Uptown Theatre
5010 Park Heights Avenue,
Baltimore,
MD
21215
5010 Park Heights Avenue,
Baltimore,
MD
21215
1 person
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Additional Info
Architects: John F. Eyring
Functions: Church
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Nearby Theaters
Located in the Pimlico area. The Uptown Theatre was designed by architect John F. Eyring in an Art Moderne style. It opened on 27th June 1941 with Anna Neagle and John Carroll in “Sunny”.
Features of the building were the use of the then new ‘invisible light’ which today is known as ultra-violet lighting, that brought out hidden patterns in the fabric and decorative details of the auditorium. There were also four glass enclosed soundproof boxes which each seated eight persons, and were sold at a higher ticket price. All remaining seating was on a single floor.
It was still operating as a cinema in the early-1970’s but on a restricted opening schedule and closed in 1975.
Today the building is in use as the non-denominational Lords Church.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
The Uptown closed as a cinema in 1975, and was converted to a Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall.
Here is a 1988 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yzn6l2g
More info: The Uptown was a bargain house as early as 1970, offering “3 Big Pictures!” for 75 cents. It was open only on Sat. and Sun. The theatre had a small outer foyer, leading to a HUGE outer lobby that featured a water fountain (which had stopped functioning long before I started going there in October 1972). The outer lobby had a sweeping staircase leading upstairs.
Sometime in 1973, “Winky” (the manager) started using the pink flourescent lights that flanked the screen. The Uptown always used its screen curtains, giving its decidedly downscale audience a taste of its former grandeur.
Also by 1973, the fare was cut back to a double feature, and Sunday admission was a dollar (later extended to Saturdays).
From the 2010 google photos it looks like the building is again vacant. No church sigms in front, although the building is in good shape.
June 22nd, 1941 grand opening ad in the photo section.