Fox Theatre
527 N. Grand Boulevard,
St. Louis,
MO
63103
527 N. Grand Boulevard,
St. Louis,
MO
63103
38 people
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Additional history credit Missouri Historical Society, link at bottom.
January 31, 2017
Origin Story: The Fabulous Fox
by Jen Tebbe | Former Digital Communications Manager
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Although his name isn’t on the marquee, St. Louisans largely have Charles Howard Crane to thank for the Fox Theatre’s breathtaking architecture. Crane, a Connecticut native, certainly had a niche: He designed more than 250 movie theaters over the course of his career, including several so-called movie palaces.
In 1914, New York’s Mark Strand Theatre became the first movie palace to open its doors. With its unique second-floor viewing balcony and the ability to seat approximately 3,000 people, the Strand ignited a new appreciation for escapism through entertainment. For a small fee, patrons could enter a movie palace and be engulfed in the rich and exotic, immediately forgetting the drudgery of day-to-day existence.
Crane’s Fox theatres in Detroit and St. Louis fully embraced the exotic with their use of Siamese-Byzantine style, which mixed “the salient features of Burmese, Hindoo, Persian, Indian and Chinese architecture and decoration,” according to the March 1929 issue of Union Electric Magazine. Owner William Fox referred to the theatres’ décor differently, calling it “Eve Leo style” in reference to his wife’s hands-on involvement: She traveled widely to purchase furnishings for Fox’s theatres, making numerous trips from New York to Detroit to St. Louis to oversee their delivery and installation.
The two theatres are nearly identical twins, with the biggest difference visible when you observe them from the street. Because Detroit’s Fox Theatre was built in that city’s downtown, it was attached to an office building—albeit an intricately styled one. St. Louis’s Fox Theatre was built far enough from downtown that the building could have its own ornate façade, hence the elaborate arch housing a massive window that overlooks the grandiose lobby inside.
On January 31, 1929, the St. Louis Fox was ready for its debut. William Fox himself addressed the crowds, as well as Missouri governor Henry S. Caulfield and St. Louis mayor Victor J. Miller. In addition to the feature film Street Angel, which also happened to be the premiere film at the Detroit Fox’s opening, attendees were treated to a performance of Wagner’s Tannhäuser overture courtesy of the 150-person Fox Grand Orchestra; Tableaux St. Louis, “a tribute to the city’s civic pride and progressive enterprise”; and a performance of Irving Berlin’s “Roses of Yesterday” by the Fox Ballet and Choral Ensemble.
Today the Fox is home to concerts and touring Broadway performances. Although these spectacles weren’t what Crane had in mind when designing the space, the escapist nature of the venue’s entertainment remains intact thanks to towering red-and-gold columns, a powerful Wurlitzer organ, a bejeweled chandelier, and stunning staircases that lead us up and away from our daily grind—for a few hours anyway.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Because Crane’s renderings of the Fox are still under copyright, we can’t show you the detail here. If you want to take a look at—and even touch!—these fabulous artifacts, simply stop by the Library & Research Center at 225 S. Skinker Blvd. during regular operating hours.
Architecture, Charles Howard Crane, Detroit, Eve Leo, Fox Theater, movie palaces, Siamese-Byzantine style, Street Angel, William Fox, Wurlitzer organ.
https://mohistory.org/blog/origin-story-the-fabulous-fox?fbclid=IwY2xjawPbTmRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCUm5JQVRwc1ZjZm8ycHpKc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmA315wfclEmIrrInD7Ft-VQLOQWzPy_jjSFKtpj9u02UMmk20frDFtUEVEo_aem_4otwS7FwdsfOpnoQe9e5UA
Mayor Victor J. Miller’s grand opening ceremony speech in two takes can be both seen and heard here, which was filmed a few days prior to the opening of the Fox.
The Fox Theatre appeared in the 1990 film “White Palace.”
The Fox theatre opened on January 31st, 1929. Grand opening ad posted.
Pleased to read that its Wurlitzer is still there and operational. They were built in North Tonawanda NY with the demonstration organ in the Riviera Theatre in NT for prospective buyers. There is a Wurlitzer in most surviving theatres in the Buffalo NY area.
There is one inaccuracy in the description of the history of this still flourishing theater. During the 1960’s the Fox was still a top notch first run house playing movies like “Planet of the Apes”, “The Birds”, and “True Grit”, etc.. It wasn’t until the awful 1970’s that they resorted to kung-fu movies and so-called “blacksploitation” films. The theater closed after the theater operator, Arthur Enterprises, declared bankruptcy. It was rescued from certain oblivion by Mary Strauss and restored as a Broadway touring and concert venue in the 1980’s. The Fox is a major destination for touring shows and it’s powerful Wurlitzer is still operable. A rare survivor from the Golden Age of movie palaces.
Postcard added advertising 6000 seats originally.
March 14, 1930 photo added. Premiere of “The Golden Calf” at the Fox Theatre.
The best show ever….Col. Jack was outstanding as well as Dave Wickerham & Justin Lavole…..All terrific artists!!! A show never to be forgotten…A very good attendance too. A beautiful afternoon in a beautiful movie palace!
This will be a great show!!! I am bringing 6 people from Chicago. 2 years ago was so good. And don’t forget a Stan & Oliver film too !!
A full-blown afternoon of Wurlitzer organ is scheduled for Sunday August 13th, 2017 at 2PM. As two years ago the program features Jack Moelmann, this time with Dave Wickerham and Justin LaVoie also at the console. A rare opportunity to hear the instrument in something besides the 15-minute snapshot included in some of the tours.
Only movie I saw here was ‘Hail Hail Rock n Roll’ which was interesting as it was filmed there as well. Kind of an odd experience.
in the 1940s It was a rare treat for my mother, younger brother Charles,and I to travel all the way “downtown” by public transportation to Grand Avenue to see the latest movies. All the way from Walnut Park where we lived was quite an excursion then. We were in awe of the grandure of the building. Once as we were walking down the ornate spiraling staircase between levels my brother tripped on the carpet and fell breaking his collar bone. It did not alter our awe of the grand building.
And the carpet was matched as closely as possible to the original carpet and it looks great. The good news is the floor is still there and intact and could be uncovered sometime in the future if the owners so desire. Considering the scope and expense of the original and ongoing restorations of this theater and how such care is taken to match it to its original look, I can’t get too upset about the choices the owners have made.
When the theatre opened in 1929 the lobby was carpeted. So the carpet today is not unprecedented.
Thanks for the reason, but to cover the original terrazzo floor is a crime, imo.
Chris, I was able to finally take the Fox Theater tour yesterday and this topic came up. There were two reasons given. Since most of the Fox shows are during the fall and winter it was a safety issue to avoid people slipping on the floor. The other reason was that it reduced the noise level in the lobby.
I wonder why they carpeted over that beautiful terazza lobby floor.
This sounds like a wonderful show! If I were closer, I would be there!
August 23rd at 2pm, The Fox will present “Those Were the Days”. The program will include Colonel Jack Moelman, Walter Strony and Lew Williams on the mighty wurlitzer. Also an audience sing-along, Laurel & Hardy movie, and a musical “Tribute to America”. $25 general admission, $35 for the mezzanine. What a Show!!! I won’t miss this one. Come one, Come all !!!!!
Added a small batch of photos courtesy of Kristen Stopp Godar, via the “St. Louis Missouri. History, Landmarks & Vintage photos” Facebook page.
Bobby, I attended “A Christmas Carol” as well. I sat in the lower balcony. When it was over I walked up to the back of the balcony, which has an amazing view, of course. Starting at the foyer on the top floor I worked my way down to the main lobby. I believe there are five levels: three balcony levels, the loge, and the main floor. I guess there are six if you count the basement where the main lounges are. In any case, it’s quite a feast for the eyes. The defunct Paradise in Chicago has long been my favorite theatre, but the Fox in St. Louis is a worthy challenger. And though the Fox is not technically an atmospheric, it is about as fanciful as they come. And yes, Detroit is equally fortunate to have their Fox Theatre.
Scott, missed you by two days. I took Amtrak down there to see “A Christmas Carol”. What a Theater !! The staff member gave us over an hour tour. The auditorium was closed all summer for a complete cleaning and touch-up. It looked absolutely gorgeous…You are so right, one has to be there in person to see this beauty. What a lobby entrance with the organ playing as you entered. First time there and will return. This is what a movie palace is all about. A nice photo tribute to Stan Kahn. This palace is lovingly taken care of.
What a great night photo with that blade sign reading FOX.
I’ve been to the Fox dozens of times over the past 25+ years, and it has never looked better than it does today. Went to a show there on 12/7/13 and walked through the entire theater, much of it with the accompaniment of an enthusiastic staff volunteer. There have been a number of excellent photos taken of the Fox over the years, but none of them do it justice. It has to be seen to be fully appreciated.