Teatro Paramount
1315 Avenida Ponce de Leon,
San Juan
00907
1315 Avenida Ponce de Leon,
San Juan
00907
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favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Caribbean Cinemas, Paramount Pictures Inc., United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.
Styles: Art Deco, Greek Revival
Previous Names: Teatro Olimpo
Nearby Theaters
Along with the nearby Metro Theatre and the Riviera Theatre, this was one of the most architecturally interesting Santurce theatres. It was built in 1921 and opened on 20th January 1922 as the Olimpo Theatre opening with Priscilla Dean in “Conflicto”. It was remodeled in the early-1930’s in Art Deco style. Renamed the Paramount Theatre on June 2, 1933, it was a prestigious first run movie theater.
In the 1960’s while many movie theaters became part of chains, the Paramount remained independent. This meant that it didn’t play many of the major movies, but it did play some great B-grade films, including "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Gumball Rally", among others.
It was bought by United Artists Theaters and was turned into a triplex on January 17, 1980. It remained a well attended theater. But in the 1980’s, UA seemed to lose interest in the theater and it became a rundown, depressing place. Attendance became very low, until it was closed in 1999.
That year it was bought by Caribbean Cinemas, as part of its purchase of all of Puerto Rico’s UA theaters. Everyone thought it would be renovated and that the Paramount Theatre would return to its old grandeur. But it seemed Caribbean Cinemas was really not interested in the Paramount Theatre.
As of December 2008, the Paramount Theatre was gutted internally.
Contributed by
Jose Mendez
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Recent comments (view all 58 comments)
Here is the link I could not find months ago which shows the Paramount in disrepair prior to reconstruction.
View link
If you clic on “Ver fotos” you will see other PR projects such the University Theater and the Teatro Yaguez.
Just came back from San Juan and the Paramount looks terrific, almost complete. The side walls were reconstructed following the original design and they added picture windows where they meet the facade. The stage house is huge and there is a building behind it, for offices I guess.
Andy Roura
Paramount photo of how it looks now:
View link
Re Paramount photo, you may have to click to photo #5 if it does not come up right away.
I am doing a documentary about Cine Roosevelt. If you have any memorabilia or information about Teatros Cobian, the original owners of the cinema, and someone from the Cobian family I might interview please contact me at yelenarv@yahoo.com
It is with great sadness that I inform you the passing the Andres Roura, a great contributor to these pages about movie theaters in Puerto Rico. I had the privilege of meeting Andres thanks to this site and our long lunch conversations about movies and movie theaters are things I will always treasure. And I will miss his weekly e-mails telling me about movies on TCM. Que en paz descanses.
Grand opening ad posted.
Reopened as Paramount on June 2nd, 1933. Ad posted.
Calling this demolished is very misleading. The entire structure is still there, although it’s possible it’s been gutted. Still vacant on the 2025 streetview.
The address is wrong. It should be 1315, and the zip code is 00907.
Reopened by United Artists on January 17th, 1980, with three screens. Another ad posted.