Co-presented with the Art Deco Society Los Angeles: ROXY ROTHAFEL: AMERICAN SHOWMAN August 26, 2012

Sunday, August 26 – 3:00 PM
Co-presented with the Art Deco Society Los Angeles:
ROXY ROTHAFEL: AMERICAN SHOWMAN
"The picture business owes the better part of its existence to Sam Rothafel." - The Hollywood Reporter, 1936

Samuel 'Roxy' Rothafel built an enormously influential career as a film exhibitor, radio broadcaster, musical arranger, stage producer, war propagandist and international celebrity. Between 1908 and 1935, Rothafel crafted a global reputation and brand name for his elaborate motion picture presentations; helped launch the Rockettes and other stage performers and musicians to stardom; arranged Movietone scores for films such as SUNRISE, STREET ANGEL and FOUR SONS; became one of NBC's biggest stars during the 1920s and 1930s; and helped make motion pictures and radio the dominant forms of mass entertainment. Ross Melnick will discuss Rothafel's multi-faceted and multimedia career and his contributions to film exhibition and American popular culture. Ross Melnick, assistant professor of film and media studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the author of American Showman: Samuel 'Roxy' Rothafel and the Birth of the Entertainment Industry (Columbia University Press, 2012), will discuss Rothafel’s contributions to film exhibition and American popular culture. A book signing and screening will follow the lecture. Film title TBA, check our website for updates.

Official Website: http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/egyptian_theatre_events