Fox Theatre
527 N. Grand Boulevard,
St. Louis,
MO
63103
527 N. Grand Boulevard,
St. Louis,
MO
63103
34 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 161 comments)
I took the St. Louis Fox tour in 2009. The guide said the current capacity was 4,000 seats after the restoration. That is still a huge theater. The place has been well-restored and is well-maintained. I would recommend the tour to any theater buff! (Alas, think what the San Francisco Fox would be like today if it had been preserved!)
I am not sure about this, but I read somewhere that the house box-office record for the Fox, when it was still showing films, was set by 20th’s THE ROBE. Anyone know the facts?
“The Robe” was not shown at the Fox but at the St. Louis up Grand Avenue.
Here’s a two-page trade ad for Roy Rogers & Trigger “live” on stage at the Fox Theatre in 1943: boxofficemagazine
Great photo.
We all grew up with the great TV cowboys. I even have a vintage black Hoppalong Cassidy cowgirl skirt with white fringe and my husband has the HC watch.
Repair of lobby ceiling described in this 1967 trade article: Boxoffice
Chances of the roof sign being restored can be laid to rest…the superstructure has been removed.
Didn’t realize the twin to this one is the Fox in Detroit!
After the production of “Anything Goes” closes June 9, the theatre will be closed for the summer as the ceiling is restored.