Paramount Theatre

518-520 Adams Street,
Toledo, OH 43604

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Showing 1 - 25 of 61 comments

Patsy
Patsy on May 25, 2024 at 1:29 pm

And this was an atmospheric! OMG! Ignorance re: the citizens of Toledo.

Patsy
Patsy on May 25, 2024 at 1:28 pm

These theatres were never meant to be demolished but treasured for future generations. Shame on Toledo.

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on October 22, 2022 at 9:20 am

Final operator - Armstrong Circuit

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on July 9, 2019 at 9:15 pm

The Old Wurlizer 4-20 Organ Was Later Taken By Virgil Howard In Lombertville, Michigan In The 1980’s. A Segment Of WTOL Channel 11’s Heartland From August 15th, 1986 Was Found On YouTube.

Comfortably Cool
Comfortably Cool on July 5, 2018 at 9:16 am

The original Rapp & Rapp auditorium was one of the most magnificent in the atmospheric style by any architectural firm. I would guess that it must have been hacked-to-death for the installation of Cinerama and reduction of seating capacity. I hope that I’m wrong.

bdzmusicprod
bdzmusicprod on June 21, 2018 at 8:42 pm

I had read that the Block family of the Toledo Blade had been foremost in rallying to demolish the Paramount for parking for their employees. True or not the Blade layed off their workers after out sourcing their printing, what a shame. Short sightedness led to the loss of a architectural treasure. Toledo tried to make up for their stupidity by remodeling the Valentine. That effort although generally nice was not a restoration but more of an interpretation. They left an open ceiling which I personally thought was tacky. The new glass lobby doesn’t fit with the original architechture. For example they simply painted the old outside brick wall that used to face an alley leaving part of an unused fire escape, tacky again. The Fox in Detroit was a true restoration. It is by far a better example of true theater architecture. Toledo has made several bad descisions when it comes to preservation and revitalizing downtown.

mcoss
mcoss on December 29, 2015 at 1:02 pm

I was born in Toledo and my father was able to get one of the music stands from the orchestra pit. I current have “custody” of it. Unfortunately the paint was removed but is is in good working condition (light works)and decorative trim is great conditions.

Nick DiMaggio
Nick DiMaggio on April 14, 2014 at 10:23 pm

Just uploaded two photos and ad from opening of “This is Cinerama.”

rivest266
rivest266 on February 1, 2014 at 11:35 am

February 16th, 1929 grand opening ad uploaded in the photo section. also at http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=k_8v9Q84L5sC&dat=19290216&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

LouRugani
LouRugani on September 17, 2012 at 7:23 pm

Rapp and Rapp also designed the atmospheric GATEWAY Theatre in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on July 20, 2012 at 9:46 am

After looking at it you guys are right. I talked to a guy some years ago that worked for the company that demolished it. He was just out of the Army and it was his first job. He remembers it and he said it was shame they tore it down for a parking lot. But at that time there was a lot of movie screens in downtown Toledo and with the drive-ins. Thank God they saved the Valentine and restored it. At one time that was going to be demolished also.

atmos
atmos on July 20, 2012 at 9:18 am

The photo on this page is not what it says underneath.It is actually Eberson’s Riviera Theatre in Omaha,Nebraska which is now called Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center.

Brad Smith
Brad Smith on May 4, 2012 at 6:48 pm

Click here for an exterior view of the Paramount Theatre in 1930.

bdzmusicprod
bdzmusicprod on February 6, 2012 at 11:27 am

This is a picture of Rapp and Rapp’s Gateway Theater in Chicago. It opened in June of 1930 and was the second of only two atmospheric theaters designed by Rapp and Rapp. The other being the Toledo Paramount Theater. The Gateway is still standing and can be viewed in Cinema treasures. This photo has often been mistaken as the Toledo Paramount but actually was not as ornate or as large as the Toledo Paramount. Sadly the Paramount in Toledo met with the wrecking ball in 1965.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on January 21, 2012 at 5:07 pm

Added some new pictures..Enjoy.

exwhiteway
exwhiteway on June 11, 2011 at 4:20 pm

The Wurlitzer was a 4-20 Publix 1 model, a deluxe setup with extra features reserved for upscale theatres. The elaborately embelished console rose from the pit on the left side of the stage on it’s own screw lift. The pipework was housed in two chambers on either side of the stage with a third percussion chamber on the left. The mallet percussions were large scale and quite loud, with a carousel-like timbre that filled the entire theatre and somewhat overpowered the speaking pipes which had a more refined voicing. The Virgil Howard recordings well document the unique sound of this fine Wurltizer setup.

bdzmusicprod
bdzmusicprod on January 25, 2011 at 7:53 am

I received a copy of the 1992 Theater Historical Society which is still available…check on Ebay. It is filled with archival photos from Rapp and Rapp. One can appreciate the beauty of this theater. As a child of nine I remember walking past the Paramount on the Huron St. side along with my mom and three siblings. I remember the tall vertical sign and was impressed. Never saw a movie there…probably too expensive for our family. The last time I remember seeing it was during the demolition phase…all that remained was the stage. A great loss for Toledo.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on December 6, 2010 at 5:33 pm

From the early 1920s a postcard view of the Paramount Theatre in Toledo.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on November 8, 2010 at 1:56 pm

Thanks Chris, interesting photos.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on November 8, 2010 at 1:03 am

I think the three interior photos originally posted by Bryan Krefft and Lost Memory can still be seen here, as well as a picture of the booth set-up for Cinerama: http://cinerama.topcities.com/ctparamount.htm

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 30, 2010 at 6:56 pm

Too bad most of the photos do not work anymore.

Patsy
Patsy on December 2, 2008 at 10:38 pm

And to think this theatre was the only atmospheric built by Rapp and Rapp. The Warner in Erie PA is a Rapp and Rapp.

Patsy
Patsy on December 2, 2008 at 10:37 pm

Jules: Perhaps you can give us some insight since your grandfather owned the Paramount at one time why this theatre was allowed to be demolished as it was a magnificant structure! A theatre similar to the Paramount was the Palace in Youngstown Ohio, but sadly it was also demolished.

figaro14
figaro14 on December 1, 2008 at 12:58 pm

Does anyone have any photos at all of the exterior and interior spaces of the Paramount. It appears that all the posted links to the photos are not working any longer. Thanks!