Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
TPL-7532
Date(s)
- 1932 (Creation)
Extent
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
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;