[4][5] Other performers at the theatre included George M. Cohan, Eddie Cantor, John Bunny, Harry Houdini, Peggy Wood[6] and Fats Waller.

[10] An automatic asbestos safety curtain fronted the entr'acte drop, which was decorated with a damask valance separated into three sections, fringed with galloons.

The centre of each section was embroidered with an embossed wreath, giving them a rich effect, materially enhanced by a highlight gold border running the full width of the curtain.

Draperies of the same character in heavy velvet, treated with gold, with ornate center wreath medallions, constituted the box decorations.

Ventilation was achieved by a system of tubing built in the walls and foundations leading to and connecting on the roof with a high-power electric fan that drove the cold air down under the concrete floor of the auditorium, into which it was filtered by way of innumerable colanders installed under seats, making it possible to keep the temperature of the interior "healthful", no matter what conditions prevailed outside.

[10] George M. Cohan and Sam H. Harris had the idea of building a combination theater above the Harlem River probably as early as 1911 as they were actively looking for a site at the very beginning of 1912.

[13] Speculations were Cohan and Harris had secured a contract from Morgenthau-Hudson realty to build a 1,600 seats theatre for them at the 150th Street location.

[15] In early May, Sam H. Harris confirmed to Variety they had secured a site on 149th Street just east of Third Avenue to build a sister theater to their Manhattan Grand Opera House and that it would be in operation by November.

[18] Cohan and Harris still ended up facing competition in the Bronx, when, on August 29, John Cort announced the construction of the "Royal Theatre" in association with Frank Gersten.

[19] When asked if he was interested in any new theaters in the city beyond the Harlem River, Harry Frazee was quoted by the New York Sun as saying he thanked the Creator that he had no project underway in the Bronx.

[20] Cramp & Co. was awarded the construction contract for the Bronx Opera House in September 1912;[21] the structure was to be a fireproof building with exterior of brick, limestone and terra cotta requiring an expenditure of $250,000.

[24] In the meantime, the development of its direct competitor, Cort and Gersten's Royal Theatre, was delayed by a variety of factors, including building violations in February 1913.

[25] Two months later, the Shuberts and Klaw & Erlanger announced that they would play all their shows at the Bronx Opera House, shutting out the Royal Theatre.

[26] Manager: Richard Madden Treasurer: Harry Cullen Show times: Evening, 8:15 pm, matinees (Wed., Sat.

[27] The Bronx Opera House was officially dedicated on August 30, 1913 and opens with Eugene Walter's play Fine Feathers.

[28] Fine Feathers concludes a successful nine-day engagement and is replaced the following week by the de Koven Opera Company production of Robin Hood.

[31] One hit of this first season was Broadway Jones, a comedy written, produced, directed and played by George M. Cohan in his own brand new theater in the Bronx.

Middleton's The Prodigal Judge premiered December 8, 1913; on that night, every seat was occupied, even the boxes being filled with first-nighters.

[33] Although poor performance is generally attributed to war uncertainties, the Bronx Opera House good numbers are most likely due to the elimination of the Royal Theatre.

A silent documentary titled Belgian War Scenes, it featured an actual battle in progress, shells bursting, men falling in the trenches and the care of the wounded.

[38] On June 7, during the six-week engagement of the Aborn Opera Company, Beppo, a donkey who was appearing on stage in Pagliacci, was tied by its keeper to a car parked in front of the theater.

The Aborn Company was putting on Cavalleria Rusticana after Pagliacci and the keeper whose sympathies were divided between mules and music thought to slip back in the theater and hear an aria or two.

Julian Eltinge returns to the Bronx Opera House on Christmas Day with Cousin Lucy, a show so successful the previous season, it had been extended a second week.

[44] At the start of the season, the Riviera at 97th street (also part of the Subway Circuit) raise its top prices from $1 to $1.50, the Bronx Opera House quickly follows.

By the 1940s, the building was converted to a late-run movie house, shuttering of the upper balcony reduced seating to 1,400, and became known simply as Bronx Theatre.

According to developer Jay Domb, performers at the theater included Harry Houdini and The Marx Brothers "got their vaudeville start here".

[52] In summer 2015 the hotel's water cooling tower was suspected in several cases of Legionnaires' disease that occurred across several buildings in the area.