sixthavenue

They are lined up outside the Hippodrome in New York, where the production is "Happy Days", an extravaganza with swimmers and elephants. Alexander Woolcott' review: query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D01E4D6133DE5... It opened on August 23, 1919, was interrupted by the actors' strike until September 1, and continued until May 15, 1920. www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/happy-days-6673 The care has a 1919 license plate: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_New_... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Hippodrome Location in Nov. 2016 Google Street View, Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave, btwn 43rd and 44th Sts. www.google.com/maps/place/1120+6th+Ave,+New+York,+NY+1003...

Based on the caption of this other Bain photo, it looks like these are ticket buyers lined up for one of Luisa Tetrazzini's shows:

Line outside Hippodrome Theater in New York to buy tickets to one of what turned out to be Luisa Tetrazzini's many farewell tours. She sang there on November 30, 1919 and again on May 14, 1920.
query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A03E7D7153BEE32A...

The regular show at the Hippodrome at the time (8/23/1919 - 5/15/1920) was Happy Days -- www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/happy-days-6673

Check out Alexander Woolcott's review: query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D01E4D6133DE5...

Suburban Life, the Countryside Magazine of February 1916 books.google.com/books?id=VC8wAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA69&lp... mentions the introduction of skating exhibitions at the Hippodrome [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Hippodrome] in an article entitled "A Country Sport in City Clothes."

"The Hippodrome Theatre also called the New York Hippodrome, was a theater in New York City from 1905 to 1939, located on Sixth Avenue between West 43rd and West 44th Streets in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan. It was called the world's largest theatre by its builders and had a seating capacity of 5,300" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Hippodrome

swanq and Art Siegel: Thanks for both the info on this magnificent theater as well as that good catch about the skating exhibitions. We will expand the record.