condition. The other, alternately named the Pebody and the Theatorium, was not so lucky. Unable to compete with the more elegant Aurora and Parkway, it closed in 1924. It became the Oriole Cafeteria for several years, before being revived as Center Stage, the State Theatre of Maryland. Unfortunately, this distinction would be denied the old theatre as well. It burned in the early 1970’s and is stil a ruined shell.
Finally, the Whitehurst organization realized the potential for a truly refined theatre on North Avenue and thus the Parkway came to be. Opening in late 1915, it was theepitone of elegant good taste. The exterior is constructed of Maryland granite and buff brick; with some stylistic elements borrowed from the Hippodrome dodwntown (notably the tripartie windows and projecting cornice.) The interior was originally decorated in the Adam style, in rose, ivory and gold. Two “royal boxes” graced the balcony. The original seating capacity was only 1100, in keeping with the Parkway’s concept of exclusive and intimate elegance. Opening night patrons were entertaianed by the Parkway Orchestra and the Parkway Grand Organ (a 3 manual Moller) accompanying Pauline Frederick in one of her triumphal roles, “Zara.” Before and after the show they could indulge in a variety of treatts in the theatre’s own Tea Room, located on the mezzanine.
The Parkway continued as a deluxe house, despite its uptown location, through the mid-1920’s. In 1926 it was purchased by the Loew’s organization. It got a thorough redecoration at this time. overseen by John Eberson. The graceful royal boxes were removed at this time, and lots of extra gold-leaf applied. The Parkway was still lovely, but not quite so restrained as it had once been. Q new Wirlitzer organ was installed as well. Loew’s continued the policy of first-run, high class features.
Throughout the 30’s and 40’s the Parkway remained a favorite of Baltimore audiences, includidng the wealthy North Baltimoreans whose patronage it had been built to snare. During this time it also hosted a popular midnight radio show, “Nocturne,"
which featured a live organ broadcast and poetry.
The 1950’s saw the first changes in the aura of North Avenue. Now a major thoroughfare with heavy traffic, it was no longer quite so elegant. The Parkway started to suffer in the box office. It closed in 1955, but only temporarily. In 1956 it got a new facelift and became the "Five West Theatre” (for its streete address). The Five West featured “airplace” seats, black lights and a coffee bar rather than the Parkway’s antediluvian Tea Room. The whole place was intended to project a very Audrey Hepburn esque, continental flavor. The bill was mostly filled with foreign or “art” film.
The Five West was as succesful as the Parkway had always been. it survived intil 1985, when even the elegant old theatre could not combat the horrible decline of North Avenue. The theatre is now shuttered, though it may soon reopen to showcase black film.