Produced for the African-American market, “The Duke Is Tops” is best remembered for the screen debut of Lena Horne. About five years later, when she’d become a famous MGM star, the movie was rushed back into release as “Bronze Venus.”
The Gayety closed as a burlesque theatre on November 15th, 1914, and was quickly transformed into the Strand for a grand re-opening with movies on Thanksgiving Day (11/26).
Ad published on January 31st, 1934, a time when the Apollo had fierce neighborhood competition from similar “live” presentations at the Lafayette Theatre and Harlem Opera House.
The new Gifts Theater had an invitational unveiling on the night of November 23rd, 1917, and opened to the public the next day, with “Polly of the Circus” as the feature attraction.
Opened on December 30th, 1942, eighteen days after Sinatra’s 27th birthday. As “Extra Added Attraction,” he used the Paramount’s resident orchestra, and didn’t perform with the top-billed Benny Goodman contingent.
“That Darn Cat” opened at the Music Hall on December 2nd, 1965, as part of the Great Christmas Show. Admission prices cited in the lower right corner of the ad were for a stage and screen presentation that lasted over three hours.
The Parthenon had its grand opening on May 31st, 1915, with 525 seats and equipped with a Moller pipe organ.
An address was reported of 411 Church Street, opposite the Maxwell House.
The Center’s final movie booking was Walt Disney’s
“Pinocchio,” which opened in early February 1940 and closed on March 31st after a run of seven weeks and four days. The booking had been extended due to Easter Sunday falling on March 23rd that year. The Center drew substantial family attendance during the holiday period. Following “Pinocchio,” the Center became home in May-June to a season of Fortune Gallo’s San Carlo Opera Company, and then shuttered for conversion to ice-skating spectaculars, which started in October with “It Happens on Ice.”
“Pinocchio” had an invitational world premiere at the Center on the night of February 7th, 1940, and started regular continuous performances the next morning.
Due to a shared booking with the Publix Olympia of “Show Boat,” the Uptown lost out on an individual grand opening ad, but received special mention at bottom left.
The Parkway became part of the Loew’s circuit on October 4th, 1926, the same day as the downtown Century Theatre.
I’ve posted a shared ad at the CT listing for Loew’s Century.
Produced for the African-American market, “The Duke Is Tops” is best remembered for the screen debut of Lena Horne. About five years later, when she’d become a famous MGM star, the movie was rushed back into release as “Bronze Venus.”
Note how center portion was set back far enough to avoid collision with pillar of elevated subway.
Named in honor of the previous Normandie on East 53rd Street near Park Avenue, which opened in 1938 and was demolished circa 1950.
Judging from the artwork, the former Tuxedo was treated to some modernization, including a new marquee and entrance.
The Gayety closed as a burlesque theatre on November 15th, 1914, and was quickly transformed into the Strand for a grand re-opening with movies on Thanksgiving Day (11/26).
“Tabloid Opera” consisted of six classical singers performing selections from famous operas. The repertoire changed from program to program.
Ad published on January 31st, 1934, a time when the Apollo had fierce neighborhood competition from similar “live” presentations at the Lafayette Theatre and Harlem Opera House.
The Gifts is at the top of the grouping.
The new Gifts Theater had an invitational unveiling on the night of November 23rd, 1917, and opened to the public the next day, with “Polly of the Circus” as the feature attraction.
Opened on December 30th, 1942, eighteen days after Sinatra’s 27th birthday. As “Extra Added Attraction,” he used the Paramount’s resident orchestra, and didn’t perform with the top-billed Benny Goodman contingent.
“That Darn Cat” opened at the Music Hall on December 2nd, 1965, as part of the Great Christmas Show. Admission prices cited in the lower right corner of the ad were for a stage and screen presentation that lasted over three hours.
An ad placed by the theatre gives an address of 407 Church Street, which contradicts the 411 Church Street reported in the press clipping.
The Parthenon had its grand opening on May 31st, 1915, with 525 seats and equipped with a Moller pipe organ. An address was reported of 411 Church Street, opposite the Maxwell House.
The Center’s final movie booking was Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio,” which opened in early February 1940 and closed on March 31st after a run of seven weeks and four days. The booking had been extended due to Easter Sunday falling on March 23rd that year. The Center drew substantial family attendance during the holiday period. Following “Pinocchio,” the Center became home in May-June to a season of Fortune Gallo’s San Carlo Opera Company, and then shuttered for conversion to ice-skating spectaculars, which started in October with “It Happens on Ice.”
“Pinocchio” had an invitational world premiere at the Center on the night of February 7th, 1940, and started regular continuous performances the next morning.
Due to a shared booking with the Publix Olympia of “Show Boat,” the Uptown lost out on an individual grand opening ad, but received special mention at bottom left.
The Fenway had its grand opening on Monday night, December 20th, 1915.
Later this month, the Fenway will reach its 100th birthday, having opened on Monday night, December 20th, 1915. Congratulations!
Under construction at the time was a new atmospheric cinema above the Century, which would open in late December as Loew’s Valencia.
The Parkway became part of the Loew’s circuit on October 4th, 1926, the same day as the downtown Century Theatre. I’ve posted a shared ad at the CT listing for Loew’s Century.
The marquee and some roof signage as Fan’s can be viewed at the center of this blurry enlargement of a thumbnail snapshot.