Uptown Theatre Celebrates A Century Of Movies
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Twin Cities institution is marking a milestone, celebrating 100 years of showing films.
The Uptown Theatre is a beautifully restored art deco destination that's been drawing movie-goers to Hennepin Avenue since World War I.
And to mark its second century of business, theater-goers are being treated to a week-long selection of movie classics.
Like the building itself, the Uptown Theatre gives customers a glimpse back in time.
"In 1916, we were the Lagoon, the theater had 1,500 seats and the orchestra pit," assistant manager Joe Larsen said.
That's because, in the beginning, all films were silent. The theater's name changed to the Uptown when talkies came in 1929.
"It's more special than the multiplexes, where there's no personality," Larsen said of the theater. "Come here and see the murals, the things that have been here for decades."
One hundred years to be exact.
So, to help celebrate a century of motion pictures, the Uptown is showing 10 film classics, like "Citizen Kane," "King Kong" and "The Godfather."
Patti Shadick met her sister and girlfriends Monday to see one of James Dean's greatest performances in "Rebel Without a Cause."
"There were neighborhood theaters in every neighborhood, so it's even more wonderful that this one is still here," Shadick said.
The Uptown is rich with art deco décor – with grand chandeliers and recreations of the historic 1939 murals.
A complete makeover back in 2012 added bar service, luxurious leather reclining seats and digital 4K projection.
"We used to come here to watch movies. It's really a great tribute to the vitality of Uptown, I think, and nice to see it come back," said movie-goer Birgit Zotta.
Now, the Uptown is beginning the next century, anchoring a vital Minneapolis neighborhood.
"We wanted to bring ourselves into the 21st Century and foresee ourselves playing films from around the world that people don't get to see in many places," Larsen said.
Uptown's 100th birthday celebration continues with film classics through Thursday evening. For more information, click here.
