Billy N. I agree, we should bring this to the attention of Turner Classic Movies or the other cable movie channels.

The narrator of "Turner Classic Movies" is always talking about the magnificent old theatre in New York City and around the country. At the moment I cannot remember his name.

It would be great to see the Paradise Theatre restored and brought back to its original beauty.

I remember an elderly lady telling me many years ago, that when she went to the Paradise Theatre on a Friday evening, she and her husband and friends dressed very formal. She always wore an evening gown and her husband black tie. They always had famous acts and popular singers entertaining the audience before the movie started. She said it was wonderful. The theatre was so beautiful. The Grand Concourse was at its height of beauty.

Cynthia

The Wonderful Bronx!

Barry B. - Thank you for refreshing my memory of the great movies theatres. the RKO Fordham, the Valentine and the Zenith. Your right, the 167th Street had the Lowes and I remember going to the Earl near Yankee Stadium.

You had quite a choice of theatres and the movies were great in the 50s and 60s.

They had great popcorn. It tasted so much better. Everything was pure.

Thanks

Cynthia

Love the Bronx!

My earliest memory of the Paradise is when my mother took me there to see a performance by her great heartthrob, Louie Prima. I was there for the 3 Stooges live performance. I think the last time I went there was on a date and having to sit through that Turkey of a film MUTINY on the BOUNTY.

The nearest theater to me was the Tuxedo. To beef up an already bloated Kiddy Show, they sometimes had visits from fading stars such as Leo Gorcey and Mo Howard. Sometimes there were yo-yo contests, best Easter bonnet contests.

Hank

You have to wonder why Loews built such a grand theater in the Bronx. It cost $400000 in the 20's. They built it before the Concourse subway was built. It was much better then any other theater. You would think it would be hard to fill it without the subway. You could walk to the Woodlawn Subway, but that would be several more long blocks

I think in the olden days people would go to the movies at least a few times a week. In the 1920's the population of the Bronx was already in the millions, and there was a very reliable trolley car service that criss crossed the whole borough.

I can remember even in the 1960's and 70's it was not good form to go to the Paradise unless you were at least dressed up a little bit. I also recall just going to the movies without even thinking about a timetable. You just went in when you wanted, sat down, and watched.

And who of us can remember "movie blindness" when we came out of the dark theater after spending many hours in air conditioned darkness and into the hot afternoon sunlight? Took a while to be able to see again!!!

"movie blindness"?!! Is that what it was. I thught it was the Three Star brand Muscatel I was drinking. Can any of you remember hokey cheapo brands of booze like 3 Star?

Sword were you in the balcony behind me?

BA!!!! OMG, I am so sorry!!! Now I know who it was I puked all over and from such a height. Oh, that hero sandwich. I remember it well: provolone, prosciutto, mustard, pickle, olive. Oh, well, you got a free warmed up meal cooked in wine.

Sword

What a concept! Like a mobile gourmet chef, you just have to calculate where and when the meal will be "delivered"! We can make a fortune with this!!!

I took my Angel to the Paradise all the time, we'd sit up in the balcony, close to the stars....but then who watched the movie, Ha.
There was a store next door to the Paradise, a restaurant, that we'd go into after the movie have a burger and soda, then walk hand and hand up the Concourse.........I have some wonderful memories of the Bronx, especially in the 60's.

I started accumulating sheep in the '40s. As there was no air conditioning they got very hot in July and August. The best way to cool them off was to take them to the movies. Unfortunately the seats in the trolleys were made of straw that they couldn't resist. When nature called, usually during the second flick, they couldn't all get into the ladies' room at the same time. I spent a lot of time apologizing to the trolley conductors and theatre managers in those days.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bronx Shepherd,

Posted 07 June 2007 06:19 PM Hide Post
Bronx Shep- I did wonder at the time what that smell was. Until you confessed, I thought it was Sword's upchucked hero sandwich.

Spaldino

Shep, I think they did a number on the carpeting, too. All those hooves are murder, even on the best carpeting. In the summertime I'm sure you herded them north on the Concourse after the show and they ate their way to Mosholu Parkway.

My sister, brother and I went to the movies every Sat. We got .25 and that was for admission .14 , 2 candy bars each .05, and .01 for a paper cup for water. We were there all day. NEWS, preview, 2 features and cartoons. We went to the Luxor or Zenith.

THE LOEW'S PARADISE!!!!! The Sky ceiling with twinkling stars, cloud machines moving clouds across the sky, marble staircase, private elevator with golden doors, magnificant balcony overlooking the lobby. My first REAL JOB- an usher from 1958 to 1960. You wouldn't believe what went on in the last row of the balcony! (or maybe you would!!)
I saw "The Ten Commandments" so many times that I memorized the dialog!
MAN ---THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Billy N:
Shep, I think they did a number on the carpeting, too. All those hooves are murder, even on the best carpeting. In the summertime I'm sure you herded them north on the Concourse after the show and they ate their way to Mosholu Parkway.

Do you really remember that Billy? That's exactly what I did. So few people mention that post-movie ritual anymore. Sometimes the dancers in Poe Park had to scamper out of the way. Sometimes the sheep would go down one subway entrance and up the other. It gave my large white poodle Ira (R.I.P.) anxiety attacks. Thanks for responding.

quote:

an usher from 1958 to 1960.

I probably saw you a million times, one of my friends was an usher there too. What a good time was had by all...........hahahhaa

Little less than 2 yrs ago, I went to a pre-opening reception at the Paradise sponsered by the Bx Museum of Art - it was my first time there - it was amazing!

Thye should have an old-movie night there... I think lots of older movie palaces do that across the country.

-Michael

Shep, of course I remember that. Gee, what a problem when one of those little rascals would cut under the subway steps. Once in a while one of 'em would sneak under the turnstile and go downtown on the D train. People at Columbus Circle would be amazed to see one of your flock coming up the steps there. I'm sure he was just itching to get into Central Park. Of course, I knew all along where it came from, but I never said a word. I just gave him 25 cents and sent him back uptown.

Sorry to go off topic a bit here, but I remember the guy with the sheep.

When i lived in Times Square there would be a guy parade his sheep around 42nd st. His sheep all wore stockings and garter belts,, Are you the same guy Bronx Shepard?