Paramount Theatre
195 Market Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
195 Market Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
16 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Paramount-Publix
Architects: Thomas White Lamb
Previous Names: H.C. Miner's Newark Theatre, Newark Theatre, Paramount Newark
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jul 25, 2014 — Movie Houses of Greater Newark
Opened on October 11, 1886 as H.C. Miner’s Newark Theatre. It was originally a vaudeville house managed by Hyde & Behman Amusement Co., a Brooklyn based theatre management company. After H.C. Miner’s death in 1900, his surviving relatives retained ownership of the theatre for several years until its sale in 1916 to Edward Speigel, the owner of the nearby Strand Theatre. It was at this time that the theatre was equipped with a Hutchings 3 manual organ. Speigel also purchased the building next to the theatre with intent to use the space to expand the theatre. To accomplish this he hired famed theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb to do the alterations. In 1917, Thomas Lamb remodeled the theatre in an Adam style. In 1917 it was equipped with an Austin 2 manual 13 ranks organ. This was enlarged in 1923 to an Austin 2 manual 18 ranks organ.
Following a makeover it was renamed Paramount Newark on September 4, 1931 screening Claudette Colbert in “Secrets of a Secretary” plus 4 big stage shows. The former Paramount Theatre still boasts the vertical ‘Paramount’ sign, as well as the ‘Newark’ marquee. The Paramount Theatre was closed on April 1, 1986 due to a hike in insurance rates.
Although a retail store operated out of the former lobby until around April 2011, a store employee confirmed that behind the drop ceilings and walls remains much of the old theatre, complete with stage area and balcony seating intact. During the winter of 2020/2021 part of the auditorium roof collapsed due to the weight of snow.
Contributed by
Marty Nartinez
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Recent comments (view all 88 comments)
Article about “Joker” with screen shots of the “Newart”.
https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/movie-poster-of-the-week-the-posters-in-joker?fbclid=IwAR272uX2clL7gbBrmAVGVasKNapa44d1-r9Xd8wETK3yh0nf5kq1KpRiLpI
As of 2021, half of the theater’s roof has collapsed. The weight of all the snow and ice we got was just too much for the old girl to withstand. I have not heard any updates on the redevelopment of the property since.
EsseXploreR, I knew that was coming. When I worked at the Arena on the next block, I could see the sag in the roof the past few years. I knew it was just a matter of time that this would happen. So sad.
Was there ever an organ in this theatre?
It appears that the organ parts were abandoned with the theatre. Looking at the organ changers you can see rotted wooden pipes that are still there. What type of organ would have been ehre
Ssc48: I have added the organ details into the overview above.
Yes, It had an organ 100 years ago. Austin OrganNewark TheatreOpus 682 Size 2/18 Date of additions 1927 Cost $7,000; Additions: 5 ranks and traps Austin OrganNewark TheatreOpus 682 Size 2/13 Date of installation 1917 Blower Serial #7825Horsepower 5Cost $4,400
Renamed Paramount Newark on September 4th, 1931. Grand opening ad posted.
The Adams and Paramount theatres closed on April 1st after massive insurance rate hikes.
That’s April 1st, 1986.