Vito through Box Office Bill’s efforts I stand corrected. I remember having the album from the movie and thought it came from the Roxy. Thanks for the correction
MEMORIES OF A ROXY USHER (1950-1954)
I started there as an usher , hired by Chernof at 35 cents per hour. We had to go through a training class and learn a manual. The manual was devoted to How many seats are there? How many Lightbulbs are there in the Crystal Chand in the Routonda? How do they replace the light bulbs or clean it.
SOME OF THE MOVIES THAT PLAYED THERE WHILE I WAS THERE
Prince Valiant
Titanic ( Clifton Webb)
Theres No Business Like Show Business
With a Song In My Heart ( Jane Froman story)
Bus Stop ( Marilyn Monroe classic)
What Price Glory ( Dan Dailey and James Cagney)
12 Mile Reef ( Robert Wagner)
Peter Pan
The Thief ( Silent Movie)
The Robe ( and start of a new sound system and Ice Stage)
Gentlemen Perfer Blondes
Three Coins In The Fountain
Rains of Ranchipur
STAFF OF THE ROXY
Sydney Katz ( Managing Director)
Arthur Knoor ( Producer)
Bob Bouche ( Orchestra Leader)
William ( Big Bill) Moclair ( General Manager)
Jack Galloway
Steve Banovich
Zeke Miller ( all Assistant Managers)
Al Kaufman ( Captain of Ushers)
Don O'Connell ( Chief of Staff)
Mr. Levy ( Concession Manager)
Mr. Levy (2) who sold programs and dolls for each performance at the main lobby.
SOME ADDITIONAL SERVICE STAFF NAMES
Al Frick
Connie Wagner
Suzie Mc Cluskey
Mary Ann Tenbrink
Charlie Roe
Ray Beckett ( another Captain)
Gladys Sweeney
Bob Myers
Don Pollack ( another Captain)
Lynn Fradnick
The Roxy closed down for two weeks to install the Ice Stage and run tests of the new sound system. I remember sitting in the orchestra when they ran the tests and had movies of racing cars, with the sound startig at one side of the theater and going around to the other side.
I also remeber standing for inspection by the Captains at the time, checking to make sure that our shoes were shined, hair trimmed, and white gloves were white. We then started a formation in the upper balcony and marched down the rotunda staircase and took our positions. We also wore cardboard dickeys for the front of our shirts and white cardboard cuffs. this would cover out tee shirts. We had our own tailer who cleaned the uniforms ( as shown in pictures of the staff in other parts of this site)
IN THE STAGE SHOW AREA
I remember the UNITED STATES MARINE CORP BAND coming through the Orchestra Doors and down the Aisles to the main stage.I also remember some names of the stars that appeared TONY BENNET, THE HARMONICATS, ELLIOT REED, ROCHESTER, KAY STARR, MEL TORME, just to name a few. They were all gracious and gave autographed photographs ( Oh where are they now… the pictures)
Most of all I remember the beautiful building that I had the pleasure of working in, the Chinese Restaurant across from the Stage Door as well as the Greek Diner. Also remember being a House Checker where we went out every four hours to the Movie Theaters on Broadway and estimated the number of patrons.Of seeing On The Waterfront, as well as Judy Garlands Farewell at the Palace.
Ok Guys and Gals… The Maspeth Theater was the theater where we would go on Saturday or Sunday Afternoons. It was the first theater ( and I think the only one where I had my face slapped for getting “fresh”. This was when Grand Avenue still had the Car Barns. It was also the theater where I used to get free dishes for going to the movies. Sorry but those were the days ( late 40’s-early 50’s)
Was back to Maspeth for our 50th Class reunion and saw so many changes, but the Maspeth Theater was still there.
Vito through Box Office Bill’s efforts I stand corrected. I remember having the album from the movie and thought it came from the Roxy. Thanks for the correction
Vito for some reason I recall the Eddie Duchin Story playing at the Roxy not at RCMH. I could be wrong after all its been a few years.
Thanks for the kind words. Have sent my post to other ushers and usherettes who were there when I was. Maybe they will post their memories.
MEMORIES OF A ROXY USHER (1950-1954)
I started there as an usher , hired by Chernof at 35 cents per hour. We had to go through a training class and learn a manual. The manual was devoted to How many seats are there? How many Lightbulbs are there in the Crystal Chand in the Routonda? How do they replace the light bulbs or clean it.
SOME OF THE MOVIES THAT PLAYED THERE WHILE I WAS THERE
Prince Valiant
Titanic ( Clifton Webb)
Theres No Business Like Show Business
With a Song In My Heart ( Jane Froman story)
Bus Stop ( Marilyn Monroe classic)
What Price Glory ( Dan Dailey and James Cagney)
12 Mile Reef ( Robert Wagner)
Peter Pan
The Thief ( Silent Movie)
The Robe ( and start of a new sound system and Ice Stage)
Gentlemen Perfer Blondes
Three Coins In The Fountain
Rains of Ranchipur
STAFF OF THE ROXY
Sydney Katz ( Managing Director)
Arthur Knoor ( Producer)
Bob Bouche ( Orchestra Leader)
William ( Big Bill) Moclair ( General Manager)
Jack Galloway
Steve Banovich
Zeke Miller ( all Assistant Managers)
Al Kaufman ( Captain of Ushers)
Don O'Connell ( Chief of Staff)
Mr. Levy ( Concession Manager)
Mr. Levy (2) who sold programs and dolls for each performance at the main lobby.
SOME ADDITIONAL SERVICE STAFF NAMES
Al Frick
Connie Wagner
Suzie Mc Cluskey
Mary Ann Tenbrink
Charlie Roe
Ray Beckett ( another Captain)
Gladys Sweeney
Bob Myers
Don Pollack ( another Captain)
Lynn Fradnick
The Roxy closed down for two weeks to install the Ice Stage and run tests of the new sound system. I remember sitting in the orchestra when they ran the tests and had movies of racing cars, with the sound startig at one side of the theater and going around to the other side.
I also remeber standing for inspection by the Captains at the time, checking to make sure that our shoes were shined, hair trimmed, and white gloves were white. We then started a formation in the upper balcony and marched down the rotunda staircase and took our positions. We also wore cardboard dickeys for the front of our shirts and white cardboard cuffs. this would cover out tee shirts. We had our own tailer who cleaned the uniforms ( as shown in pictures of the staff in other parts of this site)
IN THE STAGE SHOW AREA
I remember the UNITED STATES MARINE CORP BAND coming through the Orchestra Doors and down the Aisles to the main stage.I also remember some names of the stars that appeared TONY BENNET, THE HARMONICATS, ELLIOT REED, ROCHESTER, KAY STARR, MEL TORME, just to name a few. They were all gracious and gave autographed photographs ( Oh where are they now… the pictures)
Most of all I remember the beautiful building that I had the pleasure of working in, the Chinese Restaurant across from the Stage Door as well as the Greek Diner. Also remember being a House Checker where we went out every four hours to the Movie Theaters on Broadway and estimated the number of patrons.Of seeing On The Waterfront, as well as Judy Garlands Farewell at the Palace.
THOSE TRULY WERE THE DAYS.
Ok Guys and Gals… The Maspeth Theater was the theater where we would go on Saturday or Sunday Afternoons. It was the first theater ( and I think the only one where I had my face slapped for getting “fresh”. This was when Grand Avenue still had the Car Barns. It was also the theater where I used to get free dishes for going to the movies. Sorry but those were the days ( late 40’s-early 50’s)
Was back to Maspeth for our 50th Class reunion and saw so many changes, but the Maspeth Theater was still there.