The Capitol’s stage presentations were ended in 1935 in response to Depression conditions. A wartime boom in movie attendance and the need to compete more effectively with stage/screen policies at RCMH, Roxy, Paramount, Strand, and Loew’s State prompted a resumption.
According to a published collection of Cole Porter’s letters, the Shuberts had only two theatres available for a musical of the size of “Kiss Me Kate”– the Broadhurst and New Century. The Broadhurst was much better situated on West 44th Street, but had only 1,150 seats.
But the further uptown New Century had 1,700 seats, and those 550 additional seats were the deciding factor. Advance interest in “Kiss Me Kate” indicated SRO business and many “theatre party” bookings.
Due to recent water damage, Cinema Village is closed until further notice, and will not be one of the NYC theatres re-opening today.
Owner quoted in this article on some other cinemas not re-opening.
Click here
Unlike some movie theatres in NYC area, the Cinemart won’t be re-opening today (March 5th), but perhaps in another few weeks. Mentioned in news article here
Focusing on the battle against crime and corruption, the melodrama opened exclusively at Loew’s theatres in predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Supporting features were actually the main features at other Loew’s, which had mainstream supporting features.
Paramount Pictures ran full-page trade ads on Hutton’s recent SRO engagement during the Palace’s new two-a-day vaudeville policy. Her “Greatest Show On Earth” recently broke records at Radio City Music Hall, and “Somebody Loves Me” would open soon at NYC’s Roxy Theatre.
Opened as the New Mystic Theatre, “Completely Rebuilt and Modernized,” on February 25th, 1938, with a double bill topped by “Hollywood Hotel.”
Newspaper ad posted in the Photos Section.
According to Governor Andrew Cuomo, movie theaters in the five boroughs of New York City can reopen on March 5th at 25% capacity, with no more than 50 people per screen. Details of the announcement here
Became Loew’s Ritz on April 1st, 1947, the day after the expiration of a longtime “pooling” deal between Loew’s and Warner Theatres for the Penn, Warner, Stanley, and Ritz. The Loew’s Ritz would hold its final Warner booking, Paramount’s “My Favorite Brunette,” for three more days, and then open MGM’s “The Secret Heart,” a move-over from Loew’s Penn. For the time being at least, films opening at Loew’s Penn would be for one-week only, and then be moved to Loew’s Ritz for another week (or more, if needed).
The booking capitalized on two National Holidays celebrating the birthdays of Presidents– Abraham Lincoln’s on February 12th, and George Washington’s on February 22nd. The holidays are now included in Presidents' Day, observed on the third Monday in February, and this year on February 15th.
Ziegfeld in section with “Commandos Strike At Dawn” as top feature.
The Capitol’s stage presentations were ended in 1935 in response to Depression conditions. A wartime boom in movie attendance and the need to compete more effectively with stage/screen policies at RCMH, Roxy, Paramount, Strand, and Loew’s State prompted a resumption.
Prominently mentioned in this news article on the re-openings of NYC cinemas last weekend. Click here
According to a published collection of Cole Porter’s letters, the Shuberts had only two theatres available for a musical of the size of “Kiss Me Kate”– the Broadhurst and New Century. The Broadhurst was much better situated on West 44th Street, but had only 1,150 seats. But the further uptown New Century had 1,700 seats, and those 550 additional seats were the deciding factor. Advance interest in “Kiss Me Kate” indicated SRO business and many “theatre party” bookings.
Due to recent water damage, Cinema Village is closed until further notice, and will not be one of the NYC theatres re-opening today. Owner quoted in this article on some other cinemas not re-opening. Click here
Unlike some movie theatres in NYC area, the Cinemart won’t be re-opening today (March 5th), but perhaps in another few weeks. Mentioned in news article here
Presented in Technirama 70 and “Full Stereophonic Sound.”
Focusing on the battle against crime and corruption, the melodrama opened exclusively at Loew’s theatres in predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Supporting features were actually the main features at other Loew’s, which had mainstream supporting features.
Patrons driving there by car could get free parking at the Biltmore Garage on all evenings after 6:30 PM.
Paramount Pictures ran full-page trade ads on Hutton’s recent SRO engagement during the Palace’s new two-a-day vaudeville policy. Her “Greatest Show On Earth” recently broke records at Radio City Music Hall, and “Somebody Loves Me” would open soon at NYC’s Roxy Theatre.
Crawford’s role described: “She has class…wrapped in ermine…diamonds…and handcuffs!”.
Opened as the New Mystic Theatre, “Completely Rebuilt and Modernized,” on February 25th, 1938, with a double bill topped by “Hollywood Hotel.” Newspaper ad posted in the Photos Section.
World premiere engagement for the “Greatest All-Colored Feature.” Billie Holiday topped the stage presentation.
According to Governor Andrew Cuomo, movie theaters in the five boroughs of New York City can reopen on March 5th at 25% capacity, with no more than 50 people per screen. Details of the announcement here
Became Loew’s Ritz on April 1st, 1947, the day after the expiration of a longtime “pooling” deal between Loew’s and Warner Theatres for the Penn, Warner, Stanley, and Ritz. The Loew’s Ritz would hold its final Warner booking, Paramount’s “My Favorite Brunette,” for three more days, and then open MGM’s “The Secret Heart,” a move-over from Loew’s Penn. For the time being at least, films opening at Loew’s Penn would be for one-week only, and then be moved to Loew’s Ritz for another week (or more, if needed).
Blood was actually spilled at the Criterion that day, but no killings were reported for other “Red Carpet” sites.
This was a newspaper ad for opening day, not a window display card.
This was on the national holiday of Lincoln’s Birthday.
Engagement encompassed two Presidential holidays on February 12th and 22nd, as well as Valentine’s Day on the 14th.
Listed as RKO Riverside with “The Razor’s Edge” as top feature.
Too bad that vaudeville is dead. “Mike” and “bigjoe59” would have made a great double act.
The booking capitalized on two National Holidays celebrating the birthdays of Presidents– Abraham Lincoln’s on February 12th, and George Washington’s on February 22nd. The holidays are now included in Presidents' Day, observed on the third Monday in February, and this year on February 15th.
Note “No Passes or Discounts Honored For This Engagement” at bottom of ad.
Filming of the B&W romantic comedy sparked a professional and personal relationship that lasted until Spencer Tracy’s death twenty-five years later.
“At War…” was the first starring vehicle for Martin & Lewis, following featured roles in two “My Friend Irma” comedies.