The Little Picture House first opened to the public on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1929, with a press gala two nights earlier. Two news reports have been uploaded to the Photos Section.
The original 35mm biopic in standard ratio had its world premiere on October 10th, 1946 at Radio City Music Hall, with support from a stage show. See ad posted at RCMH listing on 9/11/2016.
The B&W epic had tough sledding against the Technicolor musical, “On the Town” (Gene Kelly-Frank Sinatra), which topped the Christmas holiday package at Radio City Music Hall.
The Universal Theatre, as it was originally known, was the first atmospheric designed by John Eberson in the Greater New York area. Two of the later ones, Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx, and Loew’s Valencia in Queens, are now used as churches and seem to be “safe” from demolition.
The comedy team made their movie debut in the B&W adaptation of a popular prime-time radio program. Marie Wilson, who portrayed “Irma” both in the film and on radio, joined in the stage fun on opening day only.
Marilyn Monroe’s bit part landed her prominently in the advertising campaign, but without crediting her name. She’s straddling “ASP” in the top left corner.
In conjunction with the Jewish High Holy Days of that year, the Music Hall had an entire stage show honoring Israel, with added guest entertainers including the revered singer Shoshana Damari and the Karmon Dancers.
Sun Equity Partners and the Heskel Group have purchased the property including the Jackson Theatre for $27 million and re-development still in the planning stages. No permits for demolition have yet been filed. Details here:
http://www.qchron.com/editions/western/mixed-use-building-coming-to-nd-st/article_113a1749-6048-5f9b-b65e-68707daa5598.html?mode=story
This was a reserved-seat roadshow booking limited to two weeks because of the Colonial’s Shubert stage play commitments. MGM was unhappy with the results and withdrew the Technicolor extravaganza from release until the following spring, as “Ziegfeld Follies of 1946.”
For the exhibition side of the industry, Vincent Canby was probably the most knowledgeable critic/reporter that The New York Times ever had. Prior to joining the NYT, Canby had many years of experience covering exhibition for Variety and before that for Quigley’s Motion Picture Herald.
In remembrance of the legendary child star and singer Bobby Breen, who died last week at age 87, I’m posting an ad for a unique achievement at Radio City Music Hall. Back in December, 1936, Breen dominated the Christmas holiday show, with his movie “Rainbow on the River” on screen, and with the boy soprano himself performing in the stage show. Costumed as a young shepherd in the “Nativity” pageant, Breen sang “Cantique de Noel,” accompanied by the Music Hall’s resident chorus and symphony orchestra.
The marquee displayed the title incorrectly as two words. According to Preston Kaufmann’s monumental book on the Fox Theatre, “Lifeboat” grossed a disappointing $23,305 in its first and only week there, with “Charlie Chan in the Secret Service” for support. An average week’s gross for the Fox in 1944 was $26,541, according to Kaufmann’s statistics.
The main feature was a compilation of scenes from old B&W horror films, and shouldn’t be confused with a later British color shocker with the same title.
The Little Picture House first opened to the public on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1929, with a press gala two nights earlier. Two news reports have been uploaded to the Photos Section.
The original 35mm biopic in standard ratio had its world premiere on October 10th, 1946 at Radio City Music Hall, with support from a stage show. See ad posted at RCMH listing on 9/11/2016.
All four theatres were presenting stage shows originally packaged for the Capitol Theatre in midtown Manhattan.
The B&W epic had tough sledding against the Technicolor musical, “On the Town” (Gene Kelly-Frank Sinatra), which topped the Christmas holiday package at Radio City Music Hall.
The Universal Theatre, as it was originally known, was the first atmospheric designed by John Eberson in the Greater New York area. Two of the later ones, Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx, and Loew’s Valencia in Queens, are now used as churches and seem to be “safe” from demolition.
Produced in France, the silent B&W epic “Casanova” had key sequences that were hand-colored.
“Anchors Aweigh” moved to the State after a record-breaking run at the Capitol (with stage show).
The comedy team made their movie debut in the B&W adaptation of a popular prime-time radio program. Marie Wilson, who portrayed “Irma” both in the film and on radio, joined in the stage fun on opening day only.
Marilyn Monroe’s bit part landed her prominently in the advertising campaign, but without crediting her name. She’s straddling “ASP” in the top left corner.
In conjunction with the Jewish High Holy Days of that year, the Music Hall had an entire stage show honoring Israel, with added guest entertainers including the revered singer Shoshana Damari and the Karmon Dancers.
This version gave more attention to the fiendish villain portrayed by Bela Lugosi.
Sun Equity Partners and the Heskel Group have purchased the property including the Jackson Theatre for $27 million and re-development still in the planning stages. No permits for demolition have yet been filed. Details here: http://www.qchron.com/editions/western/mixed-use-building-coming-to-nd-st/article_113a1749-6048-5f9b-b65e-68707daa5598.html?mode=story
The singularly named Sabu made his Music Hall debut with this Technicolor epic, and would return one more time in “The Thief of Bagdad” in 1940.
Original safety curtain is partially raised.
The famous mural in the Grand Foyer was painted by Eric Winter.
This was a reserved-seat roadshow booking limited to two weeks because of the Colonial’s Shubert stage play commitments. MGM was unhappy with the results and withdrew the Technicolor extravaganza from release until the following spring, as “Ziegfeld Follies of 1946.”
The movie’s producer, Arthur Loew, Jr., was a grandson of two of the industry’s most influential pioneers, Marcus Loew AND Adolph Zukor.
How could this be a grand opening ad if “Is Everybody Happy?” was in its final day there?
The religious pageant that opened the Christmas shows had not yet been entitled “The Nativity,” and is called “Peace on Earth” in this ad.
For the exhibition side of the industry, Vincent Canby was probably the most knowledgeable critic/reporter that The New York Times ever had. Prior to joining the NYT, Canby had many years of experience covering exhibition for Variety and before that for Quigley’s Motion Picture Herald.
Opened on the night of September 28th, 1966, as a reserved-seat roadshow, with “live” TV coverage by the local WNEW-Channel 5.
More details on main Comments page.
In remembrance of the legendary child star and singer Bobby Breen, who died last week at age 87, I’m posting an ad for a unique achievement at Radio City Music Hall. Back in December, 1936, Breen dominated the Christmas holiday show, with his movie “Rainbow on the River” on screen, and with the boy soprano himself performing in the stage show. Costumed as a young shepherd in the “Nativity” pageant, Breen sang “Cantique de Noel,” accompanied by the Music Hall’s resident chorus and symphony orchestra.
The marquee displayed the title incorrectly as two words. According to Preston Kaufmann’s monumental book on the Fox Theatre, “Lifeboat” grossed a disappointing $23,305 in its first and only week there, with “Charlie Chan in the Secret Service” for support. An average week’s gross for the Fox in 1944 was $26,541, according to Kaufmann’s statistics.
The main feature was a compilation of scenes from old B&W horror films, and shouldn’t be confused with a later British color shocker with the same title.