Comments about Paramount Theatre in Moncton, CA

50sSNIPES on October 7, 2024 at 5:38 pm

Closed on April 24, 1997 with “Ransom” in Screen 1 and “Michael” in Screen 2.

50sSNIPES on October 5, 2024 at 3:30 pm

Information about the Paramount Theatre as of 1951 goes as follows:

William C. Gates, the manager of the Imperial Theatre also in Moncton, served as the original manager for the Paramount. The dazzling marquee features a grand total of 2,400 lightbulbs spelling out Paramount creating a waterfall effect. The ticket booth features both an automatic vendor and an automatic changemaker being located in the outer lobby which is arranged so that way tickets may be purchased in the open air during the summer months, and inside the doors in colder weather. The walls are dipped with rose and green with a border of flowers make an attractive entrance to the Paramount. In the inner lobby is a sky blue luxuriously rug with a starlight effect. There is also a confection bar, featuring a maroon leather bar with large mirrors and glass shelves on a wall of sky blue matching the ceiling add to the attractive appearance of the bar. Comfortable chesterfield suits have been installed for the comfort of patrons who are waiting.

The original auditorium housed an original capacity of 1,176 modern special push-back holstered seats (with more space to add more but was unknown if the management did that) alongside the management adding a policy designed to prevent overcrowding and space has been left in the two aisles and at the sides. The walls of the auditorium are dipped in turquoise with light and dark shades of old roses at the front supplying a string accent to the color scheme. There is also a motif in gold line panels the walls, as in the lobby starlight lighting is featured in the ceiling. At the stage, a flowing arch with indirect lighting forms a striking frame for the screen, with golden curtains to protect the screen when not in use and a porthole design is used to camouflage the air conditioning system with which the air is kept pure, fresh, and the right temperature. The drinking fountain at the rear of the auditorium is a black marble with a lighted “goldfish bowl” backdrop, and a stepping stool was used for the kiddies.

On grand opening night before “The Lemon Drop Kid”, there was a special ceremony delivered by the eastern supervisor of Famous Players R.S. Roddick. The occasion features the Moncton Salvage Corps, officers of the Moncton Police Department, members of the Moncton Fire Department, Mayor T.B. Parlee along with his wife, and people who worked with the theater.