AWelcome to the beginnings of what will eventually be a comprehensive web page for Baltimore's diamond-in-the-rough Parkway Theatre. Built in 1915 as a Vaudeville venue with approximately 1100 seats, the Parkway was patterned closely after London's famed West End Theatre in Leicester Square (later known as the Rialto).
Before construction was even finished, there was a realization that Vaudeville had reached its zenith, and in order to be a viable entertainment presence in the city, the emerging medium of motion pictures would need to be accommodated. To this end a modification to provide a projection booth was undertaken and the theatre opened on October 23, 1915 with a showing of the silent film "Zaza" staring Pauline Frederick. Movies became the primary activity in the theatre, and it would remain one of Baltimore's finest movie houses for many years.
Most of the original ornate plasterwork is still intact but is in need of substantial restoration as there have been several serious roof leaks over the years. Around 1926 the theatre changed management, becoming part of the Loew's large chain of movie houses. At that time, a major redecoration was undertaken which obliterated some of the original distinctive plasterwork. Fortunately, before-and-after pictures taken at the time will allow the original designs to be replicated.
Emerging plans will seek to reopen the Parkway as a silent/repertory/art film venue, supplemented by bookings from one-man-show operations, children's education productions, revues, live bands, lectures, variety shows, "vanity" productions and of course film festivals, of which Baltimore has several excellent ones. Stage size, exclusive of the wings is 26' wide by 11' deep, so major theatrical productions are probably not possible, but who knows? Creative folks seem to be able to work around such limitations. Inexplicably, there is an abundance of fly space, and one ambitious restoration plan would dramatically increase the depth of the stage in order to accommodate more demanding productions and performances. Restored seating capacity is being estimated at 750-800, a venue size which is sorely needed in Baltimore. The Parkway is in the heart of the newly created Station North Arts and Entertainment District, and will be one of the most prominent "anchors" within that district. (Click HERE for a map showing exactly where the Parkway Theatre is.)
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Parkway's rebirth will be the possibility of having an authentic theatre organ, which should prove to be a huge attraction for the facility. (There are currently no theatre organs in public venues within the Baltimore City limits.) The theatre at one time contained a Style "F" WurliTzer theatre organ (which replaced an earlier Moller organ). (See links at right for sound clips from the live radio show "Nocturne" that was produced at the Parkway.) Unfortunately, this organ was removed many years ago (1960's). The GOOD news is that a replacement organ has been found and acquired by an interested party in this project, and that the local Free State Theatre Organ Society (which also has some portions of the original WurlitZer Opus #1421 from the Parkway), could lend valuable expertise in installing and maintaining this organ (which is now in storage in Baltimore.) (Click HERE to see more information on this fine instrument.) The Baltimore area has several performing organists, several of whom are highly skilled at the accompaniment of silent movies, and who would be assets to this operation. This culturally sophisticated city (2000 population approx. 650,000) could easily support this type of nostalgia-based operation, but it's going to take a concerted effort by a lot of dedicated people to make it happen. No one person can single handedly accomplish a mission of this scope and complexity.
An important adjunct of the Parkway's entertainment appeal will be the ability to enjoy a good meal before and after the featured performances. Literally right next door to the theatre is a three story building currently housing a fast food restaurant in a portion of the first floor. This space could be easily "up scaled" to a deli style operation catering to the breakfast/lunch crowd. (The wide sidewalk in front of this building and the Parkway itself lends themselves nicely to outdoor seating during warm-weather months.) The rear half of the first floor could be turned into a nice bar catering to the happy hour/pre-dinner customers. The second floor has space for the kitchen and estimated seating for about 60-80 dinner patrons in a completely separate restaurant. Access from this area could be provided into the balcony level of the theater where cabaret style seating will be installed, with continued food and beverage service available during selected theater performances. (The main floor of the theater would be traditional row-aisle seating.) The third floor of this building could contain administrative/office space for the entire complex. (There is little admin space in the theater itself.) Rounding out the food/drink service would be a rathskeller type bar in the basement, accessible from both the Charles Street side and the east-side ground level emergency exit from the theatre.
Currently, estimates for some of the major restoration tasks such as architectural issues, electrical/HVAC, plaster work, seating, stage/theatrical equipment, food service, ADA issues, etc. are being sought. Fortunately, most of the expertise necessary for these tasks can be found right here in Baltimore. A comprehensive effort will also be made to locate and interview older residents who may be able to provide oral histories about their experiences with the Parkway.
North elevation of the Parkway Theatre (as it could be).
Looking from northeast toward southwest, showing adjacent restaurant building.
Central dome with "sunburst" fixture, difficult to see because of poor lighting.
Looking toward stage right and east organ chamber from west balcony.
Proscenium arch.
One of two remaining paintings (of eight originally). (Girl picking roses.) Where are the missing six paintings? Do they still exist? Does someone out there have information as to their whereabouts?
Another angle, a bit clearer.
Proscenium arch from further back.
Looking toward projection booth.
Second of two remaining paintings.
Plaster detail in rear of balcony.
Plaster detail in rear of balcony.
Exquisite plaster detail on front edge of balcony.
Plaster detail on front edge of balcony.
One of two remaining Peerless carbon-arc light sources in the projection booth. Film transports have been removed.
Inside stage right organ chamber looking toward the tone opening.
Inside stage right organ chamber looking toward rear.
Please sign the guestbook. Encouraging words always make projects like this easier!
Early interior view, Louis XIV style, probably circa 1915 shortly after it opened. Modeled after London's West End (later Rialto) theater near Leicester Square.
Interior view after remodeling circa 1926.
Visitors to this site:
These are audio clips of the Dec. 3, 1947 broadcast of "Nocturne", the nightly radio program of organ music and poetry broadcast from this theater, eerily anticipating the style of Franklyn MacCormack of Chicago's WGN c. 1959-1971. Narrated by Charles Purcell with Roland Nuttrell at the WurliTzer. (Courtesy of Brian Jensen.) These may take a while to load, depending on your connection speed.
Program opening.
Program closing.
The extremely limited lighting currently available in the theater limits the quality of the interior photographs below. Colors are not accurate and depth perception is lacking.
"Rose Girl" painting (see below).
The League of Historic American Theatres in Baltimore is providing support and
guidance for this project. Please click the LHAT logo at right to visit their web page.
Click HERE to find out who got this project started.
Click HERE for more background information about the Parkway.
Click the City Paper cover logo at right to read about Baltimore's Best Old Building, 2003.
One of the main planned features for the restored Parkway, and the thing that will set it apart from other Baltimore venues will be a real honest-to-God theater organ.
Would you like to know more about theater organs and their similarities with, and differences from church organs? Simply click on either of the two organ chamber pictures above to be taken to a site which presents an excellent comparison between the two types of organs, including several nice audio selections of both.
Click on the above button to send this site to someone whom you know will be interested our progress.
Be sure to visit the Theatre Organ Web Ringfor more information about theatre organs.
The link can be found near the top of this page.
A(This page best viewed with MicroSoft Internet Explorerat 1024 x 768 screen resolution, or higher.). Contents of this site are Copyright 2000-08 by John R. Grant. No use of the pictures, sounds or concepts presented here may be made without the permission of the copyright holder.
EXCITING NEWS!
An Interested Party associated with this project has just made an investment in WurliTzer theatre organ Opus #1419, a two-manual, 11 rank theatre organ originally installed in New York City's Clinton Street Apollo Theatre. If the renovation plans for the Parkway proceed essentially as outlined in this web page, there is an EXCELLENT chance that this organ will be made available for installation there at the appropriate time. At 10 ranks (with an added Post Horn rank), Opus #1419 (Style "H") is three ranks larger than WurliTzer Opus # 1421 (Style "F") which was removed from the Parkway in the 1960's. Interestingly, these two organs, only two Opus numbers apart, began their installations in their respective theatres only two days apart in August, 1926. Perhaps Fate has seen to it that the Parkway will take renewed life and success from this promising turn of events.
Wurlitzer Opus #1419 is now in storage in Baltimore awaiting further developments at the Parkway. Click HERE to see more information on this fine instrument, and to hear another musical selection played on it a few years ago.
It CAN happen!
B E L I E V E
B E L I E V E
EXCELLENT NEWS!
Parkway named Baltimore's
Best Old Building 0f 2003
A
Baltimore's City Paper has named the Parkway Theatre as "Baltimore's Best Old Building" in its "Best of Baltimore" issue that appeared at newsstands September 17, 2003. City Paper Staff is to be commended for their enlightened choice for this honor and we hope it will bring much needed attention to this initiative. Click the image below (on left) to read the complete story.
Here's a selection played on Wurlitzer theatre organ Opus #1419:
The movie shown at the Parkway on opening day, Oct. 23, 1915, was "Zaza" starring Pauline Frederick. Assuming a suitable print can be found, it will be the first one to be shown at the re-opening as well. Click HERE to find out more about "Zaza".
City Actions: On June 21, 2004, The Baltimore City Council passed Ordinance 03-1143 which reads in part: "Urban Renewal - Charles/North Revitalization Area - Amendment __
ORDINANCE - FOR the purpose of amending the Urban Renewal Plan for Charles/North Revitalization Area to authorize the acquisition by purchase or by condemnation of certain properties for urban renewal purposes..." This ordinance was subsequently signed into law by Mayor Martin O'Malley. It allows the city to acquire certain properties within the Station North Arts and Entertainment district for the purpose of revitalizing them. Among the properties are the Parkway Theatre and several immediately adjacent properties which will be offered as a package to any developer wishing to respond to an RFP (Request for Proposal) that will be issued by the City in the coming months. A primary requirement for any developer interested in these properties will be to show that they have the financial resources to carry the project through to completion. It is hoped that interested developers will provide (and the City will insist upon) MORE, rather than LESS comprehensive plans for the theatre complex, and that they will find many of the suggestions offered in this website to be attractive enough to warrant inclusion in their plans, especially the WurliTzer Theatre organ which is undergoing enlargement even as it currently remains in storage, awaiting its rebirth.
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"Wake Up and Live!"
*NEW* Current Developments *NEW*
There are two recent news stories about the status of the Parkway. This Link takes you to a story on the Baltimore Examiner web site by Adam Meister, Baltimore Political Examiner, on the apparent seizing of the Parkway by the Baltimore Development Corporation, a process that has been underway for over five years while the present owner attempted to acquire investors and develop a plan for the theatre's restoration. That story contains another link (or just Click Here) to a 7/17/08 story in The Maryland Daily Record by Robbie Whelan with more detail about the development . BDC has also issued a study contract to BTA + Matrix Settles for the long term redeveolpment of the entire Station North Arts and Entertainment District. We remain hopeful that whomever is eventually chosen to do the restoration, they will remain amenable to, and recognize the wisdom of returning the WurliTzerto this fantastic venue.
The organ is g-r-o-w-i-n-g!
In the anticipation that WurliTzer Opus #1419 will one day make its home in the Parkway, some exciting additions are being made to its current specification. Chief among these is the acquisition of a four manual console that will serve not only the present pipe compliment, but also any future size the organ is likely to attain.
Also recently acquired is the bottom octave of a powerful 16' diaphone rank. The tones produced by these pipes are as much seismic in character as they are musical. Not only will the Parkway's productions entertain you, you can get a sonic massage at the same time!
Finally, but certainly not least, is the acquisition of a rare J. C. Deagan 56-note (F-C) vibraharp. The lush, exquisite sounds produced by this instrument are among the most beautiful and soothing in the pipe organ. Some recently obtained information implies that only six units of this model vibraharp were ever manufactured, and of those, only three or four are known to survive.
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