True, good and gentle all the way to the end, my Dad sincerely has left a legacy, within a month of his passing(and he was buried with not only photos but a tape of the Wizard of Oz) a tribute was give to him at the bookers club luncheon,I can not tell you the line up of successful people who needed to reach out with tears and tell my Mom and I how in different ways and oppourtunity’s if it hadn’t been for Ralph they wouldn’t be who they are, it was extremely warming.
He was of course a remakkable Grandfather, to both Myles and Kyra, because of him they too have a major appreciation for theatre, arts, music, and movies. Kyra remembers each and every play and takes musical Theatre in a performing arts highschool, and Myles actually made it this year, for the first time without his pop to Showeast…he lives in our hearts everysingle day, he will never be forgotten…Keli
Hey Michael,
Great to hear from you, I think I do remember you….those were fun days yes actually my hair and eyes are the same Thanx I love the flaterry at 45 , you have no idea how many people thank my Dad for the oppoutunities he gave them it is pretty neat..today he was just OK, it is a very hard disease to handle , I do love still having him and enjoying his company…coming to LA this weekend for a funeral my Uncle passed away…keep in touch and again Thanx I love the positive stuff it puts a smile on mine and his face…Keli
Thanx Terry,
It does please him when we talk about the mini and people he used to know, the past is easier to remember, I will print this and read it to him, it will make his day…..Keli
hello Everyone,
My name is Keli Messinetti, My Dad is Ralph E. Donnelly, he was the owner and originator of the Mini-Cinema.(anyone know why it was called Mini?) He thought, let me open a fun theatre , with a great sound system, hippie managers , near a college, and give the kids a safe house to spend their time, and wha-la the Mini. To think he used to drop me and a load of friends off and say have fun, and pick us up with our eyes all glassy-still blows me away , considering he was one of the straightest people I have ever met, an Irishman that never drank….anyway after a successful run at the mini-he went on to run RKO theatres in Ny, and then became president of City-Cinemas, the largest chain of theatres in Manhattan. He is a member of the Academy, he also belongs to the film society of Lincoln Center, and was pres. of a childrens charity called Variety Club. He has also been invited and went many times to Cannes,Vancouver, Sundance, Telluride just to name a few festivals. He has also cruised the world as a guest speaker with Movie Stars . Today he is in Tampa, Florida
, up till recently lived with his wife of 54 years Gloria, he now resides in a senior community and suffers from Alzheimers. Most important , last year at Showeast in Orlando he received a life time acheivment award his comment which so affected so many was “ It is great to know that I am remebered it is important.” Thanx for remebering, Keli
True, good and gentle all the way to the end, my Dad sincerely has left a legacy, within a month of his passing(and he was buried with not only photos but a tape of the Wizard of Oz) a tribute was give to him at the bookers club luncheon,I can not tell you the line up of successful people who needed to reach out with tears and tell my Mom and I how in different ways and oppourtunity’s if it hadn’t been for Ralph they wouldn’t be who they are, it was extremely warming.
He was of course a remakkable Grandfather, to both Myles and Kyra, because of him they too have a major appreciation for theatre, arts, music, and movies. Kyra remembers each and every play and takes musical Theatre in a performing arts highschool, and Myles actually made it this year, for the first time without his pop to Showeast…he lives in our hearts everysingle day, he will never be forgotten…Keli
Hey Michael,
Great to hear from you, I think I do remember you….those were fun days yes actually my hair and eyes are the same Thanx I love the flaterry at 45 , you have no idea how many people thank my Dad for the oppoutunities he gave them it is pretty neat..today he was just OK, it is a very hard disease to handle , I do love still having him and enjoying his company…coming to LA this weekend for a funeral my Uncle passed away…keep in touch and again Thanx I love the positive stuff it puts a smile on mine and his face…Keli
Thanx Terry,
It does please him when we talk about the mini and people he used to know, the past is easier to remember, I will print this and read it to him, it will make his day…..Keli
hello Everyone,
My name is Keli Messinetti, My Dad is Ralph E. Donnelly, he was the owner and originator of the Mini-Cinema.(anyone know why it was called Mini?) He thought, let me open a fun theatre , with a great sound system, hippie managers , near a college, and give the kids a safe house to spend their time, and wha-la the Mini. To think he used to drop me and a load of friends off and say have fun, and pick us up with our eyes all glassy-still blows me away , considering he was one of the straightest people I have ever met, an Irishman that never drank….anyway after a successful run at the mini-he went on to run RKO theatres in Ny, and then became president of City-Cinemas, the largest chain of theatres in Manhattan. He is a member of the Academy, he also belongs to the film society of Lincoln Center, and was pres. of a childrens charity called Variety Club. He has also been invited and went many times to Cannes,Vancouver, Sundance, Telluride just to name a few festivals. He has also cruised the world as a guest speaker with Movie Stars . Today he is in Tampa, Florida
, up till recently lived with his wife of 54 years Gloria, he now resides in a senior community and suffers from Alzheimers. Most important , last year at Showeast in Orlando he received a life time acheivment award his comment which so affected so many was “ It is great to know that I am remebered it is important.” Thanx for remebering, Keli