Paramount Theater
518-520 Adams Street,
Toledo,
OH
43604
518-520 Adams Street,
Toledo,
OH
43604
5 people
favorited this theater
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Click here for an exterior view of the Paramount Theatre in 1930.
This is a picture of Rapp and Rapp’s Gateway Theater in Chicago. It opened in June of 1930 and was the second of only two atmospheric theaters designed by Rapp and Rapp. The other being the Toledo Paramount Theater. The Gateway is still standing and can be viewed in Cinema treasures. This photo has often been mistaken as the Toledo Paramount but actually was not as ornate or as large as the Toledo Paramount. Sadly the Paramount in Toledo met with the wrecking ball in 1965.
Added some new pictures..Enjoy.
The Wurlitzer was a 4-20 Publix 1 model, a deluxe setup with extra features reserved for upscale theatres. The elaborately embelished console rose from the pit on the left side of the stage on it’s own screw lift. The pipework was housed in two chambers on either side of the stage with a third percussion chamber on the left. The mallet percussions were large scale and quite loud, with a carousel-like timbre that filled the entire theatre and somewhat overpowered the speaking pipes which had a more refined voicing. The Virgil Howard recordings well document the unique sound of this fine Wurltizer setup.
I received a copy of the 1992 Theater Historical Society which is still available…check on Ebay. It is filled with archival photos from Rapp and Rapp. One can appreciate the beauty of this theater. As a child of nine I remember walking past the Paramount on the Huron St. side along with my mom and three siblings. I remember the tall vertical sign and was impressed. Never saw a movie there…probably too expensive for our family. The last time I remember seeing it was during the demolition phase…all that remained was the stage. A great loss for Toledo.
From the early 1920s a postcard view of the Paramount Theatre in Toledo.
Thanks Chris, interesting photos.
I think the three interior photos originally posted by Bryan Krefft and Lost Memory can still be seen here, as well as a picture of the booth set-up for Cinerama: http://cinerama.topcities.com/ctparamount.htm
Too bad most of the photos do not work anymore.
And to think this theatre was the only atmospheric built by Rapp and Rapp. The Warner in Erie PA is a Rapp and Rapp.
Jules: Perhaps you can give us some insight since your grandfather owned the Paramount at one time why this theatre was allowed to be demolished as it was a magnificant structure! A theatre similar to the Paramount was the Palace in Youngstown Ohio, but sadly it was also demolished.
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Does anyone have any photos at all of the exterior and interior spaces of the Paramount. It appears that all the posted links to the photos are not working any longer. Thanks!
Linda: Yes, it is a shame and I didn’t even grow up in the Toledo area. When I read about the velvet curtains and the grand staircase it really makes me wonder why this theatre couldn’t have been saved and bring back those ticket takers in uniforms, too!
I fondly remember going to all of the original Disney movies (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, etc.) at the Saturday matinee. It was a gorgous theatre, with velvet curtains, a grand staircase up to the balcony and the ticket takers wore uniforms! I’m sure you’ll remember the Commodore Perry hotel and the Lion Store (THE place to shop back in the day). It is a shame that these historic buildings are gone.
This auction is for an LP of the last concert in the old Paramount Theatre in Toledo, OH. The organ this concert was played upon is one of the best in the world as were the acoustics inside the Paramount Theatre.
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My grandfather, Ora L Brailey owned the Paramount and the Princess theaters at one time. My mother, Carolyn Williams has many fond memories of that era. It is such a shame that these magnificent structures were not preserved.
Bob Wasserman: Your memories of by-gone theatres in Toledo were wonder to read yet bittersweet when I read your use of the words, “opulence” and “red velvet ropes”! Even as a child of 6 or 7 you were impressed and recall your time spent there with your stepmother. I’m sure there are many other Toledo residents or former residents who recall this theatre as you do.
Lost Memory: I don’t know how you do it, but you always come through for me and I truly appreciate it every single time! These photos of a long ago Paramount Theatre in Toledo OH are sadly all that remains of a Rapp & Rapp atmospheric theatre which is such a shame and beyond reason why and how that city would demolish a theatre has palatial as that one! Lord have mercy!
Patsy….Lobby, auditorium and grand staircase. I don’t know how long these links will work because the website that hosts the photos is doing updates.
The following is an email that I rec’d from a former Toledo resident and his memories of the many Toledo theatres including the Paramount:
I not only know where it stood… I used to see movies there a couple times a month as a kid growing up in Toledo. It was next door to the Palace Theatre (not as nice)… and across the street from the very old and extremely beautiful [Lowes] Valentine Theatre built in 1895. The Valentine is the one that I want you to visit. It’s very nice inside. They restored it to “original”, as much as possible. It was never as big as the Paramount (torn down in 1965), but the Valentine was still very nice with a lot of old charm and style. Like I said, you can still see much of that charm & style… but the main entrance is on the other side of the building now. The lobby and theatre remain the same. You will enjoy it. They have a lot of shows there. When it reopened a few years ago, I was in Toledo and saw the Hoagy Carmichael Tribute Show there… (Stardust, etc.) Anyway, thanks for the great old photo of the popular Rivoli Theatre. Lots of great memories: “Snow White”… “Old Yeller”… “Lady & the Tramp”… “Auntie Mame”… “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”… “Absent-Minded Professor”… and many, many more!!!
A March 10, 2006 demo photo is just the worst to view!
The July 29, 2004 doesn’t seem to show the grand staircase, auditorium and lobby…help, Lost Memory! And March 18, 2005 doesn’t show a demolition photo though not sure I want to see it! Have viewed other demo photos on this link and just can’t believe my eyes!
Lost Memory: Thanks once again for a stunning b/w photo of this theatre marquee. What a loss for the City of Toledo.
Here is a circa 1931 photo of the Paramount Theater.