Stannorton: Which large Swanson photo do you have in your den? The blonde with both arms in the air above her head or a brunette with a feather boa being held through her arms? The dresses worn in both photos are the same and the background ruins of the Roxy are the same, but there is a difference in these 2 photos when you look at the figure of Swanson.
I’ve just been comparing what seems like 2 different Swanson/Roxy photos. The background is the same, but the photo of Swanson shows her as a brunette in one and as a younger appearing blonde in the other? The source of the 2 photos are 10/09/05 and 4/13/04 posts. Can someone explain?
“Roxy Theatre – World’s largest theatre; seats over 6,200; largest permanent symphony orchestra; colossal pipe organ; played by three organists; cathedral chime of 21 bells; permanent choral group; permanent ballet coprs and precision dancers, the Roxyettes; foyers and lobbies of unusual size and splendor; decorations of marvelous beauty. Magnificent stage shows. Finest talking pictures. News of the world in Fox Movietone. Refreshingly cooled in summer. Unique features of service, comfort and convenience. One of the famous show places of New York City and attended by visitors from all over the world.” After reading this it’s very hard to believe that the Roxy is no longer in NYC, the entertainment capital of the world!
Warren: Your post of Oct. 9th which shows the famous Swanson photo among the Roxy ruins just got printed out and will go on my refrigerator to remind me of what was in NYC. Thanks and I would love to know the story behind that photo..publicity shot or demolition story?
Below is an excerpt from How They Met by Joey Green which mentions the Roxy Theater and it’s connection to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
“Before dawn on November 30, 1940, Desi and Lucy eloped by driving from Pierre Hotel in NYC to Greenwich, CT with Desi’s agent and business manager to act as witnesses. Just across the state line in CT, the eager couple could avoid New York’s required waiting period and return to Manhattan, according to Desi’s calculations, in time for his noon performace at the Roxy Theatre. The blood tests, however, took longer than anticipated. Then Desi had to send his business manager into Woolworth’s to buy a brass ring for Lucy. The justice of the peace also slowed things down by insisting upon marrying the couple in a more romantic environment than his office, bringing them to the Bryam River Beagle Country Club to conduct the ceremony before a roaring fireplace. The couple then returned to NYC where Desi, having missed the first of his 5 performances, carried Lucy over the threshold of the Roxy Theater.”
This is a twinned theatre with a totally different concept..double decker rather than splitting the auditorium down the middle or using the balcony for a second cinema.
Just looked at the exterior photo with the marquee and vertical JEFFERSON sign which was there in the 40’s, but not today! I guess the 4 businessmen who bought the theatre and changed the name to THE CINEMA (now that’s creative) decided to make other changes, as well!
I would like to visit Roanoke as I’ve been to that city many years ago and remember the star on the hill overlooking the city and the beautiful neighborhoods. A future visit would include the Grandin this time around though!
Having said that I have since read that the church has completed many restoration aspects of the former theatre which includes work in the auditorium and lobby areas (re-lamping the chandelier) in 2004. In addition to this theatre being known as the Mark Hellinger Theatre it was also known as the 51st Street Theatre and the Warner Theatre. Is this Mark Hellinger still living?
ERD: “The key word is service. As entertaining as it may be, that is not the main goal-obviously. It still is a church. It would be nice someday to see the place return as a fully functional theatre as it was intended to be.” I have to say I agree with these comments after viewing the photos.
After finally finding and viewing the Hollywood (Hellinger) site as there were 2 Hollywood theatres listed for NYC I see that it was built by Warner though the architect was Thomas W. Lamb. The fact that this former theatre is now a church is quite interesting and I wonder if anyone can provide photos of the interior to see how the Times Square Church has changed it to accommodate their spiritual needs?
I found my way here through a bit of research and see that it was a Warner theatre! I would love to see how the church has changed the interior to fit their spiritual needs so perhaps a CT member can post a photo(s).
dyban: Great photos of the Palace on a nice sunny November day!
Stannorton: Which large Swanson photo do you have in your den? The blonde with both arms in the air above her head or a brunette with a feather boa being held through her arms? The dresses worn in both photos are the same and the background ruins of the Roxy are the same, but there is a difference in these 2 photos when you look at the figure of Swanson.
I’ve just been comparing what seems like 2 different Swanson/Roxy photos. The background is the same, but the photo of Swanson shows her as a brunette in one and as a younger appearing blonde in the other? The source of the 2 photos are 10/09/05 and 4/13/04 posts. Can someone explain?
“Roxy Theatre – World’s largest theatre; seats over 6,200; largest permanent symphony orchestra; colossal pipe organ; played by three organists; cathedral chime of 21 bells; permanent choral group; permanent ballet coprs and precision dancers, the Roxyettes; foyers and lobbies of unusual size and splendor; decorations of marvelous beauty. Magnificent stage shows. Finest talking pictures. News of the world in Fox Movietone. Refreshingly cooled in summer. Unique features of service, comfort and convenience. One of the famous show places of New York City and attended by visitors from all over the world.” After reading this it’s very hard to believe that the Roxy is no longer in NYC, the entertainment capital of the world!
Warren: Your post of Oct. 9th which shows the famous Swanson photo among the Roxy ruins just got printed out and will go on my refrigerator to remind me of what was in NYC. Thanks and I would love to know the story behind that photo..publicity shot or demolition story?
Bryan: On your post of May 20, 04 how does one find the 1930 photos of the balconies and proscenium arch on the link that you have provided? Thanks.
Did it have anything to do with a rivalry between RCMH and the Roxy. In one of the b/w photos on this site it looks like the Roxy was near RCMH?
Could someone tell me why the Roxy was torn down? I know there has been much written about the Roxy, but the why has always escaped me.
Below is an excerpt from How They Met by Joey Green which mentions the Roxy Theater and it’s connection to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
“Before dawn on November 30, 1940, Desi and Lucy eloped by driving from Pierre Hotel in NYC to Greenwich, CT with Desi’s agent and business manager to act as witnesses. Just across the state line in CT, the eager couple could avoid New York’s required waiting period and return to Manhattan, according to Desi’s calculations, in time for his noon performace at the Roxy Theatre. The blood tests, however, took longer than anticipated. Then Desi had to send his business manager into Woolworth’s to buy a brass ring for Lucy. The justice of the peace also slowed things down by insisting upon marrying the couple in a more romantic environment than his office, bringing them to the Bryam River Beagle Country Club to conduct the ceremony before a roaring fireplace. The couple then returned to NYC where Desi, having missed the first of his 5 performances, carried Lucy over the threshold of the Roxy Theater.”
Scott: Thanks for the correction and I look forward to seeing this theatre, in person, someday soon!
This is a twinned theatre with a totally different concept..double decker rather than splitting the auditorium down the middle or using the balcony for a second cinema.
And when was the decision to TWIN it made?
Just looked at the exterior photo with the marquee and vertical JEFFERSON sign which was there in the 40’s, but not today! I guess the 4 businessmen who bought the theatre and changed the name to THE CINEMA (now that’s creative) decided to make other changes, as well!
This atmospheric theatre is an Eberson and it’s been TWINNED? What a way to spoil and mess up an atmospheric theatre!
I would like to visit Roanoke as I’ve been to that city many years ago and remember the star on the hill overlooking the city and the beautiful neighborhoods. A future visit would include the Grandin this time around though!
William: Thanks for the Hellinger information…checked out the imdb site which I’m familiar with having looked up many celebrity names.
Having said that I have since read that the church has completed many restoration aspects of the former theatre which includes work in the auditorium and lobby areas (re-lamping the chandelier) in 2004. In addition to this theatre being known as the Mark Hellinger Theatre it was also known as the 51st Street Theatre and the Warner Theatre. Is this Mark Hellinger still living?
ERD: “The key word is service. As entertaining as it may be, that is not the main goal-obviously. It still is a church. It would be nice someday to see the place return as a fully functional theatre as it was intended to be.” I have to say I agree with these comments after viewing the photos.
http://www.timessquarechurch.org/about/
This is the official site for the church which shows a color photo of the auditorium with balcony during a service and a full house of worshipers.
And some wonderful photos of this theatre can be viewed on the Hollywood Theatre (Hellinger) site by CT member, “EdSolero” on 1/10/06.
Ed: Your 1/10/06 post with interior photos was wonderful to see and I thank you.
Two big names are associated with this theatre/church….Lamb and Warner!
Two big names are associated with this theatre/church….Warner and Lamb! Amen!
After finally finding and viewing the Hollywood (Hellinger) site as there were 2 Hollywood theatres listed for NYC I see that it was built by Warner though the architect was Thomas W. Lamb. The fact that this former theatre is now a church is quite interesting and I wonder if anyone can provide photos of the interior to see how the Times Square Church has changed it to accommodate their spiritual needs?
I found my way here through a bit of research and see that it was a Warner theatre! I would love to see how the church has changed the interior to fit their spiritual needs so perhaps a CT member can post a photo(s).