Brooklyn Paramount

Built in 1928, by the studio that bore its name, the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre was opened on November 24, 1928 with Nancy Carroll in “Manhattan Cocktail” (a silent film with sound effects). On stage was Paul Ash’s Band, Maria Gambarelli and Eddie Cantor in “That Certain Feeling”, a ten act stage revue featuring violinist David Rubinoff, and the entire show was directed by John Murray Anderson. The twin consoles of the Wurlitzer 4 Manual 26 Ranks organ were opened by organists Henry Murtagh and George A. Johnson. The Brooklyn Paramount Theatre is a magnificent 4,201 seat movie palace, which opened only three months after the huge 4,088-seat Fox Theatre almost directly across Flatbush Avenue Extension. In hindsight, the Paramount Theatre was initially never a successful theatre as it had to compete with other nearby theatres:Metropolitan Theatre (3,580 seats), Albee Theatre (3,246 seats), Fox Theatre (4,088 seats) and Strand Theatre (2,894 seats) all within a few minutes walk away, perhaps the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre was one theatre too many? By April 1933 it was closed for 4 months and it was closed again from May 1934 until the Fall of that year, when it reopened with a movies only policy.

The main bulk of the auditorium is hidden from view on Flatbush Avenue Extension by the rather stark looking 10-story office block, which gives the building a 1950’s look rather than the style of architecture that was being built in the late-1920’s. A huge sky-sign was originally mounted on the top of the building and there were two huge vertical blade signs above each side of the small corner entrance which had a marquee. The Brooklyn Paramount Theatre is considered to be one of the most flamboyant of all the theatres designed by the architectural firm Rapp & Rapp of Chicago and Edwin C.A. Bullock working out of the firms' New York office. The large lobby, though grand and spacious, is rather plain compared to the auditorium treatment. Here on the side-walls of the auditorium are large bays and alcoves decorated with columns and urns with a plain wall behind. Originally a projected image was shown through these bays giving the audience a vision of looking through the arches onto formal gardens of French royal palaces in the 18th Century. The ceiling is a painted blue dome to represent the sky, under which is hung a perforated trellis. The entire auditorium treatment is in a French Baroque Atmospheric style. Seating was provided for 2,018 in the orchestra, 434 in the mezzanine and 1,749 in the balcony.

Many stars have appeared on its stage, including:Buddy Rogers, Eddie Cantor, George Jessel, Mae West and Rudy Vallee. In later years business did pick up until the downturn began due to the increasing popularity of Television. It became popular in the 1950’s and one could say even famous for the Rock ‘n Roll shows staged by Alan Freed where Fats Domino, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis had the audiences dancing in the aisles. The last live show was in 1961:-Clay Cole’s “Easter Parade of Stars” starring Jackie Wilson and an all-star cast. A sparse audience of only 300 came along to see the final film “Hatari!” starring John Wayne on August 28, 1962.

The Long Island University had already purchased the building in 1950 and converted the office block into their Brooklyn Campus. Upon the Paramount Theatre’s closure in 1962 they took over the theatre section of the building and removed the two giant blade signs and sky sign on the roof. The marquee was also removed and the vestibule entrance on the corner was filled in and a new entrance inserted. The main lobby of the theatre served as a student canteen, and the spacious lounges beneath were used as conference rooms and offices.

In the auditorium the orchestra floor was levelled to provide the facility with a basket-ball court, and the mezzanine level and loge seats were removed. The rear of the huge balcony was converted into offices. It reopened in 1962 as the Harold and Maria Schwartz Athletic Center. It was later renamed Metcalfe Hall.

Harsh spotlights illuminated the auditorium instead of the original subtle concealed and projected lighting which gave the auditorium its illusion of grandeur. The Wurlitzer organ has only one console which is still in working order and over the years it has been maintained. It is normally hidden away beneath the basket-ball court, still located in the old orchestra pit on its elevator. Many argue that the instrument is one of the finest in the country, if not the World!

In 2005 the basketball team, named LIU Blackbirds, moved to a new purpose-built athletics center and apart from an occasional special event, the Brooklyn Paramount was not in use.

On January 29, 2015 it was announced that Barclays Center affiliate Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment had formed an alliance with Long Island University to reopen the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre as an entertainment venue, which would host music, comedy and boxing events in the auditorium which would have a capacity for 3,000 in orchestra & mezzanine levels. Plans for renovations were drawn up by architect Hugh Hardy & his firm to cost $50 million and take two to three years. Renovation/restoration work began November 1, 2018, but due to money restraints, it wouldn’t be a full restoration similar to which the Loew’s Kings Theatre received in 2015. Here at the Brooklyn Paramount, the huge balcony was to be left untouched, but if the theatre does well after its reopening, then there may be plans to renovate that area also. It was planned to reopen in August-2019. However restoration work really never got off the ground and was halted in 2019.

In July 2023 it was announced that Live Nation had acquired the Brooklyn Paramount on a 25 years' lease and following restorations (which had begun at the beginning of July 2023) it reopened on March 27, 2024 as a major live-act venue renamed Brooklyn Paramount. Programing is envisaged to feature family shows, comedy, sporting events and private programs for Long Island University and community events. A smaller marquee will be installed, but no vertical blade signs. The auditorium would have 1,200-seats and a total capacity (including standing) for 2,600. An indoors liquor licence has been approved until 4am. The Wurlitzer organ will be preserved, but it is not known if it will be used.

Recent comments (view all 303 comments)

Mike (saps) on December 21, 2021 at 7:58 pm

Someone on the Kings thread said LIU pulled out. What’s the story?

WilliamMcQuade on December 21, 2021 at 8:41 pm

Pulled out of using the spot. Who owns it and what if anything are the plans for its future use ?

Mike (saps) on December 22, 2021 at 12:33 am

Since LIU owns the location, I guess it is Barclays that pulled out.

WilliamMcQuade on December 22, 2021 at 2:46 am

Will it ever go forward even if and when the pandemic ends ?

Comfortably Cool on June 10, 2022 at 3:24 pm

Photographs of 130 Brooklyn theatres, most of them from municipal tax files and already displayed individually at Cinema Treasures, can be found in the resource linked here

Mike (saps) on January 19, 2023 at 3:36 am

Any news on this house?

Ssc48 on February 23, 2024 at 11:12 pm

Reopening March 27, 2024 with already over 50 shows booked.

m00se1111 on February 24, 2024 at 3:02 pm

Photos of refurbished interior here..

https://www.brooklynpaper.com/restored-brooklyn-paramount-to-open-march/

Mike (saps) on February 24, 2024 at 3:16 pm

There are more pictures on their website, but you have to dig to find them.

Comfortably Cool on April 16, 2024 at 4:11 pm

No digging is required in this announcement by Live Nation about its booking/management connection to the rejuvenated Brooklyn Paramount. Click here