Paramount Theatre

Mike Rogers on November 29, 2010 at 2:50 pm

Nov.5 1928 it was called the PARAMOUNT so that is not 1929 as written above. Playing that date was “KING OF KINGS” that entire week with special scared music.admission was Fifty and thirty-five cents.

1234 on December 18, 2010 at 8:47 am

In an earlier posting about some articles I did on the Howard/Paramount for the Atlanta Chapter ATOS newsetters, it was stated that they would only be on that site for a year. Since then these newsletters are available by going to the ATlanta Chapter ATOS and going to previous newsletters. The articles on the Paramount are Oct 2006, and MAy 2007. INcluded are many interior shots of the theatre, and a photo of the facade as it appears in Moultrie Ga.
Enjoy.

theatreorganmana on February 22, 2011 at 11:00 am

I have just completed the book, “Tales of a Southern Palazzo” which all you Atlanta Paramount disciples might enjoy. The book, to be published by Outskirts Press late spring – early summer, 2011, reads like fiction although it is a loving memoir of a “complex, twisted, and highly fragrant sotry” about Moultrie, Georgia that is basically true! Using a “singularly distinctive mansion that cements all of the Southern waywardness” as a backdrop, “Tales” recounts the hilarious and otentimes unbelieveable events that have occurred during the tenure of three Southern bachelors within and without its Palladian walls. Theatre historians will recall that the “Palazzo” was fashioned from five of the upper facade sections of the Paramaount by my uncle, William Frank McCall, Jr.

Don K. on April 2, 2011 at 12:52 pm

Elvis Presley at The Paramount, June 22,23,& 24, 1956:

check out: www.scottymoore.net/paramount.html

Interesting photos and ads from this event. Here’s a quote from the site:

“On June 22nd thru the 24th, 1956, Elvis, Scotty, Bill and DJ appeared at the Paramount for ten performances in three days. A blurb on page 34 in the advertising section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on the 22nd advertised Elvis' arrival in Atlanta and announced the shows at the Paramount. It also said, "Appearing with him will be a variety show consisting of 16 vocalists, instrumentalists and comedians.”

A review of Friday’s performances appearing on page 6 on the 23rd read, “Elvis Presley rolled into Atlanta Friday, rocked through three performances at the Paramount Theater and had one of his $15 white jersey shirts ripped off by enthusiastic female fans. The rock ‘n’ roll artist received a welcome which he described as "great” upon his arrival in Atlanta from his home town of Memphis. He performed before capacity crowds at all three shows Friday. A majority of the spectators were teen-age girls.“1

“Presley moaned through seven of the most popular rock ‘n’ roll tunes, including "Heartbreak Hotel” and “Blue Suede Shoes,” at each of the Friday shows. He was dressed in a green jacket, black trousers, white jersey shirt, black tie and black and white shoes.“1

“Two guitarists and a drummer accompanied him. Presley wore a guitar around his neck throughout the performance but did not play it. He was preceded by a variety show which included the Jordanaires, a singing group which has made a number of records with him, a comedy routine and other vocalists."1

“Ten policemen were on duty at the performance, but other than the shirt-ripping episode and squeals from the elated female audience, nothing unusual happened. Presley, who always wanted to be a "truck driver,” has been in show business for one and a half years. He has a 1A draft classification and thinks he will probably be drafted in about six months.“1

“Presley is scheduled to do four shows Saturday, three Sunday, and then leave Atlanta for Savannah and another personal appearance."1

If anyone on this site actually attended any of these shows, I wish they’d share their memories with us!

Jester on August 28, 2011 at 2:25 pm

For Don K. I attended the Elvis concert at the Paramount. I was in the 10th grade at Murphy High School. Two older girls (sisters) lived next door to my family in East Lake. They invited me to go. I had never heard of Elvis Presley. We sat on about the second row of the balcony, in the center. I was astonished, and befuddled, by all the screaming by every girl in the house. I just couldn’t figure it out, and I could hardly hear. I certainly didn’t think it was merited. The warm-up act was Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, including June Carter (later June Carter Cash), with Mother Maybelle playing her autoharp in its ‘held-high" position.And of course, they played Wildflower Flower. And, indeed, the Jordonaires (a gospel group, actually) were his back-up group. The photo on this cite reminded me that in those days, ushers always escorted patrons to empty seats with a flashlight, and if you were a party of two and there were single seats on a row, the usher would make people bunch up so thee would be two side-by-side seats for a couple.