Did you know that the Loews State theater was in a building owned by Loews, and that the building was occupied by the president of Loews (at my time Nick Schenk) and at that time owners of MGM? The publicity office was on the second floor and Mr. Schenk, CC Moskowitz etc. were on the 7th floor. The Penthouse had a private screening room and a large resturant complete with 3 chefs, where visiting stars got to dine with the pres. And in 1949 I deposited Mr. Schenks weekly checks $7,000. from Loews and $7,000. for MGM. Although most people think that all movie making decisions were made in Hollywood I can tell you that the telegraph lines were allways busy and that NY made many of the decisions, and there was allways conflict between Mr.Mayer and Mr. S.
Warren: My source was my dad who worked down the street and asked what they were building, and the answer was “the new Met” That’s the story I heard,and supposedly the prompters box was located in the middle of the cieling. But of course like all stories it could be wrong. Maybe Rockefeller center has an historian many corp. do.
The Center Theater was located at 48st.Regency Bruin Theatreth,and was originaly built by Rockerfeller to house the Metropolitan Opera House, but somewhre allong the line the deal fell through and they tried a few shows which floped, “The American Way” was one such show. Then they turned it into an Ice Show venu, then they showed Disney’s Pinnocio. Finally it became the Milton Berle TV studio. It was circular in design and had the signs of the zodiac embossed on the cieling along with twinkling lights.
Memories Roxy theater circa 1932-45. As you entered the grand lobby a uniformed usher called out in a stentorian voice “there is immediate seating in all parts of the house,take the grand stairway to your left”. Of course this would lead you to the balcony, not the best seats in the house. However if you took the small stairway to the right you would wind up on the loge. When the show began the orchestra slid in from the left.(not rising like at the Music Hall) As I recall the Rocketts were not the whole show.It was more like vaudiville. I remember seeing lots of dog acts,Carman Cavelero, Jimmy Salvo, The Harmonacats, acrobats,and the incredable Nicholas Brothers doing their running splits right there on stage,live.Well it’s time for me to go to 6th Av. and catch the el train home. H.
Did you know that the Loews State theater was in a building owned by Loews, and that the building was occupied by the president of Loews (at my time Nick Schenk) and at that time owners of MGM? The publicity office was on the second floor and Mr. Schenk, CC Moskowitz etc. were on the 7th floor. The Penthouse had a private screening room and a large resturant complete with 3 chefs, where visiting stars got to dine with the pres. And in 1949 I deposited Mr. Schenks weekly checks $7,000. from Loews and $7,000. for MGM. Although most people think that all movie making decisions were made in Hollywood I can tell you that the telegraph lines were allways busy and that NY made many of the decisions, and there was allways conflict between Mr.Mayer and Mr. S.
Mike Radio: Remember the small Triangle and the independent Jewel bet. E.7th & 8th on Kings Highway?
The avenue U theater once tried a live vaudiville type show.
Warren: My source was my dad who worked down the street and asked what they were building, and the answer was “the new Met” That’s the story I heard,and supposedly the prompters box was located in the middle of the cieling. But of course like all stories it could be wrong. Maybe Rockefeller center has an historian many corp. do.
The Center Theater was located at 48st.Regency Bruin Theatreth,and was originaly built by Rockerfeller to house the Metropolitan Opera House, but somewhre allong the line the deal fell through and they tried a few shows which floped, “The American Way” was one such show. Then they turned it into an Ice Show venu, then they showed Disney’s Pinnocio. Finally it became the Milton Berle TV studio. It was circular in design and had the signs of the zodiac embossed on the cieling along with twinkling lights.
Memories Roxy theater circa 1932-45. As you entered the grand lobby a uniformed usher called out in a stentorian voice “there is immediate seating in all parts of the house,take the grand stairway to your left”. Of course this would lead you to the balcony, not the best seats in the house. However if you took the small stairway to the right you would wind up on the loge. When the show began the orchestra slid in from the left.(not rising like at the Music Hall) As I recall the Rocketts were not the whole show.It was more like vaudiville. I remember seeing lots of dog acts,Carman Cavelero, Jimmy Salvo, The Harmonacats, acrobats,and the incredable Nicholas Brothers doing their running splits right there on stage,live.Well it’s time for me to go to 6th Av. and catch the el train home. H.