A baroque palace rises again. The Brooklyn Paramount stands here a testament to entertainment history. It opened on November 24, 1928. Nancy Carroll starred in “Manhattan Cocktail” that night. Paul Ash’s Band performed. Maria Gambarelli and Eddie Cantor also appeared. John Murray Anderson directed the show.
The Brooklyn Paramount was America’s first movie theater built for sound. This theater featured twin Wurlitzer organ consoles. Organists Henry Murtagh and George A. Johnson played them. The Brooklyn Paramount had 4,201 seats. It opened three months after the Fox Theatre. The Fox Theatre had 4,088 seats. Both were on Flatbush Avenue Extension.
Initially the Brooklyn Paramount struggled. It competed with other theaters nearby. These included the Metropolitan Theatre. It had 3,580 seats. The Albee Theatre had 3,246 seats. The Fox Theatre had 4,088 seats. The Strand Theatre had 2,894 seats. All were within walking distance. The Brooklyn Paramount closed in April 1933 for four months. It closed again from May 1934 until the fall. It reopened showing only movies.
The 10-story office block hides the auditorium from Flatbush Avenue Extension. This gives the building a 1950s look. Originally a sky-sign topped the building. Two vertical blade signs stood above the corner entrance. The Brooklyn Paramount is one of the most flamboyant theaters. Rapp & Rapp and Edwin C.A. Bullock designed it.
The lobby is grand but plainer than the auditorium. Large bays and alcoves decorate the auditorium walls. They feature columns and urns. Originally projected images showed through these bays. Audiences saw visions of French royal palace gardens. The ceiling is a blue dome. It represents the sky. A perforated trellis hangs beneath it. The entire auditorium is in French Baroque Atmospheric style. The orchestra had 2,018 seats. The mezzanine had 434 seats. The balcony had 1,749 seats.
Many stars graced the Brooklyn Paramount’s stage. Buddy Rogers performed here. So did Eddie Cantor and George Jessel. Mae West and Rudy Vallee also appeared. In the 1950s, rock ‘n’ roll shows became popular. Alan Freed staged them. Fats Domino, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis performed. Audiences danced in the aisles.
The last live show was in 1961. Clay Cole’s “Easter Parade of Stars” starred Jackie Wilson. Only 300 people attended the final film. It was “Hatari!” starring John Wayne. It played on August 28, 1962.
Long Island University bought the building in 1950. They converted the office block into their Brooklyn Campus. After the Brooklyn Paramount closed in 1962, the university took over the theater. They removed the blade signs and sky sign. The marquee was removed. The vestibule entrance was filled in. A new entrance was added. The main lobby became a student canteen. The lounges below became conference rooms and offices.
The orchestra floor was leveled. It became a basketball court. The mezzanine level and loge seats were removed. The balcony’s rear became offices. It reopened in 1962 as the Harold and Maria Schwartz Athletic Center. It was later renamed Metcalfe Hall.
Harsh spotlights replaced the original subtle lighting. The Wurlitzer organ remains. Only one console works. It is maintained. It is hidden beneath the basketball court in the orchestra pit. Many consider it one of the finest in the world.
In 2005, the basketball team moved to a new center. The Brooklyn Paramount was rarely used.
In 2015, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment partnered with Long Island University. They reopened the Brooklyn Paramount as an entertainment venue. It would host music, comedy, and boxing events. The auditorium would hold 3,000 people. Renovations began in 2018.
In July 2023, Live Nation acquired the Brooklyn Paramount. They signed a 25-year lease. Restorations began. It reopened on March 27, 2024. It is now a major live-act venue. It was renamed Brooklyn Paramount. It features family shows, comedy, and sporting events. It also hosts private programs for Long Island University. The auditorium has 1,200 seats. Total capacity is 2,600 including standing room. The Wurlitzer organ will be preserved. Its use is uncertain.
The Brooklyn Paramount continues its legacy. It is a revitalized legend. It offers multigenre entertainment. It stands as New York City’s great entertainment venue.