Fox Theatre
527 N. Grand Boulevard,
St. Louis,
MO
63103
527 N. Grand Boulevard,
St. Louis,
MO
63103
32 people
favorited this theater
Opened in 1929, the St Louis Fox Theatre and its twin in Detroit were intended to be the Fox studio’s flagship Midwest theatres. Built in an exotic Siamese-Byzantine style, the St. Louis Fox Theatre alone cost nearly $5 million, at that time an outrageously huge sum for a movie theatre.
In the lobby, a pair of huge golden griffons flanked the grand staircase, and deep red faux marble columns ringed the mezzanine level. From every corner statuary peeked out—including a group of large gilt maharajahs. The cavernous auditorium was spectacular in scope, dramatic in its lighting and swirling decor, and when the Governor of Missouri appeared on its stage on opening night to dedicate it, he was nearly at a loss for words.
From the 1930’s through the 1950’s, not only did the Fox Theatre host gala movie openings, like 1957’s “The Spirit of St Louis” starring James Stewart, but was host to elaborate stage shows, and big-name entertainers, like Nat King Cole. But by the 1960’s, the theatre was reduced to screening kung fu epics to half-empty houses.
In 1981, the Fabulous Fox, not so fabulous after years of decline, was renovated in a year-long, $2 million renovation. Improvements were made to the sound and lighting systems, dressing rooms, and stage.
The St. Louis Fox Theatre is now host to concerts and Broadway shows and is more successful today than at any other time in its history.
Contributed by
Paul Salley, Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 150 comments)
Great info. Still too bad the roof sign is not restored yet! That would make the exterior restoration compltet!!
At last I visited the St Louis FOX on 3/2/10. A fabulous place in every way, one of the most magnificent theaters in America.
Many have said the FOX St Louis and the FOX Detroit are twins. Not quite. The Detroit FOX is 500 seats (11%) larger, and the designs are similar (generally) but there are many differences — as befits the work of outstanding architects. But where the Detroit FOX excels is that an $8 million restoration, thanks to Little Caesar’s pizza, has restored ALL the beautiful details to “like new” sparkling condition. The St Louis FOX only had $2 million to spend, and $6 million definitely makes a difference. So Detroit wins for a change.
No matter. A visit to either is a wonderful experience.
Interesting history.
When the Detroit and St. Louis Foxes were built, the plans were identical, the only differences being the Detroit Fox had 6 more seats (5,048 to 5,042) and the front facade was different (The Detroit Fox has a large office tower fronting the auditorium). The St. Louis fox lost more seats during their renovation, but originally they were the same layout. I’m very happy both have been restored.
The reduction of seating capacity to the current level took place in 1960 while the theatre was still operating as a movie house.
Was also a concert venue for rock shows. The Grateful Dead played here on 2/2/70, 3/17-3/18, 12/9-10,‘71 and 10/17-19, 1972.
My mom worked there as a teenager in the 60s. It was in the movie “Escape from New York.” When I was in filmschool I drove up from Nashville and shot a documentary of the FOX for my production project. It’s my favorite theater ever. Best experience there was seeing Andrew Lloyd Webbers Phantom of the Opera w/my wife and family. I love the FOX. Wished I could drive up there every year to see a show. Would love to have seen an actually movie there.
The news paper stated that the Fox would go dark for seven weeks for extensive interior and exterior work. Does anyone know if this work is completed?
The Fox was recently featured on the opening season for “America’s Got Talent.” Nice shots of the exterior and interior as people arrived for auditions for the reality show.
Nice publicity!