Roxy Theatre
153 W. 50th Street,
New York,
NY
10020
153 W. 50th Street,
New York,
NY
10020
83 people
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Showing 326 - 350 of 1,213 comments
Thanx for the memories. I never got to work backstage. My job was candy salesman and that was it. Once or twice they put me in a cape and outside to 50th and 7th Ave. to stand near the box office. I don’t know why. Maybe the regular guy who did that needed a break and and the candy stand happened to be slow. You did that also as doorman. Was it winter? It got real cold on that corner!
Also, the manager Mr. Katz (do you remember him?) once had me go down Broadway to the Stage Deli to get his supper. Again, must have been slow night for the candy. So there I was, tramping down Broadway and thru Times Square in a flowing cape and a basket over my arm. I must have turned heads.
The candy stand was usually very busy, like 3 deep. Customers were too often very rude, like demanding and gimmy this and gimmy that. Candy was mostly 6 cents then. A big Mr. Goodbar was maybe 25 cents.
Those were for the big spenders! At 10PM I closed and counted the money and locked it in a drawer for Mr. Levy to count in the morning.
You were lucky to have a variety of jobs around the theater. Working backstage must have been much more interesting and fun. I did go backstage once to deliver something to Ima Sumac who was a headliner. She sang in a bizarre voice with a huge range. She was from Peru and very exotic. I looked her up and believe it or not, she is STILL alive and living in Brooklyn.
I had lied about my age to get the job. Left in 1952. You started in 1955 so we missed each other by 3 years. You didn’t get the chance to witness the premiere of ALL ABOUT EVE in 1951. That was really something.
Will tell you about it next time.
Richka
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(cont.) Maybe some more reminiscences will come up later. Stay tuned.
(cont.) I really was fooled ‘cause those trannies were beautiful and had sexy female looking bodies.
You were auditioning for theater stuff, but I remember two of our ushers, a guy and a girl, auditioned for skating slots. The guy really skated well and twirled a baton even better and did so while skating. The girl skated well, but had no other talent to add to it, but both of them were hired. We found out later the girl was only fifteen, but used a fake ID to get the usher’s job and apparently no one checked when she switched to the stage show. They had to let her go.
Thanks for the update. I’ll look for the book.
Another memory: I was at the stage door desk when a man I never saw before came in and asked to speak to one of the chorus line skaters. I called up to the dressing rooms and paged the girl and told her who was waiting. He told me he was her agent. While we were waiting for the skater to come down, he took a large album out of his brief case and opened it for me. He said, “Take a look at these girls and if you see one you like I’ll fix you up.” I looked at a couple of pages of headshots mostly, but some full length. I pointed out one of these and the guy laughedd and said, “ they’re all trannies.” I almost through him out.
Luckypuck: I wonder if it was the same Mr. Levy who fired you that I knew, because he was always very nice to me. As I was trying to break into show business then he would sympathize with me after I had done some Broadway audition but didn’t get the job so it was back to the candy stand! You’ll make it someday he would always say. He also would let me take a week off now and then when I got in some amateur show that went on a brief tour. Every night at 10 I would close the candy stand, count the money and lock it in a drawer. At end of week he would always find the take was short by 2 or 3 dollars. I think I was under suspicion but I was always accurate and
I surely never would have embezzeled even a nickle.
But there were several other attendants on the candy stand who could have helped themselves. Maybe Levy had another side of him I didn’t know. Yes, he was big and slow moving, so I doubt if he could have or wanted to get entangled with a tough street kid like you were then. I remember Mr. Banovitch as assistant manager then. Maybe he was still there when you were. Mr.O'Connor probably also who was a captain . He lives retired in New Jersey now and we’ve been in touch through this site.
Do you have “Last Remaining Seats”? It’s a great book with lots of pictures of the Roxy and its history. I bought it last year for $10 on eBay. But no picture of the concessions bar. I call it that because it sounds a bit nicer than candy stand.
I look forward to hearing more of your memories of that fantastic place.
Richka
Richka
Ben Hall’s book “Last Remaining Seats” has a picture of some ushers taken back sometime during the 30s or 40s and among them is Mr. Levy. So evidently he had been with the Roxy for some time.
Richka: It was Levy who fired me. He was one of three usher captains: The others were Poland and a real nice black dude, tall and witty. I think his name was Mr. Washington.
When Levy caught me sitting down, he told me to follow him. We went down to the basement via the loading elevator. When we got down there, he told me I was fired and made some kind of vague threat. I don’t remember exactly what it was now, but I do remember taking off my uniform jacket and asking him if he wanted to take me on now. He backed off and told me to turn in my uniform and just leave.
He was a pretty big guy, but soft and slow, so I wasn’t worried too much about his threat. I was a street kid from Queens who fought my way throughout my younger days, so I knew when someone was bluffing.
When I went to hand in my uniform, Mr. Poland was there and already knew I was fired. He said he wouldn’t have fired me, but couldn’t do anything about it, so I handed in my uniform and they mailed me my last check.
Luckypuck. I enjoyed reading your post. I was at the Roxy a bit before you; 1950-1952. I was put on the concessions stand in the Rotunda by Mr. Levy, who at that time managed the concessions. On another posting by someone else it was claimed there was no concessions stand in the Rotunda but was in the lounge area. Well, what can I say? I worked there for 3 years and looked at the Rotunda every evening and the stand was just to the right of the staircase leading to the loge and the assistant manager’s office. There was another smaller stand in the balcony, beside that little window looking down on the Rotunda. They may have changed all that after I left but I just wonder if you remember. Your memories of of great interest to me. You know, when we were kids, working in the midst of all that glamour it went by unappreaciated. Now, all these years later we like to think back to those youth filled years of hope and optimism. Don’t you agree? I hope to hear from you and more of our memories of that time long ago. I didn’t have back pains then, as you did, but I do now! Thanx. Richka
Sorry about the mix-up, but, no, I didn’t know Ben Hall. No problem there, though.
Hello Bill,
Sorry. I must have confused you with the posting that came just before yours. Anyway, I will send you an email so we will be in touch.
Richka
Wait a minute ….
So how come YOU won a prize … and I didn’t??? (I ONLY donated my
Roxy model No. 3 , and the orginal blueprints … ) Just kidding, Richka and Karen!! (Seriously, Richka, would love to compare Roxy/Music Hall Service Staff stories!) Bill!
Hello, Richka! Would love to hear more of your memories! (I worked at the Music Hall, not the Roxy … was only 9-years old at its demise). Please feel free to contact me: Bill Savoy, 655 East 14th St. Apt. 10-A, N.Y., N.Y. 10009, 212 505 6254 (H), 508 612 5669 ©,
Will happily share photos of (all) my models with you.
Looking forward!,Bill
How interesting your comments on the time you worked at the Roxy. I also worked there, on the concession bar in the Rotunda. The years were 1950-1952. If you look back on this site you can find some personal memories I’ve written about that time. I also won a prize a couple years ago from the Theater Historical Society for a piece I wrote about the Roxy and my experiences there as a teenager.
How interesting that you knew Ben Hall. I have his book of course and my regret is that there are not even more pictures of the Roxy. I would be very interested in how it was that you came to be a friend of his. I know he had a very tragic death.
You said that you have built models of the Roxy. How I would love to see them. I live in Tucson, Arizona so there is no way I could visit the museum where they are. Is there a way you could send me a picture or pictures of them? By my email perhaps. I would be most grateful. Thanx.
(Continued) When I worked the executive elevator I lifted the likes of Sam “Roxy†Rothafel, Sonja Kaye, Sonja Henie, Lana Turner, most of the cast of “Carousel,†Gordon McRae, Shirley Jones, Cameron Mitchell, among them.
One day while working the executive elevator I came in even though I was feeling ill. I was suffering from back pains after standing all morning operating the elevator. During the usual lull in elevator traffic during lunch hour, just a few minutes before my break, my back was aching so much I sat down on a nearby bench. There was a heating vent next to it and the heat felt good on my back. Unfortunately, an ushers’ captain came by and saw me sitting (a big no-no) and fired me on the spot.
It was great fun while it lasted.
I was an usher, lobby doorman, executive elevator operator and stage doorman at the Roxy in 1955-56. The films I remember seeing were The Rains of Ranchipur, Good Morning Miss Dove and Carousel. There were lots of others, but it’s been too many years ago to come to mind now.
I also remember helping publish the ushers’ newsletter and the funny hand signals we used to telegraph our headcount of the moviegoers seated in our assigned sections: Orchestra, Loge, Lower Balcony and Upper Balcony.
The stage shows I remember most were the ice extravaganzas. The first one I worked at the stage door starred Sonya Kaye (Klupfer), a recent Olympic figure skating medalist. She skated one number to Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata†that was set on a blue lit stage and her performance was sublime and got thunderous applause. In 2009 she was inducted into the Ice Skating Hall of Fame as a talented figure skater and successful skating coach. One of her successes was Dorothy Hammill.
I was lucky enough to get to know one of her sisters and even escorted her from the theater to Times Square for New Year’s Eve festivities (1955 to 56). We took the subway and walked, but couldn’t get near the Square, so I took her home.
The next show starred Sonja Henie. I saw her throw several diva tantrums then, one where she tore into the ice clowns for tearing up the ice before one of her solo numbers. This was unreasonable because the clowns ALWAYS tore up the ice. That came with their act.
One job that was rotated among the ushers was where we were given a ticket to Radio City Music Hall and counted the audience at that theater’s feature film and stage show. We filled out a form with our count of all the sections of that theater that we could sneak into. That was not too difficult to do, because the Music Hall ushers seemed to pay more attention to the film or stage show being performed than to the comings and goings of the patrons.
My name is Bill Savoy. I was a friend of the late Ben Hall’s, who befriended me because of my (inexplicable) passion for the Roxy Theatre (I had been there only once, when I was 9-years-old, and remember only the film, THE GAZEBO and someone singing I LOVE PARIS in the stage show). Apparently my subconscious took over because in the the last 40+ years, I’ve built 4 models of the Roxy (including the one currently on display in The Museum Of The Moving Image, in Astoria, New York). I own the original blueprints and boxes of programs, photos and memorabilia (many given to me by Ben Hall).
I worked at the Radio City Music Hall from 1969 (on-and-off) until 1980, starting as an usher and finishing as an assistant art-director. I now work as a scenic artist in New York City, designing and painting scenery for Broadway shows, movies and television. It is time I write the definitave book on the Roxy. I would appreciate
ANY and all help from anyone with memories or information to share!
I can be reached through this site, my email: or through Facebook. Thank You.
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The first and only time I ever visited the Roxy was back in 1956. I was only 8 years old and my sister was 6. For some reason my mother trexed us all the way from Lindenhurst L.I. on the LIRR to NYC to see “Anastasia” and the stage show. I was so overwhelmed by the emmanceousness of everything. All I can remember of the stage show was that they were doing some kind of King and I medley because the stage was a bright red with a dragon print and the familiar March of the Siamese Children played by the orchestra. I’ve never forgotten it.
Before my parents, William Power Maloney and Dorothy nee Crooker Maloney, passed away in 1963 and 1976 respectively, I never thought to ask them about they met. It is one of the goals of my family history project to learn how that might have come about.
I believe that it may have been as a result of my father when he was as an assistant US Attorney prosecuted William P. Buckner for securities in 1937. Apparently, Mr. Buckner’s lobbying efforts with US congressmen including throwing lavish cocktail and dinner parties in Wash. DC to which he invited “ Broadway Cuties” to attend. My Father had several of them testify at the trial. Two of them were Doris “ Peewee” Donaldson and Noel Carter. While my Mother did not, as far I know, did not testify, she may accompanied Ms. Donaldson and Ms. Carter to Washington and was introduced to my Father.
Does anyone know about the stage careers of Ms. Donaldson and/or Ms. Carter or whether they danced at the Roxy from 1937 to 1939?
Cubano
My mother, Dorothy Maloney, performed at the Roxy from 1932 to 1936. I believe that Gae Foster brought her to Roxy from the West Coast where she, my mother, was dancing in Fanchon & Marco’s “ Ideas ” prologues to motion pictures. During her career my Mother danced under her maiden name, Dorothy Crooker. Her form of dance was called
“ controlled dance” because she performed it entirely on one leg while moving across the stage with her other leg fully extended, usually straight over her head.
Does anyone have Roxy programs and/or publicity stills of Dorothy Crooker? I understand that the NYPL may have Roxy memorbilia, but I have not yet contacted them.
Cubano
I found ads advertising the ice shows starting on July 7, 1950 through most of the rest of the year. Carol Lynn was named from July 20 to September 28 when Dick Haynes replaced her as the ice star.
Per the October 13th, 1950 ROXY program:
On the screen: ALL ABOUT EVE
On the stage: Martha Stewart and the Blackburn Twins
On the Ice Stage: Joan Hyldoft along with the Roxy skating Blades & Belles, The Gae Foster Roxyettes, Spitalny’s Choral Ensemble & the Roxy Orchestra.
also featured was Phil Romayne & Terry Brent (ice skaters)and Jay Lambert on the Roxy Console.
A special souvenir program booklet was also prepared for the ALL ABOUT EVE enagement which profiled the the movie, its cast and production.
Thanx Joseph. You must have quite an achive of reference material on the Roxy. I do seem to remember Carol Lynn when I was there, but as I worked on the concessions bar in the rotunda I was not always paying as close attention to what was going on inside auditorium as I perhaps should have. I do remember very well the premiere of All About Eve because it was a grand occasion but what was on stage at same time I have no idea. The name Arnold Shoda comes to mind as an ice skatking star somewhere during 1951. Maybe he was with Carol Lynn. If you could find out from your programs…..
Richka
You are correct, a larger, permanent ice stage was installed in late 1952 costing (according to the New Yor Times ) $250,000 and was first used with the premiere of STARS & STRIPS FOREVER.
However, the NYTs also reported on June 16th 1948 that the Roxy Theatre would be presenting an ice revue on a newly completed ice stage beginning Wednesday June 23 (1948). The stage was planned by Executive Director AJ Balaban and his assocites for 2 years and had been under constuction for 3 months and cost $80,000. The stage was planted behind the movie screen and was permanent and measures 60 feet accross and 38 feet deep. The new presentation policy not only included the usual variety acts, but an ice act, as well as motion pictures (a “three in one” show, what a bargin for Roxy audiences).
The first “3 in 1” show featured Carol Lynne on ice and the Andrew Sisters and Dean Martin on stage, with “Give My Regards to Broadway” on the screen.
I must check my other Roxy programs from 1949 to 1952 and see how often the first ice stage was used.
Joseph, Thanx for quoting your Roxy program of 1952. I question one thing in the program though; As a teenager I was working at the Roxy from 1949 – 1952 and remember them installing the ice rink on stage at end of 1951. Before that there were no ice shows as far as I know. But thanx anyway for sharing the program.
From the ROXY program dated March 21st 1952:
Roxy’s 25th Anniversary
The Roxy Theatre was first opened to the public on March 11th, 1927. The new world famous theatre, when opened in 1927, by Samuel L. (Roxy) Rothafel, was then the largest theatre in the world, with 5,883 seats, and introduced hitherto unknown features in lighting effects, stage presentation, with complete air-conditioning.
In the 25 year history of the Roxy, the teatre has played a total of 749 pictures, has played to 107,067,319 admissions and a total gross of $78,876,070.24.
The first picture shown at the Roxy was “The Love of Sunya,” starring Gloria Swanson, and the year 1927 also introduced such hit films as “What Price Glory” and “7th Heaven”. “The Cockeyed World”, which played in 1928 grossed biggest 4 weeks in the history of the theatre, and still holds the record for the greatest number of admissions for its 1st week. The longest run pictures were “Wilson” in 1944 and “The Razor’s Edge” whch opened in November 1946, both films running for 8 weeks. “Forever Amber”, opening in Oct, 1947, was notable for the highest week’s gross in the theatre’s history.
In 1942, began the era of glamour stage personalities on the great Roxy stage, and such famous stars have appeared in person as Grace Moore, Danny Kaye, Jack Benny, Phil Harris, Milton Berle, Dagmar, Abbott & Costello, George Jessel, Faye Emerson, Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz, Carmen Miranda, Dan Dailey, Vic Damone, Andrews Sisiters, Red Skelton, Danny Thomas and famous bands.
In June 1948, the Roxy introduced the first ice stage in a motion picture theatre at a cost of $83,000.
I went to the Roxy for the Christmas shows, 1958 and 1959. I saw the films The 7th. Voyage of Sinbad (for which I still have the program purchased there) and Lil Abner. I remember almost nothing about the theater other than that it was enormous and they had a live lion or tiger onstage during the stage show.