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The Uptown is indeed a gem. It's certainly not a palace by the old standards and it has its flaws but it sure beats the typical multiplex for grandeur any day. Converted to Cinerama from it's original 1935 configuration of 1400 seats and a booth above the balcony, the current booth crams a pair of Century JJ's (with the Cinerama logo still on the door glass), Ultra-80 lamphouses with 5k or sometimes 7k bulbs, a CP-200, DTS or Dolby Digital readers above the mag penthouse, and amp racks all in the center Cinerama booth hanging out over the audience in the balcony. The 70 x 27 screen still has the Cinerama deep curve although, alas, the strip screen was torn out in a rash move in 1996. The current one gives awful cross reflection when we get the light up where it needs to be and it sags in places.

There was a great feeling of the power of showmanship when I dimmed the lights slowly for the first Potter screening to screams of delight and applause. Accompanied by two armed Secret Service Agents I ran three shows to packed houses. They were there to protect me from the First Lady I suppose who spoke before the screening. Neither Secret Service Agent had seen reel to reel projection before. But they soon learned to spot changeover cues and move from port to port while I stomped on the floor button and then threaded the next machine. I kept my eye out for bad guys in between cues.

Presidents, politicians, and the Washington elite come to shows here to be seen, as well as to blend in with the crowd. Vice President Al Gore used to slip in the back all the time. Even though he could watch anything he wanted at the White House residence he enjoyed the magnificience of the Uptown. Even Kings have been entertained at the Uptown. King Hussein of Jordan came and saw a film after purchasing up a few extra Harley Davidsons at a local dealership.

What the Chicago Tribune article didn't mention was the two week run of a beautiful 70mm six track print of '2001'. Gosh that was gorgeous. Nothing like a floor to ceiling curtain and walk in music to build dramatic tension for the start of a film. And nothing like ten 70mm reels to build upper body strength and character. Then there is that 70mm image! If you worked at it you could keep a nice sharp image edge to edge over the deeply curved screen. Makes you remember that film still reigns supreme on the giant screen. It was also a treat to hear the warmth and richly fluid magnetic track in a big old house. Sure digital is cool but the old mag felt like home. Comfort food for ears feed a steady diet of techno pop.

The Uptown is perhaps unique in that it has survived in an urban area unlike many of it's long demolished sisters and cousins around North America which have given way to urban decay and suburban sprawl. I remind my boys, Harry Potter book fans of seven and ten, to count themselves lucky for having experienced film magic like this. Who knows how long it will last? This is a piece of history you can experience now.

The US and Canada are still suburbs of the UK!

"Sorry Mark and Gord. The US and Canada are still suburbs of the UK!"