Further research shows August 12th, 1949 as the official opening date. The drive-in was owned and operated by the family of future mogul Sumner Redstone, using some of the profits earned from their Sunrise Drive-In at Valley Stream in Nassau County, just over the NYC borderline.
The Chinese in Hollywood and the Avco Center in Westwood, both with single screens, were the two Los Angeles locations. The Plitt City Center was in Orange County. Ad doesn’t mention whether more than one screen was being used there for “Star Wars.”
Olivia De Havilland went on to win an “Oscar” for her performance, and later two more for “The Heiress” (which also opened at the Music Hall) and “Snake Pit” (NYC debut at the Rivoli). Last July 1st, she celebrated her 100th birthday, receiving congratulations from all over the world.
I’ve seen another copy of this ad with a date attached of August 12th, 1949, which is open to interpretation. Was that the Whitestone’s grand launching, or just the opening of that particular double feature? “Suddenly Last Spring” was originally released in 1947, and “Caged Fury” in 1948.
In March of that same year, “Lost Horizon” had opened in NYC at the Globe Theatre on a reserved-seat roadshow policy. Discouraged by the critical and public response to what was Columbia’s most expensive epic to date, the studio cut the running time from 132 to 118 minutes for the general release that summer. RCMH was a bit behind other major cities, and thus lost some of the lucrative tourist trade it depended upon. In its first week with stage show, “Lost Horizon” grossed $85,000, just enough to hold over for another week (which drew $70,000).
On opening day, Joan Crawford and Jack Palance made guest appearances in the State’s lobby, but separately. Due to many battles during production, they were no longer on speaking terms.
“Grand Illusion” is now regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made in any country of the world. Some critics have even included it in their “Top Ten.”
Described as a modern theatre in the Grant Park Masonic Temple Building, the Temple first opened on Thanksgiving Day, November 29th, 1934, with the sub-run “Flying Down to Rio.” Tickets at all times were 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for children.
But for one screening only of “Blazing Saddles” as part of a “live” appearance by comedy legend Mel Brooks, who will gossip about his life and career and also answer questions from the audience.
Since this was one of Marcus Loew’s earliest theatres to be built in NYC, it should probably be listed here as Loew’s Greeley Square. Unfortunately, it became obsolete when the midtown theatrical district moved further north and centered around Broadway above 42nd Street.
The Sixth Avenue entrance was directly below the high vertical sign, in the white commercial building on the corner. A low-ceilinged lobby connected to the auditorium at the back.
Two decades later, Peggy Wood became one of the most beloved stars of television in the title role of the CBS series, “Mama,” based on “I Remember Mama.”
Prior to being revamped into the Capitol, this operated as a cinema under the name of Hancock (with original Opera House dropped). See ad in photo section.
The Roxy mentioned in fourth paragraph.
In August of that year, America’s beloved humorist was killed in a plane crash, at the age of 55.
Further research shows August 12th, 1949 as the official opening date. The drive-in was owned and operated by the family of future mogul Sumner Redstone, using some of the profits earned from their Sunrise Drive-In at Valley Stream in Nassau County, just over the NYC borderline.
The Chinese in Hollywood and the Avco Center in Westwood, both with single screens, were the two Los Angeles locations. The Plitt City Center was in Orange County. Ad doesn’t mention whether more than one screen was being used there for “Star Wars.”
Olivia De Havilland went on to win an “Oscar” for her performance, and later two more for “The Heiress” (which also opened at the Music Hall) and “Snake Pit” (NYC debut at the Rivoli). Last July 1st, she celebrated her 100th birthday, receiving congratulations from all over the world.
I’ve seen another copy of this ad with a date attached of August 12th, 1949, which is open to interpretation. Was that the Whitestone’s grand launching, or just the opening of that particular double feature? “Suddenly Last Spring” was originally released in 1947, and “Caged Fury” in 1948.
Cecil B. DeMille’s original silent version was the opening film at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in 1927.
The conversion into event facility has begun.
In March of that same year, “Lost Horizon” had opened in NYC at the Globe Theatre on a reserved-seat roadshow policy. Discouraged by the critical and public response to what was Columbia’s most expensive epic to date, the studio cut the running time from 132 to 118 minutes for the general release that summer. RCMH was a bit behind other major cities, and thus lost some of the lucrative tourist trade it depended upon. In its first week with stage show, “Lost Horizon” grossed $85,000, just enough to hold over for another week (which drew $70,000).
On opening day, Joan Crawford and Jack Palance made guest appearances in the State’s lobby, but separately. Due to many battles during production, they were no longer on speaking terms.
Hayworth’s first movie in four years followed the break-up of her marriage to Prince Aly Khan.
“Grand Illusion” is now regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made in any country of the world. Some critics have even included it in their “Top Ten.”
Described as a modern theatre in the Grant Park Masonic Temple Building, the Temple first opened on Thanksgiving Day, November 29th, 1934, with the sub-run “Flying Down to Rio.” Tickets at all times were 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for children.
But for one screening only of “Blazing Saddles” as part of a “live” appearance by comedy legend Mel Brooks, who will gossip about his life and career and also answer questions from the audience.
Since this was one of Marcus Loew’s earliest theatres to be built in NYC, it should probably be listed here as Loew’s Greeley Square. Unfortunately, it became obsolete when the midtown theatrical district moved further north and centered around Broadway above 42nd Street.
The Pennsylvania loft section referred to Pennsylvania Station, not the state.
The Sixth Avenue entrance was directly below the high vertical sign, in the white commercial building on the corner. A low-ceilinged lobby connected to the auditorium at the back.
The B&W comedy is considered one of the worst films of Cary Grant’s entire career. Wide screen projection only made it that more obvious.
According to the marquee, theatre’s name was spelled entirely in lower case letters as left bank.
Published on October 5th, 1935.
Two decades later, Peggy Wood became one of the most beloved stars of television in the title role of the CBS series, “Mama,” based on “I Remember Mama.”
Prior to being revamped into the Capitol, this operated as a cinema under the name of Hancock (with original Opera House dropped). See ad in photo section.
Josephine Baker’s success at the Strand Theatre in March of that year earned her a national tour, capped by a return to NYC at the much larger Roxy.
Belated birthday wishes to Tony Bennett, who turned 90 yesterday (August 3rd, 2016).
The Technicolor musical went on to win six Academy Awards, including “Best Picture of 1951.”