A mention in the travel section of The New York Times of 12/22/2019 reports this as “Bio Rio, a single-screen art-house cinema from the 1940s that opened a revamped bar and bistro in September.” An award-winning bartender, Josephine Sondlo, is currently resident. Website
here
Festivities at both the Paramount and Rivoli were covered by local TV stations. Bottom left photo shows Paramount Pictures President Barney Balaban and wife being welcomed. Buddy Rogers and wife Mary Pickford in center photo.
Cinemas in all five NYC boroughs that sold tickets to unaccompanied children were required by law to seat them in a reserved section under the supervision of a licensed matron.
MGM was also represented in that year’s Christmas Holiday Show at Radio City Music Hall, which had the Greer Garson-Walter Pidgeon drama, “Madame Curie,” on screen.
The ad promised a “Continuous 3 Hour Stage & Screen Show,” but didn’t specify the movie offerings, which were probably a “B” feature and/or short subjects.
Based on Terrence Rattigan’s play, “A Bequest to the Nation,” the historical epic was re-titled for its USA release. Ian Holm and Zoe Caldwell starred in the original stage version in London’s West End in 1970. But who would ever forget Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh as Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton in the 1940 classic that Winston Churchill proclaimed his favorite film of that war torn period?
An abundance of vintage film coverage of the 1939 premiere can be viewed on the internet, including some from MGM’s “News of the Day”
newsreel. Click here
Not included in this ad for North Queens were three other Loew’s in that borough: the Valencia and Hillside in Jamaica, and the Willard in Woodhaven. The Astoria had been unprofitable since the opening of the nearby Triboro, and was eventually sublet by Loew’s to Skouras Theatres in a “pooling” deal which benefited both circuits.
Opened on December 19th, 1940, with “No, No, Nanette” on screen. A week later, the RKO musical was replaced by “The Philadelphia Story,” which continued with the Christmas stage show through December 29th. Just in time for New Year observances, the MGM release received all-new stage support on December 30th with “Pan-Americana,” a spectacular tribute to “the republics below the Rio Grande.”
As a Depression measure, the Paramount had suspended “live” presentations except for overtures and intermissions performed by the resident orchestra and/or organist.
Vintage trade journals report the 1924 opening in Cadiz of the Community Theatre, which had Hubert L. Wardner as architect and Emerson W. Long as owner. The Community, which had 850 seats, was designed not only for movies but also for vaudeville and road companies of stage plays. The 1957 edition of Film Daily Year Book has the Community Theatre still open, with a seating capacity of 590 and address of 111 Main Street.
In addition to current attractions at the Astor and Victoria, 45th Street corner plugged “The Outlaw” at the Broadway Theatre, and 46th Street corner of the roof announced “Unconquered” coming to the Rivoli.
On the Sunday that precipitated the USA’s entry into WWII, the Kings was presenting a B&W double bill from Columbia Pictures of “You’ll Never Get Rich” and “Ladies in Retirement.”
MGM’s Technicolor musical opened on the same day as that studio’s Esther Williams splasher, “This Time for Keeps,” which was part of the Capitol Theatre’s holiday offering. Ad displayed here
MGM’s Technicolor musical debuted on the same day as that studio’s “Good News,” which was part of the holiday offering at Radio City Music Hall. Ad displayed here
A mention in the travel section of The New York Times of 12/22/2019 reports this as “Bio Rio, a single-screen art-house cinema from the 1940s that opened a revamped bar and bistro in September.” An award-winning bartender, Josephine Sondlo, is currently resident. Website here
An ad for that dual engagement can be viewed here
Festivities at both the Paramount and Rivoli were covered by local TV stations. Bottom left photo shows Paramount Pictures President Barney Balaban and wife being welcomed. Buddy Rogers and wife Mary Pickford in center photo.
Cinemas in all five NYC boroughs that sold tickets to unaccompanied children were required by law to seat them in a reserved section under the supervision of a licensed matron.
Selling reserved seats for as far in advance as next Easter Week (April 13th-21st, 1968).
MGM was also represented in that year’s Christmas Holiday Show at Radio City Music Hall, which had the Greer Garson-Walter Pidgeon drama, “Madame Curie,” on screen.
The ad promised a “Continuous 3 Hour Stage & Screen Show,” but didn’t specify the movie offerings, which were probably a “B” feature and/or short subjects.
Based on Terrence Rattigan’s play, “A Bequest to the Nation,” the historical epic was re-titled for its USA release. Ian Holm and Zoe Caldwell starred in the original stage version in London’s West End in 1970. But who would ever forget Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh as Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton in the 1940 classic that Winston Churchill proclaimed his favorite film of that war torn period?
Some brief silent coverage in FULL COLOR of the 1939 world premiere can be viewed here
An abundance of vintage film coverage of the 1939 premiere can be viewed on the internet, including some from MGM’s “News of the Day” newsreel. Click here
A copy of the ad, plus two cents, would admit one person during weekday matinees.
Remembering the 80th anniversary today of the world premiere of “Gone With the Wind” at Loew’s Grand Theatre on December 15th, 1939. Ad displayed here
The stage show included the Broadway debut of 20-year-old Ruth Jones, now using the professional name of Dinah Washington.
Not included in this ad for North Queens were three other Loew’s in that borough: the Valencia and Hillside in Jamaica, and the Willard in Woodhaven. The Astoria had been unprofitable since the opening of the nearby Triboro, and was eventually sublet by Loew’s to Skouras Theatres in a “pooling” deal which benefited both circuits.
Opened on December 19th, 1940, with “No, No, Nanette” on screen. A week later, the RKO musical was replaced by “The Philadelphia Story,” which continued with the Christmas stage show through December 29th. Just in time for New Year observances, the MGM release received all-new stage support on December 30th with “Pan-Americana,” a spectacular tribute to “the republics below the Rio Grande.”
Photos of opening night benefit for The Actors' Studio displayed here
As a Depression measure, the Paramount had suspended “live” presentations except for overtures and intermissions performed by the resident orchestra and/or organist.
“Dumbo” was a reissue of the 1941 release.
Vintage trade journals report the 1924 opening in Cadiz of the Community Theatre, which had Hubert L. Wardner as architect and Emerson W. Long as owner. The Community, which had 850 seats, was designed not only for movies but also for vaudeville and road companies of stage plays. The 1957 edition of Film Daily Year Book has the Community Theatre still open, with a seating capacity of 590 and address of 111 Main Street.
Born as Arthur Arshawsky, the bandleader would soon change his professional name to Artie Shaw with the formation of a full-fledged orchestra.
In addition to current attractions at the Astor and Victoria, 45th Street corner plugged “The Outlaw” at the Broadway Theatre, and 46th Street corner of the roof announced “Unconquered” coming to the Rivoli.
On the Sunday that precipitated the USA’s entry into WWII, the Kings was presenting a B&W double bill from Columbia Pictures of “You’ll Never Get Rich” and “Ladies in Retirement.”
MGM’s Technicolor musical opened on the same day as that studio’s Esther Williams splasher, “This Time for Keeps,” which was part of the Capitol Theatre’s holiday offering. Ad displayed here
MGM’s Technicolor musical debuted on the same day as that studio’s “Good News,” which was part of the holiday offering at Radio City Music Hall. Ad displayed here
Grand Lobby was inspired by that of the Paris Opera House.