Uptown Theatre

Chester W. Niece had established the Hubbard Amusement Company in 1913 and opening the Crystal Theatre in downtown Hubbard (which has its own page on Cinema Treasures). He then built a new sound theatre, the Uptown Theatre, to interoperate with the Crystal Theatre which he also equipped with sound to remain viable.

The Uptown Theatre closed for periods during World War II and was closed when Niece decided to sell both theatres to Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Fadal, Jr. in 1946. Fadal reopened the Uptown Theatre while continuing the long-standing Crystal Theatre. But a year later, J. A. Guest built the city’s first and only post-war theatre, the modern 600-seat Texan Theatre (which has its own page on Cinema Treasures).

With a population of only 1,768 residents, three theatres was a stretch. Fadal, Jr. sold the Uptown Theatre and Crystal Theatre to Guest. Guest continued operation of all three venues until November 18, 1951. The Texan Theatre burned down with the fire starting just minutes after the last show of the night.

The Crystal Theatre and the Uptown Theatre would exit as well, as the impact of television was too great. But for a 20-year period, the Uptown Theatre was an important part of the city’s two- and sometimes three-movie theatre operational history.

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