Loew's Paradise Theatre
2413 Grand Concourse,
Bronx,
NY
10468
2413 Grand Concourse,
Bronx,
NY
10468
63 people
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An impressive collection of mid-renovation photos of the exterior and interior of the Paradise, taken by Cinema Treasures member Roger Katz this past August, can be found at the following URL: http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=16520
Bob – The only shots on the DVD of The Bellboy bus tour were of the Loew’s Premier, Loew’s Kings and the Loew’s 46th Street all in Brooklyn. It’s a shame the Paradise was not included, since we know footage exists.
INFORMATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARADISE CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://www.rpaniagua.com/paradise2.html
View link
Divinity:
There was a giant rectangular opening cut into the ceiling for the lights, see my post of May 3 above for the details. I do hope that if the restoration on this facility continues that it is repaired back to its original condition.
That’s great news, thanks! Please keep us posted.
When I worked for Jerry Lewis, I found color 35mm film of Mr. Lewis appearing at the Paradise in 1960 promoting his new movie, “The Bellboy.” A short portion of this footage is on the newly released DVD. I’m not sure if the Paradise shots are included.
I believe that the equipment was attached to the ceiling and not cut into it. It would be easy to restore anyway since the ceiling is not adorned. It is painted to resemble a night sky with twinkling stars and hopefully the old cloud machine still remains.
Didn’t the last developer cut a huge hole in the atmospheric ceiling to place lighting equipment? If so, wouldn’t that seriously affect the atmospheric quality of the auditorium?
It is not a matter of recovery since the area is being revitalized as we speak. The theater simply needs to be completed. I sometimes Travel out to the Loews Jersey City to enjoy the oppulence of our sister theater and so do others. Journal Square may be dressed up these days but the area is not better than Fordham Rd. It can be dangerous as all of the NYC metro area can be, yet it still attracts many people because once you enter a movie palace, the world is left behind, no matter where you are. I am an active member of the Bronx council of the Arts and there are opera companies, The Bronx Symphony Orchestra and other high profile artists that have filled Madison Square Garden that perform at the nearby Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. Although this building sits on the lovely Lehman College campus, it is a modern, unadorned eyesore that has absoutely no architectural appeal. However performances frequently sell out in this common theater. If it is possible for Lehman Center to be a successful venue,they better watch out for the reopening of the Paradise! People will enjoy attending our oppulent and palacial theater even if the performance is less than mediocre. I would attend the opening ceremony ever if Britney Spears was performing.
The adornment would entertain me.
From Your Lips – To God’s Ears Divinity. There would be nothing greater than to see the Bronx recover to the point whereby this
motion picture theater could flourish once again.
All of the pessemistic individuals submitting comments should observe the progress that is coming to the bronx. Garbage Strewn lots that were deemed tragic and unlivable now have homes on them selling at market rate because of people like me who stayed behind to fight and live through it. My family and I have been here for three generations and refuse to leave because this place is a reminder of who we are. It is a borough that is diverse, full of green open spaces, culture, and art. The Bronx is far from perfect, but it is authentic. It is ever changing work in progress. It is because of hope and optimism that the South Bronx is now attracting artists to reside in formerly abandoned factory lofts and set up trendy galleries. It is because of hope and optimism that upper and middle class residents are moving across the east river from manhattan to rent market rate apartments and buy old brownstones that were once run by slumlords and drug dealers. The Bronx is recovering from the devastation that hit the entire city in the 1970’s and it is because of hope and optimism that the Loews Paradise will again be a magnificent venue!!!
Three blocks north of the Paradise, on the east side of Grand Goncourse is Edgar Allan Poe Cottage located in the renovated Poe Park. The humble home of the famous poet is a small museum run by the Bronx County Historical Society that also attracts many visitors.
Two blocks north of the Paradise, the lobby of the large old Alexanders Dept. Store building (now called: 2 Fordham Square, abandoned after the company went bankrupt) there is a permanent exhibition of photographs depicting the area’s history. The once vacant eyesore now houses classrooms for the City University of NY, a bank, Gym and other retail venues contributing to the renniscance of the area. This is a sign of progress in NYC’s third largest shopping district rivaled only by Herald and Time Square. As for parking, there are two indoor garages across the street from the theater facing 187th St. There is no question about efficient transportation in this transit hub. The D and 4 express trains both stop at Fordham Road as well as the metro north. The 12 bus coming from inwood stops at the Grand Concourse as well as the private liberty lines express busses coming from the upper east side of Manhattan. There are also the Bee Line busses that come down from as far as Rye New York and stop at Fordham Rd. Of course for local commuters there are a number of local busses incliding the 1 and 2 that stop nearby.
On the East side of Fordham Rd. are two distinguished cultural institutions: The Bronx Zoo and the lovely 250 acre New York Botanical Garden which attract millions of visitors annually.Nearby on 187th St. and Arthur Ave. lies the heart of Little Italy where the aroma from sidewalk cafe’s, Bakeries and the indoor Italian market, tantelizes the tastebuds. The Belmont playhouse is also located in this area. Little Italy attracts many people from the tri-state area and around the world even though there is practically no parking or direct transportation except for The Bronx Culture Trolley that transports visitors to cultural venues and Art Galleries in the North and South Bronx. On Webster Ave and Fordham Rd. is the entrance to the prestigious Fordham University’s Rose Hill Campus that houses a large collection of gothic buildings and privileged anglosaxon students that sometimes walk up Fordham Rd to ride the subway downtown at all hours even though the Metro North train station is adjacent to the campus and could get them to Grand Central Station in twenty minutes.
Hello Everyone,
The Loews Paradise sits elegantly in her faded glory on the Grand Concourse. I live on the Grand Concourse which is a wide Boulevard that was regarded as the Bronx Park Avenue. I do believe that the Paradise will come back. Believe it or not, the Bronx is home to slums and grand country estates. There are good areas and bad alike. First of all I can tell you that I have shopped in the Fordham area dressed to the nines concealing my bargains in shopping bags from Barneys, Saks, and other stores without ever being bothered before. The Fordham area is far from an urban utopia but culture thrives here.
You Are Correct Robert. It could be wasted monies in a neighborhood where the old gal won’t be appreciated. Very sad indeed. Sometimes its better to have the fond memories.
I remember when they spent all that money restoring the Queens Theatre in Queens Village. The theatre did no buisness, and that neighborhood is nowhere as dangerous as where the Paradise is. I only hope the restoration of the Paradise is not in vain.
Work is progressing nicely at The Paradise! It’s slated for a February Grand Opening, but may be ready sooner!
Not Safe Means It Will NOT DO BIZNESS! There’s a reason that the old girl is closed.
Be as PC as you like, you take YOUR family there. I work there and know from first hand knowledge that the neighborhood is unsafe. Period.
The neighborhood is far from terrible.
Yes the subway stops right up the street on Fordham Road. I agree it would be like going to Madison Sq Garden on the subway.I just heard the neighborhood is terrible. It may not be safe to walk.
The absence of adequate parking is one major reason that many movie palaces never reopen. A major expense in planning to reopen such is for an adjacent or nearby parking structure, since it is usually figured that there should be one parking space for every third seat, which would mean a LARGE parking area in the case of the PARADISE. Still, we hope it reopens!
Any updates on when and if the Paradise will open? Will they have concerts comedy movies plays? Unlike the Loew’s Jersey which has two parking garages and the path trail right accross the street.The Paradise has no parking garage close by.
75 years ago, the Wonder Theaters were built and became prime showcases for all the great MGM product over the next 3 decades. The only Wonder Theater showing film today is Loew’s Jersey but, sadly, they are not playing any MGM product in their 75th anniversary programming.
However, the beautifully restored Lafayette Theater in Suffern, New York salutes the Loew’s Wonder Theaters by presenting a newly restored 35mm print of one of MGM’s greatest musicals, “Meet Me in St. Louis.” It will be shown this Saturday, September 25 as part of their weekly Big Screen Classics series. They will also present a vintage MGM short, and will play live music on their magnificent Wurlitzer organ.
For more information, visit their website at www.bigscreenclassics.com
Hi, I am on the verge of writing a newspaper article about the Loew’s Paradise Theatre. Right now I am in the process of doing research. I am searching for people with intresting and compelling stories or pictures to feature in my article. If you or anybody you know has a story or pictures, contact me at
Melanie,
The theater you are referring to is the Ohio Theater in Columbus, OH. It was saved from the wrecking ball and restored to its former glory. It took years of hard work and fundraising and it certainly was worth it. Its a gorgeous theater. Its now used as a performing arts center for concerts and touring plays.