Roxy Theatre

Thanks Mark I dont know why I did not just do that. Appperently the image hosting site I used hosts pornographic material as well as he more family suitable images, I was not aware of that till now and will of course never use it again. I still do no understand how the link went that image instead of the movie poster I put up, a very sick joke if you ask me My aplogies once again to those of you who clicked on that link. Meanwhile yes indeed “Tunnel Of Love” was shot in CinemaScope and Black & White

Also should be noted that “The Tunnel of Love” was one of Gene Kelly’s directorial efforts.

Actually, it shows up on the Fox Movie Channel fairly frequently. We shouldn’t ban the art of yesterday because it doesn’t conform to the political correctness of today.

Dear Housechecker, If you were at the Roxy the summer of ‘56 then you may have been there for “The King and I” which is when I began and stayed for one year. If this is true then perhaps we may have met or at least stood together for inspection. More importantly, one of the contributors to this site is gathering information about the theater for a book on its operations. Are you a New York or vicinity resident? A reunion of “those still standing” would be wonderful but no one except you has yet responded. By the way, “The King and I” was the beginning of the Roxy’s short but great golden year of hits with crowds like the one in the lobby shown in the photo above for “But Stop,” “Giant,” and “Anastasia.” Does anyone know the date of the photo above????

Copy that Tinseltoes please keep em coming

The Roxy was purchased by Rockefeller Center in 1955 with an eye towards future development. Rock Center needed the ROXY site for its air rights in order to build the new Time-Life building, completed in 1959. The Roxy was leased back to its operators. Rock Center had no direct involvement in its operation until 1959, shortly before it closed. Rock Center made a deal with William Zecandorf to sell the ROXY so the TAft hotel could be expanded. However, the TAFT was never expanded, but Zeckendorf proceeded to tear down the ROXY. He had no interest in keeping the ROXY open. Closed, the ROXY was costing thousands of dollars in real esate taxes to NYC. Zeckend orf probaly did not have much choice. The whole closing process appeaerd to be very quick. Perhaps Rock Center insisted the ROXY be closed. However, I have not seen any printed proof of Rock Center’s direct involement in the closing. Variety reported in 1959 that the NY Philharmonic was interested in leasing the ROXY for its home after the philharmonic was ousted from Carniege hall, which was also on the demolition block at the time. However nothing ever came of the ROXY/ Philharmonic deal as Linclon Center was in the early construction stages at the time.

If this was “Jeopardy,” lonixcap would have the correct answer.

I thought the Wilson premier was in Zanuck’s hometown of Wahoo, Nebraska.

What an extraordinary shame that here in the United States, we don’t preserve our history. That the Roxy, “the Cathedral of the Motion Picture,” should have been demolished is beyond criminal.

Thanks!

(How do you add a live link to a message?) Thanks.

Somewhere in the internet universe I came across a photo, shot from the stage during an orchestral performance, that showed a great shot of the tiered balconies. I meant to save the photo so I could share it, but have since lost my browser bookmark. If anyone knows where to find it online, it’d be a great addition to the photo page for the Roxy.

I don’t think Warner gutted the Beacon interior. I suspect they redesigned it for sound.