City - Manhattan, NY - The Paramount building 1942 - Side by Side
by Mike Savad
Title
City - Manhattan, NY - The Paramount building 1942 - Side by Side
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Colorized Photo
Description
Hand colored photo from 1942, September
Original title: Paramount theater at Times Square. Showing bond selling booth
Photographer: Marjory Collins
Location: 1501 Broadway, Manhattan, NY
I can't quite figure out why she chose this angle of this building like this. It's all weird and wonky. And the only reason she shot it was for that bond booth. In any case, I straightened it, which ended up taking out a sign but eh... I don't know why there is a mirror in that window. Or what's happening where a person is sticking their head out the window, let alone the size of those windows that open to the srteet, you could push a grand piano out one of those things.
I tried hard, but couldn't find any color references to that main awning sign, they rebuilt or repaired it later on, but no history on it, and the new one is black. But I assume considering the stained glass in window, and those curved end caps on the sign, that its probably colorful. It is supposed to attract attention after all. I did look up the movie, I believe they said the movie came out then the hotel, but I don't know if its related.
This is the Paramount theater, located in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan, NY. Built in 1926, designed using Art Deco & Beaux Arts style, in its day it was a glorious theater. A large orchestra pit that rose to stage level, red velvet drapes, Balustrades and an open arms Grand Staircase, the ceilings were fresco & gilt, brass railings, plush seats, it was really nice, as you can see with that awning. The lobby was modeled after the Paris Opera House, with white marble columns.
The rest of it was designed to be office space, standing at 33 stories, with a sphere on the roof and a large clock (both were blackened out during WW2). The first five floors are limestone, followed by brick.
In 1967, they decided to turn all of it into office space and gutted out that theater, removed that arch, and the awning, and it stood that way for a long while, a basic looking boring business building. The building was designated a landmark in 1988, and starting in the late 1990's, the arch, clock, globe and this awning was restored back to how it was, or as close as possible.
Today the only original part that remains is the lobby, the auditorium is long gone. The outside of the building is similar to this picture, but it has its own modern touches.
Uploaded
December 18th, 2023
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