Paramount Theatre
121-27 3rd Avenue SE,
Cedar Rapids,
IA
52401
121-27 3rd Avenue SE,
Cedar Rapids,
IA
52401
2 people
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The restored organ had its first concert in March 2014.
For those interested in hearing the Cedar Rapids Paramount Wurlitzer organ, it will be presented in concert Thursday evening October 30, 2014. Tickets can be obtained from the Paramount Box Office or Ticket Master. There is a behind the scenes tour of the Wurlitzer organ chambers prior to the performance.
The Paramount will reopen Nov. 3 2012. The organ console has returned to the theater, but it will still be another year before the rest of the components return and are installed. The stage house has been expanded and the orchestra pit enlarged. The seating has been reduced to around 1700.
The organ components were removed from the theatre over the February 11th weekend. They are on their way to Reno Nevada for a complete restoration that will take about 18 months. I am the job super on the restoration. You may enjoy watching some of my videos on YouTube that i have posted regarding the restoration. Search for username flyboyslc1 There are currently about half a dozen videos and i post one or two more a week. The theatre is scheduled to be open again late October of 2012.
How is the organ restoration proceeding? Anyone know what other organ elements are needed? I have a lead if someone has a contact. Thx
The pipes for the organ and the relay are still in the chambers. The console is a total loss as is the blower. A replacement blower has been located. There are possible leads on a replacement console of similar vintage that can be redecorated to match the original. Restoring the organ is very much part of the plan.
Are they going to put the original organ back and in working condition?
Oct.31 1940 has Baby Sandy in “SANDY GETS GER MAN”.
Detailed restoration plans for the theatre have been released; the restoration will include a complete restoration of the WurliTzer and replication of the original console. http://www.cr-atos.org
The CR-ATOS website has more updates on the organs. Consoles for both the Paramount and Theatre Cedar Rapids organs were damaged “beyond repair” and the soplor chamber of the Barton received heavy water damage. CR-ATOS and Cedar Rapids Barton inc. are working together on restoration and conservation the Barton at theatre Cedar Rapids, which will include a replica of the original console. The city of Cedar Rapids recently approved a restoration plan for the Paramount and in early 2010 planning efforts will begin for the restoration of the Paramount Wurlitzer and replication of the console.
The renovation of the Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Barton has already commenced, and is scheduled for completion by spring 2011.
Here is a photo of the partly submerged console of the Barton at the Theatre Cedar Rapids:
View link
Here is a photo of the toppled console of the Paramount Wurlitzer:
View link
A more detailed set of articles on the restoration progress of both theatres and organs with more photos and updates can be found at the main CR-atos page: http://www.cr-atos.org/
Here is a December 1952 ad from the Cedar Rapids Gazette:
http://tinyurl.com/yf7jrdk
The city is moving ahead with plans to restore the theater. FEMA is providing 90% and the state 10% of the funding. Debate about building a new, larger auditorium stopped when folks realized that the Feds would only pay for restoration not replacement. Seems that pesky “historical” designation screwed over those morons that wanted to build some bland, characterless glass and steel box.
The Paramount unfortunately got flooded again, this time due to a broken water pipe. Cedar Rapids Theater Organ Society’s website (www.cr-atos.com) has an article from December 26, 2008 on the flooding. It was apparently mainly the basements and orchestra pit that were affected this time. The console of the Wurlitzer organ was removed after this past summer’s flood and is in storage, so at least it has been spared from being immersed again. However, it looks like now yet more work will have to be done to clean up the Paramount.
According to CRATOS, both consoles were damaged, particularly the one at the Paramount, which was toppled over and tossed around by 8+ feet of water. The console at the Theatre Cedar Rapids was hit by 4 feet of water but remained standing. Both organ consoles have been removed to a restoration site by the CRATOS.
The CRATOS website is providing regular updates, but unfortunately the Paramount’s website is down; I hope their renovations are continuing.
“I suppose the organs must be destroyed.”
We certainly hope not! CRATOS (The Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society) is providing updates on the situation with the organs (Paramount and Iowa Theatres) on or website:
http://www.cr-atos.com
I suppose the organs must be destroyed.
Yes, I saw TV news tape made yesterday in Cedar Rapids, probably from a boat downtown. The entrance of the Paramount appeared to have water at least 4 to 5 feet deep in front of it. What a shame! I visited the Paramount in the mid-1980s with a Theatre Historical Society group. It’s a large and beautiful theater. The water in Cedar Rapids appears to be quite a bit deeper than the water in downtown New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina.
today the news showed downtown cedar rapids flooded, with the waters nearly up to the marquee on the paramount theatre.
On 6/17/73, the Paramount was showing an x-rated film called “Sex and the Office Girl”.
The Capitol Theatre opened on 1st September 1928 with Richard Dix starring in “Warming Up”, the first Paramount Pictures sound movie. The Wurlitzer 3Manual/11Rank organ was played by Stanley Anstett who had previously been with the Chicago Theatre, Chicago.
Opened as the Capitol Theatre in August 1928.
The original seating capacity of the theatre was 1945. In the late 1970s the first row on the main floor was removed to expand the orchestra pit, and some seats in the balcony were removed for a sound booth. This reduced the seating to 1901.
The theatre recently reopened after a multimillion dollar renovation. A new “rehearsal” hall was built for the symphony, next to the theatre. So far the symphony has ignored it. New HVAC, carpeting, electrical, lobby/restrooms, seating and plaster repair were done.
Unfortunately the company running the theatre for the city, still looks only at the bottom line and will probably run it in to the ground again with minimal maintanence.
When the Paramount Theatre was a movie theatre it seated 2500 people.