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;
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.
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;
July 12, 1974 was the grand reopening of the Roxy Theatre located at 901 Broadway. A family film, Disney's "Herbie Rides Again," was the first-run feature in the newly remodeled and refurbished motion picture theater. The Roxy had been closed since May of 1973. It was one of the five theaters owned by Will Conner recently sold to the Mullendore family of Auburn. In 1975 the Tacoma Community Development Department began to explore the idea of taking over the building to create a showcase for the performing arts. The City purchased the building in 1979 and it, once again known as the Pantages, opened as a performing arts center in February of 1983. Also in this photograph is the Winthrop Hotel, across the street from the Roxy. The Deli, a new restaurant located on the site's ground floor, was scheduled to open in July of 1974. Photograph ordered by the North Pacific Trade Center, Inc. BU -11178 (TNT 7-9-74, A-5 article on reopening; Kipp: Tacoma Rediviva, p. 74-article )
Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Tacomans turn out in droves at 11 a.m. on August 22, 1936 to see the first circus parade in years, passing by the Roxy Theatre, 901 Broadway, now known as the Pantages. The Cole Brothers- Clyde Beatty Circus is in town, featuring young wild animal trainer Clyde Beatty. Marquees indicate the Roxy Theatre, the Music Box, at 902-14 Broadway, destroyed by fire 4/30/1963, and the Rialto, 310 So. 9th. In the back right of the photo is the First Baptist Church, 902 Market St.
Circus parades--Tacoma--1930-1940; Horse teams--Tacoma; Flags; Spectators--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); First Baptist Church (Tacoma);
Tacoma was treated to an afternoon parade when Knights Templar from all over the state gathered here for the 51st Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington. Men in the traditional plumed hats with a large group of flag bearers behind them. The Roxy Theatre is in the background. The Roxy later became the Pantages. (T. Times 5/9/1938)
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);
July 12, 1974 was the grand reopening of the Roxy Theatre located at 901 Broadway. A family film, Disney's "Herbie Rides Again," was the first-run feature in the newly remodeled and refurbished motion picture theater. The Roxy had been closed since May of 1973. It was one of the five theaters owned by Will Conner recently sold to the Mullendore family of Auburn. In 1975 the Tacoma Community Development Department began to explore the idea of taking over the building to create a showcase for the performing arts. The City purchased the building in 1979 and it, once again known as the Pantages, opened as a performing arts center in February of 1983. Also in this photograph is the Winthrop Hotel, across the street from the Roxy. The Deli, a new restaurant located on the site's ground floor, was scheduled to open in July of 1974. Color photograph ordered by the North Pacific Trade Center, Inc. BU -11178 (TNT 7-9-74, A-5 article on reopening; Kipp: Tacoma Rediviva, p. 74-article )
Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
The Knights Templar band in their traditional plumed hats marched past the Roxy Theatre (later known again as the Pantages) on May 9, 1938. Tacoma was treated to a colorful afternoon parade when Knights Templar from all over the state gathered here for the 51st Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington. This parade of bands followed the marching companies. (T. Times 5/9/1938, pg. 1-article; TNT 5-9-38, p. 1-article on conclave)
The ghostly USS Macon, a dirigible, flew over the Jones Building (now known as the Pantages) in downtown Tacoma on August 22, 1934. The eerie airship was almost disguised by the clouds. Thousands of spectators lined the streets and rooftops of buildings to watch the dirigible make a wide circle over the city around 8 a.m. The Daily Ledger called the airship "a great silver fish of the skies." The Macon was lost over the waters of the Pacific Ocean offshore from Point Sur on February 12, 1935. (T. Times 8/22/1934, pg. 1)
Airships--Tacoma; Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma;
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
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 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.
Henry Foss (far left) of the Foss Launch and Tug Company was one of the invited guests who spoke at the world premiere of "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" on October 18, 1940. Standing in front of the Roxy (now Pantages) Theater are five of the Hollywood celebrities who came to Tacoma for the premiere: (l to r) Ronald Reagan, Marjorie Rambeau, columnist Hedda Hopper, Alan Hale, Sr. and Donald Crisp. Foss tugs were used in the making of the movie. As part of the ceremony a brass plaque reading "Dedicated to Tugboat Annie - 1940 - Pioneer Spirit of Puget Sound" was affixed in the sidewalk in front of the theater. The plaque is currently in storage. ALBUM 1 TPL-2664
Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reagan, Ronald Wilson, 1911-; Hale, Alan; Rambeau, Marjorie; Crisp, Donald; Hopper, Hedda; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986;
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.
Publicity for new Cavalier Cigarettes, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Mr. G.J. Friend. The publicity procession passes the Roxy Theater where Frank Sinatra, Esther Williams and Gene Kelly star in the technicolor musical "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
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;
