Then and Now - The Paramount Theatre - Lynn, MA

The Paramount Theatre in Lynn, Massachusetts, was a stunning example of Art Deco architecture, designed by the renowned Rapp & Rapp, the same architects behind iconic theaters like the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. Its facade closely resembled that of the Gateway Theatre in Chicago and the Warner Theatre in West Chester, Pennsylvania. All three theaters were completed in 1930, showcasing similar sleek, geometric designs emblematic of the Art Deco era.

The Pleasure Palace Opens

The Paramount Theatre opened on July 18, 1930, with the film The Social Lion starring Jack Oakie. The theater boasted seating for 2,525 patrons, including 2,051 seats on the orchestra floor and 474 in the balcony. Adding to its grandeur, it featured a Wurlitzer 3-manual, 19-rank organ, which provided live musical accompaniment for films and special performances. Located at Union Street and Birchstead Street, the Paramount quickly became a central hub for entertainment in Lynn.

Mid-Century Decline and Demise

By the 1940s, the Paramount Theatre was a prominent MGM customer and a vital part of Lynn’s thriving entertainment scene. A May 1941 photograph from the MGM Theatre Photograph and Report Form captured its elegant vertical sign and marquee, which were similar to the Paramount Theatre in Boston. At the time, it featured popular attractions like Crosby and Hope’s Road to Zanzibar and Ann Sothern’s Maisie Was a Lady. Competing theaters in Lynn included the Warner Theatre and the Capitol Theatre, serving a local population of 98,100.

Despite its initial success, the Paramount Theatre’s popularity waned as television and suburban movie theaters gained prominence in the post-war years. After over three decades of operation, the theater closed its doors on December 1, 1963, marking the end of an era. In January 1964, just a month after its closure, the Paramount Theatre was demolished.