Incidentally, there’s an error at the Paradise homepage: “Since 1929…85 years of history…” Actually, 1929 is 77 years ago, or 75, to round it off, not 85, I haven’t pointed it out to them, but hopefully they read this board, or perhaps someone who speaks with them can mention it.
Not to mention they probably hire a fair number of their staff on a per diem basis, so that the overhead is relatively low when they’re not staging an event.
Agreed. I grew up in the Paradise, and I can tell you that it looked far worse than this in 1969. Its chief competitor, the RKO Fordham, was demolished. Now THAT’s something to feel bad about.
I’ve seen a photo of the “restored” marquee, and the Loew’s sign is still there. Unfortunately, the dark blue background makes it hard to see the lettering at all in the daytime, or when it’s not lit.
Sorry, I just can’t remember where I saw the photo. If I can locate it I’ll post the url.
I grew up in the Bronx, and attended movies at the Paradise many times (also the RKO Fordham, the Valentine, the RKO Marble Hill, the Bainbridge, the Dale, the Riverdale, and so on. The Paradise was of course the king. (I also graduated from high school there.) I remember seeing films like Rosemary’s Baby on its first run, and the ‘69 revival of Gone With the Wind, which, in spite of aspect ratio issues, was stunningly gorgeous on the huge screen. DVD is a joke compared to this, and I find it amazing that so many of my era who have SEEN films projected to huge size can accept what passes for the moviegoing experience today.
After the Paradise was split up, I attended less frequently, though I do recall seeing Serpico in the upper half of the duplex. Still, I remember being turned away for the dreadful remake of King Kong in 1976â€"they were sold out!
I plan to return to the Paradise as soon as I’m able, but pleeeeeze…some movie nights?
This was my childhood local theatre. Among zillions of other films, I saw “A Hard Day’s Night” there in 1964. The line wound around the corner and several blocks south, almost all the way to Mosholu Parkway. The number of patrons must’ve broken every fire law imaginable. During the film, firecrackers were set off, and the girls screamed endlessly. My own little slice of Beatlemania.
The Paradise gave it to the Jersey City when it appeared doubtful that the Paradise would ever use it again.
Incidentally, there’s an error at the Paradise homepage: “Since 1929…85 years of history…” Actually, 1929 is 77 years ago, or 75, to round it off, not 85, I haven’t pointed it out to them, but hopefully they read this board, or perhaps someone who speaks with them can mention it.
Yes.
Not to mention they probably hire a fair number of their staff on a per diem basis, so that the overhead is relatively low when they’re not staging an event.
Agreed. I grew up in the Paradise, and I can tell you that it looked far worse than this in 1969. Its chief competitor, the RKO Fordham, was demolished. Now THAT’s something to feel bad about.
An article on the Paradise reopening, with some pictures, including some of the exterior lit up at night, may be found here:
http://www.backinthebronx.com/paradise.html
The exterior “sunburst” looks much better with the illuminated theatre name, BTW.
I’ve seen a photo of the “restored” marquee, and the Loew’s sign is still there. Unfortunately, the dark blue background makes it hard to see the lettering at all in the daytime, or when it’s not lit.
Sorry, I just can’t remember where I saw the photo. If I can locate it I’ll post the url.
I grew up in the Bronx, and attended movies at the Paradise many times (also the RKO Fordham, the Valentine, the RKO Marble Hill, the Bainbridge, the Dale, the Riverdale, and so on. The Paradise was of course the king. (I also graduated from high school there.) I remember seeing films like Rosemary’s Baby on its first run, and the ‘69 revival of Gone With the Wind, which, in spite of aspect ratio issues, was stunningly gorgeous on the huge screen. DVD is a joke compared to this, and I find it amazing that so many of my era who have SEEN films projected to huge size can accept what passes for the moviegoing experience today.
After the Paradise was split up, I attended less frequently, though I do recall seeing Serpico in the upper half of the duplex. Still, I remember being turned away for the dreadful remake of King Kong in 1976â€"they were sold out!
I plan to return to the Paradise as soon as I’m able, but pleeeeeze…some movie nights?
This was my childhood local theatre. Among zillions of other films, I saw “A Hard Day’s Night” there in 1964. The line wound around the corner and several blocks south, almost all the way to Mosholu Parkway. The number of patrons must’ve broken every fire law imaginable. During the film, firecrackers were set off, and the girls screamed endlessly. My own little slice of Beatlemania.