Re: The comment by Life’s Too Short, I think that architect’s are capable, and likely, too develop emotional attachment to their creations, especially if you read how poetical Eberson could get about his theatres.
When the Hotel “La Posada” was being dismantled in the 1960’s the architect (whose name escapes me) was present at the auction of all the furnishings and art works she had chosen for the structure she designed. When asked for a reaction to what was going on her reply was “I now know that it’s possible to live too long”.
I don’t understand why movie palaces renovated into performing arts centers have to always have hideous racks of lights out in glaring plain view. The historic theatres I’ve visited in Canada never have this, come to think of it, the Loew’s in Jersey City doesn’t either, and I hope it never does. Talk about ruining the atmosphere of an atmospheric!
Though NYC has seemed almost manic in its ability to rid itself of any historic or beautiful structure, it does have more than one movie palace left; there’s RCMH, as already noted, and also the old Loew’s 175th St., the old Loew’s Paradise, and the upcoming restoration of the Loew’s Kings. Admittedly, not many when on considers the dozens of movie palaces that were once scattered around the five boroughs, but it is more than one. Interesting to note, the only movie palace left in the NYC area (meaning easily accessible by public transit from the city) that still shows an occasional movie is the Loew’s Jersey, and that’s not even in NYC! Come to think of it, what would New York have left if Loew’s hadn’t built the 5 Wonder Theatres? Seems odd that a place known as the theatrical center of the country has such a poor record of keeping theatres around.
Just a comment on some of the above posts. First of all, the new box seats don’t look nearly as dreadful as I feared they would, but I hope they don’t look worse when I finally get back to Rochester to see them in person. Second, if George Eastman’s suicide is a well kept secret at the Eastman School, I can only say that it must be that Eastman students don’t get out much. As a native Rochesterian, I can say that the manner in which George Eastman met his demise is well known by anyone in the city who keeps half an ear open.
Thank goodness for street widening (he said sarcastically)! Portsmouth may have lost a viable downtown business, but now people can drive down the block 4 tenths of a second faster!
I just saw the cartoon “Opening Night”, and decided to visit this site to read more. All very interesting, but the description at the top of the page states the lobby had “opaque windows”. Opaque means that no light gets through, which would simply mean the windows were a wall, and useless as far as being a window is concerned. I think the word should have been “translucent”, which means that light gets through, but not so that the window can be seen through. Of course the best description would probably be just to say the windows were frosted.
My Gosh! You’ve really gotta hate that late 40’s streamlining! It would be great to find some photos showing the original decor. I know the auditorium survived somewhat intact right up to the end.
To think that films such as “Sex and the City” are even made at all is bad enough, but to inflict them on a place like Radio City Music Hall just goes to show how pathetically low standards have fallen.
Babster, thank you for sharing you memories with us. Please feel free to add more if the mood should strike you. I enjoyed reading your post very much!
The introduction to this theatre should be corrected. The second paragraph refers to Rapp and Rapp’s exterior treatment of the Paradise in Chicago, but the Chicago Paradise was designed by John Eberson, not Rapp and Rapp.
Though I’ve never seen a Christmas show, I was able to catch an Easter show one time. I was pretty young, but I do remember thoroughly enjoying it! (sigh) I still regret not being able to catch a movie and stage show at Radio City when I show up as an NYC tourist.
Omigosh!! The Modern Theatre was carnivorous!?! I’ve never met a meat eating theatre before! I wonder how many people it would take into its cavernous auditorium before it had a decent meal?
Omigosh!! The Modern Theatre was carnivorous!?! I’ve never met a meat eating theatre before! I wonder how many people it would take into its cavernous auditorium before it had a decent meal?
I noticed that, in a couple of the photos, there are people posing in the colorized versions that aren’t there in the black and white photos. How did you do that?
The “Camille” advertised on the marquee is a silent film from 1926, starring Norma Talmadge. I’m not saying that the 7th Avenue didn’t produce legitimate plays, because I know nothing of this theatre’s history, I’m just saying that the photo you posted shows the theatre advertising a movie, not a play.
I don’t understand the first post on this theatre’s page. The 7th Avenue Theatre may have sometimes put on legitimate theater, I don’t know anything about that, but the photo shows the marquee advertising Norma Talmadge’s silent film, “Camille”.
Re: The comment by Life’s Too Short, I think that architect’s are capable, and likely, too develop emotional attachment to their creations, especially if you read how poetical Eberson could get about his theatres.
When the Hotel “La Posada” was being dismantled in the 1960’s the architect (whose name escapes me) was present at the auction of all the furnishings and art works she had chosen for the structure she designed. When asked for a reaction to what was going on her reply was “I now know that it’s possible to live too long”.
I don’t understand why movie palaces renovated into performing arts centers have to always have hideous racks of lights out in glaring plain view. The historic theatres I’ve visited in Canada never have this, come to think of it, the Loew’s in Jersey City doesn’t either, and I hope it never does. Talk about ruining the atmosphere of an atmospheric!
Though NYC has seemed almost manic in its ability to rid itself of any historic or beautiful structure, it does have more than one movie palace left; there’s RCMH, as already noted, and also the old Loew’s 175th St., the old Loew’s Paradise, and the upcoming restoration of the Loew’s Kings. Admittedly, not many when on considers the dozens of movie palaces that were once scattered around the five boroughs, but it is more than one. Interesting to note, the only movie palace left in the NYC area (meaning easily accessible by public transit from the city) that still shows an occasional movie is the Loew’s Jersey, and that’s not even in NYC! Come to think of it, what would New York have left if Loew’s hadn’t built the 5 Wonder Theatres? Seems odd that a place known as the theatrical center of the country has such a poor record of keeping theatres around.
Just a comment on some of the above posts. First of all, the new box seats don’t look nearly as dreadful as I feared they would, but I hope they don’t look worse when I finally get back to Rochester to see them in person. Second, if George Eastman’s suicide is a well kept secret at the Eastman School, I can only say that it must be that Eastman students don’t get out much. As a native Rochesterian, I can say that the manner in which George Eastman met his demise is well known by anyone in the city who keeps half an ear open.
Thank goodness for street widening (he said sarcastically)! Portsmouth may have lost a viable downtown business, but now people can drive down the block 4 tenths of a second faster!
I just saw the cartoon “Opening Night”, and decided to visit this site to read more. All very interesting, but the description at the top of the page states the lobby had “opaque windows”. Opaque means that no light gets through, which would simply mean the windows were a wall, and useless as far as being a window is concerned. I think the word should have been “translucent”, which means that light gets through, but not so that the window can be seen through. Of course the best description would probably be just to say the windows were frosted.
That clip is from “Kid Millions”, an Eddie Cantor film.
tsloews, this was known as “Loew’s Buffalo” when I was growing up, and I think that’s how it was known at the time of its closing.
You have to scroll about ¾ths of the way down to get to the picture. You can enlarge it by clicking on it.
View link
This is a link to a photo of the Keith-Albee’s auditorium.
My Gosh! You’ve really gotta hate that late 40’s streamlining! It would be great to find some photos showing the original decor. I know the auditorium survived somewhat intact right up to the end.
To think that films such as “Sex and the City” are even made at all is bad enough, but to inflict them on a place like Radio City Music Hall just goes to show how pathetically low standards have fallen.
I should credit Brad Smith, who posted this photo on his photostream, along with a lot of other wonderful theatre photographs.
View link
A link to a photo of the Loew’s Rochester marquee in 1930.
I agree about the christmas lights. There’s this magnificent room, with these cheap tacky lights strung along the railings. It’s sort of demeaning.
Those are some great photos. I assume they were taken pre-restoration.
Babster, thank you for sharing you memories with us. Please feel free to add more if the mood should strike you. I enjoyed reading your post very much!
Babster, thank you for sharing you memories with us. Please feel free to add more if the mood should strike you. I enjoyed reading you post very much!
The introduction to this theatre should be corrected. The second paragraph refers to Rapp and Rapp’s exterior treatment of the Paradise in Chicago, but the Chicago Paradise was designed by John Eberson, not Rapp and Rapp.
Though I’ve never seen a Christmas show, I was able to catch an Easter show one time. I was pretty young, but I do remember thoroughly enjoying it! (sigh) I still regret not being able to catch a movie and stage show at Radio City when I show up as an NYC tourist.
Omigosh!! The Modern Theatre was carnivorous!?! I’ve never met a meat eating theatre before! I wonder how many people it would take into its cavernous auditorium before it had a decent meal?
Omigosh!! The Modern Theatre was carnivorous!?! I’ve never met a meat eating theatre before! I wonder how many people it would take into its cavernous auditorium before it had a decent meal?
Mr. Swain,
I noticed that, in a couple of the photos, there are people posing in the colorized versions that aren’t there in the black and white photos. How did you do that?
The “Camille” advertised on the marquee is a silent film from 1926, starring Norma Talmadge. I’m not saying that the 7th Avenue didn’t produce legitimate plays, because I know nothing of this theatre’s history, I’m just saying that the photo you posted shows the theatre advertising a movie, not a play.
I don’t understand the first post on this theatre’s page. The 7th Avenue Theatre may have sometimes put on legitimate theater, I don’t know anything about that, but the photo shows the marquee advertising Norma Talmadge’s silent film, “Camille”.