The days before alarm systems meant that the building needed a watchman (clock £16), one can imagine that patrolling a darkened cinema late at night was an unsettling experience, although in those days when everyone smoked, a smouldering cigarette missing one of the ashtrays (cost £121) was more of a danger to the building than any burglar!

Although 70 years separates The Paramount from modern multiplexes, the importance of the catering operation for attracting customers remains constant, and The Paramount's tea rooms were as well designed and fitted out as the rest of the cinema with kitchen equipment costing £450 and china, glass and silverware coming in at £213.

Verity and Beverley designed a number of cinemas for the American Paramount Corporation, but Renfield Street was their only Scottish work and although the interior has now changed out of all recognition, it is possible from the existing exterior and from interior photographs to get an idea of what a wonderful experience entering this cathedral of the movies in the '30s must have been.

Opened in December 1934 by the American Paramount Corporation and designed by Frank Verity and Samuel Beverley, the Paramount was the last word in luxury cinemas.

The Paramount's imposing facade of Portland stone and black marble, five tall windows with art deco fins and stunning display of neon was topped with a six foot high neon sign.

Unusually for a British cinema and a clue to the parent company's origins, the box office was located outside, once inside the patrons encountered an equally well-appointed and luxurious interior featuring art deco motifs and an impressive staircase leading to the balcony and the cafes.

The 2784 seat auditorium, like many of the cinemas of the day featured a large stage and acilities allowing live variety shows as well as cinema.

A report prepared by Samuel Beverley in June 1941 provides a fascinating insight into the construction and equipping of the building.

One of the most expensive items was the sound system at £3,854, the projection equipment costing £938 by comparison. The comfort of patrons was clearly a priority with theatre seats costing £2,909 and specially made Wilton carpet fitted at a cost of £2,176, at the other end of the price range, torches and batteries cost £5 and roller towels and tea towels came in at £11.

Renfield Street, City Centre

Opened: December 31st 1934
Closed: January 7th 2006

Designed by: Frank T Verity & S. Beverly (1934)
Designed by: Dry, Halasz Dixon Partnership (1970)

Screens
Paramount (1934): 1
Odeon (2004): 9

Seats (1934)
Stalls 1768, Balcony 1032 • TOTAL 2800