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This is a Special 10th Anniversary Issue (Vol.11, Nbr.1, 1st Qtr. 1979) of MARQUEE®, the quarterly journal of the Theatre Historical Society of America. It is 32 pages and 8 1/2" x 11". The issue features the spectacular ROXY Theatre in New York City and it is filled with numerous large archival photographs and detailed information on this beautiful movie palace, now just a memory.
The ROXY was the crowning achievement of showman Samuel L. Rothafel, known as "Roxy." After operating some of New York City's most important early motion picture theatres, including the Regent, Strand and Capitol, he planned the magnificent ROXY as the world's largest and grandest movie palace. It opened with great fanfare on on March 11, 1927. With 5,920 seats, it was the largest theatre in the country until the Radio City Music Hall opened 5 year later.
The sheer size and scale of the ROXY was awe-inspiring. The grand lobby rotunda was 89 feet wide, 114 feet long and 70 feet high. Inside the enormous ornate auditorium, the stage proscenium was 70 feet wide and the orchestra pit could hold 110 musicians. Built on an irregularly-shaped lot on 51st Street and Seventh Avenue, the auditorium was designed in one corner and the floor plan made good use of every square inch of space.
Featuring elaborate stage presentations accompanied by a full symphony orhestra and the latest films amidst the incredibly beautiful and lavish decor, it was always THE place to go for the finest in motion pictures and stage entertainment in New York. Among other innovations, showman Roxy featured a group of chorus girls he dubbed the "Roxyettes." When he moved over to the Radio City Music Hall in 1932 he presented them there, renamed the "Rockettes."
The Great Depression hit the ROXY Theatre hard and it went into receivership, but managed to survive under new management and hang on through the years, although never with quite the same gusto it had in its heyday. With changing times and soaring land values, the sad end finally came in 1960. A famous picture published in Life magazine that year showed silent film star Gloria Swanson, who had starred in the theatre's1927 opening film "The Love of Sunya," standing amidst the ruins with her hands raised in mournful tribute.
This Marquee® special issue includes the full history of the ROXY, reprints of period newspaper ads and articles, and more than 40 archival photographs and illustrations, along with fond reminiscences.
The publication is a must for anyone interested in historic theatres and movie palaces!
This is ORIGINAL STOCK, in limited quantity, and in excellent uncirculated condition. The initials "THSA" shown on the photo DO NOT appear on the original publication.
In addition to Marquee®, the Theatre Historical Society of America also publishes a special illustrated Annual. Both publications are included in membership. We invite you to learn more about our organization and consider becoming a member!
Your purchase of this item helps enable our continuing efforts to preserve and celebrate the rich legacy of America's historic theatres.
We appreciate your support!
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