Paramount Theatre
313 S. Wrenn Street,
High Point,
NC
27260
313 S. Wrenn Street,
High Point,
NC
27260
2 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Martin Theatres, Paramount-Wilby-Kincey Theatre Circuit, Publix-Saenger
Styles: Art Deco, Neo-Classical
Previous Names: Point Theatre, High Point Theatre, American Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Originally the Point Theatre which opened on April 1, 1915. It was later renamed High Point Theatre and on September 1, 1924 it was renamed American Theatre. The Paramount Theatre was opened on December 25, 1930 by the Publix-Saenger chain with Chester Morris in “The Bat Whispers”. The theatre had two balconies and was in an Art Deco style. Later operated by Key Theatres, then by Martin Theatres, who it closed on November 19, 1970 and they opened their Martin Twin Theatres the following day.
The building was owned by the City of High Point. A bond was passed to restore the theatre to live theatre use. About this time, Southern Furniture, who basically occupied the majority of the surrounding block, wanted the theatre property. They wanted it so bad that they promised to build a theatre inside the new exposition building, that was state of art, thereby saving the City of High Point considerable money. The Paramount Theatre was demolished in 1972.
Contributed by
Jessica Kranish, Bill Moore
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The Paramount was open & showing movies in 1963. I was there.
Carprog: The Paramount was open and still was showing first-run movies during the 1960’s until it’s closing in 1971. It was demolished in 1972. At the time of it’s closing,the Paramount and the Carolina were gone,leaving the Center Theatre as the only cinema located in Downtown High Point. The Center was still showing first-run features until it close in 1981,leaving the only movie theater standing in all of Downtown High Point.
This theatre was open and showing first-run movies in 1967. My uncle saw Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger in “IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT” first-run at this theatre in February of 1968.
This theatre was still showing first-run films and “B” movies by 1970 before it close in 1971.
Chuck, Sorry I haven’t been on this site in a while. Actually Key Theatres, which was High Point based and a gentlemen by the name of Hugh Smart operated the Paramount after a forced split due to anti-trust issue with the Wilby-Kincey chain. Martin Theatres (prior to Carmike)bought the location around 1969. Mary Ruth Connor managed the operation locally pretty much until the day it closed through both companies. She actually retired when it closed.