“For the true movie palace buff it is difficult, even today, to refer to the Brooklyn Paramount as the basketball court of Long Island University. There s still enough of the original grandeur visible to see why audiences in 1928 considered it the most beautiful motion picture theatre in the world. It opened on November 23,1928, with Nancy Carroll in Manhattan Cocktail as "Paramount-Publix’s Gift to Brooklyn” and closed its doors to movie-goers on August 21, 1962, with John Wayne in Hatari. The Brooklyn Paramount was the capstone in the career of the noted architects, Rapp & Rapp, and for sheer opulence it outshone anything they ever designed. The great latticed ceiling and arches along the side walls were originally festooned with artificial foliage; the arches concealed the lights of the Wilfred Color Organ, a lighting system that subtly changed the color of the whole theatre to suit the mood of the moment. Chorus girls pranced down the golden staircases from the organ grilles to the stage. The 4,500 seats (making it the second largest theatre in New York when it opened) were upholstered in random tones that ranged from plum to scarlet. Below the stupendous grand drapery of the proscenium arch hung a midnight-blue velvet curtain embroidered with pheasants in polychrome satin.“ This really says it all in regards to this former theatre that, imo, should have stayed a theatre!
I went to www.liu.edu site and tried to find photos of the gym/theatre, but couldn’t though I did find that the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University on the north shore was the former Post estate!
But to turn a Rapp and Rapp theatre into a gym is really going over the line, imo. C.W. and George L. would certainly be surprised if they were here to today to see what had become of their theatre!
Ed: Those photos with the 11/28/05 post were amazing to look at and thanks for bringing them to my attention. Can you tell me anything about the Wurlitzer and how it played into the games? And if the last game was recently played in that space what will happen to the former Paramount Theatre AND Wurlitzer? I can’t imagine going to a game and not looking around to see what once was, but I’m sure there were many who didn’t really give it much thought as they were there to see a basketball game and their team win!
My cousin graduated from Union University in Jackson TN, but I don’t recall him mentioning the Paramount so will have to ask him. If the location is office space, it may not have been a theatre during the 60’s when he was in Jackson?
It’s interesting to note that this theatre is now a gym and that the Wurlitzer is still being used. I can’t imagine how it must look so if anyone can tell us, please do.
Stuart: A good question and one that I have wondered about since learning of the famous Roxy in NYC. To have been inside its door must have been very special and memorable looking back on it all now. When reading that the Roxy disappeared from the fabric of NYC in the year 1961 I recalled that I was a freshman in high school at the time then in 1964 I did make a trip to NYC for the World’s Fair, but it would have been too late then to see the Roxy during a trip to the Big Apple. Also, I have figured out that the Swanson photos are the same ones and due to perhaps the surrounding light that day it just looks like a brunette and a blonde standing with similar poses, but it’s the same legend, Ms. Swanson in both of the photos. Interesting to note that she lived for 25 years after those famous celebrity photos were taken.
Ed: I just looked at a b/w photo of the Hollywood proscenium on page 61 and see the famous H above the curtain, but see in your posted photo that the H has either been removed or covered up?
I just learned about this theatre when trying to find a list of theatres in Australia. Interesting to note that Eberson had a partner by the name of Henry White when he built this one!
reelmanager: Thanks so much for this Butler Theatre information as I’m still looking to see a photo(s)! And how does one locate the Butler Eagle online archive link?
Joe: Great Feb. 8, 2006 article. Thanks for posting. It’s too bad that many of the theatres like the Carolina are not in Greenville as their Main Street is so charming and would benefit with at least one restored cinema that could offer classic movies to the older set! Are they all demolished or are some still standing and could be restored?
Joe: It seems there are many theatres in the Carolinas named the Carolina. Sorry to read that there WERE apparently six theatres on Main Street in Greenville. That seems like alot given the City of Greenville isn’t that large,but maybe they weren’t there all of one time….probably not. Maybe you could list the Casino, the Rialto and the Majestic since they are not listed…yet.
Stannorton: Which large Swanson photo do you have in your den? The blonde with both arms in the air above her head or a brunette with a feather boa being held through her arms? The dresses worn in both photos are the same and the background ruins of the Roxy are the same, but there is a difference in these 2 photos when you look at the figure of Swanson.
I’ve just been comparing what seems like 2 different Swanson/Roxy photos. The background is the same, but the photo of Swanson shows her as a brunette in one and as a younger appearing blonde in the other? The source of the 2 photos are 10/09/05 and 4/13/04 posts. Can someone explain?
“Roxy Theatre – World’s largest theatre; seats over 6,200; largest permanent symphony orchestra; colossal pipe organ; played by three organists; cathedral chime of 21 bells; permanent choral group; permanent ballet coprs and precision dancers, the Roxyettes; foyers and lobbies of unusual size and splendor; decorations of marvelous beauty. Magnificent stage shows. Finest talking pictures. News of the world in Fox Movietone. Refreshingly cooled in summer. Unique features of service, comfort and convenience. One of the famous show places of New York City and attended by visitors from all over the world.” After reading this it’s very hard to believe that the Roxy is no longer in NYC, the entertainment capital of the world!
Warren: Your post of Oct. 9th which shows the famous Swanson photo among the Roxy ruins just got printed out and will go on my refrigerator to remind me of what was in NYC. Thanks and I would love to know the story behind that photo..publicity shot or demolition story?
“For the true movie palace buff it is difficult, even today, to refer to the Brooklyn Paramount as the basketball court of Long Island University. There s still enough of the original grandeur visible to see why audiences in 1928 considered it the most beautiful motion picture theatre in the world. It opened on November 23,1928, with Nancy Carroll in Manhattan Cocktail as "Paramount-Publix’s Gift to Brooklyn” and closed its doors to movie-goers on August 21, 1962, with John Wayne in Hatari. The Brooklyn Paramount was the capstone in the career of the noted architects, Rapp & Rapp, and for sheer opulence it outshone anything they ever designed. The great latticed ceiling and arches along the side walls were originally festooned with artificial foliage; the arches concealed the lights of the Wilfred Color Organ, a lighting system that subtly changed the color of the whole theatre to suit the mood of the moment. Chorus girls pranced down the golden staircases from the organ grilles to the stage. The 4,500 seats (making it the second largest theatre in New York when it opened) were upholstered in random tones that ranged from plum to scarlet. Below the stupendous grand drapery of the proscenium arch hung a midnight-blue velvet curtain embroidered with pheasants in polychrome satin.“ This really says it all in regards to this former theatre that, imo, should have stayed a theatre!
I went to www.liu.edu site and tried to find photos of the gym/theatre, but couldn’t though I did find that the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University on the north shore was the former Post estate!
Ed: Can you direct me to any old photos of the Paramount interior…lobby, proscenium, balcony, etc. as it looked when it was a theatre and NOT a gym?
But to turn a Rapp and Rapp theatre into a gym is really going over the line, imo. C.W. and George L. would certainly be surprised if they were here to today to see what had become of their theatre!
Ed: Those photos with the 11/28/05 post were amazing to look at and thanks for bringing them to my attention. Can you tell me anything about the Wurlitzer and how it played into the games? And if the last game was recently played in that space what will happen to the former Paramount Theatre AND Wurlitzer? I can’t imagine going to a game and not looking around to see what once was, but I’m sure there were many who didn’t really give it much thought as they were there to see a basketball game and their team win!
My cousin graduated from Union University in Jackson TN, but I don’t recall him mentioning the Paramount so will have to ask him. If the location is office space, it may not have been a theatre during the 60’s when he was in Jackson?
It’s interesting to note that this theatre is now a gym and that the Wurlitzer is still being used. I can’t imagine how it must look so if anyone can tell us, please do.
Stuart: A good question and one that I have wondered about since learning of the famous Roxy in NYC. To have been inside its door must have been very special and memorable looking back on it all now. When reading that the Roxy disappeared from the fabric of NYC in the year 1961 I recalled that I was a freshman in high school at the time then in 1964 I did make a trip to NYC for the World’s Fair, but it would have been too late then to see the Roxy during a trip to the Big Apple. Also, I have figured out that the Swanson photos are the same ones and due to perhaps the surrounding light that day it just looks like a brunette and a blonde standing with similar poses, but it’s the same legend, Ms. Swanson in both of the photos. Interesting to note that she lived for 25 years after those famous celebrity photos were taken.
Vito: Seems like I’ve heard those famous words many times before!
It would be nice if the church would choose to let that “H” be visible to the congregation as that is the theatre’s rightful heritage and namesake.
Page 61 in the book, Cinema Treasures by Ross Melnick and Andreas Fuchs.
Ed: I just looked at a b/w photo of the Hollywood proscenium on page 61 and see the famous H above the curtain, but see in your posted photo that the H has either been removed or covered up?
View link
I just learned about this theatre when trying to find a list of theatres in Australia. Interesting to note that Eberson had a partner by the name of Henry White when he built this one!
reelmanager: Thanks so much for this Butler Theatre information as I’m still looking to see a photo(s)! And how does one locate the Butler Eagle online archive link?
And nearby Spartansburg SC had at least one theatre that I think is listed on CT, but I think has been demolished.
Joe: Great Feb. 8, 2006 article. Thanks for posting. It’s too bad that many of the theatres like the Carolina are not in Greenville as their Main Street is so charming and would benefit with at least one restored cinema that could offer classic movies to the older set! Are they all demolished or are some still standing and could be restored?
Joe: It seems there are many theatres in the Carolinas named the Carolina. Sorry to read that there WERE apparently six theatres on Main Street in Greenville. That seems like alot given the City of Greenville isn’t that large,but maybe they weren’t there all of one time….probably not. Maybe you could list the Casino, the Rialto and the Majestic since they are not listed…yet.
dyban: Great photos of the Palace on a nice sunny November day!
Stannorton: Which large Swanson photo do you have in your den? The blonde with both arms in the air above her head or a brunette with a feather boa being held through her arms? The dresses worn in both photos are the same and the background ruins of the Roxy are the same, but there is a difference in these 2 photos when you look at the figure of Swanson.
I’ve just been comparing what seems like 2 different Swanson/Roxy photos. The background is the same, but the photo of Swanson shows her as a brunette in one and as a younger appearing blonde in the other? The source of the 2 photos are 10/09/05 and 4/13/04 posts. Can someone explain?
“Roxy Theatre – World’s largest theatre; seats over 6,200; largest permanent symphony orchestra; colossal pipe organ; played by three organists; cathedral chime of 21 bells; permanent choral group; permanent ballet coprs and precision dancers, the Roxyettes; foyers and lobbies of unusual size and splendor; decorations of marvelous beauty. Magnificent stage shows. Finest talking pictures. News of the world in Fox Movietone. Refreshingly cooled in summer. Unique features of service, comfort and convenience. One of the famous show places of New York City and attended by visitors from all over the world.” After reading this it’s very hard to believe that the Roxy is no longer in NYC, the entertainment capital of the world!
Warren: Your post of Oct. 9th which shows the famous Swanson photo among the Roxy ruins just got printed out and will go on my refrigerator to remind me of what was in NYC. Thanks and I would love to know the story behind that photo..publicity shot or demolition story?
Bryan: On your post of May 20, 04 how does one find the 1930 photos of the balconies and proscenium arch on the link that you have provided? Thanks.
Did it have anything to do with a rivalry between RCMH and the Roxy. In one of the b/w photos on this site it looks like the Roxy was near RCMH?
Could someone tell me why the Roxy was torn down? I know there has been much written about the Roxy, but the why has always escaped me.