Uptown Theatre

2240-2248 N. Broad Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19132

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Michael R. Rambo Jr.
Michael R. Rambo Jr. on March 19, 2023 at 5:52 pm

Found out while read a obituary of Hank Milgram, that Milgram Theatres once owned the Uptown Theatre, sometime after the joint Sam Shapiro-Warner Bros. Pictures ownership (Sam Shapiro the building, Warner Bros. Pictures, through Stanley Warner Theatres, the operational rights)

spectrum
spectrum on August 18, 2022 at 10:27 pm

New website!

https://philadelphiauptowntheater.org/

The renovation effort stalled following some recent staff losses and COVID-19 disruptions but is hack under way again. Latest article (2022):

https://billypenn.com/2022/02/19/uptown-theater-philadelphia-renovation-north-broad-monifa-young/

Other recent articles:

(2019) https://whyy.org/articles/why-marquee-lights-are-back-on-at-n-phillys-uptown-theater/

(2020): https://temple-news.com/uptown-theater-to-enter-final-phase-of-renovations-this-year/?fbclid=IwAR1QA0Ept40FR6Z9PMPDmG_mFvwB5TK1z-dfh87yK9qDN5gYs1_qj82BcZo

(2019): https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/historic-uptown-theater-to-light-up-marquee-for-th-anniversary/article_d967bb52-4579-5052-b6dd-cf8f402fdbe5.html

spectrum
spectrum on August 2, 2020 at 8:56 pm

Link to January 2020 article with some updates!

The Uptown was scheduled to enter the final phase of renovation sometime in 2020, with renovations completed and reopening scheduled for 2022.

It was not clear exactly how much renovation has been completed so far, but at least some has.

The project has taken awhile because of delays in securing full funding. A capital campaign had raised $10,000,000 and there were two grants bringing the total to about twelve million.

Good to see that renovation has made considerable progress and that an opening date has been set!

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 4, 2017 at 7:57 pm

Below is the website for the Uptown Entertainment Development Corporation that works, via the Friends of the Philadelphia Uptown Theater Facebook page. Below that is a link to their page.

http://www.philadelphiauptowntheater.org/

https://www.facebook.com/uptowntheaterphilly/

spectrum
spectrum on April 4, 2017 at 7:03 pm

Website down; the restoration may have stalled.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 20, 2016 at 9:58 am

1960’s photo added courtesy of the Old Images of Philadelphia Facebook page.

rivest266
rivest266 on May 25, 2014 at 5:31 pm

Opened on February 16th, 1929. Grand opening ad at http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer%201929/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer%201929%20-%202195.pdf

and in the photo section

Uptowngirl
Uptowngirl on August 28, 2013 at 2:23 pm

I am a newspaper reporter in Philadelphia, and I just want fans of the Uptown Theater to know about my new book, “Joy Ride! The Stars and Stories of Philly’s Famous Uptown Theater,” which is the behind-the-scenes, inside story of the spectacular R&B shows produced at the theater by broadcast icon Georgie Woods from 1958 to 1972. The book features a Foreword by music mogul Kenny Gamble, as well as personal memories by 10 additional Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. There are dozens of rare and one-of-a-kind photos, as well as an update on the restoration of the theater. “Joy Ride!The Stars and Stories of Philly’s Famous Uptown Theater” is available at Barnes & Nobles stores worldwide, and online at bn.com, Amazon.com and Xlibris.com.

Mikeoaklandpark
Mikeoaklandpark on June 20, 2013 at 2:20 pm

This theater was closed and reborn in the late 70’s early 80’s.

RickB
RickB on February 16, 2013 at 11:46 am

Hidden City Philadelphia story on “accidental preservationists” contains a short profile of Linda Richardson, founder of the Uptown Entertainment and Development Corporation, as well as an interior picture of the theater.

JohnMessick
JohnMessick on January 18, 2012 at 9:47 am

Not much of a lighting.

airgrabber
airgrabber on January 17, 2012 at 3:19 pm

Uptown Theater marquee lighting ceremony. Skip to the 6:00 mark for the action shots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGRkNp_FPSQ

PHILLYTOM
PHILLYTOM on December 10, 2011 at 12:07 pm

There are no real plans for the Uptown, just scams and hustlers trying to get public money . This place will stand until someone with enough insurance money will have it burned down as they did with most of the historic buildings in north philadelphia.

RickB
RickB on April 4, 2011 at 6:38 am

Another Uptown story here, but nothing much new in it.

RickB
RickB on April 2, 2011 at 8:45 am

Former Motown singer Kim Weston talks a little about the Uptown in this Philadelphia Inquirer story. Clicking on “View images” under the picture leads to a 1972 photo of the Uptown and a vintage ad for a Georgie Woods-presented show at the theater.

spectrum
spectrum on February 3, 2011 at 9:15 pm

Good news in the Philadelphia Inquirer article above. The group working to save the theater has raised enough money to do the first phase of renovation – restoration of the exterior and the office portion in front. Rental income from the offices will help raise the $5.5 million needed to complete phase II – the auditorium. They’re on the right track!

RickB
RickB on June 4, 2010 at 6:38 am

Philadelphia Inquirer column on the progress of the restoration here.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on June 9, 2009 at 1:09 am

Here is an interior photo, circa 1930s:
http://tinyurl.com/llc9ap

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on August 25, 2008 at 9:08 pm

Photo set of wonderful exterior photos taken yesterday:
View link

gapeach896
gapeach896 on May 27, 2008 at 12:02 am

I go to Temple and drive past the Uptown every day on my way to school. It really is a gorgeous building and I’m sad to see it in such disrepair. I’m only 25 years old and I’ve never seen movie theatres or concert halls like the Uptown or the Boyd in use during my lifetime. It’s a shame because buildings like these really are works of art, and as a movie history buff, I wish they could make a comeback.

I did want to comment that some of the photos other people have posted several years ago look very little like the Uptown today. Last year (or maybe it was the year before), there was a lot of work being done on the theatre – the facade was restored a bit and the marquee was fixed up. They put new lights in the “Uptown” sign (although many of them have burned out again since I don’t think they ever turned the lights off!) There is still wooden boards covering the entrance with murals of the Jackson 5 and other things I don’t remember off hand. In late 2007, there was a nice mural done on the side of the building (you can see it if you’re coming North up Broad Street) with Richard Pryor, and other Motown acts that I assume performed at the theatre at one time.

The only sad thing now is that the theatre is still not being used as far as I can tell and I haven’t seen any work done on actual restoration since early 2007 (not including the mural!)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on January 5, 2008 at 6:11 pm

This picture appears to be circa 1970s:
http://tinyurl.com/34ofh4

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 3, 2007 at 8:04 pm

How much of the million dollars is left as of today?

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on December 3, 2007 at 7:34 pm

Mayor Street recently presented a million dollars to the nonprofit engaged with saving & reopening the Uptown