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;

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;

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;

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.

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

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."

Publicity; Cigarettes; Cigarette industry; R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marquees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma);

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;

ca. 1931. The Mort Merrick Dance Revue of 1931 came, with a cast of 150 dancers, to the RKO Orpheum Theatre.

RKO Orpheum Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; City & town life--Tacoma--1930-1940;Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940

ca. 1932. On September 30, 1932, the former RKO Orpheum Theater at 901 Broadway opened with great fanfare as the new movie palace, the "Roxy," complete with a glowing neon marquee. The first bill of fare featured the sound feature "This Sporting Age" starring Jack Holt and a new Mickey Mouse cartoon. Adults paid 15 cents 9am - 5pm, 20 cents after five and kids were "a dime anytime." The Roxy had been constructed in 1917 by theatrical entrepreneur Alexander Pantages at what was formerly the site of the Gross Brothers Department Store. The building has since returned to its original name, the Pantages, and is on the City, State and National Registries. Across the street was the Tacoma Theater (902-14 Broadway), known in 1932 as the "Broadway," which was scheduled to reopen October 8th as another movie palace. The theater was destroyed by fire in 1963; at the time of the fire it was called The Music Box Theater.

Marquees; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Broadway Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940;