thanks for posting. this is great. there was another poster done around 1980, which I must have somewhere. so funny seeing some of these people again, and that circular bench in the lobby.
Josh was manager at the Mini after Billy, and then went on to manage the Flick in East Meadow. Hard to make out Mel Wertzel, but assume he is there somewhere. He was Assistant manager of the mini, and then went on to run the Flick when they bought that (before Josh went there).
Ralph Donnelly is in the lower left above the audience shot.
the guy who did this poster, and Sam, was Jed I think, and yes that is him in the lower right!
Ralph was an absolutely wonderful gentleman and a fantastic boss and colleague. I had the true honor of working for him at the Mini Cinema and for many years along side him at Variety – The Childrens Charity of New York. I am a better person for knowing him, and proud to call him a friend. He was a funny, smart, classy, warm and loving human being and heaven’s gain is our tremendous loss.
Billy sadly passed away many, many years ago. Josh (last I heard) is married and living in CT, yet commutes to a computer firm he works at on Long Island.
Hey Keli,
Your dad is a great man!! He was and is all this and so much more. He was a leader, mentor and inspiration to so many. I worked for him as a manager of the Mini, and at Cinema 5 (Hewlett Twin). We worked together at many a Variety Telethon as we both served on the board and I am very honored to call him a friend. I was so sorry to hear about his ailment. So very sad. Please give my best to your dad and your mom for me. Thanks.
Terry
Hey Bob, I do remember you. Pat is the one who told me of this site, actually. The UFDC days were interesting, to say the least. Still in touch with some of the old crew. I still speak with Leo Fisch. Saw him, Salah Hassanein, Bill Lewis, Joe Reid and John Kelly two weeks ago when I was in NY for a Motion Picture Bookers Club function. The 150 was an awesome theatre, for sure. Wonder what happened to Jan? What are you up to now?
Marc, through Florin Creative Film Services booked the Flick and the 8th Street Playhouse. Thus the great double features. The people who owned this theatre, also owned the Mini-Cinema. One owner ran Cinema 5 Theatres, the stella art circuit in the 80’s (Cinema I & II, Sutton, etc.)
Wow, what memories. I worked at the Mini, and managed it for a while until it closed in September 1981. Even still have the picture of the last Marquee I put up ‘That’s All Folks’. Sad end to an amazing era. Nothing ever like it.
Props to Billy Contin. Josh lives in CT now, and think his beloved dog Bandit has passed on. Melvin is the same. Jeff Batista was the best Dr. Frankenfurter ever, right?
It was a unique place that provided community and entertainment for a tremendously varied audience who could come together, even for one night. It reflected a time and culture, that just doesn’t exist today. Sadly. But, we must grow up at some point, right?
Wow, how crazy is all this. Hello Jean!!! I grew up in East Meadow and used to go to the Meadowbrook all the time. In its time, it was THE palace in central Nassau. I used to work for UA in that home office and actually was responsible for the Midnight Show Program (after a few years managing the Mini-Cinema.
UA had a reputation of horrible multi-plexing. Look what they did to the Big Syosset…
thanks for posting. this is great. there was another poster done around 1980, which I must have somewhere. so funny seeing some of these people again, and that circular bench in the lobby.
Josh was manager at the Mini after Billy, and then went on to manage the Flick in East Meadow. Hard to make out Mel Wertzel, but assume he is there somewhere. He was Assistant manager of the mini, and then went on to run the Flick when they bought that (before Josh went there).
Ralph Donnelly is in the lower left above the audience shot.
the guy who did this poster, and Sam, was Jed I think, and yes that is him in the lower right!
thanks so much.
Happy New Year.
Any chance you posted the poster somewhere yet?
Ralph was an absolutely wonderful gentleman and a fantastic boss and colleague. I had the true honor of working for him at the Mini Cinema and for many years along side him at Variety – The Childrens Charity of New York. I am a better person for knowing him, and proud to call him a friend. He was a funny, smart, classy, warm and loving human being and heaven’s gain is our tremendous loss.
He loved the Mini Cinema, and all cinema.
Same to you all.
and Gary is still doing projection and sound for UA out of Denver.
candygirl,
Billy sadly passed away many, many years ago. Josh (last I heard) is married and living in CT, yet commutes to a computer firm he works at on Long Island.
The ads on the back of the Island Ear for Midnight Madness were actually designed and created by the manager Jean’s son, Pat. A very talented artist.
Hey Keli,
Your dad is a great man!! He was and is all this and so much more. He was a leader, mentor and inspiration to so many. I worked for him as a manager of the Mini, and at Cinema 5 (Hewlett Twin). We worked together at many a Variety Telethon as we both served on the board and I am very honored to call him a friend. I was so sorry to hear about his ailment. So very sad. Please give my best to your dad and your mom for me. Thanks.
Terry
Hey Bob, I do remember you. Pat is the one who told me of this site, actually. The UFDC days were interesting, to say the least. Still in touch with some of the old crew. I still speak with Leo Fisch. Saw him, Salah Hassanein, Bill Lewis, Joe Reid and John Kelly two weeks ago when I was in NY for a Motion Picture Bookers Club function. The 150 was an awesome theatre, for sure. Wonder what happened to Jan? What are you up to now?
Marc, through Florin Creative Film Services booked the Flick and the 8th Street Playhouse. Thus the great double features. The people who owned this theatre, also owned the Mini-Cinema. One owner ran Cinema 5 Theatres, the stella art circuit in the 80’s (Cinema I & II, Sutton, etc.)
Wow, what memories. I worked at the Mini, and managed it for a while until it closed in September 1981. Even still have the picture of the last Marquee I put up ‘That’s All Folks’. Sad end to an amazing era. Nothing ever like it.
Props to Billy Contin. Josh lives in CT now, and think his beloved dog Bandit has passed on. Melvin is the same. Jeff Batista was the best Dr. Frankenfurter ever, right?
It was a unique place that provided community and entertainment for a tremendously varied audience who could come together, even for one night. It reflected a time and culture, that just doesn’t exist today. Sadly. But, we must grow up at some point, right?
Wow, how crazy is all this. Hello Jean!!! I grew up in East Meadow and used to go to the Meadowbrook all the time. In its time, it was THE palace in central Nassau. I used to work for UA in that home office and actually was responsible for the Midnight Show Program (after a few years managing the Mini-Cinema.
UA had a reputation of horrible multi-plexing. Look what they did to the Big Syosset…