The computer-generated transcript of this page:
a spot light. At the time, the Middletown Paramount was considered the most modern in the Publix chain of 1500 theatres. Total estimated cost was #350,000.
On opening night, June 12, 1930, doors opened at 6:00PM "in order to accommodate the great rush of movie fans." Extra police protection was made available to handle the crowds. About 3000 people attended opening night, several hundred of which were "first nighters" by special invitation of the management. many waited in line two hours for the second show after the first was sold out. THe waiting line, in columns of four, ran from the ticket booth to Franklin Square going half-way down the block on West Main Street.
Entertainment that first night included the Middletown footage shot by the Paramount newsreel cameramen June 10. There were shots of Mayor Van Fleet, Police chief Percival Bennett and Fire Chief W. M. Seeley shaking hands with Manager Harry C. Stowell in front of the theatre; Charles "Chic" Higham, former fire chief, coming out the front of his Highland Avenue home; and members of the Middletown Rotary Club in front of the Mitchell Inn on James Street.
It was originally hoped Charles Buddy Rogers, the "famous juvenile star," would make an appearance, but he was busy making a new picture. Instead, he made a "personal film greeting" welcoming patrons to the new theatre. There was an opening number by the Paramount Publix orchestra, a brief performance by a "talented [American Indian group," a Paramount newsreel, and a comedy on politics starring Charlie Murray. The feature presentation was "The Big Pond" starring Maurice Chevalier. Between shows, lobby entertainment was provided by Pepper and Salt, "youthful entertainers attached to the New York Paramount."
As a footnote, Nielson Construction Co., the Middletown contractor who built the Paramount, announced they were filing for bankruptcy on June 17. Although they had made a profit on the theatre construction, they had lost $18,000 on construction of the Lenape Hotel in Liberty, New York.
In 1954, the theatre's organ was removed to make way for air conditioning ducts. Around the early 1960's, the marquee was damaged by a truck and rebuilt to its present appearance. From September 21, 1976 until December 17, the Paramount was closed due to poor patronage. A lack of parking, difficulty in securing suitable movies to fill the large theatre, and high operating and maintenance costs contributed to the Paramount's problems. In 1977, it was estimated it cost $14,500 to heat and maintain the building. Thousands of dollars in back taxes were owed to the City of Middletown. The Paramount's last day of operation as a movie theatre was Sunday, April 9, 1978. "Declining patronage," was the reason given for the closure by Juliet Poughkeepsie Theatre Corporation, the Paramount's owner.