Technicolor Whoopee in Times Square

Exhibitors Herald–World, October 11, 1930

“Technicolor gets prominent recognition in the electrical display on the Rivoli theatre, New York, for the showing of Eddie Cantor’s ‘Whoopee,’ a United Artist picture. The Cantor comedy is an all-Technicolor film.”

Whoopee

 

Legendary theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle celebrating 20 years of theatre talks and walks, 1996-2016. Currently accepting bookings for historical societies, libraries , senior centers, etc.  Details of independent walks will be published this fall.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

Selling  on Etsy and Amazon

Coney Island Ask the Experts

Coney Island USA Events

Saturday, August 6, 5:00 pm

Ask The Experts:

Cezar Del Valle
Author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index Volume III

In this lively presentation, Del Valle explores a forgotten aspect of Coney Island history–theatre.
He will discuss not only the architecture, of which very few buildings are still extant, but also the entertainment culture going back to the late 1800s.

Talk is Included with Museum Admission. $5 for Adults,
$3 for Seniors, Kids (under 12) and residents of Zip Code 11224, at the door.

Coney Island Museum

1208 Surf Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11224

Email: museum@coneyisland.com

Review of January 2015 talk

Loew’s Coney Island

 

Legendary theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle celebrating 20 years of theatre talks and walks, 1996-2016. Currently accepting bookings for historical societies, libraries , senior centers, etc.  Details of independent walks will be published this fall.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

Selling  on Etsy and Amazon

Hurricane Strikes Times Square

Motion Picture Herald, November 20, 1937:

“Giant electrical illumination featured front of New York Astor Theatre for the two-a-day date on ‘Hurricane’ measured 75 feet in length and 40 feet high, letters from 14 to 24 feet. Two large palm trees swaying in breeze and other storm effects created by staggered flasher system were used. 14,000 bulbs were said to have been employed in the display.”

The Hurricane 

 

Legendary theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle celebrating 20 years of theatre talks and walks, 1996-2016. Currently accepting bookings for historical societies, libraries , senior centers, etc.  Details of independent walks will be published this fall.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

Selling  on Etsy and Amazon

Vampire in the Lobby Of the Loew’s

Motion Picture Herald, July 20, 1935:

“John Newkirk, manager, Loew’s Granada, Cleveland, Ohio, placed this living model gag as the center of his advance lobby set piece on ‘Mark of the Vampire’. Gal was surrounded by cutouts of the various characters with question and answer posters on either side of the chair.”

Mark of the Vampire

 

Legendary theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle celebrating 20 years of theatre talks and walks, 1996-2016. Currently accepting bookings for historical societies, libraries , senior centers, etc.  Details of independent walks will be published this fall.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

Selling  on Etsy and Amazon

Frankenstein Towers Over the Rivoli

Motion Picture Herald, August 31, 1935:

“Howard Feigley at the Rivoli in Toledo, Ohio, constructed a gigantic monster cutout for ‘Bride Of Frankenstein.’ Man stood 30 feet high and straddled sidewalk directly under marquee. Legs formed arch plenty tall enough not to hinder pedestrian traffic. Flasher light added animation.”

 

Legendary theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle is celebrating 20 years of theatre talks and walks, 1996-2016. Currently accepting bookings for historical societies, libraries , senior centers, etc.  Details of independent walks will be published this fall.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

Selling  on Etsy and Amazon

RKO Cleans UP Flushing

Motion Picture Herald, June 19, 1948:

“Sol Sorkin with his broom brigade, ready to clean up the town, and also the box office of the RKO Theatre, Flushing, New York. Sol is right in the middle, wearing a broad grin, and surrounded by his gang”

 

Legendary theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle is celebrating 20 years of theatre talks and walks, 1996-2016. Currently accepting bookings for historical societies, libraries , senior centers, etc.  Details of independent walks will be published this fall.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

Selling  on Etsy and Amazon

 

 

 

Jane Russell Underwater on Broadway

Film Bulletin, February 21, 1955:

“RKO showmen, who have been promoting ‘Underwater’ in a great big way during recent weeks, really gave the Superscopic a smash ballyhoo by erecting the largest movie sign to light up Broadway in the past 10 years, covering two corner walls of the building housing the Mayfair Theatre.

“A 50-foot figure of Jane Russell is mounted on a colored background of ocean, 85 feet wide by 81 feet high. The famous form is hand-painted on lucite with dramatic lighting directed from behind.

“Construction of the mammoth spectacular  received extensive press breaks and coverage by TV and radio.

 

“A striking comparison in size can be made as workman puts the finishing touches on La Russell’s lips.”

 

 

 

 

 

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2016: historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc

Now selling  on Etsy and Amazon