When theaters were architectural masterpieces, rather than indoor seating versions of today’s big-box retail stores, the Paramount Theater was the largest & finest theater in Toledo and NW Ohio! Being born & raised in Toledo, I was lucky enough to have been entertained there many times during my childhood & teenage years. Things I remember most were tales of the famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee performing there (live) to packed crowds at every show. This is according to my former father-in-law, octagenarian & life-long Toledo resident, Ralph Boerst, who was fortunate enough to see her perform. Ralph told me that the MC of the show had to come on stage & request that people leave the theater after each show so others could see the show. They were lined up for blocks outside, waiting to get in. Also a big deal was the first “cinarama movie” I ever saw at the Paramount. And, I remember seeing the epic film Doctor Zivago there. The Paramount was absolutely fabulous in design & opulence. As a builder, contractor & developer in Michigan, Florida & Ohio, today I have an even greater appreciation of the Paramount Theater. The recently renovated Lowes Valentive Theater (in Toledo)is nice, and much better renovated than torn down, but in no way challenges the Paramount for the titla of biggest, best & most beautiful theater in Toledo & NW Ohio. It was a very sad day when those without vision thought an asphalt parking lot would be a better use of the land that the Paramount sat on… rather than restoring it. Thus, today that land is still being used as an ugly surface parking lot… reminding all who can remember as they pass by every day of the tragedy of tearing down the Paramount Theater.
David Hill, Former Toledoan … E-mail:
When theaters were architectural masterpieces, rather than indoor seating versions of today’s big-box retail stores, the Paramount Theater was the largest & finest theater in Toledo and NW Ohio! Being born & raised in Toledo, I was lucky enough to have been entertained there many times during my childhood & teenage years. Things I remember most were tales of the famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee performing there (live) to packed crowds at every show. This is according to my former father-in-law, octagenarian & life-long Toledo resident, Ralph Boerst, who was fortunate enough to see her perform. Ralph told me that the MC of the show had to come on stage & request that people leave the theater after each show so others could see the show. They were lined up for blocks outside, waiting to get in. Also a big deal was the first “cinarama movie” I ever saw at the Paramount. And, I remember seeing the epic film Doctor Zivago there. The Paramount was absolutely fabulous in design & opulence. As a builder, contractor & developer in Michigan, Florida & Ohio, today I have an even greater appreciation of the Paramount Theater. The recently renovated Lowes Valentive Theater (in Toledo)is nice, and much better renovated than torn down, but in no way challenges the Paramount for the titla of biggest, best & most beautiful theater in Toledo & NW Ohio. It was a very sad day when those without vision thought an asphalt parking lot would be a better use of the land that the Paramount sat on… rather than restoring it. Thus, today that land is still being used as an ugly surface parking lot… reminding all who can remember as they pass by every day of the tragedy of tearing down the Paramount Theater.
David Hill, Former Toledoan … E-mail: