Paramount Theatre
3300 Washington Avenue,
Newport News,
VA
23607
3300 Washington Avenue,
Newport News,
VA
23607
2 people
favorited this theater
The Paramount was constructed in 1930 on the corner of Washington Avenue and 29th Street in downtown Newport News. It was built on the site of the Academy of Music. A 3/10 Barton theatre organ (stop for stop identical to a Wurlitzer of the same size) was installed in 1931. House organists were Sid Lindsey and Gladys Lysle. I had the pleasure of meeting Gladys in the 60s when I was playing an electronic theatre organ at another venue. I also had the pleasure of playing the Barton organ on Saturday mornings while the maintenance people were getting the theatre ready for the first show (11 AM as I recall).The organ was maintained by Dick Charron..who was a good theatre organist. The organ was sold in the early 70s and went first to Maryland, then Kansas City, and finally to Las Vegas.
The Paramount featured two balconies accessible by a ramp as opposed to steps. I fondly remember the drink machines on the second level… where you put in your nickel, then watch the cup drop down and then two jets (carbon dioxide) and (the flavor desired) mixed together. Occasionally the cup would not center and you’d watch your drink go down the drain!
The Paramount closed in the late 1970s and was demolished around 1990.
Contributed by
Terry Jordan
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
Here is a photo of a pass for the Paramount Theater.
lost memory, where did you get that picture of the pass? I may have donated a pass like that to the Newport News Historical Society
righter40
The photo of the theater pass came from a Newport News High School Class of 1965 website. This is the main page for that site. The photo is on that website somewhere and you will have to search for it.
Mr.Memory,you never fail to amaze.How the heck would you ever stumble across a 1965 year book page?Sometimes you’re scary.Not retired from the NSA?I guess you’d have to kill me if you told me.
Well, back on my home planet of Kodak I am known as a seeker of lost photographs. Seriously, sometimes I amaze myself. If I search for photos of a Strand theater, I wind up finding photos of a State theater. When I search for a Heights theater, I find a High School Alumni site. Either I can’t spell very good or my search engine is out of this world. :)
Hello everyone. Can anyone please help me find An Elvis Presley concert poster from his show at the Paramount Theatre? The date was 2/13/1956. I am willing to pay top dollar. Or if you guys could help me contact someone who might know where I could find one of these? An original? My contact info is:
Its a shame that the paramount is no more. My dad used to see elvis movies there all the time. Thanks for your time.
-Heather
This was the Paramount in 1985.
Original seating for the Paramount Theatre was listed at 1241 and from looking at the size of the building I would say that that would be closer than the 900 listed in the header.
According to local City Directories and historical books:
The Academy of Music operated from 1900 to 1930. It was demolished and rebuilt as the Paramount in 1931 and operated until 1979 when it closed due to a lack of business. A story about the opening of the Paramount in the Oct. 3, 1931 Daily Press states the seating as 1350.
The Paramount opened briefly for a short period but again business caused it to close it doors again. It operated from 1982 to 1984.
It was demolished in 1988. Elvis performed here in the 50’s.
From the NNHS65.com
From NNHS65.com
Barton Op. 350 of 10 ranks and three manuals was originally installed in the Paramount Theatre in Newport News, Virginia. It has the distinction of being the last instrument shipped from the Barton factory in 1931. It was later installed in a theatre in Alexandria, Virginia for a few years, moved to the Midwest where eventually the organ was purchased by the Granada Historical Society and installed in the Granada Theatre in Kansas City in 1986 and had 11 ranks added to it. The Granada Theatre closed, and in 1997 it was purchased by Phil Maloof and installed in his Music Room here in Las Vegas. About the same time the six-manual console from the Barton 55-rank organ in the Chicago Stadium (which was torn down to make way for the new United Center, the pipes of the instrument were never relocated to a new home, and while in storage, 75% of the organ was destroyed in a fire) was also purchased by Phil Maloof and was completely restored and connected to operate the Barton Op. 350. The original console has also been retained. Another 10 ranks were added making a total of 32 ranks. In addition the organ has some “classical” ranks added bringing the total to 43 ranks. Bob Maes was the principal technician responsible for the current installation.