Paramount Theatre

This theater is still in good shape and is used for revival showings, concerts and other stuff. It still going fairly strong and is an encouragement to Jerry Brown to continue pushing for the restoration of downtown Oakland.

The Paramount is in a class by itself, from the monumental tile mosaic facade, to the cavernous lobby, to the stunning auditorium. If I recall correctly, it seats 3200. I always thought the lobby would make my ideal living room.

The Paramount's near neighbor, the now defunct Fox Oakland, seated 3500 or more and was at one time one of the largest west of Chicago.

The Paramount opened in 1931. Construction was started by Publix Theatres but financial difficulties forced the sale of the uncompleted building to Fox-West Coast Theatres. The Paramount was rescued by the Oakland Symphony, the City of Oakland and numerous private donors in 1972. The Oakland Symphony turned the building over to the City of Oakland in 1975. The Theatre was restored/remodeled, which included the reconstruction of the lower half of the marquee and the auditorium seats were replaced by wider ones so that modern day people can fit comfortably in them (seeing that our hind-ends seem to keep getting bigger). The Paramount offers tours on the first and third Saturdays of each month with admission currently (2001) being $1 a person. The Paramount is used for live stage shows, the Oakland Symphony, the Oakland Ballet, as well was showings of classical movies. I have attended showing of "Casablanca" and "The Wizard of Oz" and can tell you that the Theatre is sold out for these events. The Paramount of damaged after the 1989 earthquake but has been restored.

Saw the first public sneak preview of "Spartacus" here in 1960. Kirk Douglas, Tony and Janet Leigh-Curtis attended. I had never seen such a small waist on a female in my life! It still holds the record! (the waist, not the "sneak")

I have many fond memories of the Paramount. During the 1960's I saw most of my Disney films at the Paramount. My Dad and I saw one of the last films films to play the Paramount "Kellys Heroes"
and only about 10 people were there is this huge theatre. I think the Paramount life was shortened as and exclusive Run House when Bart had Broadway torn up for years. I also attended the the Grand Re-opening after the restoration. Bob Hope, Donald O' Connor and Lola Folana performed that night. I love Movie Night at the Paramount on Fridays and they are packed. Brucec

We are high school students from Owatonna, Minnesota and we are doing an independent study project with one of our teachers, Mr. Metzler (you’ll notice that we are using his email, but correspondence will be to/from us). We are exploring the idea of re-opening a small movie theatre that is in the middle of our struggling downtown area.
After searching the web for theatres that had renovated to improve their downtown areas, we came across your website and are looking for any information or ideas that you might have for renovating our 1935 theatre. More specifically, we are looking at ideas for generating adequate funding, increasing community awareness and support, and the actual renovation of the theatre. Before/after pictures of renovations would also be appreciated.

Thanks for anything you can provide,
Tessa Wheelock
Emily Leuning
Sara Kramer

Michael A. Metzler
Owatonna High School
333 E. School Street
Owatonna, MN 55060

Phone: 507-444-8846

Web: http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/Classroom/OHS/Language%20Arts/mmetzler/Home.htm

I recently took my family to see "Willy Wonka" at the Paramount. We arrived late (only 30 minutes before the show) and had to struggle to find seats in the upper balcony of this 3,000 seat gem. Your $5.00 gets you a period newsreel, a cartoon, and a wonderful, pre-film "wheel of fortune" (dubbed "Deco-Win" in honor of the theater) game in which several audience members win dinner for two at neighborhood restaurants. So show up early ...... you'll need the time to wander through every level of this amazing building, have a cocktail in the bar, visit the beautiful wash rooms and find your favorite seat.

My favorite theatre! This place is one of the grandest and most oppulent movie palaces one could ever hope to visit. Walking into the main lobby, with its gold ornamentations along the walls, curving staircase and glowing light fixtures is like taking a trip back through Old Hollywood. The auditorium is a sight to see, and waiting to see one of their movie programs, while listening to their house organist play the Mighty Wurlitzer is an awesome experience. Truly a treasure...there aren't many theatres quite like the Paramount!

The Paramount is very much a single-screen, despite Allan Michaan's quixotic plan to build a four-screen annex there a number of years back.

The PARAMOUNT in Oakland, CA, may not be the 'paramount, Paramount' since that appellation is usually given to the long lost PARAMOUNT once in Times Square of New York City, but it certainly is the 'paramount PARAMOUNT' on the West Coast, and if that photo here of the facade intrigues you, as the late Al Jolson said: "You ain't seen nothing yet!" The fabulous interior is truly unique in design, being architect Timothy Pflueger's one chance to let his imagination soar, and soar it did! He was not content to let the art deco interior be molded in plaster alone like many other theatres, but instead he invented a whole new way of using back-lighted metal grillework in a new and wonderful and breathtaking way. So startling and pleasing is this design that a book, a color calendar, and an entire ANNUAL of the Theatre Historical Soc. of America have been produced to document and honor this architectural achievement. The Society in 1991 produced a 36 page softcover with dozens of vintage b/w photos of this colorfully lit fantasy at opening, and thereby reflects the furnishings that are no longer there today. Include there are wonderful behind-the-scenes photos showing how the unseen illumination is achieved, and how some of the restoration was effected. (Those softcovers are done in gold on solid black, so if you order this annual, be sure to have some clear plastic sheet protectors ready to slip over the covers, else you will soon have more a document of fingerprints than a document of a glorious theatre!)

PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
To obtain any available Back Issue of either "Marquee" or of its ANNUALS, simply go to the web site of the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA at:
www.HistoricTheatres.org
and notice on their first page the link "PUBLICATIONS: Back Issues List" and click on that and you will be taken to their listing where they also give ordering details. The "Marquee" magazine is 8-1/2x11 inches tall ('portrait') format, and the ANNUALS are also soft cover in the same size, but in the long ('landscape') format, and are anywhere from 26 to 40 pages. Should they indicate that a publication is Out Of Print, then it may still be possible to view it via Inter-Library Loan where you go to the librarian at any public or school library and ask them to locate which library has the item by using the Union List of Serials, and your library can then ask the other library to loan it to them for you to read or photocopy. [Photocopies of most THSA publications are available from University Microforms International (UMI), but their prices are exorbitant.]

Note: Most any photo in any of their publications may be had in large size by purchase; see their ARCHIVE link. You should realize that there was no color still photography in the 1920s, so few theatres were seen in color at that time except by means of hand tinted renderings or post cards, thus all the antique photos from the Society will be in black and white, but it is quite possible that the Society has later color images available; it is best to inquire of them.

Should you not be able to contact them via their web site, you may also contact their Executive Director via E-mail at: execdir@historictheatres.org
Or you may reach them via phone or snail mail at:
Theatre Historical Soc. of America
152 N. York, 2nd Floor York Theatre Bldg.
Elmhurst, ILL. 60126-2806 (they are about 15 miles west of Chicago)

Phone: 630-782-1800 or via FAX at: 630-782-1802 (Monday through Friday, 9AM--4PM, CT)

Surely one HAS to know that the Paramount is a most attractive single-screen theater!

Anyone local MUST plop down the $3 for the bi-monthly theater tour of this fantastic treasure. The kindliest docent leads you through EVERYTHING. The staggeringly beautiful lobby to the beautify powder rooms(!), right down into the belly of the beast underneath the stage (I half expected to run into spinal tap) right up to the floorboards. Fun stuff! Makes me wish I grew up in the pre-google-plex age, when movie palaces ruled.

Screens: Single Screen!

The photo of the Paramount shown here should actually date 1973 or later---the marquee shown here wasn't installed until its restoration and transformation into a performance arts center. The marquee the Paramount had in 1970 was quite different (and much more nondescript [to put it VERY mildly]) from the one it has now.

The vertical marquee on the Paramount dates back to the 1930's,the canopy was restored, but is not like the original three sided canopy.The original canopy was taken down in the late 1960's due to the construction on the subway system.It was replaced with an ugly plastic canopy which didn't last long. I don't know why the three sided canopy wasn't restored during the Paramount's restoration. What happened to movie night at the Paramount?brucec

http://www.home-buy-sell.com/bayarea/cityinfo/oakland/downtown/movieparamount.jpg

nice photo

This is another photo of the Paramount in Oakland.

Here are a couple color photos of the Paramount Lobby and Auditorium.
ParamountTheatreLobbyOaklandCa.jpg
ParamountTheatreAuditoriumOaklandCa.jpg

This is a nice photo of the Paramount Theater in Oakland.

How about this one - the marquee looks completely different with the blue neon:
http://www.runonsentence.com/images/paramount/pages/paramount_a.marquee.htm

From the LA Library:

http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics19/00029176.jpg

This is a large close-up photo of the Paramount Theater.

This is supposed to be a view of the Paramount lobby.

The Paramount Oakland Theatre was placed on National Register of Historic Places on August 14th, 1973 and on the National Historic Landmark list on May 5th, 1977. The Paramount Theatre opened on December 16th, 1931. Fox West Coast Theatres agreed to sublease the theatre on Dec. 10th 1930 upon completion. The Paramount Theatre closed on September 15th, 1970 by National General Theatres. The Paramount Theatre was operated for it's entire life as a movie theatre by Fox West Coast Theatres. After the Sept. 15th closing date the theatre operated one day each month ( to maintain the building) for a private bank screenings till National General
Theatres could find a buyer.

I am trying to remember... wasn't there a large waterfall on the main floor entrance? As a young boy this theater was just awesome. I don't have words to describe it. during the late forties and early fifties along with the other local(Alameda)theaters, I spent alot of Saturday and Friday nights watching first rate movies with my Grandmother(raised me). IF you are from a small New England town, where I preside now, you can't possibly imagine the overwhelming depth this "grand" theater had in the heyday of movies. I was young and small, and when entering the lobby, the ceiling appeared to be a mile high.
One could always depend on a first rate film to be shown there. Along with the Old Fox, this must have been the largest theater in Oakland. Saturday night was dressing up(in proper attire) and seeing a good movie. You were not disappointed when leaving this beatiful theater.It's just sad that those bygone days are__ gone.

The Oakland Tribune had a story on the theater's re-opening in June 1933:

PARAMOUNT THEATER WILL OPEN TOMORROW
Paramount to Open Doors at 11:30 Friday

Tomorrow, at noon, Oakland's Paramount Theater once again throws open its doors to offer this city motion picture entertainment
ot the finest type in a surrounding of luxury. The Paramount's policy will present one feature picture each week. In addition each program will be enhanced by the highest grade comedies, scenics, cartoons and other short subjects plus Paramount news items.

The first feature picture on the Paramount screen for the week
starting tomorrow will be the Paramount "International House,"
comedy featuring 14 stars, 140 girls and offering enough comedy to provoke 1400 laughs. Second in importance on the program will be a 30 minute subject "Isle of Desire," said to be something new in screen entertainment enacted by a South Sea native cast and resembling in story a Jack London fabled journey into this picturesque clime. A "Popeye" cartoon will add to the laughs of the new show, coupled with other short subjects and news reviews.

The doors of the Paramount will open at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow to
afford visitors opportunity to wander through the foyers, lounge
rooms, mezzanine and the mural rooms before seeking their seat for
the first show. Under the direction of Fox West Coast Theaters, the Paramount will be operated on the new low price schedule of 25 cents matinee until 1 p.m., 30 cents from 1 until 5 p.m. and 40 cents at night. Change of program will be made every Friday.

The Paramount Theater is regarded as the finest in terms of architecture, fittings, and comfort on the Pacific Coast. Its opening
definitely places Oakland first on the Coast in possession of superior theater edifices, and under the operation of Fox West Coast Theaters the Paramount is assured of the finest feature pictures produced by the leading Hollywood studios. The management of the theater will be under the veteran direction of A. M. Bowles, head of Fox West Coast Theaters in Northern California, aided by Richard Spier, district manager, and Frank Burhans, resident manager. A large staff of employees have been secured, which will add to the yearly payroll of Oakland.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973

Paramount Theatre *** (added 1973 - Building - #73000395)
2025 Broadway, Oakland
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Miller & Pfleuger, Pflueger,Timothy
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Area of Significance: Architecture, Art, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

Here are some recent interior photos.

This is a view of the Paramount stage.

When are they going to btring back a classic movie series from each decade?. If it was programmed correctly it would do very well as in the past. The Paramount has enough free time to include this series. Lets get a little creative and use this theatre to its full potential. The Fox will be coming online in 2009 so it would be wonderful to use film to fill in the gaps.brucec

Link to article:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2007-07-25/news/outfoxed/

the Paramount only has a few more months before they see the big Fox Oakland down the street take over what they are not doing. They don't show movies and run the place very stuffy. The Paramount needs to put in a bar on the main level and let people drink inside the theatre. Book the place for all the Bay Area. Don't forget the seniors. If the New Fox Oakland is going rock music shows be smart and book classic shows that they will not book. Both theatres will bring new people into the downtown Oakland area. Just take Bart to the door. See what other big former theatres are doing like the Fox Atlanta. Fox Saint Louis and the Fox Detroit. Bring in the Radio City Rockettes for a Oakland Paramount Xmass show like the Fox Detroit does, it sells out 4,000 seats! If you can't manage the place and bring in money look to getting a booking company that can and stop crying about the Fox Oakland coming into town!

A Wurlitzer theater organ opus 2164 style PUB 1 was installed in the Paramount Theater on 7/28/31.

This is a more recent view of the Paramount Theater and here are some detail photos.

The lobby of the Paramount is one of the most impressive I have ever seen and I have seen many. The Pantages in Hollywood also has an impressive lobby as well as the late great Fox Theatre in San Francisco. I wish the Paramount would bring back a film series of quality films from all decades and if they don't maybe the restored Fox Oakland would. I love the marquees of both the Paramount and the Fox Oakland they are quite impressive and among the best in the nation.We should have a contest and ask members what are the top 20 curren theatre marquees left in the nation.brucec

Here are more photos of the Paramount Theater.

This is a December 2007 photo of the Paramount.

A July 2008 photo can be seen here.

Here is a 1932 floor plan for the Paramount. Two architects names are given. J. R. Miller and T. L. Pflueger.

The year given for this photo is 1932.

Glad to see the Paramount showing classic films again such as "Singing in the Rain". They need to keep this going on a regular schedule in order to build a following.brucec

Love that photograph!! Thanks for posting it, whoever did.

With great sadness, I must report the recent passing of Steve Levin, who died on December 13th following a brief illness. Steve, who came from a family of movie exhibitors, was one of the leaders of the campaign to save the Oakland Paramount, and was probably the foremost authority on its history. He once took me a guided tour of the Paramount which took more than four hours as he pointed out and explained very detail along the way. Steve was a founding member of Theatre Historical Society of America, also serving for a number of years as the editor of Marquee. its quarterly journal. Steve will be greatly missed by all who knew and admired him.

The THSA 2008 Conclave has a large set of photos on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/sets/72157606184953729/


Here are their photos for the Oakland Paramount:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697096027/in/set-72157606184953729/ - vertical sign
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697098311/in/set-72157606184953729/ - exterior detail
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697100227/in/set-72157606184953729/ - vertical sign http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697103021/in/set-72157606184953729/ - marquee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697103523/in/set-72157606184953729/ - auditorium from stage
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697104503/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Auditorium from stage
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697104939/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Auditorium
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697105731/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Auditorium details
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697917034/in/set-72157606184953729/ - front facade
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697926838/in/set-72157606184953729/ - auditorium ceiling - blue lighting
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697927694/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Proscenium
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697929014/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Main Lobby
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697930116/in/set-72157606184953729/ - main Lobby
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697931298/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Main Lobby
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697932480/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Main Lobby Staircase
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697933562/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Organ
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697934570/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Ornamental Details
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thsa/2697935960/in/set-72157606184953729/ - Auditorium Ceiling - Golden Lighting

1982 Photo

1982 Photo

1982 Photo

1983 Photo

1983 Photo

1986 Photo

1986 Photo

I lived in Oakland in the mid 1980's and enjoyed the classic film night they had for a time. It was a fantastic experience and I even got my employer to contribute to the door prizes they had. Sure am sad to hear from the other posts that they haven't expanded on that.

I agree with another person who mentioned the docent tours. I actually took many of my friends on the tours and one such memorable tour was given by a young lady (75 years old) who fondly told stories of her childhood and the part the theater played in her love life. The history and information provided you can't hear anywhere else in Oakland. When we were in the restrooms she stopped to lecture the tour on how her mother kept all her children from wetting the beds - no liquids after 8pm! Twenty years later and I still can mention that to my friends that took that tour and we all laugh fondly.

I really hope that this theater can find it's place again in the East Bay.

The organ from this theater is now at Roaring 20's Pizza and Pipes in Ellenton, Florida. According to a flyer from the restaurant it arrived there after stints at Ken's Melody Inn in Los Altos, California and the Paramount Music Palace in Indianapolis (where it was enlarged and rebuilt). It went to Florida after a plan to send it to a museum in Germany fell through.

Here is a 1973 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/neylxg

2005 photo of the Paramount Theatre courtesy of Tom Spaulding.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tspauld/28880694/in/set-675202/

Current seating capacity is 2998 (source: this morning's tour, and page 93 of "The Oakland Paramount" (Susannah Harris Stone, 1992).