Regarding Evansville Loew’s theatres. Mr Cecil Vogel who for many years was manager of Loew’s Palace in Memphis was transferred there from Evansville, probably in the early 1930’s. At one time during those lean 1930 years he managed, at the same time, all of the down town first run theaters in Memphis. When Memphis blue-laws prohibited selling tickets to see movies on Sunday, Mr Vogel sold tickets for a luncheon buffet and you saw the movie free.
Around 1948 or 49 Mr Allen Sparrow, who was Loew’s south-east district manager and I believe also manager of Loew’s State in Atlanta, died of a heart attack in Loew’s Palace’s office.
Elvis, while in high school, worked at Loew’s State in memphis. He couldn’t get to work on time and it was my duty to fire him. Some years later about 1955 or 56 I happended to meet him at the Variety Club in Memphis. I was recently out of the military and back in college and knew nothing about Elvis Presley. He remembered me and told me about my firing him. I jokingly told him I must have done him a favor.
While attending Memphis Technical High School I went to work at the Loews Palace as an usher, 1946. After about five years and a few promotions in between, I was transferred to Loews State Theatre on Main Street as its assistant manager. I was attending Memphis State College by then. In 1951 I went on active duty in the Navy.
Those years were still great years in the motion picture exhibition business. Loews, Inc was the owner of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios and the actors were still contract players. If Mr Marcus Loew or Mr Mayer wanted actors to appear at a pictures opening, they were there ready to go to work, meeting the press, stage appearances and I even had one or two visit schools. The “Stars” of that day were real professionals and enjoyable to work with.
I still have a few autographed photos left from then.
Regarding Evansville Loew’s theatres. Mr Cecil Vogel who for many years was manager of Loew’s Palace in Memphis was transferred there from Evansville, probably in the early 1930’s. At one time during those lean 1930 years he managed, at the same time, all of the down town first run theaters in Memphis. When Memphis blue-laws prohibited selling tickets to see movies on Sunday, Mr Vogel sold tickets for a luncheon buffet and you saw the movie free.
Around 1948 or 49 Mr Allen Sparrow, who was Loew’s south-east district manager and I believe also manager of Loew’s State in Atlanta, died of a heart attack in Loew’s Palace’s office.
Elvis, while in high school, worked at Loew’s State in memphis. He couldn’t get to work on time and it was my duty to fire him. Some years later about 1955 or 56 I happended to meet him at the Variety Club in Memphis. I was recently out of the military and back in college and knew nothing about Elvis Presley. He remembered me and told me about my firing him. I jokingly told him I must have done him a favor.
While attending Memphis Technical High School I went to work at the Loews Palace as an usher, 1946. After about five years and a few promotions in between, I was transferred to Loews State Theatre on Main Street as its assistant manager. I was attending Memphis State College by then. In 1951 I went on active duty in the Navy.
Those years were still great years in the motion picture exhibition business. Loews, Inc was the owner of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios and the actors were still contract players. If Mr Marcus Loew or Mr Mayer wanted actors to appear at a pictures opening, they were there ready to go to work, meeting the press, stage appearances and I even had one or two visit schools. The “Stars” of that day were real professionals and enjoyable to work with.
I still have a few autographed photos left from then.