Brooklyn Paramount Theatre
385 Flatbush Avenue Extension,
Brooklyn,
NY
11201
385 Flatbush Avenue Extension,
Brooklyn,
NY
11201
38 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1928, by the studio that bore its name, the Brooklyn Paramount was a magnificent 4,124 seat movie palace that closed in 1962, one year after the horrific razing of the Roxy Theatre in Manhattan.
Now serving as a gymnasium for Long Island University, the transformation is one of the strangest in movie theater history. Although the old Paramount has lost some of its original look, the building still contains the original Wurlitzer organ.
The Wurlitzer, in fact, is still maintained and used for the college’s basketball games. Many argue that the gymnasium’s organ is the finest in the country, if not the world.
Contributed by
William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 334 comments)
Here is a link to a larger photo.
http://gothamist.com/2011/07/15/flashback_the_paramount_theater_in.php#photo-21
Here are details of the Clavilux System that could be used to create special color effects throughout the BP’s auditorium whenever the organ was played: archive
Here’s some news!! The New York Theatre Organ Society will present the 1925 Horror Movie Classic “The Phantom of the Opera” Starring Lon Chaney at the Brooklyn Paramount on Sunday, October 28th 2012 at 3PM. The Brooklyn Paramount Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ will be played with the movie. General Admission will be $10.00. $8.00 for Seniors.
The Brooklyn Paramount reached its 84th birthday on November 24th. I’ve posted a Grand Opening Ad in the Photos Section. Much of the theatre is still intact, and the BP may eventually be restored to its original glory. Let us all pray for that.
My hunch is that the Paramount will not be restored anytime soon. I think the University will probably continue using it for a variety of purposes. Even if they have a new gymnasium for official basketball games, this one can have other uses. When I was at U. of Illinois in Champaign there were several gyms around campus which were used for all sorts of things.
Aside from the fact that I believe the building is still viable for LIU, unless the Trustees are blind they must be aware of the growing likelihood of the Loews Kings restoration. They must also be aware of the Bronx Paradise recently being leased to a church. While these are not the only considerations with regard to restoration, any governing body with the capacity for thoughtful decision would have to take these things into account.
Maybe not anytime soon but you can still come and hear the mighty Wurlitzer roar. An organ concert is being planned for the middle of February. More details latter.
Do you want to hear the Mighty Wurlitzer at LIU Brooklyn, (The Brooklyn Paramount)? On Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. An evening of pops, show tues, and light classical will be performed by Theatre Organist Jelani Eddington. For more information go to www.nytos.org
This sounds like fun. Can anyone here report on earlier organ recitals at this theater?
There was a silent film “The Phantom of the Opera” done with the organ which went over very well except that it was the day before Sandy came and that kept people away but quite a few did show up. The last concert that was open to the public was I don’t even know how many years ago. It is hoped that a concert and 2 or 3 silent movies will be put on each year. Let’s see.
You can now take a video tour of the 4/26 Wurlitzer Organ that is still there on UTube at: http://youtu.be/_PygQbt2ios