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As a promotion, Middletown merchants had a Fashion Parade and Auto Show on April 9, 1930. Participating in this was Paramount's "Publix Theatres Entertainment Special," a $25,000 automobile styled to resemble a locomotive. The "Special" featured a loudspeaker from the "observation platform" at the rear and was said to have "attracted much attention."
Publix officials had planned to open the Paramount "on or about May 1 (1930), " but this was delayed by a decision to give the theatre "a more elaborate interior than originally contemplated." Changes were the result of a "determination to give Middletown one of the finest theatres in this section of the state."
By May 1, the exterior was essentially complete and the marquee installed, although it lacked bulbs. The seats, projection and sound equipment, and other "important installations" had already arrived and were being stored in the old Borden plant on Canal Street until needed. In mid-May, painters completed work on decorations in the foyer and auditorium, and construction work on the floors was begun. There was also a brief strike by the sheet metal workers at this time.
On June 9, "at the suggestion of the management, "Fire Chief William Seely inspected the theatre and issued the statement "the
As thoroughly fire proof" and conforming to both city and state regulations. A Paramount newsreel cameramen was in town June 10, taking pictures of locally prominent people, streets, the fairgrounds, and other interesting scenes in the vicinity. These shots would be made into a film to be shown as part of the opening ceremonies.
Charles M. Fox, head of the interior decoration department at Paramount-Publix and a painter of "national fame," had supervised the interior decorating and furnishings, "pronounced the theatre adequately equipped and adorned in a style that commends itself to Paramount management."
On the evening of June 11, Mayor Clarence C. Van Fleet and a delegation of businessmen made a ceremonial inspection of the theatre. Charles E. Taylor, President of the Chamber of Commerce,
e highpoint of the evening was when Mayor Van Fleet threw a switch in front of the theatre which turned on all the lights and threw 'its darkened interior into a spectacle of dazzling brilliance." Besides the ceremonial value, this also served "the utilitarian purpose" of providing "an adequate test for the lighting facilities" to insure their proper working order. The Middletown Time Herald described the scene: "Red lights flashed, and bombs were detonated as the visiting group assembled in front of the theatre to pose for a picture... taken at the instant when the mayor was instructed to pull the switch."
Thursday, June 12, 1980, was the big day Middletown had been