During the early silent era, the Forest Theatre drew patronage from all over the city to hear a gigantic instrument made locally by the Detroit Organ Company.
The Hollywood became the Warner Theatre on August 15th, 1947, with the much anticipated film version of the long-running stage play, “Life With Father.” Advertising included a proclamation signed by NYC Mayor William O'Dwyer that “It is no more than fitting that the Broadway scene have a theatre bearing the name of the company so widely recognized for its great achievements in motion picture entertainment. Welcome, Warner Theatre!”
On right side of photo, note separate entrance to “Colored Balcony”…At the time, the Broadhurst was displaying a “false front” for “The Asphalt Jungle,” to capitalize on the zooming popularity of starlet Marilyn Monroe.
The Alec Guinness comedy opened on the night of October 15th with a single screening for the benefit of the “March of Dimes.” Regular continuous performances for the American premiere engagement started the next day.
The final “legit” booking at the original El Capitan was Edward Everett Horton in “Springtime for Henry,” which gave its final performance on January 10th, 1942.
Produced for the African-American market, “The Duke Is Tops” is best remembered for the screen debut of Lena Horne. About five years later, when she’d become a famous MGM star, the movie was rushed back into release as “Bronze Venus.”
The Lexington is part of the group with “Girl Crazy” and “Henry Aldrich Haunts a House.”
Described in a December, 1928, trade journal as a new marquee for Hamrick’s Music Box in Portland.
Newspaper ad published on January 11th, 1934.
The Covent Garden first opened on the night of August 5th, 1916. Advertising claimed a construction cost of $500,000, and a seating capacity of 3,000.
At time of this photo, all seats were priced at 15 cents.
Note auditorium view in upper right hand corner of ad.
The Tower had its grand opening on April 11th, 1926. An ad has been posted in the Photos Section.
During the early silent era, the Forest Theatre drew patronage from all over the city to hear a gigantic instrument made locally by the Detroit Organ Company.
Right side of artist’s sketch shows drive-in entrance to two acres of free parking behind the theatre.
This group ad covers a period in May, 1950.
The Hollywood became the Warner Theatre on August 15th, 1947, with the much anticipated film version of the long-running stage play, “Life With Father.” Advertising included a proclamation signed by NYC Mayor William O'Dwyer that “It is no more than fitting that the Broadway scene have a theatre bearing the name of the company so widely recognized for its great achievements in motion picture entertainment. Welcome, Warner Theatre!”
Usage of “blade” is frowned on here. The preferred word for such signs is “vertical,” though “upright” would also be acceptable.
The Harding had its grand opening on Monday, October 12th, 1925. I’ve posted an ad in the Photos Section.
A radical change for the Bardavon, which never had such lavish exterior signage in its lengthy history.
True to the film’s title, but adding a hyphen in the overhead sign…Still racially segregated.
On right side of photo, note separate entrance to “Colored Balcony”…At the time, the Broadhurst was displaying a “false front” for “The Asphalt Jungle,” to capitalize on the zooming popularity of starlet Marilyn Monroe.
Published on January 25th, 1931.
The cinema management also operated a multi-lane bowling alley in Whitehall Center when it originally opened.
Both side walls adjacent to the stage had artwork that glowed in the dark.
In a later modernization, a new marquee and vertical used only “Loew’s” and eliminated “State.”
The Alec Guinness comedy opened on the night of October 15th with a single screening for the benefit of the “March of Dimes.” Regular continuous performances for the American premiere engagement started the next day.
The B&W musical comedy was produced and released in Great Britain in 1936 as “Land Without Music.”
The final “legit” booking at the original El Capitan was Edward Everett Horton in “Springtime for Henry,” which gave its final performance on January 10th, 1942.
Produced for the African-American market, “The Duke Is Tops” is best remembered for the screen debut of Lena Horne. About five years later, when she’d become a famous MGM star, the movie was rushed back into release as “Bronze Venus.”
Note how center portion was set back far enough to avoid collision with pillar of elevated subway.