Paramount Theatre

I saw a few movies there in the 70's like: "Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid" & "The Exorcist". The place was so huge that even if a 200 - 300 people were there it seemed empty. I Also saw a 3 band concert there with: "Styx", "Cock & Bull" and "Dr. Hook & his Fabulous Medicine Show". (I sat in the balcony)

The million dollar Paramount theatre opened on September 3, 1931 on the site of the burned down Rialto Theatre. Some outstanding and unusual features of the Paramount was the park setting to the west of the entrance, it had rock gardens, waterfalls, trees, shrubs, flower gardens and rustic seats.
The Paramount is now the home of the Fox Valley Synphony and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 18, 1980.

I'll always have fond memories of the Paramount. In 1980, I released a oldies compilation ablum and I wanted a picture of a Paramount theatre on the album's cover. After having the marquee set up with all the various artists names, the photographer informed me that to get the best "shot" he'd have to be in the middle of the river. I guess someone overheard us talking because 30 minutes later the Aurora Fire Dept. arrived and my photographer was wisked away in a basket and extended over the river.
Thanks again Aurora Fire Dept. and the Paramount staff.

http://www.rcwegman.com/html/paramount_arts_center_gif.html Here are a few interior photos.

Any chance you might have a audience participation Rocky Horror Picture Show this summer or the near future?

I can be emailed back at Maude_Merriman@excite.com

Thanks.

From Russell Phillips' Galleries:

Paramount Auditorium, 1983

Recent color photos of this theatre can be found on the site: "America's Stunning Theatres" by photographer and stagehand Noah Kern at: http://www.pbase.com/affablebeef/theatres Comments and information may be left there without registration; such can be public view or only to Mr. Kern. Scroll down the page to find the name, and then click on the sample image above it to be taken to the page of photos of it.

Nice current photo on page 163 of Reader's Digest Discover America ISBN 0762104341.

Here is a color photo of the Paramount Theatre Auditorium.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/Chuck1231/Illinois%20Theatres/ParamountTheatreAuroraIl.jpg

I saw movies at the Paramount as a child; of all the theatres my parents took me to, this was the one I loved the best for its ornate loveliness. The approach to it is wonderful, with the river right there to see. During the '80's I traveled with a theatre company that played this hall after it's renovation. It's still a wonderful building.

The marquee reminds me of the marquee of the Paradise Theatre in Chicago.

Russell Phillips Photo:
Paramount Auditorium

Here is a recent photo of the Paramount Theater.

This is another photo of the Paramount Theater.

A Wurlitzer theater organ opus 2157 style BAL 2 was installed in the Paramount Theater on 4/27/31. Status: sold.

Here are some photos of the Paramount Theater.

I took my mother here to see Olivia Newton John. Our seats were in the last row of the main floor. It was halfway over before she realized it wasn't Ann Margaret.

I also saw Bjorn Again, an ABBA cover band here... I know...
The crowd was mostly seniors. So there must have been some kind of group packages offered or something.

The Paramount is an absolutely beautiful place. Took a while to get to, but well worth it. Right on a river, with storefronts that should be booming but weren't.

They run stuff like the above, Brad Garrett, Turtles, etc. I think the parking as free and shared by a casino.

What a beautiful-looking theatre!! Love that design!

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Here are some 1984 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

1983 interior photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

The film "Public Enemies" about John Dillinger had a scene that took place in this theater.

A 3/13 Wurlitzer was installed in the theatre in 1931