Roxy Theatre

I was an usher, lobby doorman, executive elevator operator and stage doorman at the Roxy in 1955-56. The films I remember seeing were The Rains of Ranchipur, Good Morning Miss Dove and Carousel. There were lots of others, but it’s been too many years ago to come to mind now.

I also remember helping publish the ushers’ newsletter and the funny hand signals we used to telegraph our headcount of the moviegoers seated in our assigned sections: Orchestra, Loge, Lower Balcony and Upper Balcony.

The stage shows I remember most were the ice extravaganzas. The first one I worked at the stage door starred Sonya Kaye (Klupfer), a recent Olympic figure skating medalist. She skated one number to Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” that was set on a blue lit stage and her performance was sublime and got thunderous applause. In 2009 she was inducted into the Ice Skating Hall of Fame as a talented figure skater and successful skating coach. One of her successes was Dorothy Hammill.

I was lucky enough to get to know one of her sisters and even escorted her from the theater to Times Square for New Year’s Eve festivities (1955 to 56). We took the subway and walked, but couldn’t get near the Square, so I took her home.

The next show starred Sonja Henie. I saw her throw several diva tantrums then, one where she tore into the ice clowns for tearing up the ice before one of her solo numbers. This was unreasonable because the clowns ALWAYS tore up the ice. That came with their act.

One job that was rotated among the ushers was where we were given a ticket to Radio City Music Hall and counted the audience at that theater’s feature film and stage show. We filled out a form with our count of all the sections of that theater that we could sneak into. That was not too difficult to do, because the Music Hall ushers seemed to pay more attention to the film or stage show being performed than to the comings and goings of the patrons.

The first and only time I ever visited the Roxy was back in 1956. I was only 8 years old and my sister was 6. For some reason my mother trexed us all the way from Lindenhurst L.I. on the LIRR to NYC to see “Anastasia” and the stage show. I was so overwhelmed by the emmanceousness of everything. All I can remember of the stage show was that they were doing some kind of King and I medley because the stage was a bright red with a dragon print and the familiar March of the Siamese Children played by the orchestra. I’ve never forgotten it.

My mother, Dorothy Maloney, performed at the Roxy from 1932 to 1936. I believe that Gae Foster brought her to Roxy from the West Coast where she, my mother, was dancing in Fanchon & Marco’s “ Ideas ” prologues to motion pictures. During her career my Mother danced under her maiden name, Dorothy Crooker. Her form of dance was called
“ controlled dance” because she performed it entirely on one leg while moving across the stage with her other leg fully extended, usually straight over her head.

Does anyone have Roxy programs and/or publicity stills of Dorothy Crooker? I understand that the NYPL may have Roxy memorbilia, but I have not yet contacted them.

Cubano

Per the October 13th, 1950 ROXY program:

On the screen: ALL ABOUT EVE
On the stage: Martha Stewart and the Blackburn Twins
On the Ice Stage: Joan Hyldoft along with the Roxy skating Blades & Belles, The Gae Foster Roxyettes, Spitalny’s Choral Ensemble & the Roxy Orchestra.
also featured was Phil Romayne & Terry Brent (ice skaters)and Jay Lambert on the Roxy Console.

A special souvenir program booklet was also prepared for the ALL ABOUT EVE enagement which profiled the the movie, its cast and production.

Richka

You are correct, a larger, permanent ice stage was installed in late 1952 costing (according to the New Yor Times ) $250,000 and was first used with the premiere of STARS & STRIPS FOREVER.

However, the NYTs also reported on June 16th 1948 that the Roxy Theatre would be presenting an ice revue on a newly completed ice stage beginning Wednesday June 23 (1948). The stage was planned by Executive Director AJ Balaban and his assocites for 2 years and had been under constuction for 3 months and cost $80,000. The stage was planted behind the movie screen and was permanent and measures 60 feet accross and 38 feet deep. The new presentation policy not only included the usual variety acts, but an ice act, as well as motion pictures (a “three in one” show, what a bargin for Roxy audiences).

The first “3 in 1” show featured Carol Lynne on ice and the Andrew Sisters and Dean Martin on stage, with “Give My Regards to Broadway” on the screen.

I must check my other Roxy programs from 1949 to 1952 and see how often the first ice stage was used.

From the ROXY program dated March 21st 1952:

Roxy’s 25th Anniversary

The Roxy Theatre was first opened to the public on March 11th, 1927. The new world famous theatre, when opened in 1927, by Samuel L. (Roxy) Rothafel, was then the largest theatre in the world, with 5,883 seats, and introduced hitherto unknown features in lighting effects, stage presentation, with complete air-conditioning.

In the 25 year history of the Roxy, the teatre has played a total of 749 pictures, has played to 107,067,319 admissions and a total gross of $78,876,070.24.

The first picture shown at the Roxy was “The Love of Sunya,” starring Gloria Swanson, and the year 1927 also introduced such hit films as “What Price Glory” and “7th Heaven”. “The Cockeyed World”, which played in 1928 grossed biggest 4 weeks in the history of the theatre, and still holds the record for the greatest number of admissions for its 1st week. The longest run pictures were “Wilson” in 1944 and “The Razor’s Edge” whch opened in November 1946, both films running for 8 weeks. “Forever Amber”, opening in Oct, 1947, was notable for the highest week’s gross in the theatre’s history.

In 1942, began the era of glamour stage personalities on the great Roxy stage, and such famous stars have appeared in person as Grace Moore, Danny Kaye, Jack Benny, Phil Harris, Milton Berle, Dagmar, Abbott & Costello, George Jessel, Faye Emerson, Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz, Carmen Miranda, Dan Dailey, Vic Damone, Andrews Sisiters, Red Skelton, Danny Thomas and famous bands.

In June 1948, the Roxy introduced the first ice stage in a motion picture theatre at a cost of $83,000.

My sister recalls seeing the late actress Vivian Blaine appearing live at the Roxy during the screening of the film “State Fair”. Was it common back then for stars of a film to also appear on-stage?

I thought those lights were to alert the ushers to empty seats.

As the intro states, it was Spanish Baroque, Spanish Renaissance.

The last film was “The Wind Cannot Read”

Renewing link.

Does anyone recall or know about any details about what the “Ice-Colorama Revue” was like, as mentioned in the ad?

Dave, you might also consider contacting the International Museum of Photography in Rochester, New York. They have the facilities to properly maintain, preserve, restore (if necessary)and to display such a collection. If they are not interested they may be able to give you more leads on what to do.

Dave, your archive is priceless treasure. Perhaps the Performing Arts Library of the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center would be interested in housing and properly archiving your photos or if not, certainly the Theatre Historical Society might be interested, but I don’t know if they have the resources to preserve such a large collection.