The
Center Theatre
(RKO
Roxy Theatre)
1932
- 1953
Sister
of Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall once had a twin
sister, albeit smaller with "only" 4,000 seats. It should be remembered
as one of the finest theaters ever built.
Radio City Music Hall and the New RKO Roxy Theater,
under the direction of Roxy. The name of the New Roxy was later changed
to The Center Theater.
Exterior of the Center Theater. It was nearly
identical to that of Radio City Music Hall.
The Grand Foyer was done in red and gold fabric
with mahogany walls.
The 4,000 seat auditorium with literally acres
of mahogany, a gold satin curtain, and the world's largest chandelier.
A lounge within the theater -- unabashed late
Art Deco.
Another lounge within the Center Theater.
This is something more modern than Art Deco. The walls are a series of
photo murals.
Program for "The Great Waltz" at the Center
Theatre in 1934.
A scene from "The Great Waltz" at the Center
Theatre.
Credits:
"Ring Bells! Sing Songs!" Stanley Green
"Lost New York" Nathan Silver
"Rockefeller Center" Alan Balfour
"The Best Remaining Seats" Ben Hall
End.