ErwinM posted a comment three years ago that has had me on a quest to find the surviving Roxy seats with the distinctive “R” initial on the side of the chair. Well, it took a while but I was finally able to gain brief access to the private room he discussed that now holds about 100 seats from the famous theater. Sure enough, they are authentic — right down to the “R” on the side. I was even able to snap some pictures of my daughter sitting in one of the chairs for proof. If we’re ever able to post pics on this site, I will surely do so. Thanks, ErwinM for giving me the info to track down what seems to be the last remaining artifacts from, what many believe, to be the most wonderful theater that ever existed. The Roxy.
I worked as an usher at the Cinemart during the late seventies for about four years, when it was still a one screen palace. Before vhs rentals hit, this was the inexpensive route to catching a hit film the second time around. When Dudley Moore’s TEN hit our theater, it stayed with us for about a month. The line went down the block and around the corner every Saturday night. Often I would be out on the street with my royal blue jacket with gold trim, walking down the line, asking people to have their money ready for when they reached the turnstile (yes, turnstile!). I knew every part of that house. Even climbed on a small decaying ladder which lead above the ceiling to a large crank that lowered the enormous chandelier way back when they used to clean it (probably the 40’s).
I have some shots of the Cinemart from the outside, before it was split and will try to dig them up.
ErwinM posted a comment three years ago that has had me on a quest to find the surviving Roxy seats with the distinctive “R” initial on the side of the chair. Well, it took a while but I was finally able to gain brief access to the private room he discussed that now holds about 100 seats from the famous theater. Sure enough, they are authentic — right down to the “R” on the side. I was even able to snap some pictures of my daughter sitting in one of the chairs for proof. If we’re ever able to post pics on this site, I will surely do so. Thanks, ErwinM for giving me the info to track down what seems to be the last remaining artifacts from, what many believe, to be the most wonderful theater that ever existed. The Roxy.
I worked as an usher at the Cinemart during the late seventies for about four years, when it was still a one screen palace. Before vhs rentals hit, this was the inexpensive route to catching a hit film the second time around. When Dudley Moore’s TEN hit our theater, it stayed with us for about a month. The line went down the block and around the corner every Saturday night. Often I would be out on the street with my royal blue jacket with gold trim, walking down the line, asking people to have their money ready for when they reached the turnstile (yes, turnstile!). I knew every part of that house. Even climbed on a small decaying ladder which lead above the ceiling to a large crank that lowered the enormous chandelier way back when they used to clean it (probably the 40’s).
I have some shots of the Cinemart from the outside, before it was split and will try to dig them up.
J.Azzara
June 5, 2004