For almost a century, the Rockettes have been American icons. They have appeared at Radio City Music Hall in hundreds of stage spectaculars and have participated in many historic and memorable events like joining the USO and traveling aboard to entertain the troops and support wartime efforts plus performing at the inauguration of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush in 2001.
Take a trip down memory lane with me through the decades to see how the Rockettes evolved as an iconic part of American history.
In the 1920s
The Rockettes began kicking up their shoes since Russell Markert, the Rockettes' chief choreographer, image-perserver and resident "father figure" of the famous troupe until he retired in 1971, founded the exemplary American chorus line .. an exciting precision dance company with great style, flair and glamour in 1925. Inspired by the British dance troupe formed by John Tiller ("The Tiller Girls" performed in a 1922 Ziegfeld Follies production), Russell wanted to achieve absolute precision and ultimate uniformity in the movements of the dancers. Originally, a Rockette had to be between 5'2" and 5'6 1/2", but today, she is between 5'6" and 5' 10 1/2" and had to be proficient in tap, modern, jazz and ballet. Starting with just 16 women, over the years the troupe has grown to a line of 36 dancers. The dancers known as the "Missouri Rockets" made their show debut in St. Louis. That same year, the troupes traveled to New York City to perform in the Broadway show rain or shine and were discovered by showman S.L. "Roxy" Rothafel. The "Missouri Rockets" were such an instant hit that Rothafel was loath to let them leave after their performances at the Roxy Theatre and pleaded with Markert to form another line to replace the departing dancers.
In the 1930s
While there were three separate dance troupes performing in New York City in the early 30s, Rothafel moved two of the troupes to Radio City Music Hall for opening night on December 27, 1932. Described as "the hottest ticket in town" more than 100,000 people requested admission, but only 6,200 could be obliged. Rothafel first dubbed the troupe as the "Roxyettes" who performed a routine to the song With a Feather in Your Cap on opening night, but in 1934 the "Roxyettes" officially became the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. Two weeks after its gala opening, Radio City Music Hall premiered its first film, The Bitter Tea of General Yen. Radio City quickly became the favorite first-run theatre for moviemakers and moviegoers alike. Before long, a first showing at the Music Hall virtually guaranteed a successful run in theatres around the country. Since 1933, more than 700 movies have opened at the Music Hall. Among the movies was the original King Kong, National Velvet, White Christmas, Mame, Breakfast at Tiffany's, To Kill a Mockingbird, Mary Poppins, 101 Dalmation and the Lion King. Radio City featured a new movie every week accompanied by a lavish and unique stage production starring the Rockettes.
In the 1940s
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered WWII. The Rockettes were among the first entertainers to volunteer for the USO. They entertained our troops abroad and were involved in wartime shows at the Copacabana, the Army Air Corps base in Pawling, NY and at the Stage Door Canteen. The Rockettes and Eleanor Roosevelt even hosted a war bond rally at the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.
In the 1950s
Radio City was showing world premiere movies together with stage shows sometimes as many as five a day. The movies kept playing as long as there was demand for tickets and the shows changed every time the movies did. If a film failed at the box office, the Rockettes suddenly had to rehearse the new show at dawn, at midnight and in between. Because of their demanding schedule, Radio City Music Hall became their home away from home. They worked, played, ate and often slept within its walls. Facilities including a 26-bed dormitory, cafeteria, recreation area, tailor shop and hospital with medical staff were provided to support and sustain what many recall as an extended family. Americans in the '50s increasingly turned to television for their entertainment so it was inevitable that television would feature the Rockettes. They made their first TV appearance on Wide, Wide World and also performed for the first time in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1957. Like so many events the Rockettes took part in, it became a New York City tradition.
In the 1960's
The '60s were a time of social change and political activism so it's no surprise that the Rockettes broke new ground for women in those early years. In a salute to both feminism and the space age, the Rockettes danced as astronauts on the Great Stage. The production numbers also reflected an incredible variety of music, dance and costuming. After the bikini craze that entered the fashion world in the '60s, the Rockettes raised their kicks and hemlines! They appeared as Geisha girls, hula dancers, bull fighters, chimney sweeps and even can-can dancers. In 1961, Eastman Kodak created a color photomural featuring the Rockettes. It was the largest mural of its kind ever made and was hung in New York City's Grand Central Terminal. While Radio City was a popular venue for filmmakers to premiere a movie, it wasn't uncommon for the stars to make an appearance before the showing. In 1962, none other than Cary Grant surprised the Rockettes when he came to promote his new movie, That Touch of Mink. One of the most awesome productions in the history of Radio City took place with a salute to Walt Disney. Sections of the theme park's famous Main Street, Frontierland, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland were recreated right on the Great Stage all under the personal supervision of Walt Disney, himself.
On a personal note, a former Rockette lives among us in Chautauqua County. Emma Bishop teaches dance at her studio on Main Street in Westfield. Upon entering her studio you will see photos of her 3 years as a Rockette along with a personally signed b/w photo of Frank Sinatra that reads .. To Emma. Those of us who know Emma as a teacher to their children or simply know her as a resident of Westfield are always in awe when in her presence. She loves the art of dance though she loves her students even more. And it shows with each and every program she puts together for the community, at large. Thank you, Emma ..our very own hometown Radio City Music Hall Rockette.
The 1970's through to the 2010's will be featured under a separate post. Stay tuned to read more about the world famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. A 2017 article that appeared in the Jamestown Post Journal about our local Rockette, Emma Bishop and another that was in a 1986 New York Times article.
Happy Holidays.
Pat Locke, Maestro Muse
