October 18, 1940, sepia photograph of actors laying commemorative plaque in front of Roxy (Pantages) Theater before premiere of "Tugboat Annie Sails Again." L to R: Donald Crisp, Ronald Reagan, Marjorie Rambeau , Hedda Hopper (partly hidden), Alan Hale, Sr. The plaque later was moved to the south wall. Miss Rambeau and Mr. Hale played rivals in the tugboat business while Mr. Reagan portrayed Eddie Kent, a poor sailor who falls in love with rich socialite Jane Wyman. ALBUM 1

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reagan, Ronald Wilson, 1911-; Hale, Alan; Rambeau, Marjorie; Crisp, Donald; Hopper, Hedda; Plaques--Tacoma;

Ronald Reagan at the microphone in front of the Roxy (Pantages) Theater during ceremonies before the premiere of "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" on October 18, 1940. Mr. Reagan was spokesperson for the film at each of the three theaters where it was shown, the Roxy, Blue Mouse and Music Box. Beside him are Marjorie Rambeau, Alan Hale, Sr., and Hedda Hopper. Ground has already been prepared for the placing of the commemorative plaque which is dedicated to Tugboat Annie.

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reagan, Ronald Wilson, 1911-; Hale, Alan; Rambeau, Marjorie; Hopper, Hedda; Plaques--Tacoma;

Mayor Harry P. Cain, far left, watches actors laying a commemorative plaque in front of Roxy (Pantages) Theater before the premiere of "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" on October 18, 1940. L to R: Donald Crisp, Ronald Reagan, Marjorie Rambeau , Hedda Hopper and Alan Hale, Sr. Tacoma was the site of the world premiere of the movie. Other activities included in this whirlwind visit were official receptions and tugboat rides. ALBUM 1

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reagan, Ronald Wilson, 1911-; Hale, Alan; Rambeau, Marjorie; Crisp, Donald; Hopper, Hedda; Plaques--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

On the count of three, everyone including Mayor Harry P. Cain, in white, heaves their pot or pan over the chicken wire fence enclosing the aluminum collection area. Used aluminum was being collected in Tacoma during a week long drive, July 21-29, 1941. The melted down metal would be used to manufacture bombers. In the background is the marquee of the Roxy Theater where Don Ameche and Betty Grable are starring in "Moon Over Miami." (TNT 7/21/1941, pg. 14)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Home Defense Corps (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Marquees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In May of 1941, Pfc. Kenneth E. Wilkinson counted his cash in his wallet, hoping to take in a matinee performance at the Roxy of Charlie Chaplin in "The Great Dictator." Stationed with Company E, 186th Infantry at Fort Lewis, Pfc. Wilkinson was the Army's most devoted movie fan. He had seen 245 full length feature pictures since he enlisted on October 4, 1940 at a cost he estimated to be about $65. The "Great Dictator" was making a second run around the country in general release at regular prices, 30 cents til 5p.m. and 45 cents at night. The national UP wire picked up the story on Wilkinson and Hollywood fell in love with the shy star struck private. The motion picture industry flew him to Hollywood for a week to meet and be entertained by noted producers, directors and actors. (T. Times 4/29/194, pg. 5; 7/24/41, pg. 1) TPL-1989

Wilkinson, Kenneth E.; Motion pictures; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma;

On October 30, 1941 troops of the 3rd Division's Infantry Battalion maintained close-order formation as they passed the Roxy Theater, turning from Broadway to march down South 9th Street. One of the largest crowds to ever watch a parade in Tacoma gathered to view the Army Day extravaganza. The parade of over 10,000 soldiers, with their support vehicles, stretched for over 6 miles. (TTimes 10/30/1941 p. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A group of young Tacoma and Pierce County men were sworn into the U.S. Navy at a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony held at the corner of 9th and Broadway on Sunday June 7, 1942 in front of the Roxy Theater. The members of the Navy Mother's Club were honored guests. The participants are standing in "V for Victory" formation. (T. Times June 8, 1942 p.12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A group of young Tacoma and Pierce County men were sworn into the U.S. Navy at a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony held at the corner of 9th and Broadway on Sunday June 7, 1942 in front of the Roxy Theater. The new Naval recruits smile at someone's young son in a Navy uniform. (T. Times June 8, 1942 p.12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

KIRO crowd at Roxy for Sears style show. More than 2,000 women lined up outside the Roxy Theatre hoping to get in to see the Charmode Corsetry Style Show, sponsored by KIRO Radio and Sears. All women who got in received a card entitling them to purchase nylon hosiery at Sears. The show featured a wide array of post war undergarments (T. Times, 4/25/46, p. 7).

Audiences--Tacoma; Lingerie; Fashion shows--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Women--Social life--Tacoma;

On April 24, 1946, hundreds of Tacoma women lined up in front of the Roxy Theater at 9th and Broadway for the Charmode Corsetry Style Show. Sponsored by Sears, Roebuck Company, Judith Lane, of KIRO radio, narrated the show, describing in detail the countless Charmode corsets, brassiers and girdles presented by the professional models. Those who arrived early for the show received cards that entitled them to purchase nylon hose at Sears. Mrs. A.D. Sherron of 702 Fawcett Ave. was first in line for the 9:30 a.m. show. She arrived at the theater at 7 a.m.(T. Times, 4/25/46, p. 7).

Marquees--Tacoma; Lingerie; Fashion shows--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Women--Social life--Tacoma;

Tom Breneman's "Breakfast in Hollywood " film at Tacoma's Roxy (Pantages) Theater in August, 1946. Masters of Ceremonies Bill Gunning and Al Priddy of Radio Station KJR advertising Kellogg's "All Bran" and "Pep" cereals. They hold up industrial-sized boxes of breakfast cereal. A cardboard cutout, perhaps of star Tom Breneman, is propped up between the men. KJR would rebroadcast Mr. Breneman's program the day of the movie opening, August 20, 1946. (T.Times, Ad, 8-18-46, p. 6) TPL-1396 ALBUM 7.

Advertisements--Tacoma; Advertising--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Prepared cereals--Tacoma; Priddy, Al; Gunning, Bill;

Tom Breneman's "Breakfast in Hollywood Show" at Tacoma's Roxy (Pantages) Theater on August 20, 1946. Masters of Ceremonies from KJR Radio with participants in the Goofy Hat contest. Bill Gunning reaches out to gently touch the live kitten tied to a woman's hat while the other contestants look on. The hat with the candy Easter Bunny was the winner; however, the live kitten and hat with plastic helicopter may have also placed. Standing next to Al Priddy, another contestant is holding three boxes of Ivory Flakes, perhaps a consolation prize. (No Negative) ALBUM 7.

Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Awards; Orchids--Tacoma; Hats--1940-1950; Priddy, Al; Gunning, Bill;

Tom Breneman's "Breakfast in Hollywood Show" at Tacoma's Roxy (Pantages) Theater on August 20, 1946. Masters of Ceremonies, Al Priddy and Bill Gunning (with microphone) from KJR Radio giving a prize to Mrs. Bernice Busick, a participant in the Goofy Hat contest. She would eventually carry home top honors in this category. Her vegetation-bedecked bonnet would consist of a candy Easter Bunny clutching a carrot complete with greens and small matches, tied on with a big bow. (T.Times, 8-21-46, p. 1) ALBUM 7.

Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Awards; Priddy, Al; Gunning, Bill; Busick, Bernice;

Opening night of Tom Breneman's "Breakfast in Hollywood Show" at Tacoma's Roxy (Pantages) Theater, August 20, 1946. KJR Radio's Masters of Ceremonies with a contestant in the Goofy Hat contest. Al Priddy and Bill Gunning, KJR announcers, stand with the eventual Goofy Hat winning contestant, Mrs. Bernice Busick of Puyallup. Her unique hat sported dainty matches, carrot and greens, lace curtain veil and a tiny candy Easter Bunny. ALBUM 7. (T.Times, 8-21-46, p. 1)

Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Priddy, Al; Gunning, Bill; Busick, Bernice;

Tom Breneman's "Breakfast in Hollywood Show" at Tacoma's Roxy (Pantages) Theater on August 20, 1946. Masters of Ceremonies, Al Priddy and Bill Gunning, from KJR Radio giving a prize to a fan. This is possibly Mrs. T.A. Page who won an orchid for being the youngest bride present; she had only been married two weeks. It appears that the theater management sponsored many contests to promote interest in the opening of the new motion picture, including "goofy hat," "oldest mother," and the above "youngest bride." A young man on a mule, both wearing hats, advertised the movie on downtown streets. The popular radio program of the same name had been transferred onto the big screen and attracted a large crowd on opening night. (T.Times, 8-21-46, p. 1) ALBUM 7.

Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Orchids--Tacoma; Priddy, Al; Gunning, Bill;

Tom Breneman's "Breakfast in Hollywood Show" at Tacoma's Roxy (Pantages) Theater on August 20, 1946. KJR Radio Masters of Ceremonies giving a prize to a fan. Al Priddy (L) and Bill Gunning present Mrs. May Matson a beautiful orchid for being the oldest mother, age 81, present at the opening of "Breakfast in Hollywood." Mrs. Matson indicated that it was only the second orchid she had ever received; the first was when she got married. The "oldest mother" was just one of the many contests held during the course of the movie's run to celebrate the transfer of the popular radio program onto the big screen; others included goofiest hat, youngest bride and oldest lady. (T.Times, 8-21-46, p. 1) ALBUM 7.

Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Orchids--Tacoma; Priddy, Al; Gunning, Bill; Matson, May;

Crowd for radio personality Tom Breneman's "Breakfast in Hollywood Show" at Tacoma's Roxy (Pantages) Theater on opening night, August 20, 1946. Roxy Theater neon sign and marquee are very prominent in background. The popular radio program has been transferred to the big screen starring Mr. Breneman, Bonita Granville, singer Andy Russell, Zasu Pitts, Hedda Hopper, and Spike Jones & his City Slickers. Tacomans of all ages, some in the Armed Forces, queue up beneath the marquee. KJR radio would re-broadcast Mr. Breneman's radio program that same night at the theater. Director Harold Shuster's film provided an extra attraction for families of those involved in the film: nearly 100 extras and minor characters, some of whom had never had screen credit before, got the chance to call out their own names and hometowns on camera. ALBUM 7. (T.Times, 8-20-46, p. 6)

Marquees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Queues--Tacoma; Theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma);

Roxy Theater, advertising for "The Spider Woman Strikes Back" and "The She Wolf of London", someone with a large mask pulls a gurney with a woman who "couldn't take it" from the lobby while two other women scream at the sight of her.

Publicity; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture posters;

Roxy Theater. A tall young man wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and black cape stands outside the theater on November 19, 1946 announcing the movie now showing, "Cloak and Dagger" starring Gary Cooper.

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Marquees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion pictures;

Roxy Theater. A young man dares everyone to "See Me in "Cloak and Dagger" Roxy Theater". Theater posters show scenes from the movie and advertise Gary Cooper is starring.

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion picture posters; Motion pictures;

An unidentified couple won the dog shown in this photograph in a special drawing held at the Roxy Theater on August 1, 1947. The dog was borrowed from the Tacoma pound for a publicity stunt. It was used to help advertise the film "The Sea Hawk" starring Errol Flynn. When the publicity was finished the dog was to be returned to the pound. Rather then return the dog to the pound, where it would probably be "put to sleep", the theater management called on the citizens of Tacoma to give the dog a home. (T.Times, 7/30/1947) Dog being awarded to winner at Roxy Theater, O'Connell Ragan Company, Beverly Balster.

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dogs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Publicity;

Cecil B. DeMille's "King of Kings" was presented at the Roxy (Pantages) Theater March 22 - 26, 1948. Admission was free as sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The theater was nearly filled for the showing of the film when this photograph was taken on the 26th. The Pantages was built as a vaudeville theater in 1917. Motion pictures replaced vaudeville shows and the name was changed to the RKO Orpheum in 1930 and changed again in 1932 when the new Roxy opened. The Pantages was rededicated after restoration in 1983. Ordered by, Council of Churches, Loyal Vickers. (TNT, 3/21/1948, p. A-12). TPL-1773

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion pictures; Motion picture audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The north-west corner of the Jones Building which currently housed the Roxy Theatre. The theater's neon sign is attached to the corner to be visible from both Broadway and North 9th Street and the marquee announces "The Lusty Men" starring Robert Mitchum and the "Wac from Walla Walla". The Broadway side of the building has two more stories than the rear of the building which served as offices for Poe Real Estate and Insurance, Ruby & Leroy's Beauty Salon, a chiropractor, dentist, architect, several physicians, lawyers, accountants, and A-1 Employment Agency among others. This view south along Broadway shows two-way traffic and Christmas decorations hanging over the street. TPL-821

Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Marquees--Tacoma;

The rear and north side of the Jones Building which was built in 1917 as one of the Pantages Theaters featuring vaudeville. The back of the building shows beautiful detail in the brickwork creating lines and arches reminiscent of the architecture found on the north and west sides of the building as well as the interior. The north side has architectural details with arches and balconies built into the stone facade. Terra cotta details are seen as ornaments against the stone. Lanes Grill is seen at 904 Commerce Street and Tryfon Hatters is at 908 Commerce Street. TPL-9064

Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Lanes Grill (Tacoma); Tryfon Hatters (Tacoma);

The old switchboard at the Jones Building, also known as the Pantages Theater, at 909 Broadway. Ordered by Westinghouse Electric Supply Company, Van Hodgins.

Jones Building (Tacoma); Switchboards--Tacoma; Historic buildings--Tacoma; Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. (Tacoma);

Audience watches in fascination at the Roxy Theatre, operated by John Hamrick's movie theatres. This view of the audience as seen from the stage shows both the lower and the balcony seating. One boy in the front row covers his face with his hands. The Roxy at this time was operating as an opulent movie house. Ordered by Rev. Vickers, Tacoma Council of Churches. The theatre now operates as the Pantages Theatre, a legitimate stage house named after the original builder.

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Motion pictures; Motion picture audiences--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In September of 1950, an unidentified young officer questions a small boy in front of the Roxy Theater. The boy, who seems to have made a lunch of chocolate at a matinee and retains most of it on his face and hands, may be looking for his mother. Ordered by the Tribune city desk. TPL-7116

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. Four of the five infantry battalions that marched in the Washington Birthday one and one-half hour parade show a massed strength of 2,400 men. This view shows the battalions marching north along Broadway. Soldiers marching at the front are just turning the corner in front of the Roxy Theater onto South 9th Street. Several spectators are standing on the awning over the sidewalk in front of the Roxy. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1)

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Military Parade, Times, Sandegren. A brass band is about to turn the corner from Broadway onto South 9th Street during the Washington Birthday parade held in Tacoma in 1949. Men are playing trombones, sousaphones, tubas and drums. The crowd along the sides of Broadway are holding umbrellas and the streets are wet from rain.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brass instruments; Marching bands;

Five infantry battalions marched in a military parade on Washington's Birthday in 1949. The one and one-half hour parade included over 4,000 troops. This view shows the battalions marching north along Broadway. Soldiers marching at the front are just turning the corner in front of the Roxy Theater onto South 9th Street. Several spectators are standing on the awning over the sidewalk in front of the Roxy. Photo taken for Sandegren, Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 2/23/1949, p.1) TPL-9062

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950;