Classics toons at the Paramount
Published 10:30 am Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Kids take in the Three Stooges at the Paramount Theatre, part of Toony Tuesdays at the theater. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Theater shows films, cartoons from 1930s to 1950s
There’s movie magic happening at the Paramount Theatre this summer. Just not any recent movies.
The Paramount is offering free cartoons and public domain movies this summer, around 1 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month through July.

A small audience takes in the Three Stooges Tuesday as part of the Paramount Theatre's Toony Tuesday. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We’ve actually got these classic movies and cartoons from public domain,” said Scott Anderson, the Paramount’s general manager. “That’s how we’re able to do it and offer it for free.”
Movies from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, along with classic cartoons like Mighty Mouse, are shown to anyone who wants to come down. Anderson and Paramount staff got the idea last summer when the YMCA asked to come down and watch some old movies.
“They came twice last summer and it was just their group,” Anderson said. “We offered an hour or so of cartoons and popcorn.”
The Paramount is offering more this summer, with movies like the 1939 version of “Gulliver’s Travels” (shown last week) and “The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze,” which was shown Tuesday. More than 150 people, including students from Austin Public Schools’ Kids Korner program, watched and laughed as Larry, Joe and Moe fought each other.
“We are always looking for activities to do locally,” said Amy Baskin, director of Early Childhood and Education programming in Austin. “It’s a good opportunity.”
There’s at least one more Toony Tuesday, as Paramount staff call it, scheduled. The next showing is July 12 and a final showing could take place July 26, although the theatre does have another act scheduled later on that day. It is free and open to the public.