I’m not arguing with anyone, and I certainly don’t have personal experience to go by. But the histories I’ve read do say that in the first years of the depression movie theatres were scrambling for income. That’s why bargain seats and double features and other tricks were tried to get people to get out and buy a ticket. If I’m wrong it’s because I only know what others have told me. I know that even the huge theatres in NYC (such as the Roxy and the Paramount) hand to tighten their belts. Jesse Crawford resigned from the Paramount over a dispute involving a salary cut.
My grandfather was employed by Kodak, and he kept his job through the depression too. But all that means is that the budget axe never fell in his direction.
My grandfather was a custodian during the depression, and he was never out of work either, but that doesn’t mean the company he worked for (Kodak) wasn’t suffering.
Hello jcpantano. I’d be interested in seeing the article, and I’m sure dozens of others would be too. I don’t know how to post things on this site either, but you could contact the hosts and ask them, or click on “add theatres, news, or links” from the menu at the top, and see if that helps you.
If I remember correctly, “King Kong” played at the Music Hall and the Center Theatre (which may have still been the RKO Roxy at that point)simultaneously. That means roughly 9,000 seats were available for every show! At that rate it’s pretty amazing it had a two week run.
I was watching an episode of “The Honeymooners” last night. There was one scene where Ralph and Norton were in a Park Avenue apartment, which prompted Norton to comment that it was “almost as pretty as the lobby of Loew’s Pitkin!”
Patsy, I have another possible explanation, and I wouldn’t bring this up except for the fact that I’ve done it myself. After my first visit to the Landmark in Syracuse (it was still the “Loew’s State”) I very distinctly remembered the dome in the lobby being gold leafed. I mean I was 100% positive that the main dome in the lobby ceiling was absolutely gold leafed. When I went back for a 2nd visit, imagine my surprise to fine that the dome was painted in various colors and in oriental patterns! Maybe your memory is playing tricks on you?
Are you sure about the organ being white? I saw the organ in October of 2008 and it looked as it does in the photos, crimson with gold details. Very flashy and appropriate for the theatre it was in. Maybe they were doing a repaint and you saw it with the primer? I’m just trying to figure how it could go from crimson in October to white in December, and back to crimson again.
How gratifying to see such a large number of events listed on the marquee!
A couple of summers ago I was walking past the Landmark Theatre (I almost typed “Loew’s State” since that’s still how I think of it) and the marquee had its soffit removed, possible for repairs. What was exposed was the arched soffit of the original marquee, still intact! It would be great to see the marquee restored to its original appearance, and to have the vertical sign replicated as was done with Shea’s Buffalo
Hello REndres, I just wanted to say thank you for your lengthy and informative reply. Too bad about the footage of the Center Theatre, was it footage about its re-opening as the Center, or about its original opening as the RKO Roxy?
While I’m here, please accept my sincere wishes for a Merry Christmas, and I only wish I could be up in NYC myself.
This is to REndres. If you are interested in finding a home for the footage shot by Leonidoff you might consider the International Museum of Photography in Rochester, NY.. The have a vast film collection and they have storage vaults designed for the preservation of old films. As a plus, the films might actually get an occasional showing at the Dryden, which is their auditorium.
You’re welcome, but I want to thank Mr. Racioppo for putting the photo on the web. I just wish I could have been looking over his shoulder when he took it.
ken mc, the photo you posted on April 17 is actually of the Oriental Theatre in Chicago. Great photo, but wrong page.
I’m not arguing with anyone, and I certainly don’t have personal experience to go by. But the histories I’ve read do say that in the first years of the depression movie theatres were scrambling for income. That’s why bargain seats and double features and other tricks were tried to get people to get out and buy a ticket. If I’m wrong it’s because I only know what others have told me. I know that even the huge theatres in NYC (such as the Roxy and the Paramount) hand to tighten their belts. Jesse Crawford resigned from the Paramount over a dispute involving a salary cut.
My grandfather was employed by Kodak, and he kept his job through the depression too. But all that means is that the budget axe never fell in his direction.
My grandfather was a custodian during the depression, and he was never out of work either, but that doesn’t mean the company he worked for (Kodak) wasn’t suffering.
Scott’s comment (above) is right on. Ticket sales for movies were down by a whopping 50% in the first years of the depression.
View link
This link will take you to a postcard view (being sold on ebay) of the Rivoli’s proscenium.
By the way, Mr. Rothafel’s first name was “Samuel” not “Roxy”.
Actually, I think if Mr. Rothafel were still alive today he would probably shoot himself.
“Million Dollar Mermaid” is my favorite Esther Williams movie! Oh to have seen it at Radio City Music Hall along with the Christmas show!
Hello jcpantano. I’d be interested in seeing the article, and I’m sure dozens of others would be too. I don’t know how to post things on this site either, but you could contact the hosts and ask them, or click on “add theatres, news, or links” from the menu at the top, and see if that helps you.
Thanks Bway. One of those is the same one I posted back in December, but it’s nice to see them again.
If I remember correctly, “King Kong” played at the Music Hall and the Center Theatre (which may have still been the RKO Roxy at that point)simultaneously. That means roughly 9,000 seats were available for every show! At that rate it’s pretty amazing it had a two week run.
I’m on a PC. I’ll just have to try a library computer, or a friend’s, and see what happens.
Nope. I get nothing. Guess I’ll have to look on someone else’s computer. Thanks for the help anyway.
I don’t get a picture when I click on the link, just a paragraph about the theatre. How do I get to view the photo?
I was watching an episode of “The Honeymooners” last night. There was one scene where Ralph and Norton were in a Park Avenue apartment, which prompted Norton to comment that it was “almost as pretty as the lobby of Loew’s Pitkin!”
Of course, Norton pronounced Loew’s “Loweez”
Will, I always thought the cobwebs were more of an ash color than simply gray. Please explain? ;–)
Patsy, I have another possible explanation, and I wouldn’t bring this up except for the fact that I’ve done it myself. After my first visit to the Landmark in Syracuse (it was still the “Loew’s State”) I very distinctly remembered the dome in the lobby being gold leafed. I mean I was 100% positive that the main dome in the lobby ceiling was absolutely gold leafed. When I went back for a 2nd visit, imagine my surprise to fine that the dome was painted in various colors and in oriental patterns! Maybe your memory is playing tricks on you?
Hi Patsy,
Are you sure about the organ being white? I saw the organ in October of 2008 and it looked as it does in the photos, crimson with gold details. Very flashy and appropriate for the theatre it was in. Maybe they were doing a repaint and you saw it with the primer? I’m just trying to figure how it could go from crimson in October to white in December, and back to crimson again.
Wow! I think it looks great! Every bit as colorful and glamourous as it should be.
I don’t get it. It says the national nightmare is almost over, yet the inaugeration is just a week away. Shouldn’t it say it’s just about to start??
How gratifying to see such a large number of events listed on the marquee!
A couple of summers ago I was walking past the Landmark Theatre (I almost typed “Loew’s State” since that’s still how I think of it) and the marquee had its soffit removed, possible for repairs. What was exposed was the arched soffit of the original marquee, still intact! It would be great to see the marquee restored to its original appearance, and to have the vertical sign replicated as was done with Shea’s Buffalo
What a shame.
Hello REndres, I just wanted to say thank you for your lengthy and informative reply. Too bad about the footage of the Center Theatre, was it footage about its re-opening as the Center, or about its original opening as the RKO Roxy?
While I’m here, please accept my sincere wishes for a Merry Christmas, and I only wish I could be up in NYC myself.
This is to REndres. If you are interested in finding a home for the footage shot by Leonidoff you might consider the International Museum of Photography in Rochester, NY.. The have a vast film collection and they have storage vaults designed for the preservation of old films. As a plus, the films might actually get an occasional showing at the Dryden, which is their auditorium.
You’re welcome, but I want to thank Mr. Racioppo for putting the photo on the web. I just wish I could have been looking over his shoulder when he took it.
My apologies if this has already been posted, but this website has a photo of the ruinous interior of the Pitkin.
View link