Paramount Theatre (Oakland, California)

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Paramount Theatre

Location 2025 Broadway
Flag of the United States Oakland, California, USA
Coordinates 37°48′34″N 122°16′05″W / 37.809532, -122.26805
Type Indoor theatre
Opened 1931
Owner City of Oakland
Nonprofit
Renovated 1973
Seating type Orchestra, Balcony
Capacity 3,040

The Paramount Theatre is a massive Art Deco movie theatre located in downtown Oakland, California, USA. Today, the Paramount is the home of the Oakland East Bay Symphony and the Oakland Ballet, it regularly plays host to R&B, jazz, blues, pop, rock, gospel, classical music, as well as ballets, plays, stand-up comedy, lecture series, special events, and re-runs of classical movies from Hollywood's Golden Era.

Contents

[edit] History

The Paramount Theatre was built as a motion picture palace, during the rise of the motion picture industry in the late 1920s. Palace was both a common and an accurate term for the movie theaters of the 1920s and early 1930s. In 1925, Adolf Cukor's Paramount Publix Corporation, the theatre division of Paramount Pictures, one of the great studio-theater chains, began a construction program resulting in some of the finest theatres built. Publix assigned the design of the Oakland Paramount to 38 years old San Francisco architect Timothy L. Pflueger, of Miller and Pflueger. The Paramount opened at a cost of $3 million on December 16, 1931.[1] Pflueger was also the designer of the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. The Art Deco design was a trend referred to the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris.[2] The term Art Deco has been used only since the late 1960s, when there was a revival of interest in the art and fashion of the early 20th century.[3]

Its exterior with its 110-foot high tile mosaic of enormous figures by projecting Paramount sign, which can be seen up and down the street, but it is the interior that rises to unequal heights. A 58-foot high grand lobby, with side walls made of alternating vertical bands of warm green artificial light panels and muted red piers, and with both ends and ceiling decorated with an almost luminescent grillwork, forms a regal introduction. Rare and costly materials are everywhere: hand-adzed quartered oak, Hungarian ash crotch, birdseye maple, Balinese rosewood, Malaysian teak, and Italian marble. The auditorium is unmatched for its refulgent splendor. Its gilded galaxies of whorls, patterns, gold walls with sculpted motifs from the Bible and mythology. Outside and in, the Paramount radiates the dream-world escapism with which sought to beguile its customers.[4] The Paramount organ was built by Wurlitzer for the Paramount Publix theaters: a four-manual, twenty-rank model called the Publix I (Opus 2164), which cost $20,000 in 1931.

The gala premiere December 16, 1931 was attended by Kay Francis, star of the opening film, "The False Madonna,"[5] and cast members Conway Tearle, Charles D. Brown, Marjorie Gateson, and William Boyd (not yet known as Hopalong Cassidy). Notable guest included California's governor James Rolph and Oakland mayor Fred N. Morcom. Tickets were first-come first-served, sixty cents for the balcony seat and eighty-five cents for a seat in the orchestra.[6] The program also included a Fox Movietone newsreel, and a Silly Symphony animated cartoon "The Spider and the Fly", and heard the music of the Paramount's own 16-piece house orchestra, under the direction of Lew Kosloff. Last on the program was the stage show Fanchon & Marco's "Slavique Idea," a forty-minute revue featuring Sam Hearn, comedians Brock and Thompson, dancer LaVonne Sweet, the acrobatic Seven Arconis, Patsy Marr, and the Sunkist Beauties in a chorus-line finale.

In June 1932 the Paramount closed it doors, unable to meet operating expenses of more than $27,000 per week. Competing with Paramount was the Fox Oakland Theatre, which had opened in 1928. The Paramount stayed closed for nearly a year. The days when movie theaters could support not just the showing of movies, but entire orchestras and stage shows and uniformed attendants, were over just as the Paramount was being completed. When it reopened in May 1933, it was under the management of Frank Burhans, the manager of the Warfield in San Francisco. He was commissioned to get the Paramount out of debt, and his method for achieving this was to operate without either a stage show or an orchestra, and to unscrew lightbulbs. The Paramount showed the best of the new motion pictures, including such features as "Dancing Lady" (1933) with Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, "Dames" (1934) with Dick Powell, and Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in "The Gay Divorcee" (1934). The Great Depression gave way to the war years, and the Port of Oakland became a major departure and arrival point for servicemen. The Paramount's comfortable chairs and spacious lounges was a favorite place. In the 1950's popcorn machines and candy counters were installed, and on the lobby walls the incandescent lights were taken out and replaced by neon tubing in red and blue. In 1953, it played the first CinemaScope movie "The Robe," with Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. The 1957 Elvis Presley's Jailhouse Rock attracted a thousand young people. At the end of the 1950's theaters were losing patrons to television, but the Paramount management responded with talent shows, prize nights, and advertising campaigns.

For a second time the Paramount closed on September 15, 1970, because it no longer was able to compete with smaller movie theaters in the suburbs. Its last film was the Beatles' "Let It Be" in (1970).[7] In 1971, a Warner Bros. movie, "The Candidate," starring Robert Redford, was filmed using the interior of the Paramount as one of the principal locations. Hope surfaced in October 1972 when the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, in need of a new home, purchased the Paramount for $1 million, half of which was donated by the seller, National General Theatres--the Old Fox-West Coast--with the other half coming from generous private donors. The popcorn machines and candy counters were removed. With the help of restoration project manager Peter Botto, new, wider seats were installed, the distance between rows was increased to provide more leg room, as was a replica of the original carpet throughout the theatre. Two bars, one is on the mezzanine and one is in the lower level, and a new box office were added. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill were consultants for the restoration, with Milton Pflueger & Associates assisting. The Paramount reopened on September 22, 1973 in its original 1931 splendor.

Two years later, the Oakland Symphony Orchestra went bankrupt and gave the Paramount to the City of Oakland for $1, with the stipulation of guaranteed bookings for the next forty years. Seeing an opportunity, a group of seven private citizens banded together and approached city officials with the idea of managing and operating the Paramount on behalf of the city as a nonprofit organization. They agreed, and the structure has remained to this day.

Walking into the main lobby, with its gold ornamentations along the walls, curving staircase and glowing light fixtures is like taking a trip back through Old Hollywood. Public tours of the Paramount Theatre are given on the first and third Saturdays of each month, excluding holidays and holiday weekends.[8] Documented in 1972 by the Historic American Buildings Survey, the theatre was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on August 14, 1973, became a California Registered Historical Landmark in 1976[9] and a U.S. National Historical Landmark in 1977.[10]

[edit] Photo Gallery

2005 view of marquee listing Elvis Costello

1975 photograph by Jack E. Boucher showing the four-story Grand Lobby

Grand Lobby interior, Fountain of Light over entrance and marquee

Fountain of Light over seven double doors at entrance

Grand Lobby north wall showing dancing figures

1932 image of auditorium ceiling and balcony soffit. Round holes in balcony edge are for stage lighting instruments. Dark windows in far wall are for film projectors and spotlights.

1932 view looking down from the balcony at the ceiling, proscenium, curtain, seating and hydraulic orchestra pit

Basement lounge showing stylized couches and benches. Note the bold wall and ceiling designs

Mezzanine level foyer

Men's Lounge, mezzanine level

Women's Lounge, basement level

Women's Smoking Room, basement level

Architect's basement plan

Architect's first floor plan

Architect's mezzanine plan

Architect's longitudinal section (cutaway side view)

[edit] Main events

[edit] Symphony & Ballet

Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) was founded in July 1988, when musicians from the former Oakland Symphony and the Oakland Symphony League joined together to form a new orchestra. Since September, 1990, Michael Morgan has been Music Director. Under Maestro Morgan's direction, the Symphony has become a leader in music education for young people, bringing orchestral music into schools throughout Oakland and the East Bay. More than 60,000 people attend the Symphony's performances at the Paramount Theatre, at churches and senior centers, and at other community sites each year.[11] With its May 18, 2007, performance of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" was sold out, the Oakland East Bay Symphony opened its final rehearsal to the public.[12]

December 2007, the Oakland Ballet celebrated the 35th Anniversary of Ronn Guidi’s famous "Nutcracker" at the Paramount Theatre, with Maestro Michael Morgan conducting the music of Tchaikovsky.

[edit] Notable concerts

Concerts at the Paramount — which are responsible for the bulk of the theater's revenue — tend to serve an older clientele. For every young act, such as Nelly Furtado, there are many older acts, such as Diana Ross, Bonnie Raitt, Al Green, Jeff Beck, Lionel Richie, B. B. King, Anita Baker, Brian Wilson, Gladys Knight, or Lucinda Williams. Since 2005, Another Planet Entertainment has booked five concerts on average per year. Those shows tend to be among the Paramount's more lucrative events. Other past performer included Britney Spears, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, James Brown, Alicia Keys, Enrique Iglesias, just to name a few.

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2008

[edit] Stand-up comedy

The 3 sold out performances by Chris Rock in 2003, included a total attendance of 8,883 and a total gross of $448,000.[55]
In 2004, the 4 sold-out performances of Jerry Seinfeld sale gross of $819,390, 12,001 patrons, is a record since the renovation/re-opening of the Paramount Theatre back in 1973.[58]

Black Comedy Explosion:

[edit] Live stage plays

1997 - The musical play The Wiz was at the Paramount, with Grace Jones, Peabo Bryson and CeCe Peniston that provide the big draw this time around.[59]

2001 - The Diary of Black Men, director Clarence Whitmore, a play that had been touring the country since 1983.[60]

2006 - Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail to a packed seven-date stint at the Paramount.[61]

2008 - Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats is scheduled for five performances in May.

[edit] Classic Movie Nights

It wasn't until 1987 that the Paramount returned to its true calling as a movie house, showing Buster Keaton's "The General (1927)," a silent film accompanied by the Wurlitzer. In 1988, "Casablanca" (1942), starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, launched the first movie series. The 2002 feature was Peter Sellers' "Dr. Strangelove" (1964).[62]

In 2002 it showed "Wizard of Oz" (1939), with Judy Garland, and in 2004 the Paramount showed several classic movies: "Harvey" (1950), starring James Stewart, "Viva Las Vegas" (1964) starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, "The Graduate" (1967) with Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft, and "The Bad and the Beautiful" (1952) starring Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner.

The Fall, 2007 Paramount Movie Classics series was not scheduled, based on the reduced attendance over the past few years. However, the Paramount Theatre is committed to continuing their Movie Classics series in the future.

[edit] Notable events

The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame was founded in 1973 in Oakland. They held elegant events that honored such screen legends as Clarence Muse, Hattie McDaniel, Billy Dee Williams, Melvin Van Peebles, and Danny Glover with the Oscar Micheaux Awards. Some of the events were hosted at Oakland's Paramount Theatre. In 2001 Harry Belafonte, Eubie Blake and Diahann Carroll was inducted in the Filmmakers Hall of Fame at the Paramount.[63]

1995 - Poet Maya Angelou read from her work at a benefit at Paramount for the St. Paul's Episcopal School.[64]

1999 - Actress Halle Berry was at the Paramount for the premiere of "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," an HBO docudrama.[65]

2007 - As former Congressman Ron Dellums was sworn in Monday, January 8, 2007 as Oakland's 48th mayor in a public ceremony at the historic Paramount Theatre. A crowd of 1,900 people gathered for the ceremony.[66]

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Tours Rediscover Oakland Landmark (San Francisco Chronicle (Friday, November 20, 1998)
  2. ^ Menten, Theodore, The Art Deco Style in Household Objects, Architecture, Sculpture, Graphics, Jewelry, Courier Dover, (1972), ISBN 048622824X
  3. ^ Mackrell, Alice. Art And Fashion, Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., page 116, (2005) - ISBN 0713488735
  4. ^ Smith, G. E. Kidder. Source Book of American Architecture: 500 Notable Buildings from the 10th Century to the Present, Princeton Architectural Press, page 372, (2000) - ISBN 1568982542
  5. ^ The False Madonna (1931)
  6. ^ Stone, Susannah Harris. The Oakland Paramount, Lancaster-Miller Publishers, page 18, (1982) - ISBN 0895816075
  7. ^ Now playing -- grand nostalgia
  8. ^ Paramount Theatre Tours
  9. ^ California State Historic Landmark #884
  10. ^ National Register of Historic Places
  11. ^ Oakland East Bay Symphony History
  12. ^ Oakland East Bay Symphony
  13. ^ Anita Baker -- Over the Top Rapturous singing at Paramount overwhelms the songs
  14. ^ Witherspoon still serving up the blues
  15. ^ Bonnie Raitt shows steal PBS spotlight
  16. ^ Stevie Wonder Emerges From Hibernation: Singer wows concert crowd
  17. ^ K.D. Lang in the Comfort Zone
  18. ^ Tom Waits Benefits Friend, Audience
  19. ^ Charles Brown Gets His Reward: Raitt, Hooker celebrate R&B veteran's comeback
  20. ^ A surprising "Porgy and Bess' at the Paramount
  21. ^ Bonnie Raitt: Singer entertains with musicianship, charm
  22. ^ James Brown: Still "Pleasing': Godfather of Soul plans next birthday show in Oakland
  23. ^ Sheryl Crow: A once lightweight singer digs in and earns some respect
  24. ^ Ruben Gonzalez and Ibrahim Ferrer full of life in quirky, festive concert at end of S.F. Jazz Festival
  25. ^ Lauryn Hill: With a hot, 16-piece band behind her, she shows that her phenomenal solo album was not a fluke
  26. ^ Maxwell's Silver Sound Blows Warm and Cool
  27. ^ Pop Princess Britney Spears makes adoring fans squeal with delight at Paramount Theatre
  28. ^ Blige Taps Her Superpowers Hip-hop queen gives knockout performance at Paramount Theatre
  29. ^ James Brown Still Can't Act His Age: Birthday concert sets Paramount ablaze with funk
  30. ^ D'Angelo's A Turn-On In Oakland: Singer seduces crowd with sexy, skillful R&B
  31. ^ A gloomy Paul Simon lets his well-crafted music do the talking at the Paramount
  32. ^ A Mesmerizing Badu Loosens Up
  33. ^ Quixotic Bjork spreads her wings in Oakland
  34. ^ Elfin Bjork alights in Oakland
  35. ^ Maxwell has crowd swooning: No gimmicks, just sexy soul sound
  36. ^ Amos through the ages: Singer's message as complex as ever
  37. ^ Mary J. Blige, royal and real R&B star toys with dualities at Paramount
  38. ^ Alicia Keys concert only hints at her power
  39. ^ Purple reign at the Paramount as Prince pontificates True believers lap it up at surprise show
  40. ^ The (r)evolution of Erykah Badu: Revamped persona stands out but message remains same
  41. ^ Natalie Cole at the Paramount
  42. ^ Groban brings musical comfort food to Paramount
  43. ^ Enrique doesn't have to sing to get his fans to scream
  44. ^ Nels Cline talks about going from avant-garde improviser to Wilco's new guitarist
  45. ^ Elvis Costello at the Paramount
  46. ^ Jill Scott's Soulful Slam: Singer unleashes her unique mix
  47. ^ Al Green Looking Forward To It!
  48. ^ Paramount Theatre presents: B.B. King & Mavis Staples
  49. ^ Madeleine Peyroux with Vienna Teng at Pramount
  50. ^ Lauryn Hill: Late start, new approach disappoint Lauryn Hill fans at Oakland concert
  51. ^ Diana Ross is divine in Oakland
  52. ^ Review: Diana Ross sings blues, pop, disco - and it's all superb
  53. ^ Chris Rock: Caustic comic does rip-roaring Oakland show -- and we can tell you about some of it
  54. ^ Chris Rock learned to roll with the punch line
  55. ^ Paramount Theatre Press
  56. ^ Jerry Seinfeld Everyguy: His timing is impeccable, but where's the beef?
  57. ^ Seinfeld Voices His Petty Grievances: Comedian delivers flawless routine
  58. ^ Paramount Theatre Press
  59. ^ The Wiz
  60. ^ Long-running 'Diary of Black Men' returns to Paramount Fans appreciate show's message about relationships
  61. ^ Perry's 'Family' Matters
  62. ^ Now playing -- grand nostalgia: Oakland's Paramount film series evokes an era of reel glamour
  63. ^ Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame inductions 2001
  64. ^ Tour Honors Blacks in Bay's History
  65. ^ Halle Berry: Starlet exudes aura of actress Dorothy Dandridge
  66. ^ It's Dellums' Day

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 37°48′34.64″N 122°16′5.11″W / 37.8096222, -122.2680861

[edit] References

[edit] See also

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