Uptown Theatre

394 Academy Road,
Winnipeg, MB R3N 0B8

Unfavorite 3 people favorited this theater

Related Websites

Academy Uptown Lanes (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: Max Zev Blankstein

Functions: Bowling Alley

Styles: Atmospheric, Mission Revival

Nearby Theaters

Uptown Theatre

Opened on 24 Dec 1931 and the architect was Max Blankstein. The interior of the theatre was gutted in 1960 and was turned into a bowling alley which it still functions as today.

Contributed by Graeme McBain

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

PGlenat
PGlenat on December 14, 2004 at 9:02 am

The Uptown was Winnipeg’s only atmospheric theater, designed by a local architect. Little of it’s former splendor is evident as the interior was totally gutted in the conversion to a bowling alley. The exterior however, remains as built in a Spanish mission style with pinkish stucco, twin cupolas, niches and wrought iron railings. The original marquee, minus attractions panels still has the original neon lettering proclaiming ‘Uptown’. Originally there were two small stores at either side of the entrance doors under the marquee. One of them was a snack bar that made great hot dogs. The other was used as an office or storage for the theater. Considerable detail went into finishing the interior to look like a Mediterranean village. The stucco and scored plaster theme was repeated on the interior false building fronts. Windows of the buildings along the side walls were back lit with amber lights while the side wall false balconies had persian rugs over the railings. The theater was a true atmospheric with deep blue ceiling pierced with twinkling stars to resemble the nightime sky. A Brenograph projector provided cloud effects, rising and setting moon and even a plane flying over. The only additional lighting (during intermissions) was a row of ‘port hole’ lights along the front edge
of the main balcony. The Uptown was a Famous Players neighborhood
house offering sub run double features along with Saturday matinee
fare. Currently it is still a bowling alley.

PGlenat
PGlenat on December 14, 2004 at 9:13 am

The address for the Uptown theater is 394 Academy Road.

seauld
seauld on January 20, 2006 at 5:12 pm

Some of the original interior detailing can still be seen in the back of the bowling alley’s kitchen on the ceiling, and in the extended storage closets which were formerly staircases to the galleries before being renovated. It’s too bad more of the original architecture hasn’t been preserved, although the building does still provide a great atmosphere for bowling on both floors. Large photos of the building’s interior from when it was a theatre, and also of its original conversion to a 60’s retro bowling alley before its current renovation have been preserved in the main entrance for any interested.

atmos
atmos on June 8, 2007 at 5:02 am

Discovered a 12 page pdf file at the following address.
www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/historic/pdf-consv/academy394-long.pdf
File also contains several photos,interior and exterior.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 8, 2007 at 4:29 pm

Here is an August 1945 ad from the Winnipeg Free Press:
http://tinyurl.com/yqj67j

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 29, 2008 at 7:40 pm

$23 for an hour of bowling? Yikes. Here is an exterior photo:
http://tinyurl.com/5lfw25

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.