Radio City Music Hall Tour - New York City TV

In its 70 years history, Radio City Music Hall has seen unparalleled glory, the edge of destruction and new life as a "phoenix from the ashes." Originally built in 1932 as part of the Rockefeller Center development, the theater was a true marvel of its time, earning high praise from the New York Times which named the theater "the greatest achievement of the theatrical world."

Samuel Lionel "Roxy" Rothafel was the driving force behind the theater. During his time, Roxy was the foremost expert on theater design and he determined to make the Music Hall a masterpiece. Roxy traveled overseas to tour the great European venues, but became disillusioned by what he saw there.

Legend has it that while making the trip back to the states on an ocean liner Roxy watched the sun setting over the water. A vision appeared to him and in that moment he saw the design for the setting sun motif used in the arch above the stage at the Music Hall. Roxy returned home with plans to incorporate his setting sun into a grand Rococo style used heavily in the larger motion picture theaters.