Roxy Theatre, New York City, New York - September 29, 1928 ROXY THEATRE S. L. Rothafel "ROXY" Director WEEKLY REVIEW THE CATHEDRAL OF THE MOTION PICTURE  Roxy Theatre Weekly Review OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR ROXY THEATRE PATRONS CIRCULATION 100,000 WEEKLY Vol. IV, No. 4     Williams-Wiley Publications, Inc., 45 W. 45th St., N. Y. -- Phone Bryant 6160     Sept. 29, 1928 Hello Everybody! PIERRE KEY, writer and authority on music, includes the following in a syndicated newspaper article: "I dropped in at the Roxy the other afternoon. What I heurd was well worth the time spent. The same excellent tone quality which prevalled when last I listened to this orchestra was still in evidence, with a greater cohesiveness, a keener dis- cipline. The program was a good one, and Erno Rapee's conduct- lig gave me rather more than I had looked for. S. L. Rothafel begun, years ago, making a genuine contribution to music, I am gratified that he continues so staunchly to support the standards he established." We are perhaps prouder of our orchestra than of any other feature of our huge organization. The largest theatre orchestra in the world, it is maintained at an expense of $750,000 a year. Many of its members have served apprenticeship in some of the country's leading symphimy organizations and the first chairs are solo instru- mentalists of merit and distinction. As part of our tadio programs, we have recently instituted a series of symphony concerts by the Roxy Symphony Orchestra un- der the direction of Mr. Rapee, broadcast every Sunday afternoon. Thus are we continually broadening our activities in spreading good music to the vast number of music lovers of the American public. How Two Stars Crashed the Movie Gates Euch Met Success When An Entree to Stardom Came Unexpectedly As Told By DOLORES DEL RIO and VICTOR MCLAGLEN IS America movie-struck ! Do the majority of stenographers secretly pine to glorify the screen, and do haberdashery clerks look beyond ties and shirts to the marvelous existence credited to the successful film player? Judging by the many inquiries received on how to "break in the movies," one is led to believe that such is the case. So I decided to ask each movie player I met just how he or she made the grade, and if from the recounting of these actual experiences those seeking film fame find inspiration as to their own perticular "open sesame," I am rewarded. DOLORES DEL RIO, the olive skinned Mexican beauty of classic face and still more classic lines, confessed that her entrance into the sacred portals had come unsought. As most everyone knows, She occupied an enviable position in the best society of Mexico City. She had married an extremely wealthy member of one of Mexico's first families. She had married well; her husband's people were of pure Castillian blood and the young bride was happy in the performance of her social duties. It is doubtful if at that time the idea of a career in motion pictures ever entered her head, although it is possible that the great success of her cousin, Ramon Novarro, may have suggested the possibility of such. Among the better classes of Mexico, the idea of a married woman embarking upon a career outside her home is still an unheard of thing and the fact that Senora Del Rio ever had even a chance to try her winds speaks volumes for her determination, once the spark had been kindled. Let Dolores tell the story of how she made the apparently impossible step from Society Lady to Movie Star. "MY husband and I had married about a year when Edwin Carewe came to Mexico City to make exteriors for a picture starring Claire Windsor. It was also in the nature of a double honeymoon as Mr. Carewe had just married Mary Aiken, the screen actress, and Miss Windsor had just married Bert Lytell. A Dinner Party in Mexico, and a Boat Race in England Were Lucky Breaks, for Dolores Del Rio and Victor McLaglen. "Mr. Del Rio and I invited the entire party to our home for dinner. They had been on-location that day which delayed them somewhat. The result was that they came right in from the country, hot, dusty, and tired, besides being almost an hour late. They were greatly embarrassed by the incident and so, in an effort to put them at ease, I sang several Spanish songs for them after dinner. Mr. Carewe remarked to my husband that I was very talented and an ideal picture type and that should I ever wish to try the films, he would be glad to lend every assistance. "NATURALLY I was excited over the possibility of making a success in motion pictures and, after our guests had gone, my husband and I sidcussed the idea at some length. Of course, he was opposed to my doing anything so unconventional and it was only after several months of persuasion that he agreed to make the trip to Los Angeles. "He probably thought that the novelty of appearing in one production would cure me. (To Laat Page, Please) Eldorado Rotisserie Restaurant "Just A Real Good Eating Place" -- Popular Prices ALL POULTRY AND MEATS ROASTED ON SPITS 1599 BROADWAY, Between 48th and 49th Streets Kaleidoscopic Scenes Back-stage at Roxy Cross-section of the Theatre Shows How A Stupendous Program is Concocted By ALBERT MARGOLIES The Music Score Usually Runs from Opera and Symphony to Ballads and Jazz. WHEN the week's show at the Roxy Theatre has been rinning for three or four performances, and the mechanics of production have settled themselves into the new routine, S. L. Rothafel assembles his staff together and outlines the skeleton for next week's program. Through them he gives to the 584 people in his organization a picture of what he plans for the following week. No sooner does one presentation get into its pace, than this impetus for the next one begins to absorb the attention of everyone concerned. Each of the sixteen department heads leaves the executive meeting with a general knowledge of what is expected from him, and just how it will finally be related to the others. The ballet master, the musical director, the vocal and dancing coaches, the scenic designer, the costumer, the chief electrician, begin their individual duties. A CROSS-SECTION of the seven-story building backstage, reveals the kaleidoscopic picture of a huge show-shop preparing a program involving some 350 performers. The department heads in turn convey to their staffs the outline of the show, and the dancers, the singers, the technicians, the designers and the artists begin to prepare the program that must be ready in less than a week. In the basement, the musicians' lounge has transformed its relaxation atmosphere into one of concentrated effort. The music for next week's presentation both on the screen and on the stage must be rehearsed between current performances. The score for the feature picture alone provides 185 cues to be mastered, and played according to a time schedule of split seconds. The average program runs through the whole of musical literature, from opera and symphony to ballads and jazz, and the tempo of the different types must be made to co-ordinate. In this environment, Erno Rapee, the musical director, is not the suave, well-groomed conductor of the orchestra pit. He has shed his coat -- an example that is generally followed by the orchestra -- and what he does nottransmit with both hands and his baton, he conveys by shouting. ON the floor above, in a large room near the stage, the Thirty=two Roxyettes are preparing their rhythmic stint and Russell Markert, their choreographer, is tackling the problem of fitting these precision dancers into the picture. He tries at lease twenty routines, and after selecting the best features of each, evolves a composition that satisfies him as a number having originality and appropriateness to the occasion. The nature of the dancing that is done by this group -- thirty-two bodies moving as one -- requires a tremendous amount of rehearsal. An actual count showed that one routine had to be gone over 161 times before it was found acceptable. On another floor in the building is another rehearsal room, where the forty memers of the Ballet Corps are using the free moments between rehearsals in which to master the steps and combinations of next week's routine. Leon Leonidoff, in charge of the ballet, has plotted the dances on paper. From these sketches he imparts the details of the compositions to the dancers. Several short rehearsals are necessart to acquaint them with the requirements. They are all (To Next Page, Please) MacFadden Publications MacFadden Newspapers, A Empire Bond & Mortgage Corp. (ALL ISSUES) BOUGHT -- SOLD -- QUOTED CAMPBELL and CO. DEALERS IN Over-the_Counter Securities 538 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK Murray Hill 1302-1520 Kaleidoscopic Scenes Back-stage At Roxy (Continued from page 3) perfectly trained and many of the forty have been working together for a period of years. The broadcasting studio, directly above the ballet room, is the scene of quite another activity. Max Herzbert, Chorus Mast of the theatre, is familiarizing the Ensemble with the choral program, and here again cues and split seconds occupy the attention of the sixty singers. The chorus is divided into parts -- soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone and bass. Each part is rehearsed separately. Then the various units are perfected, all the voices are combined for the ensemble. Details of the stage business are given them, for in many instances the Churs supplies the atmospheric background of the stage spectacle. The singers come fro many lands, and their repertory includes songs in fourteen languages. The most important function of rehearsals, according to Mr. Herzbert, is the retention of the national spirit in the particular music sung. Partricia Bowman and Nicholas Daks, the principal dancers, are in another part of this backstange building, developing their special dance numbers. Clark Robinson, art director, is designing eight stage settings, although these will be used for only one week. Harriet Rogge, the costume designer, directs her staff of eighteen assistants, in making the 300 costumes that are required for the principals and the ensembles each week. Douglas Murray, production manager, keeps a graphic chart of the many elements in rehearsal and marks their progress. It is not until Friday, one day before the opening of the new production, that the separate brances are brought together for a stage rehearsal. On Saturday morning, the first, last and only dress rehearsal is held. On Saturday afternoon the organization must present a complete performance, perect in every detail of music, dancing, lighting and staging. LEARN to FLY By Flying COMPLETE PRACTICAL Training in every branch of Aeronautics. We train for all Government Licenses Day and Evening Classes Aviation Engineering School 225 WEST 57th STREET at BROADWAY NEW YORK CITY          Tel. Circle 1010 THE prouder you are of your ability to judge coffee... the more pleased you will be... when you accept this invitation. Beech-Nut Coffee Mr. S. L. Rothafel ("Roxy") invites you to hae a cup. Served in the Grand Lounge 2:30 to 6     7:30 to 10 (except Sunday) Fire Notice -- Look Around NOW and choose the nearest Exit to your seat. In case of fire, walk (not run) to THAT Exit. Do not try to beat your neighbor to the street. -- John J. Dorman, Fire Com. ROXY THEATRE 50th St. and 7th Ave. Telephone, Circle 6000 Personal Direction of S. L. Rothafel, "Roxy" Under Whose Supervision the Programs Are Conceived, Staged and Lighted PROGRAM Week Beginning Saturday, September 29, 1928 Performances Continuous from Noon to Midnight De Luxe Performances at 2:00; 4:00; 7:30 and 9:30 1. THE ROXY ORGAN (Kimball) Organists: Dr. Melchiorre Mauro-Cottone C. A. J. Parmentier and George Epstein 2. THE ROXY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Conductors: Erno Rapee and Joseph Littau Associate Conductor: Mischa Violin Concertmasters: Henri Nosco and Josef Stopak Solo Cellist: Yascha Bunchuk Overture: "SOUTHERN RHAPSODY"     Hosmer 3. "BALLET OF THE BUBLES" Gladys Rice Florence Rogge, Patricia Bowman Jeanette Garrette Roxy Ballet Corps Theme Song: "Lis Reves sont des Bulles de Savon" 4. QUARTET FROM "RIGOLETTO" Beatrice Belkin, Adelaide De Loca Harold Van Duzee, Douglas Stanbury 5. ROXYETTES CAPRICE Russell E. Markert's Thirty-Two Roxyettes (Program Continued on Second Page Following) PROGRAM (Continued) 6. PRELUDE in C# MINOR          Rachmaninoff The Roxy Chorus (Choral Arrangement by Max Herzberg) (Lyrics by J. Parker Coombs) 7. MAGAZINE AND FOX MOVIETONE NEWSREEL News of the World with Sound Reproduction 8. "ALL BECAUSE OF YOU"          Henri Therrien (First Presentation) Henri Therrien and Marion Keeler Cardell Twins Roby Ballet Corps, Chorus and Russell E. Markert's Thirty-Two Roxyettes (Costumes by Montedoro) 9. WILLIAM FOX Presents "WIN THAT GIRL" With Davide Rollins and Sue Carol David Butler Production THE CAST JOHNNY NORTON, 3rd DAVID ROLLINS GLORIA HAVENS SUE CAROL LARRY BRAWN, 3rd Tom Elliott JOHNNY NORTON, 2nd Roscoe Karns LARRY BRAWN, 2nd Olin Francis JOHNNY NORTON, 1st Mack Fluker LARRY BRAWN, 1st Sidney Bracey CLARA GENTLE Janet MacLeod 1880 GIRL Maxine Shelly 1905 GIRL Betty Recklaw For Coming Attractions See Next Page PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE Toe Slippers in Roxy Ballet Exclusively by CAPEZIO, New York The STEINWAY is the official piano of the Roxy Theatre A DUO ART piano on the main floor of the Grand Rotunda The LYON AND HEALY HARP is used in the Roxy Symphony Orchestra Percussion Instrument in the Roxy Symphony Orchestra from LANDAY BROS. Scenery designed by CLARK ROBINSON and executed by JOSEPH TEICHNER Studios Rugs by CASTELLI BROS. Wigs by SHINDHELM          COSTUMES BY EAVES S. L. Rothafel invites you to have a cup of delicious BEECH-NUT Coffee. Served in the Grand Lounge Room from 2:30 to 6 and from 7:30 to 10 p.m., Sundays excepted. The Season of GREAT Pictures At the ROXY A Series of Fox Successes -- -- NEXT WEEK -- "MOTHER MACHREE" Famous Irish Melody of the Films With BELLE BENNETT and VICTOR McLAGLEN -- COMING -- "THE RED DANCE"          "SUNRISE" ROXY AND HIS GANG broadcast from the theatre studio every Sunday, from 2 to 3 P.M., and every Monday, from 7:30 to 9 P. M., by courtesy of the National Broadcasting Co, through WJZ, New York; WBZ, Springfield; WBZA, Boston; WBAL, Baltimore; WHAM, Rochester; WRC, Washington; KDKA, Pittsburgh; KYW, Chicago; WHO, Des Moines; WOW, Omaha; WSB, Atlanta; WBT, Charlotte; WZN, Nashville; KWK, St. Louis, WJR, Detroit. The Roxy Theatre S. L. ROTHAFEL - President and Director General STAFF Erno Rapee Director of Music Leon Leonidoff Production Ass't to Mr. Rothafel Clark Robinson Art Director Arthur A. Jones Comptroller Leah Klar Private Sec'y to Mr. Rothafel Martha L. Wilchinski Director of Publicity ORCHESTRAL CONDUCTORS Erno Rapee, Joseph Littau ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR Mischa Violin COMPOSER Maurice Baron House Staff Charles W. Griswold Manager Kirk  McGee Assistant manager Charles F. Dowe Assistant Manager A. C. Jacobson House Treasurer Gene Le Gendre Drill Master William Smith Chief Engineer Production Douglas B. Murray Production Manager Basil Smith Stage Director P. J. McCarthy Ass't Stage Director James S. Morcom Ass't Art Director Frank Schmeider Electrical Director Arthur Smith Chief Projectionist Harry Metz Chief of Properties Harriette Rogge Costumer Leo Russotto Vocal Coach George Torke and Walter C. Schad Musical Arrangers Edwin Zimmermann Music Librarian Ballet Leon Leonidoff Ballet Master Florence Rogge Associate Bellet Mistress Nurses Grace Marigla, R. N. Anne Beckerle, R. N. A REQUEST We, the attaches of the Roxy Theatre, earnestly request our patrons to kindly refrain from offering gratuities for any services rendered. We have pledged Mr. S. L. Rothafel, "Roxy" that we will under no circumstances accept payment from his patrons for courtesies we enjoy extending to them. The offering of a gratuity will be mutually embarrassing because it will be politely be refused. THE ATTACHES -- William J. Reilly (Chief Usher) THE WAY TO WINGS THE rush to aviation -- widely reported as it is -- doesn't impress the man-in-the-street until he comes in contact -- as the writer did the other day -- with the concrete evidence of the great interest youth is showing in this sport of eagles. One hundred and fifty eager young men there were awaiting their turns at intruction in flying -- in airplane building -- in all the sciences of man's latest conquest, the air... Out at Curtiss Field at the hanger of the Aviation Engineering school, fifty bright-eyed American -- five of them feminine -- were going up -- by turns -- in various ships of the fleet. They're taught to handle all manner of mechanical birds. Then learn flying in good weather and bad. Fog, rain , ice, snow will not retard these couriers of the air. Back in Manhattan at West 57th Street a hundred ovalalled workers were bulding the frail-looking things that are so strong -- the planes. They learn by doing in this school Actually building planes gives real insight into the work. Self-Consciousness Overcome Charm, Poise and Personality Developed. Smart Social Conversation -- Wit -- Repartee. Authoritative Social Coaching. Personally or by Mail. Est. 16 yrs. Mlle. Louise, Park Central, 56th St. and 7th Ave. Circle 8000, N. Y. Just A Step from the Roxy you will find a wide selection of beautiful fox scarfs, dresses, and fur coats. Shown in stage presentations. Each garment guaranteed perfect. Price range $10.00 to $100.00. All sizes. Deposits accepted. FRANCES REID 57 West 49th Street (Bet. 5th and 6th Avenues)  Open until 9 P.M. Plan A Trip For Tomorrow On New York's Famous Sight-Seeing Yacht "TOURIST" Leaving Battery Landing Every Day at 10:30 a.m.  2:30 p.m. ROUND TRIP $1.50 Panorama of 40 Miles AROUND MANHATTAN ISLAND Up East River passing bridges, Navy Yard, Blackwell's Island, Hell Gate, through Harlem Ship Canal, down the Hudson, past Palisades, Grant's Tomb and other points of interest. Lecturer, Refreshments, Lady Attendant Phones Whitehall 9464-9487 How Two Stars Crashed the Movie Gate (Continued from Page 2) But the movie bug had bitten deep and when I found that both Mr. Carewe and the producers were enthused over my passibilities (sic), I stayed on for a second picture. By that time, I knew that acting would be my life work and that the existence of a Society Leader could never compensate for a career. When my movie days are over, I hope to make a success in concert work," she concluded. VICTOR McLAGLEN, the burly hero of numerous screen dramas, also had a motion picture career literally thrust upon him. "I had been in the British Army sa a lieutenant in the Royal Irish Fusiliers," he said "and had gone through a number of exciting and dangerous engagements with the Turks and Arabs, when I was given the position of Provost Marshal in Bagdad. Not caring to have my career cut short by a blood-thirsty sheik, I returned to London once again. "While at the National Sporting Club I was approached by a motion picture director as being 'just the type' for a certain role. This picture was 'The Call of the Road,' and started me on my British motion picture career. A short time after, I met J. Stuart Blackton at the Oxford-Cambridge boat races. Mr. Blackton was over from America to film 'The Glorious Adventure' and offered me the leading role opposite Lady Diana Manners. I accepted and for the following four years I was starred in numerous British productions. "Later Blackton cabled me from America that he wanted me for a part in 'The Beloved Brute.' So I came to America and have been appearing here eer since. Frequently I get letters from my ex-army buddies 'kidding' me for having become a motion picture actor. But I enjoy the work and wouldn't quit it for anything." McLaglen will be seen in the leading male character role in "Mother Machree" at the Roxy next week. UPHOLSTERY SALE SLIP COVERS 50% Reductions WARNING TO THRIFY HOUSEWIVES Don't discard your old furniture. Let us reupholster it like new for little money -- or make up slip covers, in this big sale. Slip covers - 5 p. frame or 3 pc. library set in cretonne or damask, beautiful patterns, dust proff, washable $12 5 Piece Suite RE-UPHOLSTERED in latest style, tapestry or imitation leather; silk gimp; frames polished, springs inserted only Mutual Upholstery Co. No Distance Too Great For Us Phone or Write Nearest Office 19 West 34th Street, Phone Beekman 7979 2 W. 125th St., Dayton 9979 ROXY Theatre EXIT DIAGRAMS FIRE NOTICE -- Look around NOW and choose the nearest Exit to your seat. In case of fire, walk (not run) to THAT exit. Do not try to beat your neighbor to the street. JOHN J. DORMAN   Fire Commissioner More Information on the Roxy Theatre... The Roxy Theatre at CinemaTreasures.com Last Modified January 10, 2025