Paris Theatre Closed

New York City’s Last Single-Screen Cinema Shuts Its Doors:

IndieWire

Vanishing New York

Paris Theatre, 4 W. 58th St., New York, NY

Excerpts (quotes & photos) from the Architectural Forum, January 1949:
“Manhattan’s first new postwar motion picture house is, besides an excellent design, an uncharted venue in real estate and movie merchandising.”

“Sponsored by the French Pathe syndicate in an effort to up its U.S. take (now lower than in South America’s pint size Columbia), the cinema restricts its fare to special films, caters to an uptown audience of the cultivated and well-heeled.”

“Fifth Avenue Association, fearful of garish Broadway lights, dictated modest sign front.”

“Steinberg mural wallpaper showing scenes of Paris adds interest to simple room.”

“Series of curves provides top visual and acoustical performance. 

Upholstered seats are spaced 35-40 in. between rows.”

 Joe Wagner on Instagram 

Crain's New York Business

Gothamist

Photograph, Paris Theatre June 8, 2011,  copyright Betty Sword, all rights reserved.
Architectural Forum article part of the Theatre Talks Collection

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

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Loew's Coney Island Promotes San Francisco, 1936

Motion Picture Herald, September 5, 1936:

"Banner that covered two floors and both sides of building on 'San Franciso' was one of the sock displays for the date at Loew's Coney Island, New York. Stood out like a lighthouse, says Lee Churchin."

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society.  Final volume published in September 2014.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2015: historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc. 
Now selling "vintage" on Etsy

Strand Theatre, 647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

 With the third and concluding volume of the Brooklyn Theatre Index nearing its publication, we will be featuring during the month of September, borough performance spaces on our various web logs and sites.


Exhibitors Herald, October 16, 1920:

"From the side of the Strand Theatre, Brooklyn, N.Y., the huge electric sign that announces Strand attractions blazes the message of the day in letters that may be read for blocks. The effect is distinctly noticeable at the box office.

"Edward L. Hyman, managing director, gives evidence of his high regard for the power of that sign by the care he exercises in preparing the copy for each change.

"A few weeks ago Mr. Hyman, one of the last to experiment with the featured comedy idea, gave a short subject place in his sign for the first time. 

"The results were reported gratifying and subsequent events have proved that they were, for short subjects have figured consistently in the Strand sign streamers ever since.

"The above illustration shows a case in point. Unfortunately, a portion of the sign was run in colored lights on this occasion and the full effect of its radiance is not conveyed by the photograph. Educational's 'Torchy Comes Through' is the short subject referred to.

"Every exhibitor has had experience with electric signs. Whether or not he uses that type of advertising, every exhibitor knows that a sign like that operated by the Strand represents a not inconsiderable outlay of funds both as to first cost and upkeep.

"Perhaps many will welcome the evidence of its paying qualities as an investment. And that those paying qualities are genuine has been convincingly demonstrated by the Strand.

"There may be a better place to put money than into advertising, but if such is the case it is not generally known. Not only exhibitors but the industrial world at large would be glad to have it pointed out to them.

"There may be a better form of advertising for the downtown house than flash advertising but that, too, if it exists, has not been disclosed up to the present time.

"The downtown house in any city that does not go in heavily for flash advertising is missing a golden opportunity."   


Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2014-15, historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Brooklyn Lobby Booths and Decorative Displays, May 3, 1928

Motion Picture News, May 3, 1928
Excerpts from the article "Fixtures Keep Pace with Trend of Theatrre Design, Lobby Booths and Decorative Display Frames Harmonize with Atmosphere."

"The inside booth of the United Theatre, Brooklyn, N.Y. This box office is built ten feet wide to provide space for office as well as a ticket booth."

"...an instance where the entire lobby wall is decorated with paneling of display frames and mirrors, which constitute the chief decorative feature. The lobby of the Apollo Theatre, Brooklyn, N.Y., with ticket booth opening laid out in the center of the sidewall panel."

"...a combination display frame and ticket office designed for theatre having a narrow lobby. This arrangement was built for the Elton Theatre, Brooklyn, N.Y., with the booth worked into the center of the frame."

"Lobby Display Co., designers and builders of the fixtures illustrated" 

Apollo Theatre
1527-1531 Fulton Street

Elton Theatre
4217 New Utrecht Avenue

United Theatre
207 Myrtle Avenue

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the year by the Theatre Historical Society.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2014. 

Early View of the Brooklyn Paramount

Motion Picture News, December 25, 1926, featured an article on the new Brooklyn Theatre currently under construction. Designed by Rapp & Rapp, it would open November 23, 1928 as the Brooklyn Paramount.

 "Rapp & Rapp have designed a most striking structure for erection at DeKalb Avenue and Flatbush Street [sic] in Brooklyn N. Y. An office building of 30 stories will surround a 500-foot tower, the whole being designed in modern adaption of the later Spanish Renaissance.
"The building will enclose a theatre with a seating capacity of 4,500 and will be designed in the style of Old Spain, embodying the  spirit of the Spanish carnivals and fetes of that race. Features and novelties new to theatre architecture will be employed to further inspire the amusement-loving world."

The completed structure featuring a rococo-designed theatre with a seating capacity 4,124*.

Photo: New York Theatre Organ Society

               

.
* Seating for the Brooklyn Paramount has been given variously as 4.084, 4,144 and 4,500. The larger number could be based on the original design.
The New York City Department of Buildings list capacity as:
Orchestra: 1,983
Mezzanine: 411
Balcony: 1,730
Total 4,124

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the year by the Theatre Historical Society.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2014.

November 9, 2013 Walking Tour: Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District

Theatre for a New Audience 

Walking Tour: Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District

With Theatre Historian Cezar Del Valle

Saturday Saturday, November 9, 2013

 10am-12pm

Free

 Reservations Required

email humanities@tfana.org  or call 212-229-2819x31

Meet in front of BAM Howard Gilman Opera House 

Includes interiors of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, BAM Harvey, and the new Polonsky Shakespeare Center

Come honor Brooklyn's history and celebrate our new home with a portable soirée. Theatre for a New Audience is offering a walking tour led by historian Cezar Del Valle, author of The Brooklyn Theatre Index, Vols. I and II. Cezar will guide participants through Downtown Brooklyn’s theatrical past, present, and future. The tour will start in front of BAM Howard Gilman Opera House and end at Theatre for a New Audience’s Polonsky Shakespeare Center. We'll be making stops at BAM Harvey and at historical sites of theatres past. We hope to see you there. 

Let's take a stroll! Through Downtown Brooklyn that is, home to some of the most impressive arts and cultural institutions in New York City. At the heart of it lies the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, where Theatre for a New Audience is setting up camp. We're proud to open our new home, Polonsky Shakespeare Center, just steps away from BAM Howard Gilman Opera House and around the corner from the Mark Morris Dance Center. We couldn’t be more excited about putting down roots in a vibrant community that, like us, has a rich and evolving history.

Special thanks to Sharon Lehner, BAM Archivist, for her help in researching and organizing this tour.

For more information on this or any of Theatre for a New Audience’s Humanities programming, email humanities@tfana.org  or call 212-229-2819x31.

Theatre for a New Audience

Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District

New York Times

Huffington Post

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.

He is currently accepting theatre talks and walks for 2014-historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Fisher Theatre, 136 Fall Street, Seneca Falls, NY 13148

Excerpts from the Auburn Citizen, October 9, 1915:
"The new Fisher Theatre was opened last night for the first performance, after a year spent in construction and less than three years from the time plans were first inagurated for the building of a modern playhouse. The new theatre was erected by Fred C. Fisher and is under his direction. The cost is about $40,000. 

The front of the building contains two large stores and the theatre entrance. Several suites of offices occupy the front of the second floor. The theatre proper is absolutely fireproof with concrete floors and all kinds of modern theatre equipment and seats 960.

Every seat in the house was taken last night. The opening show was a three-act musical comedy direct from New York called Tonight's the Night. For tonight vaudeville and moving pictures will be the attraction. On Saturday night, October 16, May Irwin and a big company will be the attraction.

"The theatre opening attracted hundreds of people from out of town and was the social event of the season. Mr. Fisher has exceeded the Opera House Site Committee's requirements in every particular and he was anxious to know whether Seneca Falls people would support the project. They did so last night. Waterloo and all parts of the county contributed to the opening audience. The highest of compliments were paid Mr. Fisher for his enterprise."    

Postcard is part of the Theatretalks collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use. At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not  honor this but it would be nice if they did.

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.

He is currently accepting theatre talks and walks for the fall and winter-historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.