Theater connoisseurs in the Bronx have always had plenty of things to do. Over the years, there were very beautiful theaters with stunning repertoires. One of them was the Paradise Theater. We will tell you more about the opening and development of this establishment in our article at bronx-trend.com.
OPENING OF THE THEATER AND ITS POPULARITY
The grand opening took place on September 7, 1929, in the Bronx. The original name of the theater was Loew’s Paradise Theatre. It was supposed to become a large entertainment complex with movie screenings and live performances. The first play on the theater stage was “Cameos,” directed by Chester Hale and Harold Ramsey.
Initially, the project was created for the theater chain Paramount-Publix. However, the organization changed its plans, and the theater became owned by Loew’s Theatres. In addition to the project in the Bronx, there were four similar theaters located all over New York City.
The institution in the Bronx can be rightfully called extremely successful. The level of attendance was quite high from the first days of opening. Numerous prominent artists have performed here at different times. The fact that visitors could watch not only movies but also performances made this venue even more popular.
Such a successful combination lasted until the outbreak of the Great Depression. The economic downturn forced the owners of Loew’s Theatres to look for ways to cut costs. Then all plays and live performances were removed from the Paradise Theater program. The institution began to work solely as a cinema hall. Additional seats were placed on a concrete slab that covered the orchestra pit. The musical console was transferred to the Loew’s Jersey Theatre. Although theatrical activities at the Bronx establishment ceased, the memory of the wonderful local performances remained in the hearts of the residents. After all, the Paradise Theater had a special atmosphere of art and bohemian life.
ATMOSPHERE AND BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR
The “father” of the building was the Austrian-American architect John Eberson. He was the one who designed the theater building. The man had extensive experience in this field as he created over 500 theater projects during his lifetime. He began his professional career in 1905. By the time the master designed his creation in the Bronx, he already had years of experience and his own distinctive style. The Paradise Theater looked beautiful, elegant and inspiring. Its interior was able to set the right mood for each guest.
The moment people entered here, they noted the opulence and grandeur of the surroundings. Massive bronze doors led to the main hall. The ceilings were adorned with frescoes symbolizing three concepts: history, sound and cinema. There was also a massive marble fountain. A portrait of Marie Antoinette and a copy of Holbein’s painting “Anne of Cleves” were hanging at the foot of the stairs. The auditorium resembled an Italian garden in the Baroque style. The walls were decorated with hanging grapevines and cypresses. Marble statues were placed everywhere. Artificial stars sparkled on the ceiling. The designers aimed for every detail of the interior to reflect love and admiration for the world of art. Such an entourage could definitely distract the audience from their everyday life and make them feel like they are in a real fairy tale.
In 1997, the building was officially recognized as a landmark of New York.
A theater is a unique place that has the ability to immerse every visitor into the magical world of art. Here, people experience aesthetic pleasure, develop their own taste and improve themselves. The Paradise Theater in the Bronx perfectly coped with each task. It was an important part of American culture.
