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=== Conversion to movie house === Radio City's initial policy of live shows was so poorly received that, just two weeks after its opening, its managers announced that the theater would switch to showing feature films, accompanied by a spectacular stage show that Roxy had perfected.<ref>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Kelcey |date=January 9, 1933 |title=Amusements: New Prices For Radio Music Hall |volume=46 |pages=18–19 |work=Women's Wear Daily |issue=5 |id={{ProQuest|1654365272}}}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 1933">{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1933 |title=Radio Music Hall to Be Movie House; 6,200-Seat Theatre to Co on Popular Price Basis With Films and Stage Shows |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/01/06/archives/radio-music-hall-to-be-movie-house-6200seat-theatre-to-co-on.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401171934/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/01/06/archives/radio-music-hall-to-be-movie-house-6200seat-theatre-to-co-on.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="New York Herald Tribune 1933">{{cite news |date=January 6, 1933 |title=Wednesday Set For Policy Shift In Radio City: Music Hall to Drop Lavish Show, Offer Film and Variety at Red Need Prices RKO Roxy Change Later Rumors Persist, Are Denied Anew, House Will Close |page=16 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1114797421}}}}</ref> The announcement came amid false rumors that the theater would close.<ref name="The New York Times 1933" /><ref name="New York Herald Tribune 1933" /> On January 11, 1933, after incurring a net operating loss of $180,000, Radio City became a movie and live-show house.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1978|p=19}}{{sfn|Balfour|1978|p=95}} The first film shown on the giant screen was Frank Capra's ''[[The Bitter Tea of General Yen]]''.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1978|p=19}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E01EEDC1E3BEF3ABC4A52DFB7668388629EDE|title=Radio City Music Hall Shows a Melodrama of China as Its First Pictorial Attraction|last=Hall|first=Mordaunt|date=January 12, 1933|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 14, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215000805/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E01EEDC1E3BEF3ABC4A52DFB7668388629EDE|url-status=live}}</ref> One critic said the same year that the Music Hall "is alone in carrying on the tradition of bigger things which underlay the whole project at the beginning".<ref>{{cite news |last=Furnas |first=J C. |date=July 16, 1933 |title=Radio City Music Hall Holds To Tradition of Bigger Things |page=D3 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1114562757}}}}</ref> William G. Van Schmus was hired as the theater's managing director that March, though he had never managed a theater before.<ref name="The New York Times 1942">{{Cite news |date=January 15, 1942 |title=Wm. G. Van Schmus, Theatre Head, Dies |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/01/15/archives/wm-g-van-schmus-theatre-head-dies-director-of-radio-city-music-hall.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182904/https://www.nytimes.com/1942/01/15/archives/wm-g-van-schmus-theatre-head-dies-director-of-radio-city-music-hall.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The top admission in the theater's first year was 40 cents during the day and 88 cents at night.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glover |first=William |date=December 23, 1962 |title=Radio City Music Hall Still Tops in Opulence |page=13D |work=The Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution |id={{ProQuest|1635682023}}}}</ref> Radio City became the premiere showcase for films from the [[RKO|RKO-Radio]] studio, with ''[[Topaze (1933 American film)|Topaze]]'' being the first RKO film to play there in 1933.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpictureher114unse#page/n288/mode/1up|title=More Than 8,000,000 Attended Radio City Houses in First Year|work=[[Motion Picture Herald]]|date=January 20, 1934|page=27|access-date=April 30, 2018}}</ref> Some of the films that premiered at Radio City Music Hall included ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' (1933), [[Breakfast at Tiffany's (film)|''Breakfast at Tiffany's'']] (1961), [[To Kill a Mockingbird (film)|''To Kill a Mockingbird'']] (1962), [[Mary Poppins (film)|''Mary Poppins'']] (1964), [[The Jungle Book (1967 film)|''The Jungle Book'']] (1967), and ''[[The Lion King]]'' (1994).<ref name="Wang 2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/nyregion/new-york-today-radio-city-music-hall-history.html|title=New York Today: The Many Lives of Radio City Music Hall|last=Wang|first=Vivian|date=January 5, 2018|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 15, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109042503/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/nyregion/new-york-today-radio-city-music-hall-history.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''New York Daily News'' said that, in total, the theater hosted the premieres of over 650 movies.<ref name="O'Haire 1982">{{cite news|title=Radio City Hits Half-Century|last=O'Haire|first=Patricia|date=March 26, 1982|work=New York Daily News|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26588481/ 104], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26588492/ 106], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26588506/ 112]|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> At the theater's peak, four complete performances were presented every day.<ref name="cinematreasures">{{cite web |date=September 23, 2014 |title=Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY |url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/55 |access-date=November 7, 2019 |website=Cinema Treasures |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019005119/http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/55 |url-status=live}}</ref> ==== 1930s to 1950s ==== [[File:Radio City Music Hall 1a.jpg|thumb|Seen from 51st Street]] In addition to its movie screenings, Radio City hosted a holy hour for Catholics, Protestants, and Jews starting in 1933.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 2, 1933 |title=Three Faiths Hold Holy Hour Today; Rabbi Lyons, Dr. Cadman and Ex-Gov. Smith to Address Meeting in Radio City |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/04/02/archives/three-faiths-hold-holy-hour-today-rabbi-lyons-dr-cadman-and-exgov.html|access-date=April 1, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182930/https://www.nytimes.com/1933/04/02/archives/three-faiths-hold-holy-hour-today-rabbi-lyons-dr-cadman-and-exgov.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The theater started experimenting with operatic performances in May 1934.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 8, 1934|title=Opera for Radio City; ' Madama Butterfly' to Open at Music Hall Thursday|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/08/archives/opera-for-radio-city-madama-butterfly-to-open-at-music-hall.html|access-date=April 1, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182905/https://www.nytimes.com/1934/05/08/archives/opera-for-radio-city-madama-butterfly-to-open-at-music-hall.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Washington Post 1935">{{cite news |date=March 31, 1935 |title=World's Largest Playhouse Announces Artistic Ventures: Radio City Music Hall, In New York, Sets Up Formidable Array of Concert Artists With Which Picture Theater Will Have to Compete. |page=SS2 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|150614493}}}}</ref> The performances were so popular that Van Schmus decided to produce more opera shows to be performed four times a day.<ref name="The Washington Post 1935" /> Van Schmus subsequently hired [[Serge Sudeikin]], Albert Johnson, and [[Boris Aronson]] as the theater's art directors, under senior producer Leon Leonidoff.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 27, 1935 |title=Music Hall Engages Three Art Directors; Soudeikine, Johnson and Aronson Will Assist in Production of Stage Presentations |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/27/archives/music-hall-engages-three-art-directors-soudeikine-johnson-and.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919061714/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/27/archives/music-hall-engages-three-art-directors-soudeikine-johnson-and.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Early films screened at Radio City included ''[[Becky Sharp (film)|Becky Sharp]]'' (1935), the first [[feature film]] to use three-strip [[Technicolor]] production;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sennwald|first=Andre |date=June 14, 1935 |title=The Screen; The Radio City Music Hall Presents 'Becky Sharp,' The First Full-Length Three-Color Photoplay |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/06/14/archives/the-screen-the-radio-city-music-hall-presents-becky-sharp-the-first.html|access-date=April 1, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629134407/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/06/14/archives/the-screen-the-radio-city-music-hall-presents-becky-sharp-the-first.html|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[Show Boat (1936 film)|1936 film version]] of the musical ''[[Show Boat]]'';<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nugent |first=Frank S. |date=May 15, 1936 |title=The Screen; A Bravo for Universal's Splendid Film Edition of 'Show Boat,' At the Radio City Music Hall |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/05/15/archives/the-screen-a-bravo-for-universals-splendid-film-edition-of-show.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130220106/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/05/15/archives/the-screen-a-bravo-for-universals-splendid-film-edition-of-show.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' (1937), [[Walt Disney]]'s first full-length feature film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nugent |first=Frank S. |date=January 14, 1938 |title=The Screen in Review; The Music Hall Presents Walt Disney's Delightful Fantasy, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'-Other New Films at Capitol and Criterion |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/14/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-music-hall-presents-walt-disneys.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315142826/https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/14/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-music-hall-presents-walt-disneys.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The theater's non-cinematic events included a stage show about the history of lighting,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 3, 1936 |title=Progress of Light Show; Radio City Music Hall to Exhibit Development From Candle Era |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/02/03/archives/progress-of-light-show-radio-city-music-hall-to-exhibit-development.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182908/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/02/03/archives/progress-of-light-show-radio-city-music-hall-to-exhibit-development.html |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as a fundraiser for the Red Cross.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 11, 1937 |title=Debutantes to Sell Flowers for Relief; Young Matrons to Assist in Aid for Red Cross at Radio City Music Hall Tonight |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/02/11/archives/debutantes-to-sell-flowers-for-relief-young-matrons-to-assist-in.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182907/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/02/11/archives/debutantes-to-sell-flowers-for-relief-young-matrons-to-assist-in.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By January 1937, more than 25 million people had visited the theater over the previous four years, paying total admission of $17.5 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Kelcey |date=January 4, 1937 |title=Amusements: Radio City Music Hall's Great Success |volume=54 |page=18 |work=Women's Wear Daily |issue=1 |id={{ProQuest|1699899072}}}}</ref> Radio City was used for [[Easter]] worship services starting in 1940.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1944/04/10/archives/thousands-attend-services-at-dawn-largest-of-citys-crowds-is.html |title=Thousands Attend Services At Dawn; Largest of City's Crowds Is Gathering of 8,000 In Radio City Music Hall |date=April 10, 1944|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331 |access-date=December 15, 2018|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216045833/https://www.nytimes.com/1944/04/10/archives/thousands-attend-services-at-dawn-largest-of-citys-crowds-is.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The next year, the theater hosted "the most elaborate benefit performance ever held in New York", a World War II fundraiser.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 22, 1941 |title=Midnight-Dawn Show Is Staged To Aid Britain: More Than $25,000 Raised at Elaborate Benefit in Radio City Music Hall |page=4 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1335110117}}}}</ref> After Van Schmus died in January 1942,<ref name="The New York Times 1942" /> G. S. Eysell took over as the managing director.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 20, 1942 |title=Eysell Chosen As Radio City Music Hall Head: Former Assistant Succeeds to Posts of Van Schmus, Who Died Last Wednesday |page=12 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1263518435}}}}</ref> During this time, Radio City hosted films such as ''[[The Philadelphia Story (film)|The Philadelphia Story]]'' (1940),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Churchill |first=Douglas W. |title=Screen News Here and in Hollywood |work=The New York Times |date=December 26, 1940 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/12/26/archives/screen-news-here-and-in-hollywood-lloyd-nolans-first-picture-in-18.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182857/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/12/26/archives/screen-news-here-and-in-hollywood-lloyd-nolans-first-picture-in-18.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Sunny (1941 film)|Sunny]]'' (1941),<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 12, 1941 |title=Screen News Here and in Hollywood; ' Whistling in the Dark' Selected by Metro for Remake, With S. Sylvan Simon Directing |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/06/12/archives/screen-news-here-and-in-hollywood-whistling-in-the-dark-selected-by.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403220542/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/06/12/archives/screen-news-here-and-in-hollywood-whistling-in-the-dark-selected-by.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Valley of Decision]]'' (1945),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crowther |first=Bosley |date=May 4, 1945 |title=The Screen in Review; 'The Valley of Decision,' With Greer Carson and Gregory Peck, Makes Its Appearance at the Radio City Music Hall |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/05/04/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-valley-of-decision-with-greer-carson-and.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713145223/https://www.nytimes.com/1945/05/04/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-valley-of-decision-with-greer-carson-and.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[The Late George Apley (film)|The Late George Apley]]'' (1947).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crowther |first=Bosley |date=March 21, 1947 |title=The Screen in Review; 'The Late George Apley' Based on Novel by Marquand, New Bill at Radio City Music Hall – Ronald Colman Is Starred' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/03/21/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-late-george-apley-based-on-novel-by.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182904/https://www.nytimes.com/1947/03/21/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-late-george-apley-based-on-novel-by.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Lines for the theater's Christmas show frequently stretched around the block. Performances by the Rockettes and a 60-member orchestra accompanied many live shows.{{sfn|Marshall|2005|p=128}} [[Ernö Rapée]], who had headed Radio City's [[orchestra]] since its opening, continued to lead the theater's orchestra until he died in 1945.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 27, 1945 |title=Erno Rapee Dies; Noted Musician; Head of Orchestra at Radio City Music Hall—Composer of Song Hits in Films Presented Mahler Work Conducted in Europe |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/06/27/archives/erno-rapee-dies-noted-musician-head-of-orchestra-at-radio-city.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182907/https://www.nytimes.com/1945/06/27/archives/erno-rapee-dies-noted-musician-head-of-orchestra-at-radio-city.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Radio City continued to operate every day, although it sometimes closed briefly for part of the day. For example, it partially closed after U.S. president [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] died in 1945 and again during a fuel shortage the next year.<ref name="Lucchese 1965">{{Cite news |last=Lucchese |first=Sam F. |date=February 21, 1965 |title=Radio City Music Hall Closing for Face-Lifting: Decorators Will Hustle To Finish Job in 5 Days |page=9D |work=The Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution |id={{ProQuest|1636139395}}}}</ref><ref name="The New York Times 1965">{{Cite news |date=March 2, 1965 |title=Gold-Fingered Men Working at Music Hall |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/02/archives/goldfingered-men-working-at-music-hall.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403220542/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/02/archives/goldfingered-men-working-at-music-hall.html |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Alexander Smallens]] became the theater's musical director in 1947,<ref>{{cite news |date=September 10, 1947 |title=Smallens to Make Debut In Radio City Music Hall |page=22 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1322171637}}}}</ref> and Raymond Paige assumed that position three years later.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 15, 1950 |title=Named Musical Director Of Radio City Music Hall |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/07/15/archives/named-musical-director-of-radio-city-music-hall.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401182924/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/07/15/archives/named-musical-director-of-radio-city-music-hall.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The theater's sound system was upgraded in mid-1953, enabling the venue to show [[3D film]]s without intermission.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 4, 1953 |title=3-D Without Intermission At Radio City Music Hall |volume=63 |issue=10 |page=28 |id={{ProQuest|1529195749}} |magazine=Boxoffice}}</ref> Radio City disbanded its in-house male chorus in 1958, instead hiring choral acts from around the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 29, 1958 |title=Music Hall Drops Its Male Chorus |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/05/29/archives/music-hall-drops-its-male-chorus.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401184239/https://www.nytimes.com/1958/05/29/archives/music-hall-drops-its-male-chorus.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The theater also hosted benefit parties for Big Brothers Inc. from 1953<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/11/19/archives/movie-show-dec-17-for-big-brothers-women-active-in-organization.html |title=Movie Show Dec. 17 For Big Brothers; Women Active in Organization Take Over Block of Seats at Music Hall for Benefit|date=November 19, 1953|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 15, 2018|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032037/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/11/19/archives/movie-show-dec-17-for-big-brothers-women-active-in-organization.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to at least 1959.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/11/01/archives/big-brothers-inc-plans-a-benefit-at-music-hall-proceeds-of-film-dec.html|title=Big Brothers, Inc., Plans a Benefit At Music Hall; Proceeds of Film Dec. 10 and 11 Will Assist Work for Needy Boys|date=November 1, 1959|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 15, 2018|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216034315/https://www.nytimes.com/1959/11/01/archives/big-brothers-inc-plans-a-benefit-at-music-hall-proceeds-of-film-dec.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Through the next decade, Radio City was successful regardless of the status of the city's economic, business, and entertainment sectors as a whole. It remained open even as other theaters such as the Paramount and the Roxy closed.{{sfn|Okrent|2003|p=429}}<ref name="The New York Times 1964">{{Cite news |date=December 10, 1964 |title=Theater Still Finds Key to Success in Its Program Formula |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/10/archives/theater-still-finds-key-to-success-in-its-program-formula.html |access-date=December 15, 2018 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216042438/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/10/archives/theater-still-finds-key-to-success-in-its-program-formula.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Atlanta Constitution 1975">{{cite news |date=February 2, 1975 |title=Radio City Music Hall Treasure of Memories |page=16F |work=The Atlanta Constitution |id={{ProQuest|1557739308}}}}</ref> A committee led by Radio City's director, Russell V. Dowling, selected the theater's live acts and other performances.<ref name="Boxoffice 1963">{{cite magazine |date=January 7, 1963 |title=Radio City Music Hall Has 30th Birthday |magazine=Boxoffice |volume=82 |issue=11 |page=11 |id={{ProQuest|1670970339}}}}</ref> ==== 1960s and 1970s ==== [[File:Radio City Music Hall 3752216239 f93f8b8395.jpg|thumb|View of Radio City's proscenium]] Upon its 30th anniversary in 1962, Radio City had nearly 200 million total patrons to date, more than the entire U.S. population at the time.<ref name="Boxoffice 1963" /><ref name="Glover 1962">{{Cite news |last=Glover |first=William |date=December 23, 1962 |title=Radio City Music Hall Still Tops in Opulence |page=13D |work=The Atlanta Journal and the Atlanta Constitution |id={{ProQuest|163568202}}}}</ref> The theater had shown 532 feature films to date; the most frequent actor was [[Cary Grant]], who had appeared in 25 such films.<ref name="Glover 1962" /> Even so, officials had intended to close down Radio City Music Hall in 1962, one of several such unheeded announcements.<ref name="Press and Sun-Bulletin 1978">{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26245176/radio_city_music_hall_will_close/|title=Radio City Music Hall Will Close|date=January 5, 1978|work=Press and Sun-Bulletin|access-date=December 15, 2018|location=Binghamton, NY|page=17|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031700/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26245176/radio_city_music_hall_will_close/|url-status=live}}</ref> Radio City closed temporarily in 1963 due to fears of a power failure, and the first full-day closure in its history took place on November 26, 1963, following the [[assassination of John F. Kennedy]].<ref name="Lucchese 1965" /><ref name="The New York Times 1965" /> By 1964, Radio City had an estimated 5.7 million annual visitors, who paid ticket prices of between 99 cents and $2.75 (equivalent to between ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=0.99|start_year=1964|r=0|fmt=c}} and ${{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=2.75|start_year=1964|r=0|fmt=c}} in {{Inflation-year|index=US-GDP}}).<ref name="The New York Times 1964" /> The theater had evolved to show fewer adult-oriented films, instead choosing to show films for general audiences.<ref name="O'Haire 1982" /><ref name="The New York Times 1964" /> However, Radio City's operating costs were almost twice as high as those of smaller performance venues. In addition, with the loosening of regulations on explicit content, Radio City's audience was mostly relegated to families.<ref name="O'Haire 1982" /> Radio City was closed entirely for five days in March 1965 for its first full cleaning, which included changing the curtains and painting the ceiling.<ref name="Lucchese 1965" />{{sfn|Okrent|2003|p=429}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/05/archives/music-hall-plans-a-5day-shutdown-ceiling-paint-job-and-change-of.html|title=Music Hall Plans A 5-Day Shutdown; Ceiling Paint Job and Change of Curtain Set March 1–5|date=February 5, 1965|work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 15, 2018|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216040831/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/02/05/archives/music-hall-plans-a-5day-shutdown-ceiling-paint-job-and-change-of.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While the seating areas and floors had been cleaned regularly, the walls and ceilings had never been thoroughly cleaned and had accumulated a layer of dirt measuring almost {{convert|1/4|in}} thick.<ref name="The New York Times 1965" /> Two or three hundred workers cleaned the theater around the clock,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1965 |title=Music Hall to Reopen After 5 Days' Repairs |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/06/archives/music-hall-to-reopen-after-5-days-repairs.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403220544/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/06/archives/music-hall-to-reopen-after-5-days-repairs.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 6, 1965 |title=New Radio City Music Hall To Open Saturday |page=15 |work=New York Amsterdam News |id={{ProQuest|226669039}}}}</ref> and it reopened on March 8, 1965, with the film ''[[Dear Heart]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crowther |first=Bosley |date=March 8, 1965 |title=Screen: 'Dear Heart' Is at Music Hall:Geraldine Page Plays Old-Maid Postmaster |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/08/archives/screen-dear-heart-is-at-music-hallgeraldine-page-plays-oldmaid.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402002318/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/03/08/archives/screen-dear-heart-is-at-music-hallgeraldine-page-plays-oldmaid.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Repairs were also performed on the theater's organs during the nighttime.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/12/16/archives/radio-city-organ-gets-repairs-in-off-hours.html|title=Radio City Organ Gets Repairs in Off Hours|date=December 16, 1965|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 15, 2018|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216045859/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/12/16/archives/radio-city-organ-gets-repairs-in-off-hours.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 1965, Will Irwin and Rayburn Wright replaced Raymond Paige as the theater's musical directors following the latter's death.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1965 |title=Music Hall Chooses Two to Replace Paige |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/09/15/archives/music-hall-chooses-two-to-replace-paige.html |access-date=April 1, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402003820/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/09/15/archives/music-hall-chooses-two-to-replace-paige.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Russell V. Downing retired as Radio City's president in 1966 and was replaced by James F. Gould.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Canby |first=Vincent |date=January 21, 1966 |title=Russell Downing, Music Hall President, To Retire; Leaving Film Theater After 32 Years—His Successor Will Be James F. Gould |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/01/21/archives/russell-downing-music-hall-president-to-retire-leaving-film-theater.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402050528/https://www.nytimes.com/1966/01/21/archives/russell-downing-music-hall-president-to-retire-leaving-film-theater.html |url-status=live}}</ref> As president of Radio City, Gould expanded its programming to include events such as rock concerts and wrestling matches before he retired in 1973.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 8, 1973 |title=James Gould Retiring Jan.31 As President of Music Hall |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/08/archives/james-gould-retiring-jan-31-as-president-of-music-hall.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403220543/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/08/archives/james-gould-retiring-jan-31-as-president-of-music-hall.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Radio City had its 200 millionth visitor in January 1967, a little less than two years after its renovation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1967 |title=Mr. 200-Million Walks Music Hall's Red Carpet |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/01/06/archives/mr-200million-walks-music-halls-red-carpet.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402003819/https://www.nytimes.com/1967/01/06/archives/mr-200million-walks-music-halls-red-carpet.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=January 16, 1967 |title=Radio City Music Hall Has Its 200 Millionth Patron |volume=90 |issue=13 |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|1705101675}} |magazine=Boxoffice}}</ref> Tourism to New York City started to decline by 1969, which affected the theater's attendance.<ref name="The Atlanta Constitution 1975" /><ref name="Shales 1975">{{cite news |last=Shales |first=Tom |date=March 2, 1975 |title=Radio City Music Hall: Alive and Still (Shakily) Kicking: Radio City Music Hall: Alive and Still (Shakily) Kicking |page=109 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |id={{ProQuest|146437533}}}}</ref> Even in the early 1970s, Radio City had five million visitors a year, more than the [[Empire State Building]] and [[Statue of Liberty]] combined.<ref name="Pinkerton 1971">{{cite news |last=Pinkerton | first=W. Stewart Jr. |date=May 4, 1971 |title=Memory Lane: Radio City Music Hall Still Knocks 'Em Dead With a 1933 Formula Vast Theater, Lavish Sets, Rockettes and Bland Flicks Lure New Yorkers, Others But the Critics Wonder Why Memory Lane: Radio City Music Hall Still Knocks 'Em Dead |page=1 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133598886}}}}</ref> However, the proliferation of subtitled foreign movies had reduced attendance at Radio City.{{sfn|Okrent|2003|p=429}} Changes in film distribution made it difficult to secure exclusive bookings of many films, forcing Radio City's managers to show reruns.<ref name="Gelmis 1970" /><ref name="Jaynes 1978">{{Cite news |last=Jaynes |first=Gregory |date=January 6, 1978 |title='No Hope' Seen For Music Hall To Stay Open |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/06/archives/new-jersey-pages-no-hope-seen-for-music-hall-to-stay-open-no-hope.html |access-date=July 8, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708170029/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/06/archives/new-jersey-pages-no-hope-seen-for-music-hall-to-stay-open-no-hope.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Radio City preferred to show only family-friendly movies, which further limited their film choices.<ref name="Shales 1975" /><ref name="Pinkerton 1971" /><ref name="Gelmis 1970">{{cite news|last=Gelmis|first=Joseph |title=Exhibitionists and the Games They Play|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8uICAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56|access-date=January 18, 2013|magazine=New York Magazine|date=August 31, 1970|page=56}}</ref> As a result, popular films such as ''[[Chinatown (1974 film)|Chinatown]]'', ''[[Blazing Saddles]]'', and ''[[The Godfather Part II]]'' failed Radio City's screening criteria.{{sfn|Okrent|2003|p=429}} By 1972, Radio City had fired the performers' unions as well as six of the 36 Rockettes. The theater's management donated a painting by [[Stuart Davis (painter)|Stuart Davis]] to the [[Museum of Modern Art]] to reduce Radio City Music Hall's tax burden.{{sfn|Okrent|2003|pp=429–430}} That October, Radio City was closed temporarily after officials could not reach an employment agreement with the theater's musicians.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 12, 1972 |title=Radio City Music Hall Shuts; Labor Woes Cited |page=26 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133725999}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 12, 1972 |title=Dispute Shuts Music Hall |page=11 |work=Newsday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98917737/dispute-shuts-music-hall/ |access-date=April 2, 2022 |via=newspapers.com |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402181437/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98917737/dispute-shuts-music-hall/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Though the theater reopened a few days later,<ref>{{cite news |date=October 13, 1972 |title=Radio City Will Reopen; Talks Set on Labor Pact |page=18 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133612232}}}}</ref> this was the first time it had ever been closed due to staffing issues.<ref name="Shales 1975" /> Another labor dispute in 1973 forced Radio City to cut back its policy of mixed films and stage shows.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gent |first=George |date=September 5, 1973 |title=Music Hall Seeks Cutback of Shows |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/05/archives/music-hall-seeks-cutback-of-shows-talks-with-musicians-center-on.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204151718/http://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/05/archives/music-hall-seeks-cutback-of-shows-talks-with-musicians-center-on.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Wall Street Journal 1973">{{cite news |date=September 14, 1973 |title=Radio City Music Hall Extends Pacts 5 Days |page=29 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|133757177}}}}</ref> A total shutdown was only avoided when the musicians' union agreed to a three-year contract in which musicians would be paid for 38 weeks per year, rather than 52.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1973 |title=Music Hall Orchestra Accepts Cut in Annual Work Guarantee |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/18/archives/music-hall-orchestra-accepts-cut-in-annual-work-guarantee.html |access-date=April 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402181436/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/18/archives/music-hall-orchestra-accepts-cut-in-annual-work-guarantee.html |url-status=live}}</ref> This allowed Radio City's managers to schedule other forms of live entertainment for the theater during the remaining 14 weeks.<ref name="Shales 1975" /><ref name="Wall Street Journal 1973" />{{sfn|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|p=581}} These live shows were split into two periods of seven weeks.<ref name="The Atlanta Constitution 1975" /> Radio City's managers attempted to draw patrons by using the stage for rock concerts, pop festivals, and telecasts of boxing matches.{{sfn|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|p=581}} Nonetheless, Radio City continued to lose $600,000 a year by early 1975. It cost $55,000 a week just to rent the theater, plus another $20,000 for employee salaries.<ref name="Shales 1975" /> There were just 3.5 million visitors annually, despite high attendance during Christmas, Easter, and the summer. Yet again, rumors spread that the venue would close, but Radio City's managers denied these claims.<ref name="The Atlanta Constitution 1975" /><ref name="Shales 1975" /> Architectural critic [[Ada Louise Huxtable]] wrote that Radio City was still more popular than other visitor attractions, such as the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]], the [[American Museum of Natural History]], and the [[Bronx Zoo]].<ref name="Huxtable 1978">{{Cite news |last=Huxtable |first=Ada Louise |date=March 19, 1978 |title=Architecture View |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/19/archives/architecture-view-is-it-curtains-for-the-music-hall-architecture.html |access-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708173935/https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/19/archives/architecture-view-is-it-curtains-for-the-music-hall-architecture.html |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|p=582}}
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