Roxy Theatre
153 W. 50th Street,
New York,
NY
10020
153 W. 50th Street,
New York,
NY
10020
83 people
favorited this theater
Showing 276 - 300 of 1,213 comments
Dear Shanvdk, A shot in the dark: When I was an usher at Radio City Music Hall (1969-73), LEO Doughtery was the kindly, old, (70+) 50th -Street stage doorman (“Pops”). A million Doughtery’s in the the Naked City … but, you never know …!
Still working on it,
Bill!
Dear Shanvdk, Sorry, no luck yet in finding Jim Dougherty. Don’t give up hope … you’d be amazed what Roxy factsI I can find, give the time!
Lew White recorded organ music from the Roxy in 1927-28 for the Brunswick label. Unfortunately they were played on the 2-manual instrument in the broadcasting studio (not the auditorium’s) and are definately lackluster (compared to Jesse Crawford’s Victor, Paramount Theatre recordings from the same era). There were only a dozen or so made and occasionally come up on EBAY. The label must read: “Recorded at Roxy Theatre, N.Y.” otherwise, they read: “Recorded at "Lew White Organ Studio, N.Y.”… Know the difference! They are not great, but for Roxy historians, are a must! A recording also exists of “Teddy Bear’s Picnic”, recorded by Ben Hall ca. 1958-9 (I don’t own it, nor know where to get a copy). By that time the organ was piped through a P.A system and sounded
like “death-warmed-over”… but, again, a must for Roxy or theatre organ fans. Try contacting the “AMERICAN THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY” Good luck!
Bill Savoy (508 612 5669)
Good luck!
Does anyone know if there are any recordings of the Roxy theatre Organ? I would love to hear what it sounded like.
Dear Shanvdk, Your information in hand … will check my files and get back to you. Meanwhile, feel free to email me, any time, at:
Thanks so much Bill. I would appreciate any info :) In particular if you see anything about someone named Jim Dougherty. Not sure if I spelled the last night correctly but someone else i had talked to thought that might be the name of the person I’m looking for. Thanks so much Bill.
Dear shanvdk, I have lists of various Roxy staff members over the years, but, unfortunately, none from the orchestra during the era you mention. When I have access to my files later this week, I will
look again, with your requests in mind. Hopefully, I can come up with something!
GAZEBO ad
Tinseltoes, you forgot Herman the pidgon :)
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Do any of you have any information on my post above?
P.P.S. to hdtv267: They’re accurate.
Dear Tinseltoes, I am intrigued by your knowledge and fascination with the Roxy (Until now, I thought I was the only one so obsessed!). I saw the place only once … when I was 9 years old, my parents brought me to see THE GAZEBO because they knew it was soon to close and wanted me to see the theatre. The irony is this: I remember NOTHING of the theatre … only the movie … but have gone on to build 4 (count ‘em 4) models of the place (one on display in the MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE in Queens) and am planning a 5th! ( a case for the Subliminal??). I worked as an usher at Radio City Music Hall in the early seventies, finding my way into the design department and am now a scenic artist, living in N.Y.C.. I have an extensive Roxy collection (much of it given to me by the late Ben Hal) and I own the original 1925 blueprints. I would love to share our mutual interest, if you are so inclined. Pease feel free to email me: P.S.: Would love to hear from ALL with Roxy memories to share!
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Hi all, I stumbled upon this website and am hoping you may be able to provide some information for me. My grandmother was a performer as an ice skater at the roxy back in 1948-52 ibelieve or somwhere in that time frame. Her name was Beatrice Lumley and her married name was Beatrice Flanagan. Her ex also worked there and his name was John Flanagan. They did the ice show inbetween the movies. I was wondering if anyone had info on the orchestra that played during those ice shows. I am particularily looking for the name of one of the drummer’s that was in it for a few years. Does anyone know where i might be able to get a list of names of the orchestra members? Thanks in advance for any help you may provide.
The original ad from that first Roxy christmas show in 1927
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It also should be added to resumption of stage & screen presentations with “The Rains of Ranchipur” in Dec. 1955, that the Roxy sold advanced mezzaine reserved seating similar RCMH to audience members seeking to better plan their attendance. Was this policy continued beyond this engagement?
From the 1920s postcard view of the Roxy Theatre in New York.
Great remembrances. Before my time but were you actually there to experience these shows?
Hello Hank. I no longer live in NYC area so visiting Elmhurst is not possible. I do know Marquee magazine. If you are a subscriber or have those copies of it perhaps you could scan the Roxy destruction pictures and send to me as email attachments. That would be so terific and I sure would appreciate.
PS. I’m from Massachusetts also.
Hello Richka,Yes pictures would have been nice,but alas it didn’t happen. However, The Theatre Historical Society located in Elmhurst,Illinois has several publications in their Marquee magazines which show the Roxy during demolition and how the building was constructed. I never worked at the Roxy ,my only link was when I lived in Massauchetts and attended as a patron.
That really must have been a sad occasion for you, expecially for those of us who actually worked there. If only there were pictures even of the destruction because it would be clearly seen how the structure was actually buil; the stage and backstage area, the rotunda, etc. You do know it was built at an angle from 50th to 51st but always curious exactly HOW they did that.
oh my goodness! And you didn’t take pictures?? They would be SO fascinating and valuable today.
In 1960 I checked into the Bristol Hotel and requested a room high up on the rear of the hotel which would give me a clear view of the Roxy Th. during demolition. Intent on watching how that grand structure had been built during its destruction . After half a day I had to change hotels because it was too painful to view that splendid theater being wrecked! RIP Roxy Theater you were a grandly unique cathedral!
Thank you Richka.
It is the entrance from the rotunda into the auditorium. Richka