When “Strait-Jacket” opened in 1964, Joan Crawford (along with Dorothy Kilgallen) appeared onstage at the Orpheum, which was still a proud member of the Loew’s family. She talkd about the upcoming “Charlotte” project with Davis. Alas, when “Charlotte” did play there, Joan was no longer in it.
I recall seeing the remains of this theater after the fire (but before demolition). It was as if someone sliced it in half down the center. I can stil see the two balconies with seats intact on the left side of the theater, as well as main floor & stage. I knew this had to have been a very grand dame in its heyday.
bobmarshall
I grew up in the neighborhood in the late 40’s & 50’s & “Procter’s” as it was referred to was a first rate & run RKO theater with two balconies & a stage. It was part of the East 125th Street theater district. Mid-50s it closed & became a church: “Lawson’s Auditorium” on a new marquee. Directly opposite the RKO, was a one-level plain auditorium called The Grand (“Air Cooled”)which got the 2nd run of the Loew’s circuit. A block East stood the Triboro, where the likes of Sophie Tucker played there nearly a century ago in Vaudeville. It later (when open) was a burlesque house, road shows of the “Passion Play,” Spanish films, Italian films & “3 features plus” grind house. A few blocks away on 2nd Ave & 124th St. was a very small single level movie house called “The Palace,” which changed its double features 4 times a week, and had the best serials on Saturday afternoons.
For RKO11..
Your telling of the “Baby Jane” tours, I believe is incorrect. Bette Davis did NYC & the “northeast,” while Joan appeared in Atlanta & a few “southern theaters.” I’ve never seen anything showing them together on tour. I saw Bette at the RKO 58th St., and didn’t win the doll.
AlAlvarez—Sorry to say, no. On West 125th St. I recall the Loew’s Victoria & the Harlem (Opera House), and the Appollo.
obmarshall
When “Strait-Jacket” opened in 1964, Joan Crawford (along with Dorothy Kilgallen) appeared onstage at the Orpheum, which was still a proud member of the Loew’s family. She talkd about the upcoming “Charlotte” project with Davis. Alas, when “Charlotte” did play there, Joan was no longer in it.
Bobmarshall
I recall seeing the remains of this theater after the fire (but before demolition). It was as if someone sliced it in half down the center. I can stil see the two balconies with seats intact on the left side of the theater, as well as main floor & stage. I knew this had to have been a very grand dame in its heyday.
bobmarshall
I grew up in the neighborhood in the late 40’s & 50’s & “Procter’s” as it was referred to was a first rate & run RKO theater with two balconies & a stage. It was part of the East 125th Street theater district. Mid-50s it closed & became a church: “Lawson’s Auditorium” on a new marquee. Directly opposite the RKO, was a one-level plain auditorium called The Grand (“Air Cooled”)which got the 2nd run of the Loew’s circuit. A block East stood the Triboro, where the likes of Sophie Tucker played there nearly a century ago in Vaudeville. It later (when open) was a burlesque house, road shows of the “Passion Play,” Spanish films, Italian films & “3 features plus” grind house. A few blocks away on 2nd Ave & 124th St. was a very small single level movie house called “The Palace,” which changed its double features 4 times a week, and had the best serials on Saturday afternoons.
For RKO11..
Your telling of the “Baby Jane” tours, I believe is incorrect. Bette Davis did NYC & the “northeast,” while Joan appeared in Atlanta & a few “southern theaters.” I’ve never seen anything showing them together on tour. I saw Bette at the RKO 58th St., and didn’t win the doll.
bobmarshall