On closer examination this photo was NOT taken on opening day, 1927. The girls, 22 of them, have GF on their costumes, signifying Gaye Foster. The Gaye Foster troupe began appearing at the NY ROXY after the departure of Rothafel during the mid-1930’s. The 32 Roxyettes moved over to Radio City Music Hall with Rothafel in 1932-33. The Roxyettes line was increased to 36 and later re-named Rockettes.
This is Robert Rothafel, Roxy’s Nephew, greeting guests arriving for the world premiere of THE KING AND I during June, 1956. Robert became the general manager of the ROXY in late 1955 and remained until shortly before closing.
This is a screen shot from HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE (1965). The original Ziegfeld Theatre is seen in the background. A few years before being demolished and replaced by the “new” Ziegfeld movie theatre (a poor substitute) and a high rise office building.
Hey Debellis how about some referencing on your multiple uploads? Source acknowledgements, dates or description would be appreciated! This photo looks to be a capture from a newsreel clip.
The Strand Theater opened on March 2, 1922. The new theater (architect, H. Lansing Quick), at the request of the developer, former Mayor Michael J. Walsh, incorporated the auditorium of the old First Reformed Church (opened 1896) as well as the main room of a building in the back of the property that had been the church Sunday school and before that, the city’s first high school. The theater also managed to incorporate the oak ceiling of the church.
Was the Parkhill in Yonkers ever used as a nightclub known as The Enchanted Room? Postcards of the Enchanted Room identify it as being located at 423 S. Broadway in Yonkers. Singer Jerry Vale got an early start there.
The New Rochelle RKO Proctor’s no longer functions as a theatre. Several years ago it was gutted and converted into retail and office space. The exterior remains basically intact.
The loew’s/Bandt’s was never subdivided. It appeared to be intact when it closed, with most, if not all of its original furnishings. Still in excellent condition.
Certainly the finest theatre Yonkers ever had and one of the best in the region. I attended several movies there during late 60s, early 70s. I preferred the Loews/Brandt’s over its still standing, but closed neighbor’s The Parkhill and RKO Proctor’s. I remembered being sadden when it closed. However, the neighborhood was already in a steady state of decline. I believe the Loews/Brandt’s sat derelict for a couple of years before it was demolished for a Macdonald’s. Sad how this one just slipped away and is so little documented.
The White Plains Colony held much more than the 600 easts indicated here. The theatre contained a full size balcony in addition to the orchestra level. My guesstimate would be 1200 seats.
Also, the Colony hosted an exclusive Westchester reserve seat roadshow engagement of “Taming of the Shrew” in 1967.
The TGI Friday’s was preceded by another restaurant. I believe a Child’s was on the corner of 50th and 7th for at least a couple of decades before the Taft was closed and re-modeled into the Michelangelo Suites during early/mid 1980s. The Roxy ticket lobby is the space currently occupied by TGI. The Roxy Rotunda, which was behind the ticket lobby was destroyed along with the auditorium and the rest of the Roxy building in mid-late 1960. The THS Roxy annual, published in 1979 or 80, claims that the Rotunda was to incorporated into the Taft Hotel expansion design William Zeckendorf was supposedly planning at the time. Of course this never happened. In fact I cannot locate any reference to the Hotel Taft expansion after the Roxy building was sold by Rock Center to Zeckendorf. Zeckendorf’s visions were constantly filled with hyperbole, which probably led to his bankruptcy and downfall. Rather than expand the Taft, the partially demolished Roxy was later sold by Zeckendorf to a couple of amateur NJ real estate developers (their first venture into NYC real-estate) in order to raise cash for his crumbling empire.
I vaguely recall seeing a vintage 1920s or 30s architecture magazine article which described Roxy Rothafel’s NYC apartment (the actual home, not theater) in which he proudly displays a grilled doorway. Wish I could remember the exact details. These may be those doors, in which case the EBAY listing is somewhat incorrect.
According to the listing they originate in the NYC ROXY. Does anyone know where in the building they were originally located? My guess is in a non-public area.
The Roxy sold souvenir programs for ALL ABOUT EVE, THE ROBE, THE EGYPTIAN, THE BIG CIRCUS, LIL ABNER, 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, KING AND I, THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS and CAROUSEL. ALSO multi page programs for THE RAZOR’S EDGE and GIANT. I am not sure if these 2 were available to general public or just distributed to premier audiences. Does anyone know of any others? A special program for LOUIS ARMSTRONG’s 1957 appearance was also available. And of course WINDJAMMER. Does anyone know of any others?
On closer examination this photo was NOT taken on opening day, 1927. The girls, 22 of them, have GF on their costumes, signifying Gaye Foster. The Gaye Foster troupe began appearing at the NY ROXY after the departure of Rothafel during the mid-1930’s. The 32 Roxyettes moved over to Radio City Music Hall with Rothafel in 1932-33. The Roxyettes line was increased to 36 and later re-named Rockettes.
Also, the NYC Hilton Hotel appears to be nearing completion to the left of the Ziegfeld.
This is Robert Rothafel, Roxy’s Nephew, greeting guests arriving for the world premiere of THE KING AND I during June, 1956. Robert became the general manager of the ROXY in late 1955 and remained until shortly before closing.
This is a screen shot from HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE (1965). The original Ziegfeld Theatre is seen in the background. A few years before being demolished and replaced by the “new” Ziegfeld movie theatre (a poor substitute) and a high rise office building.
Hey Debellis how about some referencing on your multiple uploads? Source acknowledgements, dates or description would be appreciated! This photo looks to be a capture from a newsreel clip.
You are correct!
To Simon, Please see my photo of a female ROXY usherette. Females WERE recruited during WW2 because of manpower shortages.
to dotty64:
Yes female ushers became common during the WW2 era.
Mr Granola Bar how about including a date or reference with your up-load? Thanks
The Strand Theater opened on March 2, 1922. The new theater (architect, H. Lansing Quick), at the request of the developer, former Mayor Michael J. Walsh, incorporated the auditorium of the old First Reformed Church (opened 1896) as well as the main room of a building in the back of the property that had been the church Sunday school and before that, the city’s first high school. The theater also managed to incorporate the oak ceiling of the church.
Was the Parkhill in Yonkers ever used as a nightclub known as The Enchanted Room? Postcards of the Enchanted Room identify it as being located at 423 S. Broadway in Yonkers. Singer Jerry Vale got an early start there.
Bowtie also closed Central Plaza in Yonkers,
To be demolished for apartment units!
The New Rochelle RKO Proctor’s no longer functions as a theatre. Several years ago it was gutted and converted into retail and office space. The exterior remains basically intact.
The loew’s/Bandt’s was never subdivided. It appeared to be intact when it closed, with most, if not all of its original furnishings. Still in excellent condition.
Certainly the finest theatre Yonkers ever had and one of the best in the region. I attended several movies there during late 60s, early 70s. I preferred the Loews/Brandt’s over its still standing, but closed neighbor’s The Parkhill and RKO Proctor’s. I remembered being sadden when it closed. However, the neighborhood was already in a steady state of decline. I believe the Loews/Brandt’s sat derelict for a couple of years before it was demolished for a Macdonald’s. Sad how this one just slipped away and is so little documented.
The White Plains Colony held much more than the 600 easts indicated here. The theatre contained a full size balcony in addition to the orchestra level. My guesstimate would be 1200 seats.
Also, the Colony hosted an exclusive Westchester reserve seat roadshow engagement of “Taming of the Shrew” in 1967.
The TGI Friday’s was preceded by another restaurant. I believe a Child’s was on the corner of 50th and 7th for at least a couple of decades before the Taft was closed and re-modeled into the Michelangelo Suites during early/mid 1980s. The Roxy ticket lobby is the space currently occupied by TGI. The Roxy Rotunda, which was behind the ticket lobby was destroyed along with the auditorium and the rest of the Roxy building in mid-late 1960. The THS Roxy annual, published in 1979 or 80, claims that the Rotunda was to incorporated into the Taft Hotel expansion design William Zeckendorf was supposedly planning at the time. Of course this never happened. In fact I cannot locate any reference to the Hotel Taft expansion after the Roxy building was sold by Rock Center to Zeckendorf. Zeckendorf’s visions were constantly filled with hyperbole, which probably led to his bankruptcy and downfall. Rather than expand the Taft, the partially demolished Roxy was later sold by Zeckendorf to a couple of amateur NJ real estate developers (their first venture into NYC real-estate) in order to raise cash for his crumbling empire.
What is this???
I vaguely recall seeing a vintage 1920s or 30s architecture magazine article which described Roxy Rothafel’s NYC apartment (the actual home, not theater) in which he proudly displays a grilled doorway. Wish I could remember the exact details. These may be those doors, in which case the EBAY listing is somewhat incorrect.
Take a look at this EBAY listing:
Bronze Tiffany Studio Doors
According to the listing they originate in the NYC ROXY. Does anyone know where in the building they were originally located? My guess is in a non-public area.
The front facade is now being cleaned back to its shiney white. The box office area remains boarded up. What is going in here?
Tinseltoes on July 16, 2012 at 1:52 pm Why the Bronxville was being called “New” in 1960: Boxoffice
Because it was “newly” redesigned in 1960. The theatre dates back to 1920s.
interesting marquee photo here:
http://www.boxoffice.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1946-4-27&page_no=17#page_start
The Roxy sold souvenir programs for ALL ABOUT EVE, THE ROBE, THE EGYPTIAN, THE BIG CIRCUS, LIL ABNER, 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, KING AND I, THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS and CAROUSEL. ALSO multi page programs for THE RAZOR’S EDGE and GIANT. I am not sure if these 2 were available to general public or just distributed to premier audiences. Does anyone know of any others? A special program for LOUIS ARMSTRONG’s 1957 appearance was also available. And of course WINDJAMMER. Does anyone know of any others?