Ross Melnick
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231159050
- eISBN:
- 9780231504256
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231159050.003.0006
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
During the postwar period, film exhibition ushered in larger orchestras, more elaborate stage shows, and a growing acceptance of foreign, documentary, and avant-garde films. It was also a period of ...
More
During the postwar period, film exhibition ushered in larger orchestras, more elaborate stage shows, and a growing acceptance of foreign, documentary, and avant-garde films. It was also a period of great technological advancement—of new synchronous sound formats developed by Lee DeForest and Western Electric, and, through the use of some of those same patents, the development of sound amplification and wireless transmission. This chapter describes how Roxy harnessed his growing political and cultural might and a host of new technologies to become not only the most famous film exhibitor in the United States but one of the most famous entertainers in North America. Roxy, for instance, integrated radio at the Capitol in November 1922 by broadcasting the musical portions of the show that preceded or accompanied the short and feature films he exhibited. These broadcasts were considered “radio's first genuine hit,” and Roxy's initial shows were heard across the United States, well into Canada and Cuba, and on ships at sea that picked up the broadcast.Less
During the postwar period, film exhibition ushered in larger orchestras, more elaborate stage shows, and a growing acceptance of foreign, documentary, and avant-garde films. It was also a period of great technological advancement—of new synchronous sound formats developed by Lee DeForest and Western Electric, and, through the use of some of those same patents, the development of sound amplification and wireless transmission. This chapter describes how Roxy harnessed his growing political and cultural might and a host of new technologies to become not only the most famous film exhibitor in the United States but one of the most famous entertainers in North America. Roxy, for instance, integrated radio at the Capitol in November 1922 by broadcasting the musical portions of the show that preceded or accompanied the short and feature films he exhibited. These broadcasts were considered “radio's first genuine hit,” and Roxy's initial shows were heard across the United States, well into Canada and Cuba, and on ships at sea that picked up the broadcast.
Ross Melnick
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231159050
- eISBN:
- 9780231504256
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231159050.003.0005
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
This chapter discusses Roxy's career from 1919–1922. In January 1919 Roxy resigned his position as manager of the Rivoli and Rialto, prompted by organizational disputes with the theater owners and ...
More
This chapter discusses Roxy's career from 1919–1922. In January 1919 Roxy resigned his position as manager of the Rivoli and Rialto, prompted by organizational disputes with the theater owners and his search for a way to express himself further as an artist. In the fall of 1919 he became “national director of moving picture presentation” for Goldwyn Pictures. In 1920 he was named new director of presentations of Capitol Theatre in New York, after Samuel Goldwyn and his backers acquired a controlling interest in Capitol. Between 1920 and 1922, the Capitol Theatre became the most lauded theater in the United States due to its enormous size and, more importantly, Roxy's selection of feature films and their accompanying elaborate presentations.Less
This chapter discusses Roxy's career from 1919–1922. In January 1919 Roxy resigned his position as manager of the Rivoli and Rialto, prompted by organizational disputes with the theater owners and his search for a way to express himself further as an artist. In the fall of 1919 he became “national director of moving picture presentation” for Goldwyn Pictures. In 1920 he was named new director of presentations of Capitol Theatre in New York, after Samuel Goldwyn and his backers acquired a controlling interest in Capitol. Between 1920 and 1922, the Capitol Theatre became the most lauded theater in the United States due to its enormous size and, more importantly, Roxy's selection of feature films and their accompanying elaborate presentations.
