Paramount Theatre

April 20th, 1932 grand opening ad in photo section

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.

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.

Great photos of the rehanging of the vertical sign.

Here is another 1971 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ydvhsyz

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

A view from 1936 of the Paramount Theatre in Amarillo.

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.

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.

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

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.

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