Commonwealth Amusement Company/Corporation

If you are refering the Commonwealth Amusement Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri. (Douglas Lightner etc.) it was sold to the Golan/Globus Group (Cannon Films) back in the late 1980’s, They completely dismatled the chain, including Mid-Continent Theatre Supply (equipment and concessions) for the cash flow, which was needed to finance their low budget films. All theatre were sold off, some still remain but now are apart of other chains. Some of course are closed for various reasons, I have no idea what became of the Ranch Mart 4 in Kansas City, but the Village Cinema 3 still is operating in Great Bend, Kansas, thru Walace Theatres of Oregon, all Wichita, Kansas theatres are long since menories, althought the Twin Lakes may still be standing, it’s closed, the Pawnee 4 and Crest were demolished. The last time I was on Wyondatte Street in downtown Kansas City, the home office building is still there,closed, very dusty, but the Commonwealth “crest” was still on the door, but that was some time ago. It once was a great theatre circuit that is now dotting the pages of this web site. Hopefully some of the frequenters of this site can assist you with better information than I.

I was just curious and I checked the Regal web site, it no longer lists the Bannister Mall 5, in Kansas City, Kansas which was a joint venture between Commonwealth and AMC, which the partnership did not pan out so AMC built the Bannister Square 6 across the street. I assume the Bannister Mall theatre is now closed. I had forgotten that a good portion of the Commonwealth Theatres ended up with United Artists. Many small towns that they serviced were sold to smaller regional companies.

Tracking down an individual is akin to background chack-up, as well as geneology. If he would still be of working years, try the Springfield area libraries for city directories and phone books that might list him. You might also try such national directories as www.peoplepages.com If he is not in any Springfield area listing, he may have moved elsewhere in the nation, and in that case you might ask the Internal Revenue to forward a message from you giving your address and asking him to contact you. A similar service is said to be done by the Social Security Administration. If you are serious about this, there are ‘People Tracers’ around the country who will charge a fee to locate him, though if you can find some of his old friends or relatives where he lived, they may be the best source. If you don’t remember his last name, no one but these can help you. Only tax authorities and insurance companies kept records of employees of a company, though occasionally you will some of them listed in a city directory. Best Wishes.

The Bannister Mall 5 did close and the mall is mostly dead as well.

I worked for Commonwealth about 1948-1951 in Columbia, Missouri and worked at the Boone and Uptown Theaters. Richard Robinson mentioned Darrell Manes in his post on 9/19/06. Darrell was Manager of the Broadway Drive-In when I was at the Uptown. I learned later that he became President of Commonwealth. Darrell has passed away and I talked to his widownh in K. C. several years ago.

Great to see a comment from Jack Poessiger, who was a GREAT director of marketing. Commonwealth was the best promotion-minded theatre company I ever saw. Anyone have any information about film buyer and booker Don Starkweather? District manager Danny Smart? Pine Bluff, Arkansas Commonwealth City Manager Joe Matthews? Thanks, Richard Robinson

Mike –

You probably worked with Bob Walter when you were in Columbia. Bob was just returning from World War II in 1948 and attending the Univ. of Missouri. He was working as a projectionist at the Boone Theater and taught me the business. I became Manager of the Boone and his wife Velma was one of my cashiers. After graduation they moved on and up with Commonwealth.

Velma still lives in Columbia.

I worked at Commonwealth as a “Short’s Booker” right out of high school—1969 to 1972. Mr. Brown “Brownie” started out being my boss but I can not remember the name of next boss. I remember Hal Mcclure and I think Jack Poessiger and a man named Kip. I remember “Film Row” and a few famous people who came through. It was a fun little job that paid very little by today’s standards. I live in another state now. Two years ago I was in KC and went by to see the place. It was occupied by some firm —– I looked through the front door —looked a little different. People were coming in and out. Felt a little sad. Janet

This thread brings back a lot of “Commonwealth” memories! I worked for the Cooper, Cooper-Highland, Commonwealth and United Artists chains from 1974 – 1993 (with a few breaks in service!). My theatres were in Colorado Springs, Greeley and Rapid City, South Dakota. All theatres are closed now, but I managed the Cooper 1-2-3, Ute 70, Mall of the Bluffs Twin, Rustic Hills North Twin and Rustic Hills Cinema in Colorado Springs; Wilshire Twin in Greeley; and I was City Manager in Rapid City based out of the Rushmore Cinema. My City Manager in Colorado Springs was Carl Rolfes. After Carl was promoted to District Manager, Mike Rosencutter replaced him as City Manager. After Commonwealth Theatres purchased Cooper-Highland, I remember the occasional visits and inspections from Dale Stewart, Phil Blakey and Bruce Young. I always enjoyed talking to Bruce Young, but Dale and Phil weren’t very friendly – ha!! They knew the theatre business though. Mike Rosencutter passed away in 1983. Carl Rolfes is retired and living in Colorado. Does anyone remember Chuck Kroll? He lives in the Denver area. I remember ordering “Point of Purchase” materials from Jack Poessiger! I don’t remember the name of our booker out of Denver — I know I have his name somewhere in my box of theatre memorabilia. Thanks for letting me reminisce!! Tim Hyland

Hello! sorry to bother all of you but I happen to be related to douglas. I didn’t ever get to know him and haven’t heard much about him. I have just recently heard of commonwealth, and are very curious! If any of you know of pictures or other links or even your stories, I would love to know!

Whatever happened to Frank Jones? He was the district manager for Commonwealth in Oklahoma City. Also the DM in Lawrence, Kansas, I believe his name was “Elwood,” but cannot remember. Just trying to see where these gentlemen are, or even if they are still living.

My father, Rex P. Barrett, built the Uptown Theatre in Columbia and joined a new theatre chain that was forming called Commonwealth Amusement out of Kansas City. This was sometime after 1934. Dad kept a one-fourth ownership in the Uptown and eventually in all the theatres in Columbia. He kept the concession in the Uptown and my grandparents ran that for a while. Later Dad also built the Boone Theatre in Columbia. I grew up going to both theatres. Then the competition decided to sell out sometime while I was in Junior High about 1950 I’d guess. Commonwealth and Dad bought the Missouri, the Hall and the Varsity Theatres. I worked in all those theatres and in the Broadway Drive in during High School and college 1950-1960. I knew Doug Lightner and Darrel Manes because they both worked a while in Columbia while my father was city manager. Dick O'Rear started with the company as a young kid and worked his way up over the years to President. All the higher up guys who worked in the central office got golden parachutes when the chain was broken and sold.

CochranIII: John Cochran and I went to High School together. He was two years younger and my brother’s age. The two of them went through scouting together and both earned the Eagle Award from the same Scout Troop 3 in Columbia. John and Larre kept touch with each other over the years until recently. John’s mother was a good friend to my mother. I remember when John became so interested in the theatre business and decided to make it a life’s work. I too remember the theatre in Waynesville also and saw it flooded one time. My older brother managed there but left Commonwealth and moved to Arizona.