I saw “Scrooge” starring Albert Finney at the RCMH. It was during Christmas week in December 1970 and it was memorable. Imagine also seeing the Christmas Show, too. I also saw “Jumbo” with Doris Day at Christmas. I think I paid under $2. I haven’t been to RCMH since they stopped showing a feature film plus a show. For that cost, I could see an actual Broadway show.
I seem to remember that “Gone With the Wind” was re-released in a 70mm version which played at RCMH. If so, which year was it screened? I am sorry that I never attended.
You make some good points about viewing films. The sound was often unclear and reverberated. If someone sitting in front of you was tall or was wearing a hat, that could obstruct your view and ruin the film and yes people kept going in and out of the aisles throughout the film which is very annoying.
Was Greer Garson the actress who had the most films premiering at the Music Hall? Where can I find a list by actor of which stars had the most films there? I thought that Audrey Hepburn or Doris Day would be leaders in the category. Which actor appeared most there? Was it Cary Grant? If so, who was second?
My sister recalls seeing the late actress Vivian Blaine appearing live at the Roxy during the screening of the film “State Fair”. Was it common back then for stars of a film to also appear on-stage?
My sister insists that she saw the film, “Torn Curtain” starring Paul Newman and Julie Andrews at the Music Hall but I don’t see it listed. Is she correct?
I saved the programs given-out at both the Roxy as well as the RCMH on every visit. They are in my collection but it is hard to get to as I collect and save everything. When I locate these I will post here what I have. The RCMH even had lights in front of each seat so the programs could be read in the dark. I do recall the Roxy programs were printed with green ink while the RCMH programs were in black-and-white. When I think of the Roxy, tears come to my eyes as it recalls that wonderful days in the 50’s and 60’s.
The Roxy was the most beautiful theatre that I ever saw. The Radio City Music Hall is lovely too but it is art deco and not exotic like the Roxy. What style was the Roxy actually? What was the last film ever screened at the Roxy? I can’t seem to locate it. I pass where the Roxy used to be very often and it breaks my heart that it was not saved.
I met screen legend Tony Curtis yesterday at the NYC Veteran’s Day Parade and was wondering which of his films premiered at the Music Hall. I think “The Great Impostor” and “Operation Petticoat” premiered here but any others? By the way he looked great and was very friendly.
How do they get these figures? Is it the star with the most films or the most weeks at the Music Hall or a combination? What about Audrey Hepburn and Doris Day? They should both be on the top 10 if memory serves me.
What a history for the RCMH. Sadly, because of the now high price for tickets, I haven’t visited since the 70’s. I miss when they showed a feature film with a great stage show. Now, films are not shown and the greedy owners charge an outrageous price for tickets. As a kid, we got-in for 75cents before noon on weekdays. We even got a program. Great memories. Some films that played here but were not mentioned I believe were: “The Ugly Dachshund” and “If It’s Tuesday, It Must be Belgium” with the late Suzanne Pleshette, “Arabesque”,“Interrupted Melody”, “Teahouse of the August Moon”, “Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?”. I think “The Singing Nun” was already mentioned. The expert who said that Greer Garson had the most films played at RCMH I disagree with. I would think that either Audrey Hepburn or Doris Day had the most films.
From reading other postings here, it seems that the Ziegfeld is losing money. In an age where everything sadly is money, I feel that Clearview will be forced to sell. I hope this is not the case. Since developers will be tearing-down Astroland at Coney Island next year, how long can this theater survive? I hope I am wrong. It seems that they book too many films that don’t attract audiences. I call such films “bombs”.They should book more films like “Dreamgirls”. The Ziegfeld experience is quite extraordinary; they even opened and closed the curtain. The multiplexes don’t even have curtains.
We had the pleasure of seeing “Dreamgirls” on New Year’s Eve. The theatre was packed and there was even a line. Unfortunately, many films here don’t do so well. We haven’t gone to the Ziegfeld for many years because they often, without any public notice, host an exclusive New York premiere although a different film is scheduled to be shown. Many times we have come to the theater, only to learn of a different film being shown on that day. Anyway, it was great to return after all these years. The theatre is well-maintained and the film was shown in digital. Sadly, this could be the last film we see here.
Please help refresh my memory. I think I saw “Independence Day” with Will Smith and then “Titanic” at the Loew’s Astor Plaza, but I am not sure. I know I saw “Star Wars” there; as I saw it several times. I was intrigued by the Dolby Stereo. We actually heard tinkles,engines roar, groans,etc from different sides of the theatre. Was “Star Wars” the first movie in Dolby? I wonder. Thanks.
REndres posting brings to mind the names Russell Market and Leon Leonidorff(forgive my spelling). I believe they had roles in the live presentations at the RCMH. They are probably both gone now.A list of all the Music Hall films would be awesome; especially if they had dates. Seldom did we miss an Easter or Christmas showing. Such a list would bring my childhood memories back. As a kid, I never attended sporting events; just went to the movies in Manhattan. A trip to the Music Hall or Roxy was a big deal to me in those days. Now, seeing a movie on a small screen in a cineplex with no curtains on a small screen cannot be compared to the experience at the movie palaces!
Thanks,I found some lists here of films but I can’t locate the “Bells” listed but I take Simon’s word. I could only find partial lists. An entire list would be out-of-the question? I was wondering what the first ever film shown was at the RCMH. I think the first I saw there was “The Band Wagon”. I also saw many Disney and Audrey Hepburn films there,too in later years
I believe in the film, “The Godfather”, the marquee of the Radio City Music Hall shows the film “The Bells of St. Mary’s” as being screened at the theatre. Did this film really show there or is it just fiction? Who would have a listing of way back in 1945 when the film was released? I’d love to know the first-ever film to be shown at this great theatre.I’m really curious.
This website is great but most of the comments here have little to do with the Astor Plaza Theatre. I had to scroll through over 100 comments having nothing to do with the closing of the theatre. Most of the discussion here seems to center on 70MM, theatres in New Jersey and California, which films deserved the Oscar, etc. What does this have to do with the Astor Plaza? If you guys want to read about various projection techniques, go to www.widescreenmuseum.com Here you will find much information about 70MM, Technirama, CinemaScope 55, Cinerama, VistaVision, etc. It is most enlightening. The description of how guests were treated at the last showing of “The Village” is disgraceful for customers to be treated like that. The staff was taking their troubles out on the theatre-lovers. That was a very interesting revelation. I simply wanted a list of films originally screened at the Astor Plaza. Incidentally, I saw “Alien” there. The Dolby-sound was so good that the whole audience jumped when the creature appeared from above. I never recalled hearing vibrations from the subway underneath and my hearing is superb! The loss of this palace is very sad!
Yes, it’s true, the marquee of the Loew’s Astor Plaza is gone. It will be called the “Nokia Theatre”. It’s a shame they don’t save the marquis but destroy them. Even in Las Vegas, they have been saving their old signs for an eventual Neon Museum. They already restored the “Aladdin” lamp and the “Howdy Pardner” cowboy and Las Vegas “Lil” sign. They even saved the “Treasure Island” pirate sign. The Siegfried & Roy sign I can’t get any information on. I also enjoyed “Star Wars” there; the Dolby Stereo was fantastic. I don’t recall vibrations from the IRT trains underneath; although they are nearby. I also saw “Alien” there and I believe the #1 film of all-time “Titanic”. What a loss to Broadway and to Times Square. They want to close the Ziegfeld too, but it’s the only theatre remaining in New York where ermieres can be held. They can’t use the RCMH due to the heavy bookings of shows well in advance.
Re: Accoustics of the Roxy vs. The Music Hall. The accoustics at Radio City were excellent for the live show but terrible for the films. There was an echo; especially when I saw Audrey Hepburn films there like “Two For the Road” or “Charade”. The Roxy had no echo and the films were clearly audible.
You must be right. Somebody once told me “The Wizard” played at the Roxy which was strange since they showed mainly 20th Century-Fox Films. Did Shirley Temple ever appear live at the Roxy? I remember one of my cousins said they saw her there.
I meant to say the curved CinemaScope screen of the Roxy in my last comment. The curvature gave more depth and enjoyment. It’s a matter of taste. If you had noisy people sitting in front of you; neither theatre was a pleasure; often there were no empty seats to change to. We recently attended a Broadway show and the people kept talking and ruined the show for us. Why do people spend over $100 just to talk? This is off-topic, so please forgive me!
Both the Roxy and the Radio City Music Hall gave my family pleasure. We can compare them but they both had their own specialties. It’s like comparing London, Paris and New York. All these places are/were special. The RCMH had a better value(stage show and film) while the Roxy was more ornate, had a nicer CinemaScope screen, but until “Rains of Ranchipur”, had no stage show. In my opinion, the Roxy showed better films; I think they even showed “The Wizard of Oz”. I can’t find a comprehensive list of films shown at the Roxy. As spomeone pointed-out RCMH screened more family-oriented films, such as “Mary Poppins”. The RCMH screen seemed to be flat as opposed to the flat screen of the RCMH according to my memory. I love them both and it breaks my heart when I pass the spot where the Roxy used to be.
Vito, you are correct, the Music Hall didn’t sell popcorn, according to my sister, whose memory is better than mine and she visited RCMH maybe 50 times. Is it true that the ice-skating Roxyettes was added during the presentation of “Carousel”? Before then, there was no stage show with the Roxy’s film; this explains why there were either shorter lines or no lines at all at the Roxy. You would be admitted even in the middle of the film. I also found the Roxy marquee more attractive. It was bright red with changing patterns of neon light, sort of Las Vegas style. How I wish I had a camera then. None of the photos I’ve seen show the Roxy sign in color at night; they’re all in B&W.
How wonderful to remember the Roxy and the Radio City Music Hall. I believe the Music Hall always had the stage show in the 50’s and 60’s with the film, so my mother, may she rest in peace, always preferred RCMH, no matter what the film. As a young kid, I didn’t appreciate the live stage show; and I preferred the Roxy. Later on, the Roxy added a live show with the “Roxyettes” ice skaters. I believe it started with “Carousel” in CinemaScope 55. I know there was no live show with “The Robe”. I always thought the Roxy’s screen was wider but the Music Hall’s screen was higher. Both theatres were wondrous when you compare them to the cineplexes of today with small screens, no curtains, no live shows, a zillion commercials, over-priced refreshments. The good ole days!
I saw “Scrooge” starring Albert Finney at the RCMH. It was during Christmas week in December 1970 and it was memorable. Imagine also seeing the Christmas Show, too. I also saw “Jumbo” with Doris Day at Christmas. I think I paid under $2. I haven’t been to RCMH since they stopped showing a feature film plus a show. For that cost, I could see an actual Broadway show.
I seem to remember that “Gone With the Wind” was re-released in a 70mm version which played at RCMH. If so, which year was it screened? I am sorry that I never attended.
You make some good points about viewing films. The sound was often unclear and reverberated. If someone sitting in front of you was tall or was wearing a hat, that could obstruct your view and ruin the film and yes people kept going in and out of the aisles throughout the film which is very annoying.
Was Greer Garson the actress who had the most films premiering at the Music Hall? Where can I find a list by actor of which stars had the most films there? I thought that Audrey Hepburn or Doris Day would be leaders in the category. Which actor appeared most there? Was it Cary Grant? If so, who was second?
My sister recalls seeing the late actress Vivian Blaine appearing live at the Roxy during the screening of the film “State Fair”. Was it common back then for stars of a film to also appear on-stage?
My sister insists that she saw the film, “Torn Curtain” starring Paul Newman and Julie Andrews at the Music Hall but I don’t see it listed. Is she correct?
I saved the programs given-out at both the Roxy as well as the RCMH on every visit. They are in my collection but it is hard to get to as I collect and save everything. When I locate these I will post here what I have. The RCMH even had lights in front of each seat so the programs could be read in the dark. I do recall the Roxy programs were printed with green ink while the RCMH programs were in black-and-white. When I think of the Roxy, tears come to my eyes as it recalls that wonderful days in the 50’s and 60’s.
The Roxy was the most beautiful theatre that I ever saw. The Radio City Music Hall is lovely too but it is art deco and not exotic like the Roxy. What style was the Roxy actually? What was the last film ever screened at the Roxy? I can’t seem to locate it. I pass where the Roxy used to be very often and it breaks my heart that it was not saved.
I met screen legend Tony Curtis yesterday at the NYC Veteran’s Day Parade and was wondering which of his films premiered at the Music Hall. I think “The Great Impostor” and “Operation Petticoat” premiered here but any others? By the way he looked great and was very friendly.
How do they get these figures? Is it the star with the most films or the most weeks at the Music Hall or a combination? What about Audrey Hepburn and Doris Day? They should both be on the top 10 if memory serves me.
What a history for the RCMH. Sadly, because of the now high price for tickets, I haven’t visited since the 70’s. I miss when they showed a feature film with a great stage show. Now, films are not shown and the greedy owners charge an outrageous price for tickets. As a kid, we got-in for 75cents before noon on weekdays. We even got a program. Great memories. Some films that played here but were not mentioned I believe were: “The Ugly Dachshund” and “If It’s Tuesday, It Must be Belgium” with the late Suzanne Pleshette, “Arabesque”,“Interrupted Melody”, “Teahouse of the August Moon”, “Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?”. I think “The Singing Nun” was already mentioned. The expert who said that Greer Garson had the most films played at RCMH I disagree with. I would think that either Audrey Hepburn or Doris Day had the most films.
From reading other postings here, it seems that the Ziegfeld is losing money. In an age where everything sadly is money, I feel that Clearview will be forced to sell. I hope this is not the case. Since developers will be tearing-down Astroland at Coney Island next year, how long can this theater survive? I hope I am wrong. It seems that they book too many films that don’t attract audiences. I call such films “bombs”.They should book more films like “Dreamgirls”. The Ziegfeld experience is quite extraordinary; they even opened and closed the curtain. The multiplexes don’t even have curtains.
We had the pleasure of seeing “Dreamgirls” on New Year’s Eve. The theatre was packed and there was even a line. Unfortunately, many films here don’t do so well. We haven’t gone to the Ziegfeld for many years because they often, without any public notice, host an exclusive New York premiere although a different film is scheduled to be shown. Many times we have come to the theater, only to learn of a different film being shown on that day. Anyway, it was great to return after all these years. The theatre is well-maintained and the film was shown in digital. Sadly, this could be the last film we see here.
Please help refresh my memory. I think I saw “Independence Day” with Will Smith and then “Titanic” at the Loew’s Astor Plaza, but I am not sure. I know I saw “Star Wars” there; as I saw it several times. I was intrigued by the Dolby Stereo. We actually heard tinkles,engines roar, groans,etc from different sides of the theatre. Was “Star Wars” the first movie in Dolby? I wonder. Thanks.
REndres posting brings to mind the names Russell Market and Leon Leonidorff(forgive my spelling). I believe they had roles in the live presentations at the RCMH. They are probably both gone now.A list of all the Music Hall films would be awesome; especially if they had dates. Seldom did we miss an Easter or Christmas showing. Such a list would bring my childhood memories back. As a kid, I never attended sporting events; just went to the movies in Manhattan. A trip to the Music Hall or Roxy was a big deal to me in those days. Now, seeing a movie on a small screen in a cineplex with no curtains on a small screen cannot be compared to the experience at the movie palaces!
Thanks,I found some lists here of films but I can’t locate the “Bells” listed but I take Simon’s word. I could only find partial lists. An entire list would be out-of-the question? I was wondering what the first ever film shown was at the RCMH. I think the first I saw there was “The Band Wagon”. I also saw many Disney and Audrey Hepburn films there,too in later years
I believe in the film, “The Godfather”, the marquee of the Radio City Music Hall shows the film “The Bells of St. Mary’s” as being screened at the theatre. Did this film really show there or is it just fiction? Who would have a listing of way back in 1945 when the film was released? I’d love to know the first-ever film to be shown at this great theatre.I’m really curious.
This website is great but most of the comments here have little to do with the Astor Plaza Theatre. I had to scroll through over 100 comments having nothing to do with the closing of the theatre. Most of the discussion here seems to center on 70MM, theatres in New Jersey and California, which films deserved the Oscar, etc. What does this have to do with the Astor Plaza? If you guys want to read about various projection techniques, go to www.widescreenmuseum.com Here you will find much information about 70MM, Technirama, CinemaScope 55, Cinerama, VistaVision, etc. It is most enlightening. The description of how guests were treated at the last showing of “The Village” is disgraceful for customers to be treated like that. The staff was taking their troubles out on the theatre-lovers. That was a very interesting revelation. I simply wanted a list of films originally screened at the Astor Plaza. Incidentally, I saw “Alien” there. The Dolby-sound was so good that the whole audience jumped when the creature appeared from above. I never recalled hearing vibrations from the subway underneath and my hearing is superb! The loss of this palace is very sad!
Yes, it’s true, the marquee of the Loew’s Astor Plaza is gone. It will be called the “Nokia Theatre”. It’s a shame they don’t save the marquis but destroy them. Even in Las Vegas, they have been saving their old signs for an eventual Neon Museum. They already restored the “Aladdin” lamp and the “Howdy Pardner” cowboy and Las Vegas “Lil” sign. They even saved the “Treasure Island” pirate sign. The Siegfried & Roy sign I can’t get any information on. I also enjoyed “Star Wars” there; the Dolby Stereo was fantastic. I don’t recall vibrations from the IRT trains underneath; although they are nearby. I also saw “Alien” there and I believe the #1 film of all-time “Titanic”. What a loss to Broadway and to Times Square. They want to close the Ziegfeld too, but it’s the only theatre remaining in New York where ermieres can be held. They can’t use the RCMH due to the heavy bookings of shows well in advance.
Re: Accoustics of the Roxy vs. The Music Hall. The accoustics at Radio City were excellent for the live show but terrible for the films. There was an echo; especially when I saw Audrey Hepburn films there like “Two For the Road” or “Charade”. The Roxy had no echo and the films were clearly audible.
You must be right. Somebody once told me “The Wizard” played at the Roxy which was strange since they showed mainly 20th Century-Fox Films. Did Shirley Temple ever appear live at the Roxy? I remember one of my cousins said they saw her there.
I meant to say the curved CinemaScope screen of the Roxy in my last comment. The curvature gave more depth and enjoyment. It’s a matter of taste. If you had noisy people sitting in front of you; neither theatre was a pleasure; often there were no empty seats to change to. We recently attended a Broadway show and the people kept talking and ruined the show for us. Why do people spend over $100 just to talk? This is off-topic, so please forgive me!
Both the Roxy and the Radio City Music Hall gave my family pleasure. We can compare them but they both had their own specialties. It’s like comparing London, Paris and New York. All these places are/were special. The RCMH had a better value(stage show and film) while the Roxy was more ornate, had a nicer CinemaScope screen, but until “Rains of Ranchipur”, had no stage show. In my opinion, the Roxy showed better films; I think they even showed “The Wizard of Oz”. I can’t find a comprehensive list of films shown at the Roxy. As spomeone pointed-out RCMH screened more family-oriented films, such as “Mary Poppins”. The RCMH screen seemed to be flat as opposed to the flat screen of the RCMH according to my memory. I love them both and it breaks my heart when I pass the spot where the Roxy used to be.
Vito, you are correct, the Music Hall didn’t sell popcorn, according to my sister, whose memory is better than mine and she visited RCMH maybe 50 times. Is it true that the ice-skating Roxyettes was added during the presentation of “Carousel”? Before then, there was no stage show with the Roxy’s film; this explains why there were either shorter lines or no lines at all at the Roxy. You would be admitted even in the middle of the film. I also found the Roxy marquee more attractive. It was bright red with changing patterns of neon light, sort of Las Vegas style. How I wish I had a camera then. None of the photos I’ve seen show the Roxy sign in color at night; they’re all in B&W.
How wonderful to remember the Roxy and the Radio City Music Hall. I believe the Music Hall always had the stage show in the 50’s and 60’s with the film, so my mother, may she rest in peace, always preferred RCMH, no matter what the film. As a young kid, I didn’t appreciate the live stage show; and I preferred the Roxy. Later on, the Roxy added a live show with the “Roxyettes” ice skaters. I believe it started with “Carousel” in CinemaScope 55. I know there was no live show with “The Robe”. I always thought the Roxy’s screen was wider but the Music Hall’s screen was higher. Both theatres were wondrous when you compare them to the cineplexes of today with small screens, no curtains, no live shows, a zillion commercials, over-priced refreshments. The good ole days!