100Years …And Counting!

100 Years …and counting!

Very few places in Austin can make this claim! With all of the new development happening around Austin, and specifically right here on Congress Avenue, it’s truly remarkable that Austin’s original performing arts venue has stood the test of time. As one of the first – and few remaining – examples of early and distinctive theatrical architecture, » In anticipation of the Paramount the Paramount stands as a » Theatre’s 100th anniversary, we are testament to how important the undertaking a truly luminous project: venue is to the community and the fabrication and installation of a the cultural landscape that makes new, historically accurate blade for Austin unique. Once you’re here, the Paramount’s façade. The blade History. Performed Nightly. you can’t help but feel you’ve was first installed when Paramount WWW.AUSTINTHEATRE.ORG entered a special place that wraps Pictures took over the theatre in the For more history, visit itself around you, making you feel early 1930s. Little is known about what www.paramountaustin.org welcome, timeless and inclusive, happened to the original blade after 1963, making the 100-year celebration both with other members of the a perfect occasion to re-light the façade audience and the performance in historic fashion. In 1930, the Austin- itself. From Houdini to Katharine American Statesman described the Hepburn, to current artists like blade as a “huge sign, more than 75 Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett and feet high [from the sidewalk], and Sheryl Crow, the Paramount, and topped with a brilliant sunburst.” its audiences, have seen it all We can’t wait to light up Congress over the past 100 years… Avenue when we flip the switch on the new blade in the fall of 2015! Visit here’s to the next century! www.austintheatre.org/greenlight For a full list of performers, visit for more information or to donate to www.austintheatre.org/100 this extraordinary project. Occasionally, the smell of cigar Just the Facts Lights, camera, action! Houdini, saints, smoke wafts throughout the and ghosts auditorium, usually when the • The Paramount hosts more than 200,000 Opening as a vaudeville house in 1915, the theatre is “dark,” and a gentleman audience members each year Paramount Theatre soon changed with the can be seen in opera box right, The Paramount is well known • An estimated 18 million patrons have seen times to become Austin’s grand movie dressed in early-century attire. for its grand proscenium that a performance within these walls palace. The Paramount served film lovers He is just one of the many spirits majestically frames the stage. as a first-run theatre for many years before to supposedly haunt the theatre. • The Paramount hosts 250+ Above the proscenium sits a the decline of downtown Austin. Since then, Additional ghosts and activity performances a year graceful painting of Saint Cecilia, it has presented numerous world premieres include “The Lady in White,” and the patron saint of musicians, • Over the years, it is estimated that as independently and continues to do so in many more. many as 10,000 artists have graced the artists and thieves (an interesting partnership with the Austin Film Society Today, we encourage each of Paramount stage combination). Saint Cecilia was and festivals like South by Southwest and painted during renovation in the the performers who grace our • The Paramount screens 100+ films each year the Austin Film Festival. In addition to 1970s, becoming a fixture for all stage, to sign our backstage • The Paramount provides access to the showcasing new films, the Paramount has who enter the theatre. “Artist Wall” (see back photo). also played host to the annual Summer While many famous and well- performing arts to over 20,000 underserved Also found above the proscenium Classic Film Series, which will celebrate known stars have signed, some youth each year is the famous “Houdini Hole.” a milestone 40th season in 2015. With its of our favorite signatures include: • The theatre plays host to multiple film Legend has it, when the great historic architecture and devotion to 35mm premieres each year and to some of Austin’s escape artist performed here in • Carol Burnett and 70mm film exhibition, the Paramount most iconic festivals including SXSW, the 1916, he needed rope and rigging • Buzz Aldrin remains the best venue in town for taking in Austin Film Festival and many more in the ceiling for a trick, and the • David Byrne a classic movie and recapturing the glorious hole was never fixed. • The Paramount launched the Moontower 1974 The original fire curtain atmosphere of cinema’s golden age. The • Marvin Hamlish Comedy & Oddity Festival in 2012 and is discovered hanging in the The Paramount is one of only rafters, protected for 40 Paramount marquee has long been the • Joan Rivers in its fourth year is already one of the a handful of historic theatres that years, in pristine condition. most coveted spot in town for films both still uses ropes and pulleys for all • Hal Holbrook largest comedy festivals in the country It still hangs in the theatre old and new. today as one of the oldest, of its stage operations (most have • Diane Keaton remaining, original fire For a comprehensive list of Paramount film curtains in the country. gone to electric systems). • Lily Tomlin premieres, visit www.austintheatre.org/100

October 11, 1915 1916 World-famous 1930 Paramount Pictures buys the theatre 1941 Katharine 1963 The Paramount 1966 Batman 1973 John Bernardoni, Charles 1975 The Paramount’s April 22, 1976 The Paramount July 8, 1977 1982 Best Little Whorehouse in Texas October 11, 2015 The Paramount The Paramount opens magician and and begins running Paramount Studio-only Hepburn performs blade is removed film premieres at Eckerman and Stephen Scott Summer Classic Film Series celebrates the return of live The theatre earns film premieres at the Paramount with officially reaches the centennial mark! as the Majestic Theatre escape artist, Harry films. The Paramount blade is erected. The Philadelphia from building “to be the Paramount rescue the theatre – slated for is established, making 2015 performances with a concert its spot on the movie stars Burt Reynolds, Dolly The celebration is to be culminated with the comedy play Houdini, performs Live performances continue, featuring Story on the refurbished,” never with stars in demolition - with grand ideas of the 40th anniversary of by jazz great Dave Brubeck, National Register Parton and Charles Derning, along with the lighting of the newly installed, When Knights Were Bold on multiple nights legendary stage actress like Helen Hayes Paramount stage to be seen again attendance bringing back live performances the Austin institution who plays to a packed house of Historic Places with a parade down Congress Avenue historically accurate 47-foot blade

(timeline not to scale) For more timeline anecdotes, visit www.austintheatre.org/100