I’m guessing from Ron’s reply that the only Art Deco interior in the reborn Paramount is the auditorium. Though I’ve never been inside, I’ve always had the impression the original theater indeed was a movie palace.
Where online are vintage photos? There’s one photo above of the auditorium as it originally looked. Where’s photos of the lobbies, foyers, lounges, etc?
Only the new auditorium has replicated the original Art Deco look, right? not the other spaces?
3 above says “other” historic properties. It is not “false” to recreate original historic features to the particular property, including those there for only one third of the life. That’s intended for Philadelphia’s Boyd, and fine via all the historic authorities. (note that I am the volunteer president of the nonprofit Friends of the Boyd, Inc, and in real life, an attorney)
The Boyd’s current marquee, though, isn’t as distinctive & wonderful an example, as your marquee. So, drop the “false” and argue the merits of your current marquee. it HAS merits. Click on my name, send me an email, and I’ll email you the name of a national expert who may say something supportive for you.
I don’t like the term “false” replica. Historic buildings can have architectural integrity and a cohesive look by using vintage photos to restore their original look.
On the other hand, from the photos, I love the curent Art Moderne marquee which likely dates to the 1930s or 1940s. It looks like much fun, and I’d vote to keep it, just as the New Amsterdam on 42nd Street in New York City did a wonderful restoration, but kept its Art Moderne version.
Not only is it Oscar night in Hollywood on Sunday, it was Oscar night at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute.
The Bryn Mawr Film Institute was the setting for the “Bling Fling,” a fundraiser, and as Juliet Goodfriend, the president of the film institute says, a “fun raiser”:
“We’re celebrating the Oscars which coincide with our fifth birthday, and we’re also selling people’s donations of jewelry, so it’s a Bling Fling. I think we’ll be happy if we raise $10,000 to $20,000.”
The patrons were dressed in long black silky dresses with rhinestones, suits, and some jeans and khakis, but mostly dressed up to celebrate the Oscars and to root on their favorite films.
Last night’s Oscar telecast had a montage of horror films. Included was a scene from the 1958 movie “The Blob” showing moviegoers fleeing the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA. In recent years, the community nonprofit organization that rescued the Colonial restored its facade to how it looked in 1958. I’m told the partygoers at the Oscar telecast last night at the Colonial were overjoyed to see the footage broadcast worldwide.
The theater’s website flyer says the downstairs auditorium will be closed for a few days in early March to spruce it up with new chairs, drapes, carpet, lighting and more.
As a followup to Bill’s comment,
On September 1, 2001, I enjoyed what was billed as a “Roadshow” presentation at the Ziegfeld of “Funny Girl” in Dolby Digital surround Ex sound. After the usual pre-show slide show, the 2 curtains closed. There was the film music before the movie. There was an intermission slide and then more film music. There was sparse attendance. Two years and five days later, I saw “The Way We Were” at the Ziegfeld.
I posted this item out of outrage at the “chain” prices. With THSA, I toured Rick Wolfe’s wonderful, indepedent (non-chain) theater. Charging $3 would be ok for even a small popcorn, in my opinion.
I will NOT pay $9 or $10 total for a small popcorn and a small soda- I skip the refreshments and eat a full meal elsewhere for that kind of dough. That means I usually get to enjoy popcorn & soda at the nonprofit historic arthouses.
It just so happens I’m reviewing Box Office magazine and August 10, 1957 it says “Raintree Country” was to open with reserved seating at the Randolph Theatre. As you say, later you saw a re-issue at the Viking.
MPOl, as the article says, the preservationists themselves fixed up the theater & were the ones most recent to operate it! Do you have personal knowledge that the preservationists showed movies with shoddy projection or in a shoddy appearing building?
what’s going on here, is that the landlord movie chain wants to cash in on the real estate whereas others want the history of the movie theater to continue into the future.
It certainly is my favorite blog! Thanks to Ross, Patrick, Ken, Michael, the other volunteers, and so many who post. Looking forward to another year of learning much, and posting some, here.
Are current plans really to restore to its original grandeur the original single auditorium space or will it be subdivided into smaller spaces for different uses?
I’m guessing from Ron’s reply that the only Art Deco interior in the reborn Paramount is the auditorium. Though I’ve never been inside, I’ve always had the impression the original theater indeed was a movie palace.
Where online are vintage photos? There’s one photo above of the auditorium as it originally looked. Where’s photos of the lobbies, foyers, lounges, etc?
Only the new auditorium has replicated the original Art Deco look, right? not the other spaces?
3 above says “other” historic properties. It is not “false” to recreate original historic features to the particular property, including those there for only one third of the life. That’s intended for Philadelphia’s Boyd, and fine via all the historic authorities. (note that I am the volunteer president of the nonprofit Friends of the Boyd, Inc, and in real life, an attorney)
The Boyd’s current marquee, though, isn’t as distinctive & wonderful an example, as your marquee. So, drop the “false” and argue the merits of your current marquee. it HAS merits. Click on my name, send me an email, and I’ll email you the name of a national expert who may say something supportive for you.
I don’t like the term “false” replica. Historic buildings can have architectural integrity and a cohesive look by using vintage photos to restore their original look.
On the other hand, from the photos, I love the curent Art Moderne marquee which likely dates to the 1930s or 1940s. It looks like much fun, and I’d vote to keep it, just as the New Amsterdam on 42nd Street in New York City did a wonderful restoration, but kept its Art Moderne version.
Today’s news:
Bryn Mawr Film Institute Celebrates on Oscar Night
View link
by KYW’s Kim Glovas
Not only is it Oscar night in Hollywood on Sunday, it was Oscar night at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute.
The Bryn Mawr Film Institute was the setting for the “Bling Fling,” a fundraiser, and as Juliet Goodfriend, the president of the film institute says, a “fun raiser”:
“We’re celebrating the Oscars which coincide with our fifth birthday, and we’re also selling people’s donations of jewelry, so it’s a Bling Fling. I think we’ll be happy if we raise $10,000 to $20,000.”
The patrons were dressed in long black silky dresses with rhinestones, suits, and some jeans and khakis, but mostly dressed up to celebrate the Oscars and to root on their favorite films.
AP Oscar Coverage
Last night’s Oscar telecast had a montage of horror films. Included was a scene from the 1958 movie “The Blob” showing moviegoers fleeing the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA. In recent years, the community nonprofit organization that rescued the Colonial restored its facade to how it looked in 1958. I’m told the partygoers at the Oscar telecast last night at the Colonial were overjoyed to see the footage broadcast worldwide.
The musical movie “Nine” a scene in the auditorium, with the Art Deco panels on the side walls on view.
The theater’s website flyer says the downstairs auditorium will be closed for a few days in early March to spruce it up with new chairs, drapes, carpet, lighting and more.
Vince Young’s research also included that “Casino Royale” and “Cool Hand Luke” were shown 1967 at the Goldman.
Vince Young informs me that the new Theatre 1812 opened 7/7/67 with “The Jokers”
Vnce Young informs me that “Dirty Dozen” opened 7/13/67 at the Goldman and “Bonnie and Clyde” was also shown that year there.
Vince Young informs me that on 7/4/67 Arcadia reopens after renovation…advertising “gigantic new screen”…opening attraction “Two For The Road”
I’m linking this wonderful, inspiring article to Friends of the Boyd (www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org) Weekly Update email tomorrow.
As a followup to Bill’s comment,
On September 1, 2001, I enjoyed what was billed as a “Roadshow” presentation at the Ziegfeld of “Funny Girl” in Dolby Digital surround Ex sound. After the usual pre-show slide show, the 2 curtains closed. There was the film music before the movie. There was an intermission slide and then more film music. There was sparse attendance. Two years and five days later, I saw “The Way We Were” at the Ziegfeld.
I posted this item out of outrage at the “chain” prices. With THSA, I toured Rick Wolfe’s wonderful, indepedent (non-chain) theater. Charging $3 would be ok for even a small popcorn, in my opinion.
I will NOT pay $9 or $10 total for a small popcorn and a small soda- I skip the refreshments and eat a full meal elsewhere for that kind of dough. That means I usually get to enjoy popcorn & soda at the nonprofit historic arthouses.
3 Feb 1958 Box Office (available online) reported that the Ambassador closed
2 June 1956 Box Office magazine (can find online) p 99 has a photo of Keswick auditorium redone after fire
It just so happens I’m reviewing Box Office magazine and August 10, 1957 it says “Raintree Country” was to open with reserved seating at the Randolph Theatre. As you say, later you saw a re-issue at the Viking.
The Viking is listed under its last name, Sam’s Place One & Two:
/theaters/3358/
MPOl, as the article says, the preservationists themselves fixed up the theater & were the ones most recent to operate it! Do you have personal knowledge that the preservationists showed movies with shoddy projection or in a shoddy appearing building?
what’s going on here, is that the landlord movie chain wants to cash in on the real estate whereas others want the history of the movie theater to continue into the future.
1-8-10 Press Riverside article on history & renovation:
View link
I’ve seen a movie there, so am familiar with the theater. It is NOT a poor example of a Roaring 20’s movie palace!
Photos, history, and opinion here:
http://www.victoriansecrets.net/eberson.html
It certainly is my favorite blog! Thanks to Ross, Patrick, Ken, Michael, the other volunteers, and so many who post. Looking forward to another year of learning much, and posting some, here.
Are current plans really to restore to its original grandeur the original single auditorium space or will it be subdivided into smaller spaces for different uses?