Rivoli Theatre
1620 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10019
1620 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10019
50 people
favorited this theater
Showing 376 - 400 of 1,004 comments
The Rivoli may have abandoned stage shows but it still had stage in the mid forties when it was used by Skouras for fund raising benefits on a regular basis.
It was apparently also also quite large.
Jan. 1943
“one hundred women in uniform from various war organizations will appear on the stage in formation” (Jan 1943)
March 1943
Evening performance canceled for Stage Show to benefit the Good Neighbors Center.
Nov. 1945
Movies cancelled for a revue version of “East Side, West Side” to benefit St. Vincents Hospital
Didn’t United Artists rip the freize down, or remove the columns, or some such thing, as a strategy to prevent landmarking?
The Rivoli opened with a platform stage in 1917. In 1926 it was remodeled by Publix, better stage space was allocated, and stage revues were introduced as per this NY Times review of “A Kiss for Cinderella”.
“The new idea at the Rivoli is to have a John Murray Anderson revue in addition to the screen feature, and no real prologue. This theatre, which now is run by the Publix Theatres Corporation, has been remodeled so as to have more stage space. Mr. Anderson’s current production is hailed as "The Melting Pot,” in which the dancers of different nations, after giving their native performance, pass through the melting pot and emerge clad in glistening gold. There is too much of a contrast between this stage effort and the delicate charm of Barrie’s story."
In those pictures, you can even see the decline of the once great Rivoli Theatre into the depths that if became just before the end.
Back Wall
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As the Rivoli Twin
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1979 Invasion of the Body Snatchers
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The 1971 Lawrence of Arabia re-issue
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As the United Artists twin.
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Renewing link.
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This link will take you to a postcard view (being sold on ebay) of the Rivoli’s proscenium.
The Rivoli sounds like it was a neat theatre to attend!
How awesome, rvb!!
I grew up in a suburb that was roughly 20 miles due northwest of Boston. When my sister and I were kids, and, for quite some time even after my brother came along, we would often travel into the city for a live theatre show, or a movie. Often, though, my parents would travel into the city by themselve, without us kids, to see a movie or a show, too.
When my parents were first married they would travel to the city from nearby Astoria, Queens virtually every week to see a show, movie or whatever. Somewhere in the back of my mind I recall my father saying the Rivoli had a wonderful orchestra. I presume there were movie – stage programs at this venue from that statement.
I agree with you, Ed, about “Man of La Mancha”. I avoided seeing it for years because the reviews were so lousy. When I finally did see it, I was quite surprised at how good it was. Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren were perfect choices for their roles. And even if Peter’s singing wasn’t so good, it sure fit his character (I think he was overdubbed for “The Impossible Dream”, and maybe other songs as well). But you’re right – the critics never gave that movie a chance.
The ‘69 roadshow re-issue of “Ben-Hur” opened on June 19, 1969 simultaneously in Manhattan (Palace), Montclair (Clairidge) and Plainview (Plainview). I was careful to mention NYC area and not just Manhattan.
I was on a media junket for “Man of La Mancha” when it opened at the Rivoli, which is where we were bused for the invitational screening. Although I had seen the stage version on Broadway and the national touring company and has visited the set for interviews, I had no preconceptions as to whether it would work on film.
To my surprise and dismay, the audience of media people had its knives sharpened before the screening began. I don’t know how they could possibly have picked up a negative scent before that day, but it was pervasive in that audience, I can tell you.
I remember one outspoken, pompous critic from Ohio saying repeatedly that if he had to listen to “Impossible Dream” (correct name: “The Quest”) one more time, he’d lose it.
I remember thinking: This is “Man of La Mancha,” for Pete’s sake, and that’s precisely the song that has been bringing them in for the past five or six years. What would you begrudge the film version that?
We learned, as we so often have, that theatrically stylized stage pieces tend not to work nearly as well on the screen. The film somehow couldn’t escape seeming stodgy. But I never thought it was nearly as bad as many of the reviews indicated.
The 1969 re-release of “Ben-Hur” opened exclusive at the Palace. Other runs may have come later.
“Last Tango in Paris” had a roadshow run after “Man of La Mancha”. It was much more successful that the the disappointing “La Mancha”
The 1969 re-issue of “Ben-Hur” opened simultaneously with three NYC area reserved-seat bookings. That was about three and a half years before “Man Of La Mancha.”
“Fiddler On The Roof,” also released prior to “Man Of La Mancha,” at one point in its reserved-seat run, was playing five NYC area hard-ticket bookings.
I think that man Of La Manch was the last roadshow engagement that I rememebr being around. In Phila where I was it played roadshow att eh SamEric AKA Boyd.
“The Greast Waltz' had a similar three theatre opening the month before. They advertised it as "Reserved Performance” and I wonder if the “Man of La Mancha” run was similarly handled as there is no mention of reserved seats in the ad.
Beautiful photo, Lost Memory! Thanks for posting it and sharing it with everybody here on CT.
Wow, that’s a really nice one.
As somebody who’s never resided in NYC, or the NY area generally, the Rivoli sounds like it was probably the best place…period…to see the great, venerable, golden oldie-but-goody classic films, particularly a lot of the prominent 1960’s films! Again, tp reiterate what I said earlier on another post here on this thread, I would’ve LOVED to drive down from Boston for a screening of the film, West Side Story at the Rivoli.
Again, if the old house was really run down, it might’ve been cheaper for them to renovate and restore the Rivoli than to just tear it down and demolish it. Whether it be in the Rivoli or any other theatre, large, curved screens are the best. To digress just a bit, the CineStudio in Hartford, CT, the Brattle Theatre, and maybe even the Coolidge Corner Theatre have somewhat curved screens. Not sure about other movie theatres that I’ve been in, however.
The Rivoli was probably the best place in NY to see 70mm. I only wish I got to see the 60’s films there.
The orchestra level of the Strand was also wonderful.
Both had large curved screens that hit you head on.
And then there is my beloved Criterion…
But I am also torn with what Warren says about the old house.
From post cards it was very beautiful and though it did not have a real stage I understand it held concerts initially. Surely in the back there was enough room to have concerts again before they twinned it.
It would have been 100 times better than the Beacon.
I am sure you could put up a lot of nice skycrapers where Broadway theatres are. In fact there are a lot of legit houses that don’t hold a candle to the Riv. And then of course the most beautiful of them is now a church. Yuck.(Though it was originally a movie theater.)
The above picture does not do justice to it’s interior. Can one post a postcard of the house from the balconey?
I got one off ebay but I don’t know where I put it.