Loew's Paradise Theatre

OMG! I actually have a copy of this LIFE magazine! Thanks for the reminder.

Since I don’t get into the Bronx often was curious how often this venue was in use.

In 1964 my then girlfriend Joan Clarke and I spent our very first date at this theatre .

Great photos. Now if only more events were scheduled there.

Thanks MichealDJ,Iould like to see that.

Very nice photo Chuck.

Click on the year for photographs taken of Loew’s Paradise Theatre in 1930 and 1932 by George Mann of the comedy dance team, Barto & Mann.

Hope this does not prove to be too big of a set back for this wonderful theater.

Being a Brooklyn boy, I only made it to the Paradise on one occasion. It was during the mid-1970’s, when I was dating a women from Inwood and Fordham Road was still a lively place on a Saturday night. By that time, the Paradise had already been divided, and would probably close soon thereafter. While I do not at all remember the movie that we saw, I was definitely dazzled by the sheer opulence of the place, even in its less than pristine state. Since the film we saw was being screened in the theater situated in the balcony, we also had a birds eye view of the beautiful ceiling.

So I hope the Paradise will soon rebound from this setback, and I hope to make it back some day.

and it looks like it won’t :(

This theater seems to be finally up and running again. Today, NY1 did a live shot from the theater to celebrate its return to to regularly scheduled events under new management. Apparently, they have many events lined up from latin Concerts, Gospel choirs and Stephanie Mills among others. They panned the camera through the theater to show how beautiful the renovation is.

It looks like its finally in good hands, or at least better ones. Let’s hope that it is a great success. Next theater up? Loew’s Kings!

While The Paradise never had a traditional 3-D marquee, it was built with not one, but two flat against the wall signage marquees. These must have been very difficult to maneuver because in the 1960’s the upper sign was bricked up and the lower one was replaced with a hugh while electric sign which lit up the whole area. You can see both versions in the links to the theatre. As I said, currently there is nothing at all which contributes to the darkness. Also there were originally sun beam lights (gorgeous) but in lieu of replacing these lights ugly yellow rays were painted. Again no illumination. .

I drove by the night of the concert last week. Big crowd getting ready to go in. But there wasn’t much lighting on the front of the theatre. Half of the theatre name lettering was out and they haven’t got a marquee of any kind, just a long hanging poster. They really need to do a facelift on the front.