The Technicolor epic replaced “Gone With the Wind,” which the Capitol had presented at roadshow prices but with continuous performances. “GWTW” continued as a reserved-seat roadshow at the Astor, while also starting its first bookings at Loew’s neighborhood theatres at roadshow prices.
Columbia later turned the B&W comedy into a CinemaScope and color musical as “Three For the Show,” with Betty Grable, Jack Lemmon, and Gower Champion topping the cast.
Sadly, the Roxy closed forever on March 19th, 1960, just eight days after the 33rd anniversary of its grand opening. Its final first-run feature, “The Wind Cannot Read,” was presented without stage support.
Benjamin Mellniker, who joined Loew’s as an usher at the Kings Theatre and eventually became its chief legal counsel, has died at age 104. More details here
This was the first and only time that the two Radio City showplaces were booked simultaneously with the same movie. Both also presented spectacular stage shows inspired by the film’s jungle scenes.
After a decline into sub-run double features, the Central started a new policy with a weekly program change every Saturday. A new feature thriller was supported by the latest episode of Republic’s “Dick Tracy” serial.
Two months earlier, on December 9th, 1944, Laird Cregar, top-billed star of the B&W melodrama, died of a heart attack at age 31. Crash-dieting with amphetamines was rumored to be the cause.
Starting with “Mogambo” in October, 1953, MGM had eight consecutive bookings at the Showplace of the Nation. “The Long, Long Trailer” was the current screen attraction.
The B&W melodrama was based on Joseph Conrad’s “The Secret Agent,” the title of which had previously been used by Hitchcock for a Peter Lorre film. “The Woman Alone” was released in the United Kingdom as “Sabotage.” a title later used in the USA as well.
“Stolen Heaven” was having its first neighborhood release after a premiere engagement in the downtown “Loop.”
The Technicolor epic replaced “Gone With the Wind,” which the Capitol had presented at roadshow prices but with continuous performances. “GWTW” continued as a reserved-seat roadshow at the Astor, while also starting its first bookings at Loew’s neighborhood theatres at roadshow prices.
Columbia later turned the B&W comedy into a CinemaScope and color musical as “Three For the Show,” with Betty Grable, Jack Lemmon, and Gower Champion topping the cast.
Sadly, the Roxy closed forever on March 19th, 1960, just eight days after the 33rd anniversary of its grand opening. Its final first-run feature, “The Wind Cannot Read,” was presented without stage support.
This was a roadshow engagement, with two performances daily.
31st Street was known as Grand Avenue when the theatre opened, hence the name.
The Grand was adjacent to the first/last stop for an elevated subway line that still runs from Astoria and Long Island City into Manhattan.
The Capitol still had a “screen only” policy (1935-43), with priority given to MGM features and short subjects.
Benjamin Mellniker, who joined Loew’s as an usher at the Kings Theatre and eventually became its chief legal counsel, has died at age 104. More details here
The ground site is currently occupied by a tourist attraction known as Encounter Ocean Odyssey, which has a website here
White Plains listed in section with “Hollywood Canteen” as top feature.
23rd Street listed in section with “Hold That Ghost” as top feature.
Pelham listed in section with “Casablanca” as top feature.
The future Mayor of NYC is shown at center of crowd with left arm raised.
This was the first and only time that the two Radio City showplaces were booked simultaneously with the same movie. Both also presented spectacular stage shows inspired by the film’s jungle scenes.
After a decline into sub-run double features, the Central started a new policy with a weekly program change every Saturday. A new feature thriller was supported by the latest episode of Republic’s “Dick Tracy” serial.
Two months earlier, on December 9th, 1944, Laird Cregar, top-billed star of the B&W melodrama, died of a heart attack at age 31. Crash-dieting with amphetamines was rumored to be the cause.
Special booking for the Memorial Day holiday period of that year.
Starting with “Mogambo” in October, 1953, MGM had eight consecutive bookings at the Showplace of the Nation. “The Long, Long Trailer” was the current screen attraction.
Program included a new feature, a Chaplin classic that ran about 45 minutes, and stage presentation.
The B&W comedy was an immediate hit and is still considered a masterwork of its genre.
The B&W melodrama was based on Joseph Conrad’s “The Secret Agent,” the title of which had previously been used by Hitchcock for a Peter Lorre film. “The Woman Alone” was released in the United Kingdom as “Sabotage.” a title later used in the USA as well.
Stage show devised by Earl Carroll, returning to Broadway after the bankruptcy of his namesake theatre.
If you mean the trade journal Motion Picture News, yes! But depends on what theatres you’re interested in. Some might never have been covered.
Gilyon Amusement also operated the Palace Theatre in Corona and the Newtown in Elmhurst.