Design
Although the front entrance to the building currently is located on 51st Street, this was originally a side entrance. The main entrance was originally at 1655 Broadway, with a narrow lobby leading to a Grand Foyer on 51st Street. In 1930, it was desirable for a first-run motion picture theater in the Times Square area to have an entrance, no matter how small, on Broadway. The Hollywood's entrance, though narrow, featured a bright marquee and a huge lighted vertical sign. The Broadway entrance was closed in 1934 and converted to retail space.
The rococo interior is typical of the 1920s movie palace design. The coved ceiling has dozens of murals reminiscent of Boucher and Watteau, depicting 18th-century French aristocracy.
The spectacular rotunda lobby is dominated by eight fluted Corinthian columns and a ceiling that is decorated with colorful murals of classical scenes. This and other interior spaces were designed by Leif Neandross, chief designer of the Rambusch Decorating Company.
The auditorium seating capacity is approximately 1,506, one of the largest in the theatre district. The stage is among the largest and best-equipped of all of New York's theaters. A large plaster-of-Paris crown rests above the proscenium .
Read more about this topic: Mark Hellinger Theatre
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