Good point PeeWee. Although, I suspect the Copernicus Foundation would fight like crazy against landmarking. In addition, and I don’t know much about either the local Chicago landmark or the National Register of Historic Places landmarking processes, but I wonder if the radical changes made to the exterior years ago would make it harder to get landmark protection? That would probably be an argument advanced by Copernicus against having it landmarked.
Well, based on the photo link provided by Lost Memory, the photo on the theatre’s web site is indeed that of the Paradise. However, the photo on theatre’s website does show a vertical with the name Paramount. So it must have been known as the Paramount early in its life.
Just saw the news about Rosa Rio. Very sad to hear that she passed away. Then again, what a long and productive life she had. We should all be so fortunate.
I’d hate to be paying the electric bill for that motor. Assuming 220 V service and a 3-phase motor, it’s probably drawing about 46 amps at full load. Maybe he plays really short songs. And he probably has no trouble hearing it, since it was built for a 4,000 seat auditorium.
I’d ask Lynton why most kids weren’t obese in, let’s say, the 40s and 50s when all the snacks in theatres were junk then as well. I doubt that kids are fat today because of the way they eat in movie theatres. Going to the theatre is supposed to be fun, not a health class.
Apparently the Washington Theatre received a newly renovated marquee on Sept. 11, 2009. The theatre also received new entrance doors and entrance tile. They look excellent. For more information on this and the planned renovation, see the theatre’s web site, which is listed in the description above.
I don’t plan to write Mayor Boak a letter. I don’t live in Beaver Falls, PA, and never have, so it’s none of my business. If I was Mayor Boak I wouldn’t be overly concerned with the opinions of the CT membership. It would be nice if the theatre had been restored, but that concerns the citizenry of Beaver Falls, and they apparently didn’t feel compelled to a sufficient extent to get it done. The theatre closed in 1960, so they had plenty of time.
Mr. Alvarez, during the peak years of the depression, 1930-1934, attendance fell dramatically (at least 30-40 percent nationally). You claim that “Part of the drop in ticket sales was the result of deflation, theatre closures, and studio bankruptcies, which had little to do with people’s desire to attend.” Really? What do you think caused deflation, theatre closures, and studio bankruptcies? I suppose it was the hordes of people willing to attend movie theatres. It’s true that there was less product available for exhibitors than in the boom years of the 1920s, but again, that was caused by the steep decline in national income and reduced demand, and the resulting decline in revenue to theatres/studios. This can be easily researched if you make the effort.
I thought the myth that movie theatre attendance spiked during the “great depression” had been dispelled. Overall, attendance dropped during the depression, which is why many theatres closed, at least temporarily.
So I guess the smart thing to do when you stick up a theatre is to rob the manager. I’m a little surprised that there would be a robbery on Chicago’s South side.
Just curious if anyone knows whether this theatre fronted on Jackson or Wabash? And if you know which corner of Jackson and Wabash referred to in the address, that would be helpful too. Thanks!
I don’t believe the electric company was being nasty. They have a schedule for service calls and I doubt that it could be changed that quickly. If it was an emergency, that’s different, but if you want a reconnect you get in line. Think about it, why would the utility not want electricity sales? On the other hand, the theater owner should have received a shut-off notice. If not, that’s a problem with the utility. And only 10 days late with the payment? I suspect the theater owner is chronically late with his payment.
Thanks for the photo Lost Memory. I realize the site restrictions caused it to be so narrow, but it’s still hard to believe that behind that entrance is a 2600 seat theatre! Perhaps patrons exited at a different location. If not, it’s really hard to imagine how that many people could enter and exit through such a small passageway. I would think this must have impacted the length of time between shows back during its busy days as a movie house.
Good point PeeWee. Although, I suspect the Copernicus Foundation would fight like crazy against landmarking. In addition, and I don’t know much about either the local Chicago landmark or the National Register of Historic Places landmarking processes, but I wonder if the radical changes made to the exterior years ago would make it harder to get landmark protection? That would probably be an argument advanced by Copernicus against having it landmarked.
Well, based on the photo link provided by Lost Memory, the photo on the theatre’s web site is indeed that of the Paradise. However, the photo on theatre’s website does show a vertical with the name Paramount. So it must have been known as the Paramount early in its life.
Just saw the news about Rosa Rio. Very sad to hear that she passed away. Then again, what a long and productive life she had. We should all be so fortunate.
No doubt about it, no one does ruins better than Detroit.
I’d hate to be paying the electric bill for that motor. Assuming 220 V service and a 3-phase motor, it’s probably drawing about 46 amps at full load. Maybe he plays really short songs. And he probably has no trouble hearing it, since it was built for a 4,000 seat auditorium.
I’d ask Lynton why most kids weren’t obese in, let’s say, the 40s and 50s when all the snacks in theatres were junk then as well. I doubt that kids are fat today because of the way they eat in movie theatres. Going to the theatre is supposed to be fun, not a health class.
Apparently the Washington Theatre received a newly renovated marquee on Sept. 11, 2009. The theatre also received new entrance doors and entrance tile. They look excellent. For more information on this and the planned renovation, see the theatre’s web site, which is listed in the description above.
I don’t plan to write Mayor Boak a letter. I don’t live in Beaver Falls, PA, and never have, so it’s none of my business. If I was Mayor Boak I wouldn’t be overly concerned with the opinions of the CT membership. It would be nice if the theatre had been restored, but that concerns the citizenry of Beaver Falls, and they apparently didn’t feel compelled to a sufficient extent to get it done. The theatre closed in 1960, so they had plenty of time.
Does anyone know whether this building still exists?
This was known at the Maltz Theatre in the 1940s.
Did this one have an elaborate vertical sign that included the face of an Indian? I seem to recall a theatre of that name with such a sign.
Now there is an interesting approach to grammar and punctuation.
I’m not sure how news items like this relate to Cinema Treasures?
Does anyone here know when this theatre was built?
Mr. Alvarez, during the peak years of the depression, 1930-1934, attendance fell dramatically (at least 30-40 percent nationally). You claim that “Part of the drop in ticket sales was the result of deflation, theatre closures, and studio bankruptcies, which had little to do with people’s desire to attend.” Really? What do you think caused deflation, theatre closures, and studio bankruptcies? I suppose it was the hordes of people willing to attend movie theatres. It’s true that there was less product available for exhibitors than in the boom years of the 1920s, but again, that was caused by the steep decline in national income and reduced demand, and the resulting decline in revenue to theatres/studios. This can be easily researched if you make the effort.
I thought the myth that movie theatre attendance spiked during the “great depression” had been dispelled. Overall, attendance dropped during the depression, which is why many theatres closed, at least temporarily.
I guess my sarcasm wasn’t apparent.
Thanks for the info Warren. I was wondering what the procedure was for knocking over a theatre in the good old days.
So I guess the smart thing to do when you stick up a theatre is to rob the manager. I’m a little surprised that there would be a robbery on Chicago’s South side.
It’s a shame how under-utilized this theatre is. It is a gorgeous building and a great place to see live entertainment.
Just curious if anyone knows whether this theatre fronted on Jackson or Wabash? And if you know which corner of Jackson and Wabash referred to in the address, that would be helpful too. Thanks!
I don’t believe the electric company was being nasty. They have a schedule for service calls and I doubt that it could be changed that quickly. If it was an emergency, that’s different, but if you want a reconnect you get in line. Think about it, why would the utility not want electricity sales? On the other hand, the theater owner should have received a shut-off notice. If not, that’s a problem with the utility. And only 10 days late with the payment? I suspect the theater owner is chronically late with his payment.
Thanks for the photo Lost Memory. I realize the site restrictions caused it to be so narrow, but it’s still hard to believe that behind that entrance is a 2600 seat theatre! Perhaps patrons exited at a different location. If not, it’s really hard to imagine how that many people could enter and exit through such a small passageway. I would think this must have impacted the length of time between shows back during its busy days as a movie house.
No offense intended brucec, but when you’re done with that magic wand can I borrow it?
It must have been tough on the residents of LaGrange when the price went from $1.75 to $2.00 in 1998.