Supporting actors Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride made such an impact as “Ma and Pa Kettle” that Universal-International decided to build a series around them and their family, with an eventual nine B&W features.
Ad neglects to mention that the B&W musical was part of the annual Christmas Show, which many people attended primarily for the spectacular stage show, not caring what was on screen.
Didn’t your sources reveal that movie was supported by a stage show, and that Bob Hope made guest appearances throughout opening day?
Actual ad displayed here
Almost certainly part of a multi-theatre “Premiere Showcase” engagement throughout the greater metropolitan area, and not exclusively at the Lyric Theatre.
Ad neglected to mention that the movie was accompanied by a spectacular stage revue, which was undoubtedly a major contributor to attendance.
Also, dollar figures are meaningless without knowledge of ticket prices, which were undoubtedly the highest in RCMH’s history so far.
The true test of popularity is how many people attended.
“Holiday in Spain” was the latest version of the 1960 “Scent of Mystery,” which was filmed in Todd-AO and augmented in theatres by the “Smell-O-Vision” process. The movie is now available on DVD in a curved-screen “Smilebox” format replicating the Cinerama experience.
Trailer can be viewed here
Under the same management as the Brooklyn Paramount and Fox, the older and smaller Strand had to settle for move-overs, reissues, and exploitation packaging such as the above.
The first neighborhood showings of “Carousel” followed its premiere engagement at the Roxy Theatre (with stage revue). Supporting feature of “Please Murder Me!” seemed inappropriate, to say the least.
This ad cites two films, not one. Were they shown together as a double bill at the Roxy, eliminating the need for the Roxy’s customary stage presentation?
Many critics praised teenager Stanley Clements for a “scene-stealing” performance as a tough-talking horse jockey who gets murdered for refusing to cooperate with gangsters on fixing an important race.
Offering a special “Two-for-the-price of-one” deal for upcoming premiere engagement of “The Duke” starring Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent. Details here
“King Kong” never played at the Roxy Theatre. You’ve confused it with the New Roxy, the smaller of two Radio City showcases, and best remembered as the Center Theatre and home to stage musicals and ice-skating revues.
Easter Sunday would arrive on April 21st. On the following morning, the Kings would be among theatres offering a three-hour Cartoon Festival, with tickets for children priced at 30 cents.
The B&W biopic had a premiere gala at the Astor on the night before, for the benefit of Youth United…Today marks the 75th anniversary of Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15th, 1947. That history-making event is now celebrated annually on April 15th as “Jackie Robinson Day.”
What’s the meaning of Fox Theatres (Reading, PA) in the “Previously operated by” information? Doesn’t make any more sense than listing this as the Miller-Capitol, which probably was its original name, Miller signifying the ownership at the time. But as this website, theatres are usually listed with the name last used, and that seems to be Randforce Capitol, or just Capitol. Randforce was a penny-pinching circuit that didn’t spend much or anything on putting its name on marquees and/or verticals. I doubt if you will even find individual ads for the Capitol Theatre, nothing more than listings in newspaper directories.
This cropped tax photo suggests a nearly block long structure parallel to Saratoga Avenue and with the auditorium probably in stadium style, which was a specialty of the architect.
Supporting actors Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride made such an impact as “Ma and Pa Kettle” that Universal-International decided to build a series around them and their family, with an eventual nine B&W features.
Ad neglects to mention that the B&W musical was part of the annual Christmas Show, which many people attended primarily for the spectacular stage show, not caring what was on screen.
Didn’t your sources reveal that movie was supported by a stage show, and that Bob Hope made guest appearances throughout opening day? Actual ad displayed here
Almost certainly part of a multi-theatre “Premiere Showcase” engagement throughout the greater metropolitan area, and not exclusively at the Lyric Theatre.
Ad neglected to mention that the movie was accompanied by a spectacular stage revue, which was undoubtedly a major contributor to attendance. Also, dollar figures are meaningless without knowledge of ticket prices, which were undoubtedly the highest in RCMH’s history so far. The true test of popularity is how many people attended.
Opened on March 30th, 1944, with Easter Sunday on April 9th that year.
No mention of a stage show. Had the Music Hall switched to an “Everything on the screen” policy by that time?
“Holiday in Spain” was the latest version of the 1960 “Scent of Mystery,” which was filmed in Todd-AO and augmented in theatres by the “Smell-O-Vision” process. The movie is now available on DVD in a curved-screen “Smilebox” format replicating the Cinerama experience. Trailer can be viewed here
Under the same management as the Brooklyn Paramount and Fox, the older and smaller Strand had to settle for move-overs, reissues, and exploitation packaging such as the above.
The first neighborhood showings of “Carousel” followed its premiere engagement at the Roxy Theatre (with stage revue). Supporting feature of “Please Murder Me!” seemed inappropriate, to say the least.
This ad cites two films, not one. Were they shown together as a double bill at the Roxy, eliminating the need for the Roxy’s customary stage presentation?
And your reason for uploading the front cover of a fan magazine?
Many critics praised teenager Stanley Clements for a “scene-stealing” performance as a tough-talking horse jockey who gets murdered for refusing to cooperate with gangsters on fixing an important race.
Is there a booby prize for a correct answer to which of the two movies actually played at the Capitol Theatre?
Offering a special “Two-for-the-price of-one” deal for upcoming premiere engagement of “The Duke” starring Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent. Details here
If The New York Times really was your “source,” than the NYT was also incorrect.
“King Kong” never played at the Roxy Theatre. You’ve confused it with the New Roxy, the smaller of two Radio City showcases, and best remembered as the Center Theatre and home to stage musicals and ice-skating revues.
The Capitol isn’t even mentioned in this trade ad. An actual ad for the opening day of “The Hucksters” was previously downloaded here
Policy was previously used for “Gone With the Wind,” with continuous performances at the Capitol and two-a-day reserved seats at the Astor.
Easter Sunday would arrive on April 21st. On the following morning, the Kings would be among theatres offering a three-hour Cartoon Festival, with tickets for children priced at 30 cents.
The B&W biopic had a premiere gala at the Astor on the night before, for the benefit of Youth United…Today marks the 75th anniversary of Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15th, 1947. That history-making event is now celebrated annually on April 15th as “Jackie Robinson Day.”
The highest ticket price of 36 cents would be equivalent to about $5.50 in 2022.
What’s the meaning of Fox Theatres (Reading, PA) in the “Previously operated by” information? Doesn’t make any more sense than listing this as the Miller-Capitol, which probably was its original name, Miller signifying the ownership at the time. But as this website, theatres are usually listed with the name last used, and that seems to be Randforce Capitol, or just Capitol. Randforce was a penny-pinching circuit that didn’t spend much or anything on putting its name on marquees and/or verticals. I doubt if you will even find individual ads for the Capitol Theatre, nothing more than listings in newspaper directories.
This cropped tax photo suggests a nearly block long structure parallel to Saratoga Avenue and with the auditorium probably in stadium style, which was a specialty of the architect.
Managing director Eugene (Gene) Pleshette was the father of movie and TV star Suzanne Pleshette.