Editing Radio City Music Hall (section)

==== 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>