Paramount Theatre
1501 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10036
1501 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10036
36 people
favorited this theater
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Seventy years ago today, Frank Sinatra was headlining the Paramount Theatre’s stage show, with support from Gracie Barrie & Her Orchestra and comedian Gene Sheldon. Paramount’s B&W “Five Graves to Cairo” was the screen attraction. Doors opened at 9:30 AM, with the last complete stage and screen show starting at 15 minutes past midnight.
And glorious 4 channel Warnerphonic sound!
With four projectors in the booth no 3-D reel change intermission was necessary at the Paramount
Sixty years ago today, WB’s “House of Wax,” in 3-D Natural Vision, WarnerColor, and with Warner Phonic Sound, opened its world premiere engagement at the Paramount Theatre. Recording sensation Eddie Fisher, who’d once been an intermission singer at the Paramount, returned to top the stage bill, with support from Hugo Winterhalter & His Orchestra, the Beachcombers, and comedian Joey Forman. On that night only, “Wax” stars Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Phyllis Kirk, and Paul Picerni made guest appearances during the stage shows.
Of course the other Paramount is listed – as Sony Columbus Circle – http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/2654
Yes, I remember it..the walls looked like the inside of a poloroid [spell check if needed] camera..
I’m surprised nobody mentioned it or that it is not among the theatre listing, but there was another “Paramount Theatre” operated by Cinema 5 (Rugoff), during the early to late 70’s. This later incarnation was located on the corner of 60th St. & Broadway as part of the plaza of the then Gulf and Western Bldg (now Trump International). It had a unique design. The top area was a glass enclosed circular building containing the box office and theatre marquee. After purchasing your ticket, you took an escalator down to a subterranean level which housed the actual theatre and concession stands. I worked there in 1978 before moving over to The Plaza on 58th. Theatre was closed and disappeared while I was living abroad. Came back to see an empty spot where this theatre once stood. Worked many shows but the two that stand out are “Foul Play,” and “Up In Smoke.” I remember the long lines outside of it when “The Exorcist” was playing.
Here’s a rare view of the Paramount Pictures Preview Theatre, which was on the ninth floor of the Paramount Building. All new Paramount films were screened there for home office executives, and the publicity department also used it for press showings. When Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” had its first executive screening there, everyone attending first had to sign a pledge to not reveal the surprise ending. That included elderly Adolph Zukor, who was observed sleeping through most of the film: Boxoffice
Seventy years ago tonight, Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn,” the B&W musical with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire which introduced “White Christmas,” had its world premiere at the Paramount Theatre as a benefit for the Naval Relief Society. A special stage show for that night only was emceed by Irving Berlin himself, with performances by Alice Faye, Connee Boswell, Carol Bruce, Betty Hutton, Jan Peerce, Ann Miller, Zero Mostel, and the orchestras (or bands) of Xavier Cugat, Benny Goodman, Phil Harris, and Phil Spitalny. Regular performances of “Holiday Inn” started the next day, with stage show topped by Skinnay Ennis & Band and the Ink Spots.
A nice view of the Paramount’s flashing marquee in color in the movie “Stage Struck”. 1958 directed by Sidney Lumet starring Susan Strasberg. Just screened at Portage Theater in Chicago.
“Automatic vending” pictured in the Paramount’s grand lobby in 1959:boxoffice
Soupy Sales was last to do rock show there..
May 1965, the premiere of the first HARLOW starring Carol Lynley. This was the quickly filmed B&W Electronovision bio rushed into theatres to beat the Joseph E. Levine/Paramount HARLOW. Sharing the bill with the film was a Rock and Roll stage show hosted by, I believe, Clay Cole.
Featured in this two-page trade ad for a WB biopic. The Paramount’s managing director, Bob Shapiro, can be seen at far right on the second page, wearing a dark double-breasted overcoat: boxoffice
New Raytone Pantex screen installed in 1952: boxoffice
Here’s an April 1949 trade ad showing the Paramount’s new marquee: boxofficemagazine
Here’s the article connected to the cover photo: boxofficemagazine
The Paramount’s historic large screen TV presentation on April 14th, 1948 quickly made the front cover of this trade journal:boxofficemagazine
For twenty consecutive weeks in 1944, the Paramount Theatre played only two movies (both supported by stage shows):boxofficemagazine
Thanks Brad…
Click here for an exterior view of the Paramount Theatre in 1929.
Here is a link to the New York Times review of Strategic Air Command. And here is an excerpt from that review, reporting on both the film and surrounding hoopla. Sounds like it was a helluva night:
“NEVER, in many years of looking at Air Force and aviation films, have we seen the familiar wide blue yonder so wide or so magnificently displayed as it is in the Vista-Vision process used to project "Strategic Air Command.”
“This latest Paramount service picture, which received a full-dress première under the sponsorship of the Air Force Association last night at the Paramount Theatre, is far and away the most elaborate and impressive pictoral show of the beauty and organized power of the United States air arm that has yet been put upon the screen.
“But, certainly, an equal measure of credit for the pictorial impressiveness of this show must go to the Vista-Vision process, which is here being revealed for the second time. The first use of Vista-Vision was in "White Christmas,” several months ago, but that use was technically less finished and on a subject of less scope than is shown here.
“Now the full advantage of the Vista Vision wide film in giving size, depth and clarity, as well as fidelity of color, to big and detailed outdoor scenes is richly and dramatically apparent. The great panoramic shots of air fields, crowded with colorful equipment, betoken the precision and clear focus of the large Vista Vision lens. And the scenes in the air of cloud formations, of planes venting feathery vapor trails and of in-air refueling operations, all graphically shown, attest to the new dramatic potential of the sharp and well-proportioned image on a large scale.
“Vista Vision, in this particular showing, appears as grand as Cinerama, more felicitous and free than CinemaScope.
“But, above all, there are those airplanes, the roaring engines, the cluttered cockpits, the clouds and sky. These are the things that make your eyes bug and your heart leap with wonder and pride.
“The invitational world première of "Strategic Air Command” was held under the auspices of the Air Force Association.
“A large crowd thronged the Times Square area before the theatre, where searchlights heralded the occasion. The spectators watched the arrival of 3,500 guests, who included personalities in the armed services, politics, entertainment and business.
“Interviews with James Stewart, co-star of the picture, and other attending celebrities were telecast from the theatre lobby to a national audience on the Arthur Godfrey program. Mr. Godfrey served as moderator.
“In a stage ceremony prior to the screening, Mr. Stewart accepted a citation of honor from Maj. Gen. C. R. Smith, representing the A. F. A., for "distinguished public service and outstanding artistic achievement” in connection with the film."
Fifty-seven years ago tonight, Paramount’s VistaVision and Technicolor “Strategic Air Command” had its invitational world premiere at the Times Square Paramount on what was claimed to be “The World’s Largest Theatre Screen.” James Stewart, one of the stars of the movie, headed the celebrity-studded event, which was covered “live” by Arthur Godfrey on his national CBS-TV program. Regular continuous performances of “Strategic Air Command” started the next day at the Paramount, with doors opening at 8:30am.
Eighty years ago today, Paramount’s “This Could Be the Night,” a B&W romantic comedy now best remembered for the feature film debut of Cary Grant, opened its NYC premiere engagement at both the Times Square and Brooklyn Paramounts. Needless to say, with different stage presentations. The New York Paramount had the “Greatest All-Colored Entertainment Ever Presented,” headed by Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra, including “Snake-Hips” Tucker, several vocalists, the Four Step Brothers, the Sepian Strutters, and George Dewey Washington. At the Paramount in downtown Brooklyn, Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians headed the stage bill, with a supporting cast of 50 entertainers and resident organists Merle Clark & Elsie Thompson.
Tinseltoes that House Of Wax 3-D showing was one the few that were done without intermision. The Paramounts four projector booth made that possible.