I saw that show during it’s run. The Red Skelton film was the least interesting part of it, although I believe it included Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra, one of my favorites.
I came primarily to see and hear Woody Herman and his Orchestra. This was known as “The Band That Plays the Blues.” Ah, halcyon days.
There are obviously many very knowledgeable people on this link, allowing me to ask this question: My interest is in the swing and dance bands which flourished in the 30s and 40s, and which played at the Paramount, the Strand, the Roxy, the Capitol as well as Loew’s State. Does anyone know how one could find a list of the bookings for these theaters during the 30s and 40s? I just feel that info must be out there somewhere.
Let me tell you something. For a teenage boy, during the early World War II years, there was no greater thrill than being in the balcony at the Paramount when one of your favorite bands — say,
Artie Shaw — was on the bill. You’d hear the exotic strains of his theme song (“Nightmare,” I think it was called) before you ever saw the band. It which would rise from the orchestra pit to stage level. Only then would the spotlights come on as the roar in the audience would reach a climax.
Do I not remember that in 1944-45, when I attended Washington Missionary College in Takoma Park, the Earle would feature big bands and vaudeville acts, along with movies, as did so many movie palaces of the day?
I remember the Majestic as a truly majestic movie house. I can only imagine that, if it has been properly maintained, it serves as a superb venue for a church. After all, the Majestic (which I recall to be a ‘Walter Reade’ theater), was a temple of cinema as were so many magnificent movie houses throughout the country. Alas, most of them, like the wonderful Paramount in Times Square, have fallen victim to the American mania for tearing stuff down.
Incidentally, when I frequented the Majestic, during the war years of the ‘40s, smoking was restricted to the balcony.
I saw that show during it’s run. The Red Skelton film was the least interesting part of it, although I believe it included Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra, one of my favorites.
I came primarily to see and hear Woody Herman and his Orchestra. This was known as “The Band That Plays the Blues.” Ah, halcyon days.
Ernie Nagy
There are obviously many very knowledgeable people on this link, allowing me to ask this question: My interest is in the swing and dance bands which flourished in the 30s and 40s, and which played at the Paramount, the Strand, the Roxy, the Capitol as well as Loew’s State. Does anyone know how one could find a list of the bookings for these theaters during the 30s and 40s? I just feel that info must be out there somewhere.
Ernie Nagy, Washington, DC
Let me tell you something. For a teenage boy, during the early World War II years, there was no greater thrill than being in the balcony at the Paramount when one of your favorite bands — say,
Artie Shaw — was on the bill. You’d hear the exotic strains of his theme song (“Nightmare,” I think it was called) before you ever saw the band. It which would rise from the orchestra pit to stage level. Only then would the spotlights come on as the roar in the audience would reach a climax.
And they tore it down.
Do I not remember that in 1944-45, when I attended Washington Missionary College in Takoma Park, the Earle would feature big bands and vaudeville acts, along with movies, as did so many movie palaces of the day?
Ernie Nagy
I remember the Majestic as a truly majestic movie house. I can only imagine that, if it has been properly maintained, it serves as a superb venue for a church. After all, the Majestic (which I recall to be a ‘Walter Reade’ theater), was a temple of cinema as were so many magnificent movie houses throughout the country. Alas, most of them, like the wonderful Paramount in Times Square, have fallen victim to the American mania for tearing stuff down.
Incidentally, when I frequented the Majestic, during the war years of the ‘40s, smoking was restricted to the balcony.
Ernie Nagy