Long before “Irene” in 1973, Debbie Reynolds made her Broadway debut in a 12-minute stage “act” with Carleton Carpenter that opened at the Capitol Theatre on January 11th, 1951.
Although Sonja Henie had never performed in theatres before this, she had participated in the production of some of the now defunct ice-skating revues at the Center Theatre in Rockefeller Center. Her previous NYC appearances were at Madison Square Garden.
This is a photo of the Broadway Theatre in Manhattan on Broadway at 41st Street, which was briefly operated by Loew’s after it finished a “legit” career that started in 1882. That Broadway has a CT listing as #4426.
“Lili” was finally reaching neighborhood theatres after an exclusive 95-week engagement at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street, just a block away from Loew’s Lexington.
This was an Easter holiday presentation, opening a day before Radio City Music Hall’s, which had “Bye, Bye, Birdie” on screen. Ironically, Gower Champion directed the original Broadway stage version, but was replaced by George Sidney for the movie.
Debbie Reynolds portrayed the daughter of Fred Astaire and Lilli Palmer in the Technicolor comedy, roles played by Dolores Hart, Cyril Ritchard, and Cornelia Otis Skinner in the original Broadway stage production.
I wouldn’t place absolute faith in the claim that the Picker family built the Oriental. Perhaps movie producer David Picker, a direct descendant, could verify or deny. I know that the Pickers were pioneers in Bronx cinema history, but a lavish showplace in the outer reaches of Brooklyn seems too much of a stretch for them.
The film was first-run for the area known as North Chicago, but had already played a smash engagement in “The Loop” at B&K’s Roosevelt Theatre (sans stage show).
Every day ticket price of all seats at 25 cents until 1:00pm would be equal to about $4.35 now. And 15 cents for children at all times would be around $2.60 today.
This was the second stop for a national tour by Mary Pickford, which started at the Paramount Theatre in NYC’s Times Square just before Christmas (1933).
This was the Paramount’s defense against Radio City Music Hall’s first Christmas show, which had “Flying Down To Rio” on screen. Pickford was starting a national tour, with the Chicago Theatre as next stop.
Advertising claimed “World’s Largest Theatre,” which was probably true for those with movies on the bill. The New York Hippodrome was still a showcase for stage spectaculars.
Advertised on December 23rd, 1956, a time when the Roxy’s only NYC rival with a stage show was Radio City Music Hall, which had “Teahouse of the August Moon” on screen.
This was the first color feature of Barbara Stanwyck’s screen career, which started in 1927.
Proctor’s Newark listed just below the Albee.
The Woodside is listed in the section with “Sahara” as top feature.
Long before “Irene” in 1973, Debbie Reynolds made her Broadway debut in a 12-minute stage “act” with Carleton Carpenter that opened at the Capitol Theatre on January 11th, 1951.
Although Sonja Henie had never performed in theatres before this, she had participated in the production of some of the now defunct ice-skating revues at the Center Theatre in Rockefeller Center. Her previous NYC appearances were at Madison Square Garden.
This is a photo of the Broadway Theatre in Manhattan on Broadway at 41st Street, which was briefly operated by Loew’s after it finished a “legit” career that started in 1882. That Broadway has a CT listing as #4426.
This was during the second and final season of the New York World’s Fair, by which time much of the world was at war.
A year and nearly seven months had passed since “Jesse James” opened at the Roxy, but the same “bargain” ticket prices were still being offered.
“Lili” was finally reaching neighborhood theatres after an exclusive 95-week engagement at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street, just a block away from Loew’s Lexington.
This was an Easter holiday presentation, opening a day before Radio City Music Hall’s, which had “Bye, Bye, Birdie” on screen. Ironically, Gower Champion directed the original Broadway stage version, but was replaced by George Sidney for the movie.
The Technicolor comedy was the first feature movie directed by Gower Champion.
Debbie Reynolds portrayed the daughter of Fred Astaire and Lilli Palmer in the Technicolor comedy, roles played by Dolores Hart, Cyril Ritchard, and Cornelia Otis Skinner in the original Broadway stage production.
I wouldn’t place absolute faith in the claim that the Picker family built the Oriental. Perhaps movie producer David Picker, a direct descendant, could verify or deny. I know that the Pickers were pioneers in Bronx cinema history, but a lavish showplace in the outer reaches of Brooklyn seems too much of a stretch for them.
The film was first-run for the area known as North Chicago, but had already played a smash engagement in “The Loop” at B&K’s Roosevelt Theatre (sans stage show).
Every day ticket price of all seats at 25 cents until 1:00pm would be equal to about $4.35 now. And 15 cents for children at all times would be around $2.60 today.
The cinema is reportedly closing in April, along with the Macy’s that is the shopping center’s retail “anchor.”
This was the second stop for a national tour by Mary Pickford, which started at the Paramount Theatre in NYC’s Times Square just before Christmas (1933).
This was the Paramount’s defense against Radio City Music Hall’s first Christmas show, which had “Flying Down To Rio” on screen. Pickford was starting a national tour, with the Chicago Theatre as next stop.
The first booking of 1967 opened on January 19th, following a hold-over of the Christmas holiday show that had MGM’s “Follow the Boys” on screen.
Answering my own question, this was signage for a charity benefit for the American Cancer Society in March, 1965.
Advertising claimed “World’s Largest Theatre,” which was probably true for those with movies on the bill. The New York Hippodrome was still a showcase for stage spectaculars.
The record-breaking business in France wasn’t repeated in the USA, where the B&W epic bombed as a roadshow and in general release.
Advertised on December 23rd, 1956, a time when the Roxy’s only NYC rival with a stage show was Radio City Music Hall, which had “Teahouse of the August Moon” on screen.
Presumably 1903.
Opened on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1926.