Paris Theater

The first of the post-war movie houses constructed in Manhattan, the Paris Theater is directly across from the Plaza Hotel and not much further from the beginning of Central Park. This luxurious art house in Manhattan’s Midtown has a plain Art Moderne exterior. The auditorium has blue velvet walls and seating for 421 on the main floor and 150 in the balcony. It has excellent projection and sound. The atmosphere is elegant, including with a well attired and helpful staff.

The Paris Theater opened on September 13, 1948, with Marlene Dietrich cutting the ribbon in the presence of the Ambassador to France. The opening movie was “La Symphonie Pastorale”(Pastoral Symphony) starring Michelle Morgan. The original movie operator, Pathe, ran the theater until August 31, 1990. The Paris Theater became one of the very best places to see art house films in New York. As its name implies, the Paris Theater had an affinity for playing foreign films (especially French films). Many premieres have been held at the theater, including in spring of 1968 when the Paris Theater became the first in the U.S. to play “William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet” a United Kingdom/Italy co-production starring Leonard Whiting & Olivia Hussey and directed by Franco Zeffirelli.

Loews took over on September 1, 1990, and the theater was known for a while as the Loews Fine Arts Theater. Loews ceased operation of the theater on April 30, 1997. Reverting back to its original Paris Theater name, the theater was operated by the owner of the building until 2009, when City Cinemas became the movie operator. On August 27, 2019, with leases expiring, City Cinemas closed the Paris Theater with the movie “Pavarotti” and exited the other theater owned by the owner, the Beekman Theatre.

On November 6, 2019, Netflix reopened the Paris Theater with their movie “Marriage Story” starring Scarlett Johansson. It was closed on February 27, 2020 for renovations, and remained closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It reopened on March 19, 2021 with about 530-seats, and Eddie Redmayne in “The Trial of the Chicago 7” was screened exclusively in 35mm. It was closed in early June 2023, for installation of Atmos surround sound including 92 speakers, and 70mm projection, and reopened September 1, 2023 with a Big & Loud series including Netflix’s “Roma” shown that day in Atmos and shown later that day in 70mm, and the French classic; Jaques Tati in “Playtime” (1967) shown between these screenings in 70mm.

Recent comments (view all 408 comments)

Bill Huelbig on August 28, 2023 at 8:58 am

Can’t wait to see “2001” here. I saw “Lawrence of Arabia” here in 70mm many years ago. Now I can see it again. This is a great way to keep midtown Manhattan’s last single-screen theater alive.

Comfortably Cool on December 28, 2023 at 1:03 pm

Currently being branded by Netflix management as “Manhattan’s Last Single-Screen Movie Palace.” What a distortion of architectural history!

RickB on December 28, 2023 at 2:16 pm

More like a maisonette…

Mikeoaklandpark on December 28, 2023 at 4:28 pm

Why would it be a distortion it is the last single screen theater left.

Mike (saps) on December 28, 2023 at 5:37 pm

571 seats does not a palace make.

That being said, it is for sure a cinema treasure.

(I was pleased to see a half page ad for this theater in last Friday’s New York Times. Maybe somebody can post that ad here…?)

Ed Solero on December 28, 2023 at 6:18 pm

I would argue with Netflix that the original auditorium of the Village East by Angelika, is still intact and operating as a single screen, even though there are additional screens in the annexed space adjacent to it!

Mikeoaklandpark on December 29, 2023 at 3:51 pm

Good point Ed Solero.

HowardBHaas on December 29, 2023 at 3:57 pm

My understanding is that orchestra seating of the Village East was turned into additional screens. The Village East is palatial and ornate, but I don’t mind the use of the term for the Paris. Look around at the plexes! Netflix programs everything from premieres and special events, from 35mm and 70mm, at the Paris. The theater is very special, yet would have been lost had it not been for Netflix.

Ed Solero on December 29, 2023 at 7:25 pm

My error, if that’s the case, Howard. I figured if the space is landmarked (which I believe it is) it would have been unaltered.

vindanpar on January 25, 2024 at 4:33 pm

Paramount changed its policy on R&J. Frank told Paramount no to a roadshow run and it was done continuous performances at the Paris.