Ross Hunter’s CinemaScope & Eastmancolor remake of a standard ratio B&W classic proved a critical and box office disaster. Roxy opening was the day before that year’s Columbus Day observance.
Though some construction took place, the drive-in never opened. Why is it being listed here? A similar attempt to list was made several years ago, and then removed for lack of factual evidence.
Project was immediately opposed by New York City Planning Commission, but construction took place anyhow in belief that lawyers could eventually get permission. But NYC prevailed and International Airport Drive-In never opened. The aerial photo just shows what might have been.
Opened on the “Columbus Day” of that year. Holiday had a fixed date of October 12th until 1971, when changed to the second Monday of October.
Now also known as “Indigenous Peoples' Day” in some parts of the USA.
Al Hirschfeld’s newspaper sketch was published on October 11th, 1970, the same day that “The Great White Hope” opened its world premiere engagement at the Baronet Theatre.
MGM hoped to repeat its success with “Gone With the Wind,” which opened in December, 1939, at the same two theatres, with roadshow policy at the Astor and continuous performances at the Capitol.
Produced in England by the Rank Organization, the Technicolor spectacle was released in the USA by Universal-International. Fredric March’s wife, Florence Eldridge, portrayed Queen Isabella.
The Albee was still exclusive first-run for the entire borough of Brooklyn, as were its three nearby rivals, the Brooklyn Paramount, Fox, and Loew’s Metropolitan.
By that time, the Kings had become first-run for Flatbush, sharing bookings not only with other Loew’s in Brooklyn, but also with some theatres run by Century, Randforce, and independents.
In March of the following year, Loretta Young would win the “Best Actress” Academy Award for her performance, which included a Swedish accent as a naive Minnesota farm girl.
It should be noted that this was just the first neighborhood release of “Psycho,” and followed the dual premiere engagement at the DeMille and Baronet in Manhattan. Those two bookings continued, but are not mentioned in this ad. Prior to this August 17th release, “Psycho” had also opened at the Brooklyn Paramount, where it was also still running but not mentioned in this ad. Saturation launchings of major movies in the NYC area was still two years in the future with the introduction of the “Premiere Showcase” concept.
Prior to opening, beloved singer/actress Ethel Waters, one of the stars of “Pinky,” made personal appearances at theatres on the RKO circuit, which would present “Pinky” following its Rivoli engagement.
I believe that MSG is just the owner of the operating lease for Radio City Music Hall. Any decisions on the future of the property itself if MSG defaults or negotiates out of the lease would be left up to the ownership of Rockefeller Center.
Opened the day before a weekend that included that year’s celebration of the national holiday honoring Christopher Columbus.
Universal’s original “My Man Godfrey” debuted at Radio City Music in September, 1936. Opening day ad displayed here
Ross Hunter’s CinemaScope & Eastmancolor remake of a standard ratio B&W classic proved a critical and box office disaster. Roxy opening was the day before that year’s Columbus Day observance.
Though some construction took place, the drive-in never opened. Why is it being listed here? A similar attempt to list was made several years ago, and then removed for lack of factual evidence.
Construction started in 1941, but delayed by wartime restrictions on non-essential building projects.
Project was immediately opposed by New York City Planning Commission, but construction took place anyhow in belief that lawyers could eventually get permission. But NYC prevailed and International Airport Drive-In never opened. The aerial photo just shows what might have been.
Opened on the “Columbus Day” of that year. Holiday had a fixed date of October 12th until 1971, when changed to the second Monday of October. Now also known as “Indigenous Peoples' Day” in some parts of the USA.
Al Hirschfeld’s newspaper sketch was published on October 11th, 1970, the same day that “The Great White Hope” opened its world premiere engagement at the Baronet Theatre.
MGM hoped to repeat its success with “Gone With the Wind,” which opened in December, 1939, at the same two theatres, with roadshow policy at the Astor and continuous performances at the Capitol.
The skyscraper Times Square Edition Hotel is reportedly not taking reservations until further notice.
Debuted on the same day as “The Graduate” at the Lincoln Arts on West 57th Street and the Coronet on Third Avenue.
Rumored to be permanent.
Produced in England by the Rank Organization, the Technicolor spectacle was released in the USA by Universal-International. Fredric March’s wife, Florence Eldridge, portrayed Queen Isabella.
When major credits and even the actual title of the movie are revealed in the ad, I would hardly describe it as a “sneak” preview.
The Albee was still exclusive first-run for the entire borough of Brooklyn, as were its three nearby rivals, the Brooklyn Paramount, Fox, and Loew’s Metropolitan.
By that time, the Kings had become first-run for Flatbush, sharing bookings not only with other Loew’s in Brooklyn, but also with some theatres run by Century, Randforce, and independents.
Exterior pictured in news article on Regal closures for the duration of the pandemic. Click here
In March of the following year, Loretta Young would win the “Best Actress” Academy Award for her performance, which included a Swedish accent as a naive Minnesota farm girl.
It should be noted that this was just the first neighborhood release of “Psycho,” and followed the dual premiere engagement at the DeMille and Baronet in Manhattan. Those two bookings continued, but are not mentioned in this ad. Prior to this August 17th release, “Psycho” had also opened at the Brooklyn Paramount, where it was also still running but not mentioned in this ad. Saturation launchings of major movies in the NYC area was still two years in the future with the introduction of the “Premiere Showcase” concept.
The stage revue supported MGM’s multi-star B&W “Week-end at the Waldorf,” which was inspired by the studio’s classic “Grand Hotel,” but not a remake.
Final film/stage booking before switch had “The Girl from Petrovka” on screen.
Prior to opening, beloved singer/actress Ethel Waters, one of the stars of “Pinky,” made personal appearances at theatres on the RKO circuit, which would present “Pinky” following its Rivoli engagement.
I believe that MSG is just the owner of the operating lease for Radio City Music Hall. Any decisions on the future of the property itself if MSG defaults or negotiates out of the lease would be left up to the ownership of Rockefeller Center.
All tickets for the electronic presentation were $10 each, with no reserved seats. $10 in 1970 would be equivalent to about $67 in 2020.
The annual Christmas Spectacular for 2020 has been cancelled. Josh Groban has announced concert dates for next April. View here