Paramount Theatre Is an Art Deco Palace
cinema, culture, history, kankakee, landmark, movies, paramount theater,
An old landmark in Kankakee has a fresh look and new energy.
The Paramount Theatre opened April 11, 1931, and was eventually purchased in early 1988 by Classic Cinemas. After a major restoration process, the historic landmark reopened to the public in December 1988.
The renovation included reconstructing the auditorium doors with highly polished hardware and stained glass inserts.
The doors lead to one of the largest halls in Kankakee, with the auditorium graced with a cobalt blue ceiling with geometric designs in green, red, gold and silver.
In 1990, four more screens were added to the theater by constructing a building addition in the parking lot.
The art deco style of the original Paramount is included in the four newer theaters.
