Uptown Theatre

In the book “Motion Picture Exhibition in Washington, DC” there is a photograph of the interior of the Uptown as it appeared at the time of the opening—1936. I assume it looked like this until the big screen and draperies were installed for Cinerama—the appearance the theatre has today.
My question: Does the “old” theatre still exist behind all those drapes? Is it in a restorable condition? Does anyone out there know?
I know we’re talking a considerable amount of money, but what are the chances of a non-profit buying the theatre? I know it doesn’t have a stage because it was built after vaudeville for movies only, but what if a stage could be added? Maybe it could host plays, concerts, etc. I would love to see it remain as movies-only, but I don’t know if that’s possible.
I think one would find a huge outpouring of support for such a project—similar to the Avalon’s experience. Many more people have had contact with the Uptown over the years, and may be willing to join a “Restore and Save the Uptown” organization.
Am I just dreaming?

Glenn M.
Washington, DC

Bad news for all…

After speaking to the attendent or manager at the theatre tonight, it seems there is little doubt that AMC weill close this theatre when it takes over. She seemed pessimistic about it remaining, and said the owner of the land may want to keep it as a movie house. It appears Loews is a renter.

Although this place is falling apart… No armrests in balcony anymore, paint chipping broken handrails etc, with some fixing up this can be a GREAT place.

Unfortunately, AMC being a more corporate company, will close the single screen thearte (as it has none its ownership).

I hopwe this does not happen, but I have a BAD vibe about this…

I saw “Around the World in 80 Days” during its first run at the Uptown. That was an experience that I can still recall with great clarity. It was marvelous!

I am saddened to hear that the Uptown theatre is becoming just another Loew’s theatre. The 70mm presentation of “Rear Window” was the last time I saw a show at the Uptown. I had a bad incident at the parking lot across the way that discouraged me from coming b (Some advice – if you’re not anywhere within walking distance of the Uptown, take the Metro. Unless you’re really experienced parking is hard to find. I gave up going to the Avalon before that theatre closed because I had a problem finding somewhere to park my car. I went there because of their top notch presentation but getting to the box office to find the show was sold out was discouraging.) After reading the postings here I’ve come to the conclusion that Loew’s is giving the Uptown very low maintenance. Evidently, they’re looking at the bottom line and cutting corners. The Uptown is just another theatre among the million others. I still remember the 70mm showings of “Grease” and “Alien.” The revival showing of “Lawrence of Arabia” was undoubtedly the best in the region with the Uptown’s extra-large screen and brilliant sound. To me this was a 70mm roadshow was about. I considered going to see the last “Star War” movie at the Uptown but after reading the posts here I went to a theatre in Baltimore instead. It might have been nice as that’s where I saw the original “Star Wars”. It was in 35mm but the Uptown was the only theatre in town to hear the Dolby Stero. Going there for the last time would have brought it to a full circle. As a matter of fact I saw the original 3 SW films in DC theatres – the second one showed at the Cinema and the final one was at the Jenifer. Funny – they’re both gone.

I have many happy memories of the Uptown Theater. I grew up in Southeast Washington, DC during the 1960’s and 1970’s. My parents were very strict and did not allow my sisters and I to see the Blaxploitation movies that became popular during the 1970’s. While the neighborhood children were going the local Senator Theater on Minnesota Avenue NE to see Shaft, Cleopatra Jones, Super Fly and all the other Blaxploitation movies of the time, my mother took us to the Uptown Theater on Connecticut Avenue to see the Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof and other wholesome family movies. We would buy our candy at the People’s Drug Store across the street to avoid buying the high priced theater candy. To this day I am a big fan of musicals and anything by ROgers and Hammerstein, thanks to my mother and the Uptown Theater.

I’m sure it was a misthread. Piddy, if you think the managers are not the ones scratching the prints then think again. Managers have no business in the booth.

I saw the movie on Wed and the movie had no scratches. So the person that said it had scratches must had seen it when a projectionist was running it. I heard that the projectionist have there print and the manager’s have there print. I saw the manager’s print and no scratches.

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Who cares if King Kong is coming to the Uptown? With its current lousy projection and sound standards, I’ll stick to my closer, better sounding and looking (especially if its in DLP) multiplex movie screen, thank you.

Universal presents KING KONG. World Premiere Monday, 12 December 2005 Ziegfeld Theatre, New York City. Regular performances start Wednesday, 14 December 2005 at the Ziegfeld Theatre, New York, the Cinerama Dome, Hollywood, CA, Seattle Cinerama and Uptown Theatre, Washington, DC.

If you mean this chandelier, the Loews press release says it formerly hung in Boston’s Cheri theatre, not Copley Place.

Having returned from a mid-week, evening showing of “Revenge of the Sith,” I’m sad to report that things haven’t changed a whole lot at this theater. The presentation was a disappointment all around. The movie was scratchy, blotchy and had a noticeable line running down the middle during previews and at the end credits. I realize this is a dark movie, both in subject matter and lighting, but in many of the scenes, especially during the one where Sidious reveals his true self to Anakin, the costumes were too dark. No texture differences, washed out color. The digital projection of this film was so much better hands down. The only saving grace to watching this film, at this theater, is its enormous screen size. It draws you in, but the horrible picture and sound brings you back to reality like a slap in the face. sigh

The sound was subdued even though this was supposedly an event film. Given the fact there may have been less than 20 in the audience, in a theater that could seat 800 or so, I guess whomever was responsible for the audio settings just turned it down. A waste of my $9.50.