Paramount Theatre
518-520 Adams Street,
Toledo,
OH
43604
518-520 Adams Street,
Toledo,
OH
43604
8 people
favorited this theater
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This auction is for an LP of the last concert in the old Paramount Theatre in Toledo, OH. The organ this concert was played upon is one of the best in the world as were the acoustics inside the Paramount Theatre.
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My grandfather, Ora L Brailey owned the Paramount and the Princess theaters at one time. My mother, Carolyn Williams has many fond memories of that era. It is such a shame that these magnificent structures were not preserved.
Bob Wasserman: Your memories of by-gone theatres in Toledo were wonder to read yet bittersweet when I read your use of the words, “opulence” and “red velvet ropes”! Even as a child of 6 or 7 you were impressed and recall your time spent there with your stepmother. I’m sure there are many other Toledo residents or former residents who recall this theatre as you do.
Lost Memory: I don’t know how you do it, but you always come through for me and I truly appreciate it every single time! These photos of a long ago Paramount Theatre in Toledo OH are sadly all that remains of a Rapp & Rapp atmospheric theatre which is such a shame and beyond reason why and how that city would demolish a theatre has palatial as that one! Lord have mercy!
The following is an email that I rec’d from a former Toledo resident and his memories of the many Toledo theatres including the Paramount:
I not only know where it stood… I used to see movies there a couple times a month as a kid growing up in Toledo. It was next door to the Palace Theatre (not as nice)… and across the street from the very old and extremely beautiful [Lowes] Valentine Theatre built in 1895. The Valentine is the one that I want you to visit. It’s very nice inside. They restored it to “original”, as much as possible. It was never as big as the Paramount (torn down in 1965), but the Valentine was still very nice with a lot of old charm and style. Like I said, you can still see much of that charm & style… but the main entrance is on the other side of the building now. The lobby and theatre remain the same. You will enjoy it. They have a lot of shows there. When it reopened a few years ago, I was in Toledo and saw the Hoagy Carmichael Tribute Show there… (Stardust, etc.) Anyway, thanks for the great old photo of the popular Rivoli Theatre. Lots of great memories: “Snow White”… “Old Yeller”… “Lady & the Tramp”… “Auntie Mame”… “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”… “Absent-Minded Professor”… and many, many more!!!
A March 10, 2006 demo photo is just the worst to view!
The July 29, 2004 doesn’t seem to show the grand staircase, auditorium and lobby…help, Lost Memory! And March 18, 2005 doesn’t show a demolition photo though not sure I want to see it! Have viewed other demo photos on this link and just can’t believe my eyes!
Lost Memory: Thanks once again for a stunning b/w photo of this theatre marquee. What a loss for the City of Toledo.
I just received my copy of the 1992 annual of the Paramount and it is very very nice. Well worth the money. It has pictures in it I had not seen before.
How could anyone demolish a Rapp & Rapp built theatre?
Jerry: Thanks for the follow-up information on this person and his efforts though it’s sad that this theatre and the beautiful marquee were demolished.
Patsy He was the one who Guided the effort to get the organ working again after many years of sitting silent.
Jerry: I’d try eBay even though you might not be interesting in selling it. Was this organist, Virg Howard connected with the Paramount in Toledo?
I have an album of Now is The Hour recorded by Virg Howard of the organ and I was wondering how much it might be worth? Not that I would sell it but just in case.
Bryan: Can the grand staircase, auditorium and lobby photos on your July 29, 2004 post still be viewed?
It’s a shame that this City lost this theatre, but there is always the newly opened Johnny’s Lunch. The original one started in 1936 in Jamestown NY and is still operating today. Stop in a have a great hot dog when in Toledo Ohio.
The first organist at The Toledo Paramount was Dwight Brown who had been the organist at the Palace in Dallas TX.
chuck1231 – that photo you entered on 10 mar from 1940 is Eberson’s Riviera Theatre in Omaha,Nebraska.
I just rec’d #19 Annual published by THSA (Theatre Historical Society of America). THSA founder, Ben Hall in 1969 is a theatre historian and author of The Best Remaining Seats. I was astounded to see the beauty of this theatre (1929-1965) depicted in the Annual. “The identical vertical signs over the main entrance and the side exit add considerable impact to the somewhat restrained elevations. Ben Hall noted that these signs are the only instance in the PARAMOUNT circuit where the name of the city appeared with the PARAMOUNT appellation.” “The Paramount’s last regular organist, Virg Howard who plays the final chords on the Wurlitzer Publix #1. Mr. Howard’s LP recordings, now in the hands of collectors, capture the essence of the instrument’s presence in the building.”
Bryan: I would still like to see the photos that were mentioned in your July 29, 2004 post! Thanks.
I was honored to work at the PARAMOUNT 1958 1959 started with showing
of “ONIONHEAD” left during “SOUTH PACIFIC” did see cinerama before
closing.Marvin S. Harris was manager.
the only other theatre that was more breath taking in splendor and beauty would be the FOX theatre in detroit.
To Patsy & list: The Gateway Theatre in Chicago is the sole remaining fully atmospheric Rapp & Rapp theatre. Although the exterior has been altered, the original facade stoneworrk remains underneath, rather well intact. The theatre’s original capacity was 2,045, presently it is 1,904.
Buy the 1992 ANNUAL by the Theatre Historical Soc. titled “The Toledo PARAMOUNT.” It is on their page of BACK ISSUES at www.historictheatres.org Not only is it crammed with photos, but there are wonderful drawings by artist Mark Hylton of Columbus Ohio.
Bryan: Would love to see interior photos (grand staircase, auditorium and lobby) of this theatre that is now and unsightly parking lot! The fine folks of Toledo really lost a piece of history when they chose to demolish THIS one!
Was this actually Rapp & Rapp’s only atmospheric theatre?