Roxy Theatre

The town of Toluca had two aging silent-era theatres still active in the 1930’s showing sound films in the Isis Theatre and the Colosseum Theatre. That changed when a Streamline Moderne style theatre built for the talkies was created. It was the 550-seat Roxy Theatre “#1” was opened by John Tozzi. Marion Manfroi was the opening projectionist. The Roxy Theatre opened to capacity at its June 29, 1938 opening. The Colosseum Theatre - which had only been sold a year earlier - transitioned to a skating rink while the Isis Theatre was given a complete makeover.

On May 11, 1942, the Roxy Theatre had Noah Beery in “The Bugle Sound”.“ A few hours after that showing, the projection booth exploded in a nitrate film blast destroying the theatre - which was insured.

Tozzi rebuilt the Roxy Theatre as a 638-seat Streamline Moderne style venue and its first advertised show was November 29, 1946 with the Walt Disney animated feature “The Three Caballeros” and Zachary Scott in “Danger Signal” (though may have opened earlier). The Roxy Theatre operated until December 16, 1962 closing with Elvis Presley as “Kid Galahad.” The operators stated, “We thank each and every one who patronized us in the past”.

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