Broadway's Hudson Theatre...A Jewel of History and another Titanic Love Story

Built by famous Broadway producer Henry B. Harris, with business partner George Heye, the Hudson Theatre is one of Broadway’s oldest surviving playhouses. The Hudson Theatre, located at 141 West 44th St., opened Oct. 19, 1903 with a production called COUSIN KATE, starring 24-year old Ethel Barrymore. The theatre, according to the New York Dramatic Mirror newspaper, was “one of the handsomest theatres in the country.” Elegant Tiffany skylights, Tiffany stage trim, backlit Tiffany windows, etc combined with the latest in electric lights, fireproofing, sprinklers and 28 exits made the Hudson the safest theatre in New York. Patrons entered on W. 44th St, while actors and staff entered thru W. 45th St. which was a first. Also the lobby is 100 feet long which adds to the feel of grandeur as one enters. In 1908 Harris bought out his partner Heyes for $800,000. 4 years later Harris and his wife Irene were returning from Europe on the TITANIC. Mrs. Harris had slipped and injured herself the day before in her state room, so Henry carried Irene and placed her in the last lifeboat to depart the doomed ship. Her last view of Henry was waving goodbye from the deck of the Titanic. Four months after the tragedy, Irene decided to become one of the first women to produce shows and made a go of running the Hudson theatre. She gave Barbara Stanwyck and Judith Anderson their first Broadway roles in the 1920’s. Other stars who would play the Hudson included Douglas Fairbanks, William Holden, Helen Hayes, Edward G. Robinson, Dorothy Gish and Louie Armstrong. In 1929, Irene was offered $1,000, 000 for the theatre and TURNED IT DOWN. A few months later, the stock market crashed and she was wiped out. She lost the Hudson Theatre in foreclosure in 1933 and it was purchased at auction for less than $100,000. Over the years, it’s had 18 owners and became a radio & TV studio. As a TV studio it was the home of the TONIGHT show with Steve Allen and later Jack Paar. Elvis Presley appeared there on TV, among many others. It's now been beautifully restored and is connected to the Millenium Broadway Hotel next door which uses it as a Special Event space and conference center.

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