Paris Theatre
4 W. 58th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
4 W. 58th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
58 people
favorited this theater
Showing 151 - 175 of 406 comments
You might want to add to description on September 1, 1990 the theatre was renamed the Loews Fine Arts when they operated the theatre when they took their short control of the theatre. On August 31, 1990 was the last day Pathe (City Cinemas was also doing the booking then). See my photos I just uploaded
Terrible terrible terrible. Even if the movie wasn’t good like some bad artsy French film it was always a pleasure coming here. Still remember those long weekend lines from decades ago. One of the last remaining signs that New York was once a great city.
Curmedgeon, I agree totally with your description of the Paris. If you google “Paris Theatre NYC closed” as of yesterday, there’s many new articles & at least a couple TV news videos. In those articles & comments to them & the articles earlier this summer, there are many people upset. Many like me who viewed the Paris as their favorite! There’s also movie distributors upset because the this theater produced a significant percentage of their revenues on a film- the Sony guy said up to one third, and for Pavarotti, 9% though the movie was in 300 theaters! And, there were many special events at the Paris, so more who will be upset. As to the Ziegfeld, it was beloved but often dark (closed) as it was huge & the mainstream movies played everywhere & mainstream movies are not so great anymore. The Paris was never closed (except for transitions to new operators such as more than 2 months in 1997 after Loews/Sony departed and briefly for seat refurbishment 2 years ago). And the movies at the Paris were always worthwhile!
This is an absolute tragedy. During my visit to NY a decade ago The Paris was a glorious reminder of what cinama once was. Atmosphere, friendly and efficient staff, true showmanship presentation, screen masking, screen tabs that were actually used, and a wonderful indie movie that would probably never have received a theatrical release elsewhere. By comparison, my visit to the so-called “iconic” Ziegfeld theatre was a souless experience of less than a dozen audience members, screen curtains open to greet the audience with a blank screen devoid of any showmanship whatsoever. Can’t believe the outrage that was posted on CT when the Ziegfeld was facing imminent closure as opposed to the whisper of sadness of this magnificent cinema that brought such impoertant films to NY audiences over the past 70 years.
A great festival of Paris classics including Romeo & Juliet, Merchant Ivory would have been a way to send it off
Indeed, I went several blocks out of my way going home this evening to check out the theater, and there is a small sign on the front door saying it is now closed due to the lease expiring. I have not liked the abrupt way City Cinemas handled these closures, particularly with the Paris which opened over 70 years ago, they could have made an announcement in advance and provided more than a hastily put together note that gives no sense of the cinema’s history.
As of yesterday morning, Pavarotti was listed at the Paris as “sold out” at every screening today Wed & tomorrow Thursday, which would not be accurate since it has been showing for more than a couple months. I could be wrong, but my sense was that yesterday were the last screenings.
There are showings listed through Thursday for Pavarotti on Fandango, but they don’t seem to be selectable. I thought this might be the week the theater closed with Labor Day/end of Summer movie season next, but seems like it would be another abrupt closing a couple days early if that’s it.
Can’t say I’m surprised if the Beekman is closing, I went there maybe once a year and crowds were always small. Though if City Cinemas is indeed losing three of its locations in such a short span, it begs the question if the entire chain is in trouble.
As of this morning, the City Cinemas website does not list this theater or its sister theater (as the building is owned by the same landlord) the Beekman (the twin that was renamed the Beekman). I do not know whether or not either theater will be reopened by a different theater operator, or not. I hope so.
https://patch.com/new-york/upper-east-side-nyc/city-cinemas-theater-closes-suddenly-upper-east-side
At the 1:30 PM screening today of “Pavarotti” the curtain opened, after having been closed (as always) with music playing. One trailer, “Judy” was shown. The City Cinemas trailer appeared. Then the movie! As the movie finished, the audience applauded, and the curtain closed. Customers asked staff if the theater is closing? I hope the Paris is not closing forever! But from news reports, I fear it might be. The Paris is a very cool place to see excellent films.
Hello-
speaking of City Cinemas. does anyone have any inside info on the rather abrupt closing of the 86th East? it was so abrupt even the staff was taken aback.
I wish that article’s indications would come true! However, at least one article indicated that the theater is not booking new films because allegedly the building owner is not going to keep it as a theater. This month, August, I believe is the last month of the 10 year City Cinemas lease. Again, I truly wish the reports of the theater’s pending death are exaggerated & that the Paris could live on with more movies, but I fear the worst.
The time to eulogize the Paris might NOT be near: http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2019/07/well-always-haveparis.html
There have been a number of articles in the New York press about this theatre closing sometime this summer. With nothing scheduled past August 29 that might be the case here.
Just checked the Paris web-site. Nothing listed under “coming soon”.
I just uploaded a few exterior picutres today at the Paris.
Unfortunately, if you google “Paris Theatre NYC closing” you will find many articles. It is sad, very sad, since so many people love this theater, myself included.
This theatre will show films for a three to four month run. Can’t imagine it closing, they put reserved seating 2 years ago.
Hello-
granted its still open but its still playing “Pavarotti”. it makes me worry they haven’t boked another film.
from what I can figure, August is the last month of the 10 year lease that City Cinemas holds. The theater’s last day may be this Thursday, or next Thursday, or whenever, but I fear it is coming!
It’s already august and the theater is still open…
Yes! I liked them. I thought they were pretty funny. They might be also in the souvenir program which is somewhere…
‘Paint Your Wagon’ was the last ‘proper’ roadshow at my Newcastle (UK) theatre, the Essoldo (later ABC) when it was still a single auditorium. The run was 22 weeks from 13 Apr 1970 and the cinema seated 1,975…..
When the theatre reopened as a twin on 23 July 1971 another Paramount picture, ‘Love Story’ ran for 29.5 weeks ( the first 6.5 weeks being in both screens) although its popularity amazes me to this day……..
He went ahead and made “THE GREAT GATSBY” to spite Ali McGraw for whom he had bought the rights. Remember those desperate Peter Max posters trying to make “PAINT YOUR WAGON” mod?