Kings listed with “Random Harvest,” a lengthy blockbuster being presented by Loew’s as a single feature and with an unmentioned slight increase of ticket prices.
Although the Kings was equipped for wide screen and stereophonic sound in the autumn of 1953, it had to wait until Easter of the following year to present its first feature in the CinemaScope process. This was due to the product split between Loew’s and the RKO circuit, with the latter enjoying an exclusive on 20th-Fox and Warner Bros, the first studios to release CinemaScope features. “Knights of the Round Table,” which had also been the first CinemaScope feature at Radio City Music Hall, was produced by MGM, still one of Loew’s chief suppliers until anti-trust decisions could be fully complied with.
Kings coupled with Triboro with “Corsican Brothers” in this ad for Loew’s nabes in Brooklyn and Queens. Pitkin also showing “Corsican,” but listed separately with a different co-feature.
Too late for the ad to be pulled, the beloved team had to cancel due to Oliver Hardy’s sudden illness. Dave Apollon, the Russian-born comedian and mandolin virtuoso, was hurriedly hired as replacement.
Special newspaper ad placed by MGM to supplement the smaller text ads that the Music Hall itself ran most days of the week with program information and starting times of feature and stage show.
Both “major” features at top of ad had already proved box office flops in their NYC debuts, “Blue Bird” as a road show at the Hollywood Theatre, and “Abe Lincoln” at Radio City Music Hall. “Blue Bird” had also done a move-over to the Roxy, but with no improvement in business.
Opened as the Queensboro in late 1928, the spacious atmospheric theatre was closed for most of the Depression and WWII years. Occasional attempts to revive it as a “Bingo” hall or as a link to “Subway Circuit” stage plays quickly failed.
Next month, the Tribeca Film Festival will include two special screenings at the Beacon Theatre to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Brian De Palma’s “Scarface” (April 19th) and the 25th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” (April 26th). More details here
What’s now known as the Lyric Theatre had been closed for a year for EXTENSIVE auditorium renovations for the stage spectacular “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which is currently in previews and expected to replace “Hamilton” as hottest (and priciest) ticket in town. Seating capacity was reduced by 400 seats, from 1,900 to 1,500, according to press reports, which also claim that the Lyric’s main entrance has been moved around the block to 43rd Street.
Wouldn’t it make more sense for this to be listed as Prospect Theatre or RKO Prospect, which were used for all of its cinematic history? Olympic was later used for a concert venue that never proved successful.
Due to Depression conditions, the Capitol had reduced budgets for stage presentations, and would switch to an “Everything on the screen” policy in August of that year.
The recently deceased Vic Damone also played a starring role at Radio City Music Hall later that year in its Christmas feature,“Kismet.” And he had also been one of the guest performers in its 1954 Christmas film, “Deep In My Heart.”
A career breakthrough for MGM starlet Ava Gardner, who played a supporting role on “loan” to an independent company that released through United Artists.
Kings listed with “Random Harvest,” a lengthy blockbuster being presented by Loew’s as a single feature and with an unmentioned slight increase of ticket prices.
In this view of 14th Street towards Union Square, the marquee of the City Theatre can be seen to the right of the Academy of Music.
“Popular” prices for “Casablanca” were higher than “regular,” but less than “roadshow.”
Although the Kings was equipped for wide screen and stereophonic sound in the autumn of 1953, it had to wait until Easter of the following year to present its first feature in the CinemaScope process. This was due to the product split between Loew’s and the RKO circuit, with the latter enjoying an exclusive on 20th-Fox and Warner Bros, the first studios to release CinemaScope features. “Knights of the Round Table,” which had also been the first CinemaScope feature at Radio City Music Hall, was produced by MGM, still one of Loew’s chief suppliers until anti-trust decisions could be fully complied with.
Kings coupled with Triboro with “Corsican Brothers” in this ad for Loew’s nabes in Brooklyn and Queens. Pitkin also showing “Corsican,” but listed separately with a different co-feature.
Too late for the ad to be pulled, the beloved team had to cancel due to Oliver Hardy’s sudden illness. Dave Apollon, the Russian-born comedian and mandolin virtuoso, was hurriedly hired as replacement.
Special newspaper ad placed by MGM to supplement the smaller text ads that the Music Hall itself ran most days of the week with program information and starting times of feature and stage show.
Both “major” features at top of ad had already proved box office flops in their NYC debuts, “Blue Bird” as a road show at the Hollywood Theatre, and “Abe Lincoln” at Radio City Music Hall. “Blue Bird” had also done a move-over to the Roxy, but with no improvement in business.
Opened as the Queensboro in late 1928, the spacious atmospheric theatre was closed for most of the Depression and WWII years. Occasional attempts to revive it as a “Bingo” hall or as a link to “Subway Circuit” stage plays quickly failed.
The Technicolor circus epic went on to win an “Oscar” as Best Picture of that year.
Resumed continuous performances policy, following a year of reserved-seat roadshow for “Hawaii.”
Next month, the Tribeca Film Festival will include two special screenings at the Beacon Theatre to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Brian De Palma’s “Scarface” (April 19th) and the 25th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” (April 26th). More details here
Five views of the interior renovations for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” can be found here
What’s now known as the Lyric Theatre had been closed for a year for EXTENSIVE auditorium renovations for the stage spectacular “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which is currently in previews and expected to replace “Hamilton” as hottest (and priciest) ticket in town. Seating capacity was reduced by 400 seats, from 1,900 to 1,500, according to press reports, which also claim that the Lyric’s main entrance has been moved around the block to 43rd Street.
This was the first Spring of the Depression era.
Wouldn’t it make more sense for this to be listed as Prospect Theatre or RKO Prospect, which were used for all of its cinematic history? Olympic was later used for a concert venue that never proved successful.
Stage show was held-over from the recent celebration of the Roxy’s fourth anniversary, with “Roxy” himself still serving as managing director.
Due to Depression conditions, the Capitol had reduced budgets for stage presentations, and would switch to an “Everything on the screen” policy in August of that year.
Top ticket price of $3.50 would be equivalent to about $30.50 in 2018.
Roadshow policy with advanced prices and reserved seats in the evenings and on Sunday matinees.
The Rivoli’s managing director at the time was S.L. Rothapfel. I wonder whatever became of him?
Darlene Bridges, the actress portraying The Virgin Mary, was scheduled to sign autographs in the lobby.
Opened not on St. Patrick’s Day, but six months later (September 15th, 1948).
The recently deceased Vic Damone also played a starring role at Radio City Music Hall later that year in its Christmas feature,“Kismet.” And he had also been one of the guest performers in its 1954 Christmas film, “Deep In My Heart.”
A career breakthrough for MGM starlet Ava Gardner, who played a supporting role on “loan” to an independent company that released through United Artists.