Paramount Columbus Circle
15 Columbus Circle,
New York,
NY
10019
15 Columbus Circle,
New York,
NY
10019
13 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 72 comments
Credit cards started in NYC theatres with American Express at Cineplex Odeon on May 1, 1989. When this youtube video was taken (NO WAY OUT 1987), all sales would have been cash at this location.
I highly doubt any studies were ever done as to the types of folks who attended this particular venue. I saw a couple movies there on my NYC day trips in the 80’s and 90’s when this was open. Long before the days of the internet, so I just walked to the box office and plunked down cash or credit card bought my ticket.
@RyanToDaF2044
Thanks for the link. This YouTube account also posted other videos of cinemas including the famous AVCO in Los Angeles. For the Columbus one, interesting to see the crowd who was attending. Looks like an upscale place but it’s not just NY and not just the 80s. We even see people with their shopping bags entering. Have there ever been studies to see who was attending this cinema, was it more Midtown/West Side residents, other NY residents, people working in Manhattan then going home outside, tourists ?
Have a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuZ8yaPQ6sA&lc=UgyANOsyPoGwNbEOlrZ4AaABAg.ATzKgHUzeebAZA2Nh4AkWJ
I saw “Foul Play” there.
Both Loews and Loew’s were used at the same time for many years by the company.
Once operated by Loews (not Loew’s Inc.).
Rugoff premiered some of his Cinema 5 releases. I recall seeing the Hellstrom Chronicles at this venue.
Please add to previous chains, it opened under Cinema 5 before Loews took the theatre over in the early 1980’s
The name should be the Paramount. It was only Sony for a short time. I saw The Blue Lagoon here in 70MM
Thank you M for your input about 70mm. Your articles and compilations have always been very enriching. I’m surprised to learn that The Star Chamber and Dead Poets Society benefitted from a 70mm release, quite unexpected in my opinion for films like these.
“Gettysburg” (1993) appears to have been the only 70mm presentation held here during the period it went under the Columbus Circle name. As the Paramount, they ran the following in 70mm: “Patton” (1972 return run), “The Blue Lagoon” (1980), “Divine Madness” (1980), “Quest for Fire” (1982), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1983 return run), “The Star Chamber” (1983), “Gandhi” (1983 return run), “Amadeus” (1984), “A Chorus Line” (1985), “Spaceballs” (1987), “Willow” (1988), and “Dead Poets Society” (1989 moveover). A history/chronology of 70mm presentations and theaters in New York City can be found here.
Thanks Al. If it was one of the few having Dolby SR for six-track magnetic sound on 70mm then it was truly a well equipped theater and I would assume the screen wasn’t that small vs auditorium size.
Lionel, it was equipped for 70mm with six-track Dolby SR. I don’t know the screen size.
Was this cinema equipped for 70mm? What was the screen size? Which Dolby processor?
I always thought it was such an unique theatre being underground the way it was. But then that is what New York City is all about so it fit in quite well!!
A class act of a theatre…Saw Little Big Man Murder on the Orient Express (Albert Finney) Eight Men Out The Manchurian Candidate (original re-issue) here
Sony had purchased Loews and rebranded to Sony for awhile. When acquired by Cineplex Odeon, the rebranding made no sense, so was changed back to Loews & became part of new Loews Cineplex which eventually itself was acquired by AMC. AMC ran the Tower East until it eventually vacated.
From 1994-1996 some theatres went from Loews to Sony to Loews Cineplex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loews_Cineplex_Entertainment
I went here a few times. The auditorium was cool! The walls were shaped like bellows of an old camera and the curtain looked like the lens and shutter. As if we were inside the camera! I don’t think the theatre was ever called the Sony Columbus Circle.
Because of vibration from adjacent subway lines the auditorium was built on springs or big rubber shock absorbers.
Please update, theatre closed on March 30, 1995
I saw the Blue Lagoon there and it may have been a 70MM print
Was this film shown in 70mm dolby stereo or just 35mm?
They ran “Star Trek – The Motion Picture” in this theater back in 1979. On a advance-ticket, reserved seat engagement, despite the film opening in 400 other theaters nationwide (including 40-50 in the N.Y. metro area) on the same day – December 7, 1979. After eight weeks, when most theaters dropped the film, the Paramount still ran it. On a general admission basis, though.