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Uptown Movie Theater Washington DC Uptown Movie Theater Washington DC The Uptown at Night The Uptown Movie theatre still closed July in Washington DC

Washington DC Uptown Movie Theater

1936 – 2020

3426 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Photos of the Uptown Movie Theater. Home of many a 70 MM film showing : Star Wars (original run), The Right Stuff, many, many others. Was location for the world premier for several famose films, such as Jurassic Park and 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Cleveland Park area, Washington DC.

A history of the Uptown Theater movie theater

  1. Construction: The Uptown Theater was built in 1936 by Warner Bros. Studios as a flagship movie theater for the company. It was designed by architect John Eberson and was one of the largest theaters on the East Coast, with a seating capacity of 1,200.

  2. Golden Age of Hollywood: During the 1940s and 1950s, the Uptown Theater was a popular destination for moviegoers, and hosted numerous premieres and special events. It was also known for its lavish interior design, which featured a grand foyer, ornate chandeliers, and a large mural depicting a pastoral scene.

  3. Decline: In the 1960s and 1970s, the Uptown Theater, like many other movie theaters across the country, faced declining attendance and financial difficulties. It was eventually sold to Cineplex Odeon, a Canadian movie theater chain, in 1976.

  4. Restoration: In the 1980s, the Uptown Theater underwent a major restoration, with new seating, updated projection and sound systems, and other improvements. It continued to operate as a movie theater, showing a mix of first-run films and classic movies.

  5. Legacy: The Uptown Theater remains a beloved landmark in Washington, D.C. and has hosted numerous special events and film festivals over the years. In 1993, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance as an example of Art Deco architecture and a symbol of the golden age of Hollywood. However, the theater faced closure in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its future remains uncertain.

Ticket booth at the Uptown Movie Theatre Washington DC

Ticket booth at the Uptown Movie Theatre, Washington DC, 2022.

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