wolfgirl500: Your photo of the Paramount on the FR website, page 2 really shows off the exterior design, but the marquee framing is still there. I’ve been comparing your photo to the vintage postcard photo. The white terra cotta exterior is quite exquisite!
Perhaps I was wrong in thinking that theatre name was connected to Youngstown as CT only lists 5 Youngstown theatres and the Southern is not mentioned.
Nice to read that a theatre made way for……a new Burger King! If I lived in Youngstown, I wouldn’t patronize THAT Burger King…besides I prefer McDonalds!
I just took a deep breath as I finished reading the words in your above post! Such a darn shame! So the owner had big plans? Guess or hope he was run out of town! What plans could be bigger than saving a theatre that was in extremely good condtion and included magnificant art work and antiques? Earlier I visited the Palace link and read of its demise and parking lot plans!
fedoozle: Your memories of old theatre posters was quite interesting! Thanks and I agree with these words that you wrote…..“There is very little today to beckon one inside the theater…..”
Do you have an exterior photo of the Powers taken from across the street which would show the full exterior not just a closeup of the doors? The b/w photo shows the auditorium from a distance in 1964 when Bonnie and Clyde was playing. It shows the entire front facade above the Warner marquee and there seems to be some art deco design work above the top windows. Is that still there? Thanks for your observations!
wolfgirl500: I just viewed the Palace Webshot photos and found the b/w photo exterior photo and lobby photo in color most interesting as I stand corrected in my hearing of the word..changes. The lobby is very similar to the Warner lobby in Erie, but what has been changed is the exterior with the absence of the Warner marquee and corner oval designs which are similiar to the marquee in Erie which hasn’t been changed over the years. I also noticed the addition of more front doors and the name change, but more importantly the absence of the ticket kios which the Warner in Erie still has and will keep though it needs restoration. Check out the Warner link on CT to see photos for comparison value.
So very sad to read that the site remains a parking lot 38 years after the Palace closed its doors! At least the lavish interior was dismantled and sold at auction prior to demolition! My hometown art deco theatre was demolished in the early 90’s and in its place is a small park now, but the town already had a fairly large park! I hold the Mayor at the time to allow this theatre to go down under HIS WATCH! That Mayor is no longer living so I can’t tell him how I feel about his long ago theatre decision! BTW, I wonder if this theatre had an organ? By chance, do you know?
I tried bringing up the ladynews500 site and couldn’t find the theater photos. Please advise. The Farrell Report site was most interesting and I thank you.
I certainly know the name DeBartelo and its connection with shopping malls! BTW, I’ve been told that the former Warner estate is in Youngstown. Do you know much about this? And I applaud the Powers family for saving the former Warner theatre from the wrecking ball. If the Paramount is the oldest remaining theatre building in Youngstown, it deserves to be saved by someone whether it be local family names or an outsider who has good intentions.
wolfgirl500: “As for the Paramount … Grand Venues claims that it will be done in three years at $3.5 million, and as I’ve said before, there is no way that they can do what needs to be done for that amount.” I totally agree with this opinion. Though I’ve only viewed internet photos I have a feeling that they really show the neglect that this theatre has had to endure over so many years. It’s a shame one of the prior owners didn’t fix the roof which is a major repair to a theatre if it is going to survive the elements, etc.
wolfgirl500: In regards to your last paragraph I may just take you up on that invite to see the Powers. Recently Cass Warner, granddaughter of Harry M. Warner and her assistant did visit the Powers and told me that they had made many changes compared to the Warner Theatre in Erie as they visited both theatres during their visit to OH/PA for the 2nd annual Harry M. Warner Silent Film Festival. I know that the Powers family donated a large sum of money to the restoration of the former Warner which is wonderful and very much appreciated, but wish they somehow could have decided to keep that famous theatre name….Warner.
I hadn’t read what the projected time frame was for the work to be done on the Paramount. All of Youngstown’s theatres that are still standing deserve to be restored like the Powers (former Warner) Auditorium although according to a Warner source many changes were made in the restoration/renovation phase. When I hear or read the word…changes…..I get a mentally bad picture.
Lost Memory: Very interesting stats on this crumbling theatre which many seem to feel has seen better days and that $3.5 won’t begin to bring this theatre back to any form of theatre or nightclub life. How many theatres did Youngstown have as I seem to have read about more than just a few?
If you are interested in old movie ads, you might have interest in old movie posters, too. Some neat things can be done with them when decorating a home theatre, etc.
After looking at the beautiful Paramount exterior facade design I only hope this theatre can be saved!
wolfgirl500: Your photo of the Paramount on the FR website, page 2 really shows off the exterior design, but the marquee framing is still there. I’ve been comparing your photo to the vintage postcard photo. The white terra cotta exterior is quite exquisite!
Perhaps I was wrong in thinking that theatre name was connected to Youngstown as CT only lists 5 Youngstown theatres and the Southern is not mentioned.
I found the theatre photos that you recently added to the FR website. Thanks.
The five are as follows: Newport, Palace, Paramount, Powers (Warner) and State. My source is ‘wolfgirl500’ who lives in Youngstown.
Anyone have some photos of this former art deco theatre?
Nice to read that a theatre made way for……a new Burger King! If I lived in Youngstown, I wouldn’t patronize THAT Burger King…besides I prefer McDonalds!
Is there or was there a theatre called the Southern in Youngstown? It seems that I came upon that name in my vast theatre research.
I just took a deep breath as I finished reading the words in your above post! Such a darn shame! So the owner had big plans? Guess or hope he was run out of town! What plans could be bigger than saving a theatre that was in extremely good condtion and included magnificant art work and antiques? Earlier I visited the Palace link and read of its demise and parking lot plans!
fedoozle: Your memories of old theatre posters was quite interesting! Thanks and I agree with these words that you wrote…..“There is very little today to beckon one inside the theater…..”
Do you have an exterior photo of the Powers taken from across the street which would show the full exterior not just a closeup of the doors? The b/w photo shows the auditorium from a distance in 1964 when Bonnie and Clyde was playing. It shows the entire front facade above the Warner marquee and there seems to be some art deco design work above the top windows. Is that still there? Thanks for your observations!
wolfgirl500: I just viewed the Palace Webshot photos and found the b/w photo exterior photo and lobby photo in color most interesting as I stand corrected in my hearing of the word..changes. The lobby is very similar to the Warner lobby in Erie, but what has been changed is the exterior with the absence of the Warner marquee and corner oval designs which are similiar to the marquee in Erie which hasn’t been changed over the years. I also noticed the addition of more front doors and the name change, but more importantly the absence of the ticket kios which the Warner in Erie still has and will keep though it needs restoration. Check out the Warner link on CT to see photos for comparison value.
So very sad to read that the site remains a parking lot 38 years after the Palace closed its doors! At least the lavish interior was dismantled and sold at auction prior to demolition! My hometown art deco theatre was demolished in the early 90’s and in its place is a small park now, but the town already had a fairly large park! I hold the Mayor at the time to allow this theatre to go down under HIS WATCH! That Mayor is no longer living so I can’t tell him how I feel about his long ago theatre decision! BTW, I wonder if this theatre had an organ? By chance, do you know?
wolfgirl500: I just typed in ‘ladynews500’ on the Webshot page and found those Palace Theatre photos! WOW! Is it still standing?
I tried bringing up the ladynews500 site and couldn’t find the theater photos. Please advise. The Farrell Report site was most interesting and I thank you.
Are you in the Youngstown area? I will try to find out more though I guess I should ask Cass Warner about this estate via email.
I certainly know the name DeBartelo and its connection with shopping malls! BTW, I’ve been told that the former Warner estate is in Youngstown. Do you know much about this? And I applaud the Powers family for saving the former Warner theatre from the wrecking ball. If the Paramount is the oldest remaining theatre building in Youngstown, it deserves to be saved by someone whether it be local family names or an outsider who has good intentions.
wolfgirl500: “As for the Paramount … Grand Venues claims that it will be done in three years at $3.5 million, and as I’ve said before, there is no way that they can do what needs to be done for that amount.” I totally agree with this opinion. Though I’ve only viewed internet photos I have a feeling that they really show the neglect that this theatre has had to endure over so many years. It’s a shame one of the prior owners didn’t fix the roof which is a major repair to a theatre if it is going to survive the elements, etc.
wolfgirl500: In regards to your last paragraph I may just take you up on that invite to see the Powers. Recently Cass Warner, granddaughter of Harry M. Warner and her assistant did visit the Powers and told me that they had made many changes compared to the Warner Theatre in Erie as they visited both theatres during their visit to OH/PA for the 2nd annual Harry M. Warner Silent Film Festival. I know that the Powers family donated a large sum of money to the restoration of the former Warner which is wonderful and very much appreciated, but wish they somehow could have decided to keep that famous theatre name….Warner.
I hadn’t read what the projected time frame was for the work to be done on the Paramount. All of Youngstown’s theatres that are still standing deserve to be restored like the Powers (former Warner) Auditorium although according to a Warner source many changes were made in the restoration/renovation phase. When I hear or read the word…changes…..I get a mentally bad picture.
Lost Memory: Very interesting stats on this crumbling theatre which many seem to feel has seen better days and that $3.5 won’t begin to bring this theatre back to any form of theatre or nightclub life. How many theatres did Youngstown have as I seem to have read about more than just a few?
halehouse: Is the photo on the webshot link of the exterior the Paramount as it looks today?
If you are interested in old movie ads, you might have interest in old movie posters, too. Some neat things can be done with them when decorating a home theatre, etc.
halehouse: Would love to see some b/w exterior photos, too.
Lost Memory: Thanks for posting this informative article! I knew an article had been written, but wasn’t able to find it….until now!