Paramount Theatre

817 S. Polk Street,
Amarillo, TX 79101

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DavidZornig
DavidZornig on July 4, 2016 at 10:12 am

Full size image of the 1939 photo added, courtesy of the Traces Of Texas Facebook page.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 12, 2015 at 3:06 am

April 20th, 1932 grand opening ad in photo section

ronnwood
ronnwood on October 21, 2013 at 3:56 am

The first movie of my life was at The Paramount, January 20, 1966, “THUNDERBALL”. I stayed through 2 showings. The last was “HEADS I KILL YOU, TAILS YOU DIE” an incredibly bad spaghetti western I saw just before they closed it down. It was one of the most beautiful theaters ever built. I got in 206 shows from ‘66 to '75. The good news: the building still there, it will never be a parking lot, and I’m just a LOTTO win away from putting it back the way it was.

Erich Friend
Erich Friend on June 2, 2011 at 2:50 pm

Only some of the lobby was turned into offices. When you come in the front doors the appearance of a movie house lobby still exists, but the inner doors don’t go anywhere. The theater house and stage was converted into a two level parking garage. The proscenium arch and ceiling are largely intact. On the upper level of the parking area ‘onstage’ you can look up and see the steel gridiron that once supported the stage rigging, and the fire curtain smoke pocket is still there. They torch-cut the ladder rungs so you can’t climb up to the old fly loft. It would be possible to ‘un-convert’ the parking garage back to a theater, but unlikely given the new Globe News Performing Arts Center nearby.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on October 29, 2010 at 11:48 pm

From 2010 photo views of the Paramount Here and Here in Amarillo.

Burl
Burl on July 12, 2010 at 6:43 am

I am finally, after years of wondering, seeking an answer- who last owned the Paramount Theater? In other words, who sold it, allowing it to be torn up and converted into office space? I REALLY want to know.
I lived in Amarillo then (Tascosa, ‘68). I don’t remember ANY outcry at the loss of this grand old theater. I’ve traveled a lot and have been in theaters that are considered classics by the cities that still have them. Never have I seen a more beautiful theater.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on May 21, 2010 at 2:28 pm

I look back at my days and how i would sometime complain to my City Manager about having to Drive about 15 miles to the Imperial to sometimes open it up,after passing two our other ABC THEATRES . Really I was quite lucky to have the keys and work a Downtown Theatre. Joe V. I know you wrote in 2008 about the PARAMOUNT and a reunion, I hope you had one we have been lucky here in Augusta to be able to have several get togethers since 1985, When I thought about putting our first together.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 21, 2010 at 10:58 am

Great photos of the rehanging of the vertical sign.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on November 25, 2009 at 7:42 pm

From 1948, newsprint images covering the world premiere at the Paramount of PANHANDLE filmed in “Glorius Sepia Tone” starring Rod Cameron.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on July 15, 2009 at 5:53 pm

A movie ad from 1963 for the Paramount Theater in Amarillo.

bobosan
bobosan on July 6, 2009 at 1:33 am

Here’s a view of the Paramount in 1971:

View link

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on April 30, 2009 at 8:42 pm

A view from 1936 of the Paramount Theatre in Amarillo.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on April 30, 2009 at 8:41 pm

A view from 1936 of the Paramount Theatre in Amarillo.

Josephvaughan
Josephvaughan on March 27, 2008 at 11:09 am

I worked as the manager of the Paramount from June 1971 until December 1972 when I went away to school out of state. After one semester away, I returned to my old job in May 1973 for a year and left again in May 1974. The Paramount was a grand old building; I can remember spending hours every week changing out light bulbs and arriving a couple of hours before opening on a cold day to fire up the boiler to heat the building. I worked with a lot of great people there in their teens and early twenties; I guess we’re all in our 50’s now. It would be great to hear from any of you who read this message. Reunion, maybe? Joe V.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 22, 2006 at 10:29 am

I thought the “Big Texan” steakhouse was great! Highly recommended.

Wes Reeves
Wes Reeves on November 22, 2006 at 9:04 am

Here are two news links relating to the sign restoration and the development of the building.
“The lights will shine” Amarillo Globe-News 8-17-2006 View link
“Paramount to house eateries” Amarillo Globe-News 8-20-2006
View link
One upscale restaurant is already beginning construction work on the ground floor. There is talk of restoring the auditorium for special events, independent films or some kind of entertainment venue. Our foundation is talking with the building owner about rebuilding the marquee under the restored sign. The sign has completely changed the landscape of our main downtown street, which is developing a fun and eclectic nightlife. Downtown Amarillo is coming back slowly but surely.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 22, 2006 at 8:07 am

It looks better with the sign and without all the trees.

Wes Reeves
Wes Reeves on November 20, 2006 at 3:53 am

The July photos that were submitted show the overgrown trees and not much of the facade of the theater. We removed two trees to make room for the sign, and here are some photos of the installation and the finished product: View link
Also, check out some great photos from the Polk Street Block Party that show the lighting of the sign on Aug. 19.
View link

Wes Reeves
Wes Reeves on August 15, 2006 at 6:02 pm

The sign is being re-hung tomorrow morning (Wednesday, Aug. 16). It has been completely restored, painted red and gold (to match its 1950s appearance) and burns with 850 colored bulbs and red neon. It will be relighted Saturday night (Aug. 19) by the mayor of Amarillo in front of the crowd at our annual street festival, the Polk Street Block Party. I’ll try to get a photo of the finished product onto the news site. Watch for more news at www.amarillo.com, the website for our local daily newspaper. A developer has purchased the building and is announcing some new restaurants that will go in at street level. It is hoped that what is left of the auditorium will be transformed into a ballroom or event space of some kind since the art deco ceiling of the theater is still intact. We might even bring movies back.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on July 30, 2006 at 1:23 pm

Nothing has been done yet. There was an article in the local paper the other day about the restoration of the sign. I walked around inside the building, which is mostly law offices. There are some movie posters on the wall as homage to the building’s history.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on June 6, 2006 at 5:04 pm

Here is a January 2006 article about the restoration of the sign:
http://tinyurl.com/jga3e

Wes Reeves
Wes Reeves on December 14, 2005 at 3:31 am

The Amarillo Historical Preservation Foundation has made a down payment on the original blade sign, which now is stuck on a pole at an adult video store in a warehouse district. A local sign company has agreed to take the sign some time in January, 2006 and begin restoration. It is possible the original sign will be placed back in its original location next spring. No plans exist to restore the building to its original use, but the locals are still very much in love with the Paramount.