The Uptown Theatre was built in 1927; it was owned and operated by my great grandparents, Sal and Salvatora Merlina. It was remodeled in the 1940s. The Merlina’s owned and operated a theatre prior to the Uptown across the street on Broadway. It was called The Gem.
The Merlina’s also owned and operated several other theatres in the region, including The Roxy in Mount Forest, a theatre in Toronto, and a drive-in theatre in Erin. They had 5 children and each adult child managed a theatre. They rotated homes and management of the theatres every 5 years.
My grandparents, Jim and Muriel Merlina operated The Uptown from 1948 to 1975 at which point Muriel Merlina, a widow, sold the theatre to Jim Stinson.
The projectionist was named George Fludder. He died in the 1960s. There was an apartment above the theatre. My father was an occupant from 1963-65. He met my mother after her father, Jim Merlina passed away suddenly in 1964 and The Uptown was closed for a week.
My mother and aunt both worked at the theatre business as they were growing up. Jim would go to Toronto twice per week to pick up reels. He would drive around the county to deliver flyers to businesses to announce the coming features. Muriel worked the ticket wicket and the girls worked at the candy bar. The blue seats were installed in the renovation in the 40s. I remember a large glowing clock over the exit door that I could read in the dark during a movie. George Fludder would play a short cartoon before the feature presentation and Jim would often have it repeated after the feature because he loved them so.
The front lobby had a terrazza flooring with the name Merlina 1927 placed in tiles. I don’t know if it is still there, but I hope so.
The Uptown Theatre was built in 1927; it was owned and operated by my great grandparents, Sal and Salvatora Merlina. It was remodeled in the 1940s. The Merlina’s owned and operated a theatre prior to the Uptown across the street on Broadway. It was called The Gem.
The Merlina’s also owned and operated several other theatres in the region, including The Roxy in Mount Forest, a theatre in Toronto, and a drive-in theatre in Erin. They had 5 children and each adult child managed a theatre. They rotated homes and management of the theatres every 5 years.
My grandparents, Jim and Muriel Merlina operated The Uptown from 1948 to 1975 at which point Muriel Merlina, a widow, sold the theatre to Jim Stinson.
The projectionist was named George Fludder. He died in the 1960s. There was an apartment above the theatre. My father was an occupant from 1963-65. He met my mother after her father, Jim Merlina passed away suddenly in 1964 and The Uptown was closed for a week.
My mother and aunt both worked at the theatre business as they were growing up. Jim would go to Toronto twice per week to pick up reels. He would drive around the county to deliver flyers to businesses to announce the coming features. Muriel worked the ticket wicket and the girls worked at the candy bar. The blue seats were installed in the renovation in the 40s. I remember a large glowing clock over the exit door that I could read in the dark during a movie. George Fludder would play a short cartoon before the feature presentation and Jim would often have it repeated after the feature because he loved them so.
The front lobby had a terrazza flooring with the name Merlina 1927 placed in tiles. I don’t know if it is still there, but I hope so.