Uptown Theatre
121 E. Main Street,
Durham,
NC
27701
121 E. Main Street,
Durham,
NC
27701
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Preservation Durham, Uptown Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Consolidated Theatres, North Carolina Theatres, Paramount-Publix, Wilby-Kincey
Previous Names: Paris Photoplay Theatre, Paramount Theatre
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According to the Durham City Directories, this theatre opened as the Paris Photoplay Theatre on October 8, 1913. On January 30, 1932, it became the Paramount Theatre and closed in 1937. It was rebuilt and reopened as the Uptown Theatre on June 6, 1938.
Paul V. Phillips was the first manager. T.W. Ritz and Don Nichols were managers during 1919 and 1923, respectively.
The Uptown Theatre was lost to a fire in 1965.
Contributed by
Andrew Edmonds
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
~1920-~1930 Paris Theatre
~1935 Paramount Theatre Owned by Wilby-Kincey Service Corp. of Atlanta, H.F. Kincey, President. They had over 80 theaters in Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Georgia.
~1940-1969 (the fire was in 1969) Uptown Theatre
Owners
~1940 J.F.White Jr. Circuit
~1945 B&L Enterprises
~1950-~19?? Consolidated Theaters, Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., T.A. Little, President. They had nearly 30 theaters in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Could use more info and photos.
After the Uptown Theatre closed in 1965 or 1969,Downtown Durham had four operating movie houses…..
1. Carolina Theatre(Roney and Morgan Streets)
Center Theatre(East Chapel Hill Street next to the Post Office)
The Rialto(Corner of East Main Street and South Roxboro Street)
The Criterion(Corner of East Parrish and Church Streets)
In 1965,the Center Theatre closed its doors and move to the suburbs by November of 1966 to Lakewood Shopping Center where the “New” Center Theatre opened on Thanksgiving week in 1966. The original theatre Downtown was demolished in 1967 to make way for the Mutual Savings and Loan Building.
By 1970,the Rialto closed it doors forever,leaving only 2 operating movie-houses located in Downtown Durham,which was the Carolina and the Criterion(The Rialto was demolished by 1974,and soon after around the corner was the Criterion by 1976 to make room for the Durham County Judicial Building which opened its doors to the public and all of Durham in 1978).
By 1975,when the Criterion closed its doors,the Carolina Theatre was the only movie theatre operating in Downtown Durham. To this day,the Carolina Theatre was the only establishment where you could see a movie Downtown. The Carolina Theatre stands as one of the last of the Downtown moviehouses that is still in operation.
More infomation for this theatre.
October 8th, 1913 opened as The Paris Photoplay
January 30th, 1932 renamed Paramount
1937 closed
June 6th, 1938 rebuilt and reopened as the Uptown theatre by White, J. F., Jr., Circuit.
1945 listed as being owned by B & L Enterprises.
Late 1940’s taken over by Consolidated Theatres.
Grand opening ads posted.
and closed in 1965.
Once operated by North Carolina Theatres.