These photos are really tragic reminders, especially to those of us who were a part of the Roxy as youngsters. I didn’t know any such photos existed and it is both wonderful and yet sad to have them to view. They went straight into my documents to view again and again. They show exact spots in the theater that I can still remember from the period of 1950-51 when I worked there. I wonder how long did the destruction go on as it was a massive pile. Thankyou lost memory.
I don’t know much about projectionists but having been in theater all my life as a performer, I would assume there would be intercommunication between backstage and the projection booth. Backstage is always supervised by the stage manager, with his or her crew of stage hands. The Roxy would have had a full compliment of backstage personel.
Richka
Hi Frank,
I also worked at the Roxy at the same time as you, 1950/51. Not as an usher but on the concession stand in the Rotunda. Also, sometimes at the smaller candy stand in the balcony foyer. Perhaps you remember me. We no doubt have many memories to share of those youthful days.
Richard
Simon, I WAS referring to the grand staircase, seen above, not the lower staircase that you’re referring to. That one led to the manager Mr. Katz and his assistant manager’s offices and loge. Maybe not in your time there, but looking at the picture, the concession stand was to the right of that. And there was even another smaller one in the balcony at the top of that grand staircase by the small window, seen in the Gloria Swanson picture of her standing in the rubble in 1961. Mr. Levy was the concessions manager. I worked there for nearly 3 years in the early 1950s so I ought to know. It must be that you worked there a bit later. Regarding the usher doing cartwheels, as I said, he was not
your regular usher but an extremely flamboyant fellow and discipline might have been a bit relaxed during a peak time when hundreds of patrons were standing on the grand staircase. It was only once I saw him do that. It’s nice to share our memories.
Memories of the Rotunda – from someone who was there. About these photos – they are wonderful to have, especially the first one. I may have posted it before here on this site, or perhaps somewhere else, but this first picture shows the location of the yet to be concession stand just to the right of that staircase leading to the loges and manager’s office. I don’t know when the concession stand was put in that location as it was many, many years later – not too many years before the theater was demolished, when I worked there selling candy as a 16 year old. From my viewpoint there I could look up at the two ton chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The giant Rotunda (we were not
allowed to call it a lobby) had a circular carpet that we employees
were not even allowed to walk on so I had to walk around it to and from my post at the candy stand. The circular staircase that you see
often was filled with masses of people waiting for seats in the
upper balconies. One rather flamboyant usher would often entertain
those hundreds of waiting patrons by doing his acrobatic tricks,
cartwheeling up and down that grand stair case and finishing with a
full split, to the patron’s amazement and applause! I have so many youthful memories of this theater, some good, some bad.
Someone a while back was asking about where entrances to Roxy Theater were located. Apart from the Box offices on the corner of 7th Ave. and 50th Street, there were three other entrances. 153 West 50th was a door just a bit further East on 50th that had a service desk inside and an elevator to upper floors including Executive Offices at the top floor. It was the entrance for all front of house employees. Around the corner on 51st Street was the stage door for all performers as well as the scene dock used for loading stage scenery, animals, etc. leading directly to the stage.
Oops Warren – have I done something wrong? I didn’t mean to divert any attention away from the great Roxy Theater but thought this site could be about about movie palaces in general because there ARE postings here about other theaters, apart from the Roxy. Especially because it may be interesting that a former movie palace has had a re-birth – a bit unusual these days.
I stand corrected.
Richka
For anyone interested in movie palaces that have had a recent re-birth: In Tucson, Arizona where I live, stands The Fox Theatre, Tucson’s only movie palace of the past. [Now of course, Tucson cinemas are all located in the malls or in multi cine-plexes.] The Fox saw its heyday between 1930 and 1945 – so I’ve read – and showed films primarily, but also offered live entertainment – probably vaudeville – until it closed in 1974.
Within the last 3 years it has had a remarkable, multi-million dollar re-construction to exactly the way it was in 1930, in the art-deco style and with the stage enlarged with modern stage equipment so as to be able to present touring stage productions.
I moved to Tucson in 1987 so I never saw the Fox when it was active, even in its last days, but when it re-opened I attended a stage production there and also live TV broadcasts direct from Lincoln Center shown on its screen. Now, when you drive through downtown Tucson it’s nice to see the old fashoned marquee with lights on – the way they must have been during that period of long ago.
Richka
Here’s egg on my face! I should have read Simon L’s posting more carefully. Seached it on IMDB and “D Day the 6th of June” is a movie released in 1956, so that’s what he is referring to.
Ziggy – Of course, any time. Cinema Treasures database gives a list of members. I believe – with email addresses. Or look further on my website and you should find mine. I drive through Gallop occasionally en-route to Santa Fe.
Richard
SimonL. Surely you didn’t mean D Day, 6th of June! That was 1944. Films you mention, i.e., King and I, Bus Stop, etc. played the Roxy in 1956. That must be the year you worked there. Am I right?
Richard
Thanx for your interest Ziggy. To answer your question, I was a dancer – all forms but mainly strenuous Russian, you know, squatting while kicking out legs, leaping and touching toes in air, that sort of thing. Retired from it only 5 years ago. Truly, dancing keeps you young and agile.
Back as a kid, when I first went to Roxy and told the interviewer I was a dancer [i wasn’t, I was only a student]she sent me backstage but I got cold feet as the men who danced with the Roxyettes were all older than I [i was only 16 so underage]and at that time didn’t know tap dancing which was a requirement. Besides being on
the short side. So I was sent to Mr. Levy who was manager of the concession stands. That’s how it started. If you’re interested, my website is www.richka.com It has many links.
Back to the Roxy. I just won a literary competition prize from Theater Historical Society for a long piece I recently wrote about The Roxy and my experiences there. It will soon be published in their quarterly magazine, MARQUEE.
Yes, now semi retired, living in Tucson, Arizona and very involved in cultural events. I’m sure all this is more than you wanted to
know. Thanx for your interest.
Richard
Hi Ziggy – that’s a very good question. As a 16/17 year old I guess I thought of it mainly as a job. At least better than running a hotel elevator or in a drug store or other things that teenage boys do. I think I was paid $28 a week – ushers got far less. But yes, in a way it was kinda glamourous. Like many of the other boys there at that time, I was taking classes and trying to break into show biz – auditions and such. Now, in my declining years I regret that I didn’t take the opportunity then to investigate the actual theater more as it certainly was a magnificent structure. I did occasionally wander backstage and talked with some of the dancing Roxyettes or their Escorts. Once even ran an errand for Danny Kaye who was a
headliner and also Ima Sumac, an exotic Peruvian singer of the period.
My reaction when it was torn down? I was in Europe at the time so
didn’t notice but I think would have been saddened.
Since that time of long ago I’ve performed in theaters all over the world but the Roxy is still very much fixed in my memory as first humble steps into show biz. Quite honestly, it means much more to me now than it did then.
Thanx for asking.
Richard
Another memory. Besides the rotunda concesson stand there was a smaller one in the balcony foyer. Sometimes I worked there as well. The long grand staircase led up to it. Sometimes at peak periods there would be long lines of patrons waiting on this staircase. From my vantage point I could look out a small window to the rotunda below and also see the full curve of the grand staircase. There was one usher I remember who would entertain the waiting crowds with his acrobatic tricks: cartwheeling up and down the grand staircase and finishing with a full split. The waiting patrons always laughed and applauded.
The outer lobby with cashiers was corner of 50th and 7th Ave. Today that lobby is a TGIF restaurant. Somewhere I saw a photo of it including the building behind, built on the spot where the Roxy once stood.
Richard
Ziggy – thanx – at last a picture of the Roxy rotunda that includes the concession stand where I worked as a teenager, age 16. It was 1950-1952. Of course the concession stand is not there yet, as you say the photo was taken just after the theater was built – in 1928? But many years later, when I came along, it was just to the right of that staircase, which led to the manager’s office. Further to the right can be seen the entrance to the restrooms below.
Have wanted for a long time to see a picture of that area of the rotunda. Brings back many youthful memories.
Thanx.
Richard
Does anyone know if the NEW ROXY was the theater formally known as the CENTER THEATER located within the Radio City comlex at about 6th Ave and 49th St. I saw an ice show there once as a kid about 1949 and it also was the theater where American Ballet Theatre made its debut in 1940 I believe. Around during the early 50s, Kate Smith, a popular singer of that period famous for “God Bless America” – did her weekly TV show from there. I’m curious why a NEW Roxy when the REAL Roxy was still present.
Richard
Warren
Where on earth did you find that “take home program” from the Roxy?
It makes me want so much to take a look inside to see what’s printed there there. Do you have the COMPLETE program or just the cover?
You say it gradually diminished in size and content over the years.
When I worked there in 1951 on the candy concession in the rotunda I don’t remember ever seeing printed programs, but as I was just a kid I maybe just didn’t take notice. I’m so glad you’re sharing some of this with us. Thanx.
Richard Holden
Re: ALL ABOUT EVE. I’m not sure the exact date it opened at the Roxy but as I was working there at the time I remember it was quite a cold day so most likely sometime in October 1950. They had closed the theater all day for cleaning as all the celebreties were to arrive in the evening. Search lights were beaming all over the Manhattan sky when I went in to work. It was quite an occasion. Being a teenager, my job was selling candy on the concession stand in the main Rotunda so I couldn’t get a chance to see the film until much later, maybe on my day off. I just watched All About Eve on DVD and it brought back those memories. A great film, a great cast.
Richard Holden
I actually worked at the Roxy from 1949 to 1951. I was a young man of 19. At first I wanted a job as a dancer because the Roxyettes also had their dancing Escorts of about 8 young men. But I was too short and couldn’t tap dance, which was a requirement. So I ended up as a usher. That only lasted a couple weeks before they put me on the candy stand full time. My hours were from 5 to 10 PM with an hour off for dinner at 6. That was because they wanted you back by 7 when the masses of patrons started coming in. Thet would be 4 or 5 deep at the candy stand, all demanding this and that and often very rude. But we learned to ignore that and do our job. I think I was paid $28 a week. Ushers got even less. Most were student actors, singers, dancers, as I was. During the day we could take classes and attend Broadway auditions. George Maharis was an usher at that time. He sometimes came to watch me in dance class. Later he became a very famous movie star. I read someplace that in the beginning, Mr. Roxy [Sam Rothafel] wanted all his employees to be ‘characters’, even those of lower standing. The tradition must have continued until my time there. I remember one usher who took it upon himself to perform his acrobatic stunts in front of lines of waiting patrons.
The Chief Quartermaster was a dwarf. Patrons would look in astonishment as he paraded around like a Palace Guard. My uniform must have been copied after the Imperial guards of the Russian Tsar.
Many gold buttons and a small case attached to a shoulder strap. I never knew what it was for. When I went out on some errand – like to the Stage Deli to get a sandwich for the manager, I wore a flowing cape and carried a basket. I must have been quite a sight walking down Broadway in that get-up.
I remember the premiere of “All About Eve” when they closed the theater for the entire day to get it ready for all the celebreties and movie stars that came that evening. I didn’t see many of the shows. After a full day of classes and auditions followed by an
evening selling candy, all I wanted to do was to go home.
The view from my spotlighted candy stand was the giant ‘Rotunda" before me. It had an immense, circular carpet that we employees were not allowed to walk on. We had to circle around it. Above was a gigantic chandelier that must have weighed tons. Surrounding it all were marble statues and paintings. I don’t think many of the patrons realized what a magnificent Palace they were in. To my right was the staircase leading to the Loges, and also the manager’s office. On my left were stairs leading to the luxurous rest rooms below. High above was a small window where another, smaller candy stand was located in the upper balcony. I sometimes worked there as well. If you look at the well known picture of Gloria Swanson standing in the Rotunda while the Roxy was being demolished, you can see that window above. Each evening at 10 was when I closed the candy stand and counted and wrapped the money for the next day.
I read in another posting that the usher’s locker room was part of the Taft Hotel, above the outer foyer containing the box offices.
No, it wasn’t. I remember taking an elevator at the service entrance on 50th street, up to probably the 5th floor, walking down a long hallway past the infirmery, a small usher’s lounge, the quartermaster’s office, down a flight of stiars and past the dry cleaner. The locker room also had a small resting lounge and showers.
I eventually became a professional dancer, choreographer and writer, but I shall always remember those early years being a very small part of that glamourous place.
These photos are really tragic reminders, especially to those of us who were a part of the Roxy as youngsters. I didn’t know any such photos existed and it is both wonderful and yet sad to have them to view. They went straight into my documents to view again and again. They show exact spots in the theater that I can still remember from the period of 1950-51 when I worked there. I wonder how long did the destruction go on as it was a massive pile. Thankyou lost memory.
I don’t know much about projectionists but having been in theater all my life as a performer, I would assume there would be intercommunication between backstage and the projection booth. Backstage is always supervised by the stage manager, with his or her crew of stage hands. The Roxy would have had a full compliment of backstage personel.
Richka
Hi Frank,
I also worked at the Roxy at the same time as you, 1950/51. Not as an usher but on the concession stand in the Rotunda. Also, sometimes at the smaller candy stand in the balcony foyer. Perhaps you remember me. We no doubt have many memories to share of those youthful days.
Richard
What a wonderful quote, and so true!
Simon, I WAS referring to the grand staircase, seen above, not the lower staircase that you’re referring to. That one led to the manager Mr. Katz and his assistant manager’s offices and loge. Maybe not in your time there, but looking at the picture, the concession stand was to the right of that. And there was even another smaller one in the balcony at the top of that grand staircase by the small window, seen in the Gloria Swanson picture of her standing in the rubble in 1961. Mr. Levy was the concessions manager. I worked there for nearly 3 years in the early 1950s so I ought to know. It must be that you worked there a bit later. Regarding the usher doing cartwheels, as I said, he was not
your regular usher but an extremely flamboyant fellow and discipline might have been a bit relaxed during a peak time when hundreds of patrons were standing on the grand staircase. It was only once I saw him do that. It’s nice to share our memories.
Memories of the Rotunda – from someone who was there. About these photos – they are wonderful to have, especially the first one. I may have posted it before here on this site, or perhaps somewhere else, but this first picture shows the location of the yet to be concession stand just to the right of that staircase leading to the loges and manager’s office. I don’t know when the concession stand was put in that location as it was many, many years later – not too many years before the theater was demolished, when I worked there selling candy as a 16 year old. From my viewpoint there I could look up at the two ton chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The giant Rotunda (we were not
allowed to call it a lobby) had a circular carpet that we employees
were not even allowed to walk on so I had to walk around it to and from my post at the candy stand. The circular staircase that you see
often was filled with masses of people waiting for seats in the
upper balconies. One rather flamboyant usher would often entertain
those hundreds of waiting patrons by doing his acrobatic tricks,
cartwheeling up and down that grand stair case and finishing with a
full split, to the patron’s amazement and applause! I have so many youthful memories of this theater, some good, some bad.
Someone a while back was asking about where entrances to Roxy Theater were located. Apart from the Box offices on the corner of 7th Ave. and 50th Street, there were three other entrances. 153 West 50th was a door just a bit further East on 50th that had a service desk inside and an elevator to upper floors including Executive Offices at the top floor. It was the entrance for all front of house employees. Around the corner on 51st Street was the stage door for all performers as well as the scene dock used for loading stage scenery, animals, etc. leading directly to the stage.
Oops Warren – have I done something wrong? I didn’t mean to divert any attention away from the great Roxy Theater but thought this site could be about about movie palaces in general because there ARE postings here about other theaters, apart from the Roxy. Especially because it may be interesting that a former movie palace has had a re-birth – a bit unusual these days.
I stand corrected.
Richka
For anyone interested in movie palaces that have had a recent re-birth: In Tucson, Arizona where I live, stands The Fox Theatre, Tucson’s only movie palace of the past. [Now of course, Tucson cinemas are all located in the malls or in multi cine-plexes.] The Fox saw its heyday between 1930 and 1945 – so I’ve read – and showed films primarily, but also offered live entertainment – probably vaudeville – until it closed in 1974.
Within the last 3 years it has had a remarkable, multi-million dollar re-construction to exactly the way it was in 1930, in the art-deco style and with the stage enlarged with modern stage equipment so as to be able to present touring stage productions.
I moved to Tucson in 1987 so I never saw the Fox when it was active, even in its last days, but when it re-opened I attended a stage production there and also live TV broadcasts direct from Lincoln Center shown on its screen. Now, when you drive through downtown Tucson it’s nice to see the old fashoned marquee with lights on – the way they must have been during that period of long ago.
Richka
Richka
Here’s egg on my face! I should have read Simon L’s posting more carefully. Seached it on IMDB and “D Day the 6th of June” is a movie released in 1956, so that’s what he is referring to.
Ziggy – Of course, any time. Cinema Treasures database gives a list of members. I believe – with email addresses. Or look further on my website and you should find mine. I drive through Gallop occasionally en-route to Santa Fe.
Richard
SimonL. Surely you didn’t mean D Day, 6th of June! That was 1944. Films you mention, i.e., King and I, Bus Stop, etc. played the Roxy in 1956. That must be the year you worked there. Am I right?
Richard
Thanx for your interest Ziggy. To answer your question, I was a dancer – all forms but mainly strenuous Russian, you know, squatting while kicking out legs, leaping and touching toes in air, that sort of thing. Retired from it only 5 years ago. Truly, dancing keeps you young and agile.
Back as a kid, when I first went to Roxy and told the interviewer I was a dancer [i wasn’t, I was only a student]she sent me backstage but I got cold feet as the men who danced with the Roxyettes were all older than I [i was only 16 so underage]and at that time didn’t know tap dancing which was a requirement. Besides being on
the short side. So I was sent to Mr. Levy who was manager of the concession stands. That’s how it started. If you’re interested, my website is www.richka.com It has many links.
Back to the Roxy. I just won a literary competition prize from Theater Historical Society for a long piece I recently wrote about The Roxy and my experiences there. It will soon be published in their quarterly magazine, MARQUEE.
Yes, now semi retired, living in Tucson, Arizona and very involved in cultural events. I’m sure all this is more than you wanted to
know. Thanx for your interest.
Richard
Hi Ziggy – that’s a very good question. As a 16/17 year old I guess I thought of it mainly as a job. At least better than running a hotel elevator or in a drug store or other things that teenage boys do. I think I was paid $28 a week – ushers got far less. But yes, in a way it was kinda glamourous. Like many of the other boys there at that time, I was taking classes and trying to break into show biz – auditions and such. Now, in my declining years I regret that I didn’t take the opportunity then to investigate the actual theater more as it certainly was a magnificent structure. I did occasionally wander backstage and talked with some of the dancing Roxyettes or their Escorts. Once even ran an errand for Danny Kaye who was a
headliner and also Ima Sumac, an exotic Peruvian singer of the period.
My reaction when it was torn down? I was in Europe at the time so
didn’t notice but I think would have been saddened.
Since that time of long ago I’ve performed in theaters all over the world but the Roxy is still very much fixed in my memory as first humble steps into show biz. Quite honestly, it means much more to me now than it did then.
Thanx for asking.
Richard
Another memory. Besides the rotunda concesson stand there was a smaller one in the balcony foyer. Sometimes I worked there as well. The long grand staircase led up to it. Sometimes at peak periods there would be long lines of patrons waiting on this staircase. From my vantage point I could look out a small window to the rotunda below and also see the full curve of the grand staircase. There was one usher I remember who would entertain the waiting crowds with his acrobatic tricks: cartwheeling up and down the grand staircase and finishing with a full split. The waiting patrons always laughed and applauded.
The outer lobby with cashiers was corner of 50th and 7th Ave. Today that lobby is a TGIF restaurant. Somewhere I saw a photo of it including the building behind, built on the spot where the Roxy once stood.
Richard
Ziggy – thanx – at last a picture of the Roxy rotunda that includes the concession stand where I worked as a teenager, age 16. It was 1950-1952. Of course the concession stand is not there yet, as you say the photo was taken just after the theater was built – in 1928? But many years later, when I came along, it was just to the right of that staircase, which led to the manager’s office. Further to the right can be seen the entrance to the restrooms below.
Have wanted for a long time to see a picture of that area of the rotunda. Brings back many youthful memories.
Thanx.
Richard
Does anyone know if the NEW ROXY was the theater formally known as the CENTER THEATER located within the Radio City comlex at about 6th Ave and 49th St. I saw an ice show there once as a kid about 1949 and it also was the theater where American Ballet Theatre made its debut in 1940 I believe. Around during the early 50s, Kate Smith, a popular singer of that period famous for “God Bless America” – did her weekly TV show from there. I’m curious why a NEW Roxy when the REAL Roxy was still present.
Richard
Warren
Where on earth did you find that “take home program” from the Roxy?
It makes me want so much to take a look inside to see what’s printed there there. Do you have the COMPLETE program or just the cover?
You say it gradually diminished in size and content over the years.
When I worked there in 1951 on the candy concession in the rotunda I don’t remember ever seeing printed programs, but as I was just a kid I maybe just didn’t take notice. I’m so glad you’re sharing some of this with us. Thanx.
Richard Holden
Re: ALL ABOUT EVE. I’m not sure the exact date it opened at the Roxy but as I was working there at the time I remember it was quite a cold day so most likely sometime in October 1950. They had closed the theater all day for cleaning as all the celebreties were to arrive in the evening. Search lights were beaming all over the Manhattan sky when I went in to work. It was quite an occasion. Being a teenager, my job was selling candy on the concession stand in the main Rotunda so I couldn’t get a chance to see the film until much later, maybe on my day off. I just watched All About Eve on DVD and it brought back those memories. A great film, a great cast.
Richard Holden
I just enetered a posting but forgot to mention my email address in case anyone wishes to comment. It is
Thanx
Richard Holden
I actually worked at the Roxy from 1949 to 1951. I was a young man of 19. At first I wanted a job as a dancer because the Roxyettes also had their dancing Escorts of about 8 young men. But I was too short and couldn’t tap dance, which was a requirement. So I ended up as a usher. That only lasted a couple weeks before they put me on the candy stand full time. My hours were from 5 to 10 PM with an hour off for dinner at 6. That was because they wanted you back by 7 when the masses of patrons started coming in. Thet would be 4 or 5 deep at the candy stand, all demanding this and that and often very rude. But we learned to ignore that and do our job. I think I was paid $28 a week. Ushers got even less. Most were student actors, singers, dancers, as I was. During the day we could take classes and attend Broadway auditions. George Maharis was an usher at that time. He sometimes came to watch me in dance class. Later he became a very famous movie star. I read someplace that in the beginning, Mr. Roxy [Sam Rothafel] wanted all his employees to be ‘characters’, even those of lower standing. The tradition must have continued until my time there. I remember one usher who took it upon himself to perform his acrobatic stunts in front of lines of waiting patrons.
The Chief Quartermaster was a dwarf. Patrons would look in astonishment as he paraded around like a Palace Guard. My uniform must have been copied after the Imperial guards of the Russian Tsar.
Many gold buttons and a small case attached to a shoulder strap. I never knew what it was for. When I went out on some errand – like to the Stage Deli to get a sandwich for the manager, I wore a flowing cape and carried a basket. I must have been quite a sight walking down Broadway in that get-up.
I remember the premiere of “All About Eve” when they closed the theater for the entire day to get it ready for all the celebreties and movie stars that came that evening. I didn’t see many of the shows. After a full day of classes and auditions followed by an
evening selling candy, all I wanted to do was to go home.
The view from my spotlighted candy stand was the giant ‘Rotunda" before me. It had an immense, circular carpet that we employees were not allowed to walk on. We had to circle around it. Above was a gigantic chandelier that must have weighed tons. Surrounding it all were marble statues and paintings. I don’t think many of the patrons realized what a magnificent Palace they were in. To my right was the staircase leading to the Loges, and also the manager’s office. On my left were stairs leading to the luxurous rest rooms below. High above was a small window where another, smaller candy stand was located in the upper balcony. I sometimes worked there as well. If you look at the well known picture of Gloria Swanson standing in the Rotunda while the Roxy was being demolished, you can see that window above. Each evening at 10 was when I closed the candy stand and counted and wrapped the money for the next day.
I read in another posting that the usher’s locker room was part of the Taft Hotel, above the outer foyer containing the box offices.
No, it wasn’t. I remember taking an elevator at the service entrance on 50th street, up to probably the 5th floor, walking down a long hallway past the infirmery, a small usher’s lounge, the quartermaster’s office, down a flight of stiars and past the dry cleaner. The locker room also had a small resting lounge and showers.
I eventually became a professional dancer, choreographer and writer, but I shall always remember those early years being a very small part of that glamourous place.