The ORIGINAL Majestic Theatre - anyone have a picture of it?

[markypoo]

I mean the one that was near Columbus Circle. What stands there now, btw?!?
And is a marquee shot too much to hope for?!?

[frontrowcentre2]

It stood where the Time Warner center is now. It was tyorn down in 1954 but for the last 5 years it was used as a TV studio.

There is a brief write up here:
http://www.musicals101.com/bwaypast4.htm#Majestic

[Justin D]

I wish my scanner was working, the book i have has some great shots of the theatre, it was huge and very impressive looking. Not much of a Marquis in the shot though, it looks like one of those big buildings that you aren't sure where the theatre is.

[MrBundles]

[Mamie]

Mr. Bundles - WHO or WHAT is the source of your fabulous photographs?

[MrBundles]

LOST BROADWAY THEATRES-Nicholas Van Hoogstraten

[RentBoy86]

I'm going to need to get that book!

[Justin D]

That's the book I have, its great, espicially the back section that has in alot of building plans for the theatres

[singtopher]

Wowzers- How many did that theatre seat?

[best12bars]

The original Majestic was built by the guy who designed Grant's Tomb. The first big production it presented was L. Frank Baum's own hit musical version of "The Wizard of Oz." 1903. It ran for a year before going on the road for ten years. It was the "Cats" of its day.

[musicalbluemirror]

Ill have to grab a hold of that book!
I absolutly love old theatres that no longer exist and the older designs of marquees from back in the day

If any of you checkn out THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (which is brilliant btw) theres a scene with the original front design of the Majestic on 44th and they take you inside for the ballet beach scene in Carousel
Truly amazing to almost be brought back years ago before they stopped actually having lights up for the marquees

Anyone have any idea why they stopped that and started having print out logos hung up on display??

[markypoo]

MrBundles and Mamie: Thank you so much for the pics. They couldn't have been BETTER!

[markypoo]

Why did they just HAVE to tear this crown jewel down?

[Phillypinto]

OMG the outside of the theatre is BEAUTIFUL!! It would be nice to have a theatre in a park. It actually reminds me of the Palace in london

[Mr Roxy]

Your have no idea how many beautiful theaters have been torn down to make way for progress.

[Mr. Nowack]

Rather majestic indeed if I do say so myself.

The exterior is very much in the style of the late 19th century theaters, rather than the more cramped exteriors of the 20th century Broadway houses.

[MissAnneThrop]

according to ibdb: Seats (approximate): 1355

[Mr Roxy]

Rent Boy

The book in question is out of print . Try Amazon

[mikey2573]

I believe it was renamed The International Theater.  You can see a picture of it with its surrounding buildings here: 

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/2936

If you click on the picture it brings you to other pictures of the theater, the marquee and the interior.  Looks like these pictures were taken at a time when advertising billboards dwarfed or obscured much of the building's beauty. 

[Mr. Nowack]

Wow quite a transformation in that interior!

[PalJoey]

Well, hello, Markypoo. Long time no see.

[markypoo]

hey handsome.  amazing how you bear an uncanny resemblance to Gene Kelly.

[Phillypinto]

who are you markypoo? 

[markypoo]

Is that a rhetorical question?

[Phillypinto]

lol no