Previous Selznick productions shown at RCMH are listed in a rectangle adjacent to stage revue description. Simultaneously with the Astor, “GWTW” had also opened at the Capitol Theatre, but with continuous performances. That run ended to enable Loew’s circuit bookings that started with the Metropolitan in downtown Brooklyn.
Selznick’s first production since “Gone With the Wind” was also based on a best-selling novel, but of a different genre…By this time, “GWTW” had just reached Loew’s neighborhood theatres, but was still in its reserved-seat engagement at the Astor in Times Square.
The Royal opened on February 17th, 1926, owned by pioneer New Jersey exhibitor Joseph Stern. Later that year, Stern sold control of all 19 of his theatres (three still under construction) to the Stanley-Fabian Circuit, which he also joined in an executive post.
Tonight will mark the 76th anniversary of the grand opening of the Midway Theatre, which was jointly funded by the RKO and Skouras circuits and debuted under RKO management. Ad displayed here
In addition to the color transparencies on the front of the marquee,
the Astor decorated the side walls of its entrance foyer with additional sketches by Al Hirscfeld, including some of MGM stars not actually in “Thousands Cheer.”
The first neighborhood showings were for three-days only, and starting on a Monday. Prices were below roadshow, but higher than “regular.” Ad displayed here
The bookings also included Skouras, Randforce, and Century theatres in areas where RKO had no outlets…Although prices were lower than for the Park Avenue roadshow, they were still higher than “regular” for the neighborhood theatres.
This seems to be the first drive-in to be included in the “Famous Theaters” feature on the main page of the Photos Section. There has also been a total change in the selections.
At this time, the entertainment pages of the Newburgh News ran ads and editorial content for a total of six theatres: Academy, Broadway, Cameo, State (future Ritz), Park, and Strand. The first four were close together on lower Broadway, creating a movie zone that eventually caused the Park and Strand to close due to low attendance.
The classical drama went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best B&W Costume Design and B&W Art Direction. Olivier was also nominated for Best Director, but the award went to John Huston for “Treasure of Sierra Madre.”
Happy 100th birthday to Loew’s Metropolitan, which first opened in September, 1918, and is not only still with us, but also magnificently rejuvenated as home to the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Glory, glory, hallelujah!
The theatre was intended to be called Beacon, and is shown with that name near the center of the ad.
This was the first Loew’s theatre to be built in Ohio beyond Cleveland.
Thomas W. Lamb served as architect.
Previous Selznick productions shown at RCMH are listed in a rectangle adjacent to stage revue description. Simultaneously with the Astor, “GWTW” had also opened at the Capitol Theatre, but with continuous performances. That run ended to enable Loew’s circuit bookings that started with the Metropolitan in downtown Brooklyn.
Selznick’s first production since “Gone With the Wind” was also based on a best-selling novel, but of a different genre…By this time, “GWTW” had just reached Loew’s neighborhood theatres, but was still in its reserved-seat engagement at the Astor in Times Square.
David DiChiera, who was chiefly responsible for transforming the original Capitol into the Detroit Opera House, has died at age 83. News coverage here
Trade journal ad prior to 1926 grand opening.
The Royal opened on February 17th, 1926, owned by pioneer New Jersey exhibitor Joseph Stern. Later that year, Stern sold control of all 19 of his theatres (three still under construction) to the Stanley-Fabian Circuit, which he also joined in an executive post.
The double feature also opened the following day at RKO, Skouras, and Randforce theatres in Queens and Brooklyn.
Tonight will mark the 76th anniversary of the grand opening of the Midway Theatre, which was jointly funded by the RKO and Skouras circuits and debuted under RKO management. Ad displayed here
“The Case Against An Uptown Theatre Restoration” can be read here
In addition to the color transparencies on the front of the marquee, the Astor decorated the side walls of its entrance foyer with additional sketches by Al Hirscfeld, including some of MGM stars not actually in “Thousands Cheer.”
The B&W flag-waver about nurses at the warfront “introduced” Paramount’s new contract player, Sonny Tufts, in a showy supporting role.
B&W newsreel footage of the Hollywood premiere of “Hell’s Angels” can be viewed here
The first neighborhood showings were for three-days only, and starting on a Monday. Prices were below roadshow, but higher than “regular.” Ad displayed here
The bookings also included Skouras, Randforce, and Century theatres in areas where RKO had no outlets…Although prices were lower than for the Park Avenue roadshow, they were still higher than “regular” for the neighborhood theatres.
Lou, a Perpetual Calendar cites this as 1951, with February 1st falling on a Thursday that year.
This seems to be the first drive-in to be included in the “Famous Theaters” feature on the main page of the Photos Section. There has also been a total change in the selections.
At this time, the entertainment pages of the Newburgh News ran ads and editorial content for a total of six theatres: Academy, Broadway, Cameo, State (future Ritz), Park, and Strand. The first four were close together on lower Broadway, creating a movie zone that eventually caused the Park and Strand to close due to low attendance.
The classical drama went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best B&W Costume Design and B&W Art Direction. Olivier was also nominated for Best Director, but the award went to John Huston for “Treasure of Sierra Madre.”
Happy 100th birthday to Loew’s Metropolitan, which first opened in September, 1918, and is not only still with us, but also magnificently rejuvenated as home to the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Glory, glory, hallelujah!
The rotund conductor had become such an institution on radio and recordings that no first name was needed for stage bookings.
Pictured as Fabian Palace in bottom left corner.
Auditorium ran parallel to street. Side walls were later broken through for the Dyker’s conversion to retail space.
“Victory” reflected the patriotic fervor of wartime, but combat would actually end in an armistice in November of that year.
Two color photos of the current exterior are displayed midway through this article at the “Forgotten NY” website