Uptown Theatre

I wish that I had known about this grand theater when briefly living in Chicago in 67-68. Saw movies at several of the loop theaters—the Chicago (In Cold Blood), the Oriental, and Woods State (Cool Hand Luke, and Bonnie and Clyde). Seems like the United Artist was possibly playing Barefoot in the Park and Funny Girl the whole time, not guy movies. I guess I was so overwhelmed by the Oriental that I don’t remember the film. The Chicago had a nice little light show with their Balaban Katz promo clip. That is a lot of money to raise with the economy such as it is, but I sure hope they manage to save this movie palace.

There are two new aldermen in Uptown as well, which might change things a bit. I know Mary Ann Smith, the former alderman for the ward where the Uptown is located, stated her desire to restore the theatre to its original state, whereas the new aldermen seem more open to seeing the theatre open slightly-altered for mixed use (ex. tearing floor seats out). I would love to see the theatre exactly as Balaban and Katz intended, but I think it might be necessary to consider changes to meet modern needs and keep the theatre profitable.

… And by the way just click or tap on that title rectangle that is plastered in the center of the picture and it will disappear! Bummer!

SMH

7:18PM CDT
9-5-2011

Here is an update link to the dead links,(they revamped their website and code and did not set up a referrer link!),I listed back in May to the Joliet Rialto another Rapp & Rapp design for those interested and motivational incentive for the Uptown restoration to see what the Rialto did…

The Rialto Story: http://www.rialtosquare.com/history.asp

Enjoy!

SMH
5:51 PM CDT
9-5-2011

Here is a nice early view of the auditorium

I continue to have hope for our abandoned palaces and most of all for The Uptown which, in my opnion is one of the two most spectacular unrenovated movie palaces in the country:

The other? The Loew’s Kings which has finally commenced its $70MM restoration with a projected completion date of 2014. This will add yet another theater to New York’s collection of, arguably, the largest and best collection of restored palaces in the world. Among them, Radio City, The Hollywood, The New Amsterdam, The Beacon, The St. George, Loew’s Paradise, Loew’s Valencia, The Elmwood, Loews 175th Street, The Apollo, among others. I woud also include the two palaces in Jersey City (Loews Jersey and The RKO Stanley to the list) Still to come? The Staten Island Paramount, Loew’s Canal, The Brooklyn Paramount, RKO Keiths Richmond Hill, Loew’s Shore, The Jackson and many others.

New York has criminally lost some of the most beautiful theaters ever built. Among them the Roxy, The original Ziegfeld, The Center, The Capitol, The Rivoli, Proctors East 59th Street, Loew’s 72nd Street, The Triboro, The Paramount, the Loews State, The Academy of Music, and on and on. However, due to the sheer volume of palaces built, New York has been able to retain an embarassment of riches.

Chicago needs to use the Kings as its inspiration and save this remarkable and irreplaceable structure. Unfortunately, Chicago’s finances are in terrible shape, but New York has correctly noted that you cannot stop investing in the future when times get tough. New York did that in the 70’s and 80’s and almost died. Despite the current economic troubles, our city continues to invest hundreds of millions in new parks, museums, theaters, bike lanes, plazas etc that contribute to the quality of life that make (tax paying residents) stay here and move here.

Below is the story from the NY Post:

LONG LIVE KINGS OF FLATBUSH

Plans to turn Brooklyn’s biggest movie theater — the once-majestic Loews Kings in Flatbush — into “the next Apollo” should become reality by 2014, officials say. Borough President Marty Markowitz is expected to announce during his State of the Borough address tonight that architects and contractors have finally begun site-preparation work on the city’s $70 million plan to restore the 82-year-old historic jewel to its former glory. The theater, which seats 3,195, closed its doors in 1978.
Construction is set to begin next year.

Markowitz â€" who has led a community effort to restore the theater â€" says in prepared remarks that when complete, the site will be “a state-of-the-art, 21st century performance venue” and “the pride of Flatbush and all of Brooklyn.”

Part of the Loews Kings' legacy is its A-list of former employees — among them Barbra Streisand and Sylvester Stallone, who worked as ushers. It’s also where Markowitz attended high-school graduation and took his first date. After decades of failed attempts to rejuvenate the site, the city last year tapped Houston-based ACE Theatrical Group to restore the historic theater to its original French-Renaissance-style, so that ACE could present up to 250 concerts, theatrical performances and community events annually.

This photograph of the Uptown Theatre was taken in 1930 by George Mann of the comedy dance team, Barto and Mann.

Can anyone tell me how to find out what was playing there during specific weeks in the 70’s? Thanks.

Scott the size of the Uptown is a plus. They built the 7000 seat Nokia in LA due to the demand for mid-size theatres. The Music industry today is fragmented just like television there are very few musical acts today they can fill arenas so most are playing mid size theatres seating anywhere from 1500-7000 seats. The 3300 seat Fox which was restored last year books mainly rock acts and the Fox is the perfect size. Most of the acts that play the Fox I have never heard of but have a following in todays youth culture. I see the Chicago Theatre booking more mainstream acts where the Uptown books acts that play the Fox. The economic downturn will slow things down for a couple of years so I think JAM will proceed slowly.brucec

Good Luck.

The Kings in New York City is a huge theatre. If they had built a full balcony inside the huge audtitorium it could have easily sat over 4000 seats. The Kings is one of the most beautiful theatres I have ever seen even in its current state. The Kings has been closed longer than the Uptown. Im sure with the current economy things may have slowed down for the time being. The long run potential for the Uptown is huge because of its size. It wouldn’t be used for Broadway but for the modern music acts of today who can’t fill arena’s and stadiums.brucec

While it is absolutrly true that NY has destoyed a huge amount of its Movie Palaces, it is also true that it remains the home of the greatest collection of remaining palaces in the country. The losses are huge because NY had a mind numbing amount to begin with (arguably the world’s greatest), but look at what remains: The New Amsterdam, Radio City, The Ziegfeld, The Hollywood, The Beacon, The Paris, The Apollo, Loews 175th St, Loews Paradise, Loews Valencia, Loews Kings (now being restored), Loews Canal, The St George, Brooklyn Paramount, The Ridgewood, The Elmwood, The Jackson, RKO Keiths Richmond Hill and RKO Keiths Flushing, not to mention that many of today’s legit Bway theaters also showed films for significant parts of their past. I’m sure I have forgotten some and I have also omitted several theaters in Brooklyn which have been converted to churches but are still restored and very much with us today. Honorable mention goes to Loews Jersey and The Stanley just acreoss the Hudson in Jersey City which practically counts as NY. So yes, much has been lost, but when many cities have but one of two palaces remaining, NY can still hold its head high for what has been saved; the latest being the Loew’s Kings.

Chicago is justly proud of it’s architectural history and legacy and it truly is a shame that this theater (The Uptown) has not been restored, but what has happened at The Kings gives me hope that Chicago will be able to finally do the right thing. Few people ever though the Kings would be saved, especially in these economic times, but miracles do happen.