Actually, a long time ago, my dad managed the Skouras theater on Main Street in Port Washington, near where we lived on the North Shore. I don’t remember much about those times, it was before he went to work for Century.(it was like 1960 or 1961…)
What happened to the orig. president Mr. Schwartz?
Can any of the surviving buildings be protected from demolition due to their age and history? I think it is so sad that they tore down the Prospect- I moved out of New York many years ago-but I remember how the Prospect used to pack them in on weekends!
He was born in 1916, so I guess ushering at a theater was a good first job in those days…Why did they care to deed restrict the property after they sold it? And is the company still in any form of business-merged or otherwise?
He was born in 1916, so I guess ushering at a theater was a good first job in those days…Why did they care to deed restrict the property after they sold it? And is the company still in any form of business-merged or otherwise?
As a matter of fact,Jackie Jackson, his wife and Mr. Bernhardt attended my wedding in New York years ago! I forgot about that.! but they are in the photo album! Even after my dad retired, he still enjoyed talking to the Managers of the neighborhood theaters n in FL where he lived- after all, he had started out as an usher in Bklyn in 1931.
Jackie Jackson..I remember hearing that name throughout my childhood!I also remember my father going to meetings in Manhattan to meet with the big bosses..Mr. Schwartz, and others. I remember also, that my dad was good friends with Eddy Bernhardt-He was “Uncle Eddy” to me. As for Mr. Jackson- I still remember what he looked like-My dad used to be the substitute DM for him. What do you remember?
I do not remember any conversations regarding the construction of another theater at that time, but then again- I was quite young. As far as the seating capacity- it seemed small to me-in my mind’s eye- ( or the recollections of a 8 or ten year old…)maybe 500? I do remember my dad walking outside every afternoon to take the temperature reading with a thermometer that he twirled on a chain..I guess Century kept temperature statistics that they later correlated with box office sales at different points in time during the day…what a concept!
The pay may have been better at the larger houses, due to bonuses that were allocated on the basis of the theaters income, and the profit sharing that was in place at the time.
There was also an enormous water tank on the roof- and dressing rooms behind the stage that were from the theater’s vaudeville days. There was a large orchestra pit in front of the stage that was not filled in until the theater was divided up..and the Ushers Room was where the large bags of popcorn were stored…I guess it was just re-warmed on the candy stand! I think this theater had 2 box-offices- and the lobby was totally mirrored on both sides. I remember my dad telling me that the best remedy for removing chewing gum from seats and floors was Coca-Cola! He swore by it-and it dissolved the gum rather well! IremembeseeoOOliver!herethere.ininin in
If I remember correctly- Century used to show various famous “fights” or Boxing matches that were not available on TV at this theater…I also remember my dad taking part in a campaign to STOP PAY – TV in the 1970’s- The forerunner of Cable as we know it. Century knew its years were numbered!
Yes- Eldee- we bought a fridge there after they opened. The Glen Oaks was one level, had a childrens section on the right side, in the rear of the right section. There was a matron on duty weekends for the kids matinees. The managers office was behind the last row of seats, and faced the screen. The walls of the auditorium were painted a dark red or burgundy, and there were two large silver or black decorative “masks” that hung on each side wall of the auditoriam. One was smiling- to represent Comedy..and the other was sad faced, to represent Drama..I saw Dr. Zhivago there, as well as The Night They Raided Minsky’s…that was a long time ago!
Yes, I’m his daughter…I remember my dad commenting that the Park was not one of his favorite theaters- he preferred the Meadows and the Prospect..he was kind of on a vacation when he was at the Glen Oaks- it was TINY!!
Yes- I think Eddy Bernhardt went to the Fresh Meadows, and my dad went back to the Prospect.He had been the Manager at the Floral, Bellerose, Freeport, Park East, Glen Oaks, Prospect,and many others that I remember from my childhood. The hours were terrible, the pay was not the best, they did away with profit sharing, he was held up at gunpoint at the Prospect at least once-the bullet hole forever remained in the glass window next to his desk after it was supposedly fixed in the Managers office, until they demolished the place-I guess he must have loved the business.
Yes or he was always called “Mr. D”! He was the last manager of the Prospect before it closed. He retired from Century in 1986 after almost 30 years in the business- having been a Manager and Substitute DM at over 12 different theaters for the Century chain. I think he knew everyone.
I have the Century Theaters gold pin the company gave him when he retired..I also have a picture of him in the Managers office of the Glen Oaks…I will look for more…the hand typed movie schedules that hung on the wall in the office next to his desk are in the background of the picture.
Do you know anything about the Port Washington Theater that was run by Skouras? He worked that chain in the late 1950’s…
My late father was a manager at this theater in the 1960’s. He was also a manager at many other Century theaters until 1986, when he retired after 30 years with the Century chain. I used to go around to all the theaters w/ him when I was off from school, and so I grew up hanging around many of the now demolished theaters he was managing at the time. If anyone has any questions that I know the answer to about this or any other Century theater( 1960’s to 1986), post it, and I would be glad to reply! ( The Glen Oaks had a Mays department store as an anchor store up the street, as well as a candy store next door, as well as a wonderful bakery, cleaners/tailors, and a Hallmark card store up the street…)just thought I would throw that in.Regards
My late father was a Manager of this theater in the late 1970’s. He was a veteran w/ Century, and retired in 1986. He was the substitute DM, and I remember travelling around with him inspecting the theaters all over NY and NJ. Ed Bernhardt and my dad were old friends, and to me, Mr. Bernhardt wads “Uncle Eddy” and was a dinner guest at our home many imes. I’ll be glad to answer any questions about Century history from the 1960’s to 1986, since I gre upgoing to work w/ my dsad during school vacations- my dad retired in 1986 from the Prospect Theater in Flushing-and that was when they closed it!Post your questions- I’ll be glad to reply!
Warren G. Harris..are you still around? If you or anyone else needs detail info. on this or any other Century Theater Circuit theater from the 1960’s to the 1980’s, please post your question here, and I’ll be happy to tell you whatever I can remember! My late father was a Century Theaters Manager for 30 years, so I grew up hanging out with him while he was working…he managed theaters for Century until he finally retired in 1986, and then they closed the last theater he managed- The Prospect!Regards.
Actually, a long time ago, my dad managed the Skouras theater on Main Street in Port Washington, near where we lived on the North Shore. I don’t remember much about those times, it was before he went to work for Century.(it was like 1960 or 1961…)
What happened to the orig. president Mr. Schwartz?
Can any of the surviving buildings be protected from demolition due to their age and history? I think it is so sad that they tore down the Prospect- I moved out of New York many years ago-but I remember how the Prospect used to pack them in on weekends!
That leasing idea is interesting..probably had to happen so one company did not begin to have a monopoly on a Borough or a Town…
Is Century still operating in any form of business- merged or otherwise?
He was born in 1916, so I guess ushering at a theater was a good first job in those days…Why did they care to deed restrict the property after they sold it? And is the company still in any form of business-merged or otherwise?
He was born in 1916, so I guess ushering at a theater was a good first job in those days…Why did they care to deed restrict the property after they sold it? And is the company still in any form of business-merged or otherwise?
As a matter of fact,Jackie Jackson, his wife and Mr. Bernhardt attended my wedding in New York years ago! I forgot about that.! but they are in the photo album! Even after my dad retired, he still enjoyed talking to the Managers of the neighborhood theaters n in FL where he lived- after all, he had started out as an usher in Bklyn in 1931.
Jackie Jackson..I remember hearing that name throughout my childhood!I also remember my father going to meetings in Manhattan to meet with the big bosses..Mr. Schwartz, and others. I remember also, that my dad was good friends with Eddy Bernhardt-He was “Uncle Eddy” to me. As for Mr. Jackson- I still remember what he looked like-My dad used to be the substitute DM for him. What do you remember?
I do not remember any conversations regarding the construction of another theater at that time, but then again- I was quite young. As far as the seating capacity- it seemed small to me-in my mind’s eye- ( or the recollections of a 8 or ten year old…)maybe 500? I do remember my dad walking outside every afternoon to take the temperature reading with a thermometer that he twirled on a chain..I guess Century kept temperature statistics that they later correlated with box office sales at different points in time during the day…what a concept!
The pay may have been better at the larger houses, due to bonuses that were allocated on the basis of the theaters income, and the profit sharing that was in place at the time.
There was also an enormous water tank on the roof- and dressing rooms behind the stage that were from the theater’s vaudeville days. There was a large orchestra pit in front of the stage that was not filled in until the theater was divided up..and the Ushers Room was where the large bags of popcorn were stored…I guess it was just re-warmed on the candy stand! I think this theater had 2 box-offices- and the lobby was totally mirrored on both sides. I remember my dad telling me that the best remedy for removing chewing gum from seats and floors was Coca-Cola! He swore by it-and it dissolved the gum rather well! IremembeseeoOOliver!herethere.ininin in
the 1970’s
If I remember correctly- Century used to show various famous “fights” or Boxing matches that were not available on TV at this theater…I also remember my dad taking part in a campaign to STOP PAY – TV in the 1970’s- The forerunner of Cable as we know it. Century knew its years were numbered!
Yes- Eldee- we bought a fridge there after they opened. The Glen Oaks was one level, had a childrens section on the right side, in the rear of the right section. There was a matron on duty weekends for the kids matinees. The managers office was behind the last row of seats, and faced the screen. The walls of the auditorium were painted a dark red or burgundy, and there were two large silver or black decorative “masks” that hung on each side wall of the auditoriam. One was smiling- to represent Comedy..and the other was sad faced, to represent Drama..I saw Dr. Zhivago there, as well as The Night They Raided Minsky’s…that was a long time ago!
Yes, I’m his daughter…I remember my dad commenting that the Park was not one of his favorite theaters- he preferred the Meadows and the Prospect..he was kind of on a vacation when he was at the Glen Oaks- it was TINY!!
Yes- I think Eddy Bernhardt went to the Fresh Meadows, and my dad went back to the Prospect.He had been the Manager at the Floral, Bellerose, Freeport, Park East, Glen Oaks, Prospect,and many others that I remember from my childhood. The hours were terrible, the pay was not the best, they did away with profit sharing, he was held up at gunpoint at the Prospect at least once-the bullet hole forever remained in the glass window next to his desk after it was supposedly fixed in the Managers office, until they demolished the place-I guess he must have loved the business.
thethe pizza place down the sreet
Techman: I would be glad to hear any memorable trivia etc you have of him! He was a great guy. He passed away in 1994. The theaters were his life.
Yes or he was always called “Mr. D”! He was the last manager of the Prospect before it closed. He retired from Century in 1986 after almost 30 years in the business- having been a Manager and Substitute DM at over 12 different theaters for the Century chain. I think he knew everyone.
Does anyone remember the manager referred to as Mr. D?
I have the Century Theaters gold pin the company gave him when he retired..I also have a picture of him in the Managers office of the Glen Oaks…I will look for more…the hand typed movie schedules that hung on the wall in the office next to his desk are in the background of the picture.
Do you know anything about the Port Washington Theater that was run by Skouras? He worked that chain in the late 1950’s…
Does anyone remember a Manager named Mr. D?( Bernie)??
Does anyone remember a manager called “Mr. D”? Bernie?He rotated around Century Theaters as a Manager and substitute DM for 30 years…
My late father was a manager at this theater in the 1960’s. He was also a manager at many other Century theaters until 1986, when he retired after 30 years with the Century chain. I used to go around to all the theaters w/ him when I was off from school, and so I grew up hanging around many of the now demolished theaters he was managing at the time. If anyone has any questions that I know the answer to about this or any other Century theater( 1960’s to 1986), post it, and I would be glad to reply! ( The Glen Oaks had a Mays department store as an anchor store up the street, as well as a candy store next door, as well as a wonderful bakery, cleaners/tailors, and a Hallmark card store up the street…)just thought I would throw that in.Regards
My late father was a Manager of this theater in the late 1970’s. He was a veteran w/ Century, and retired in 1986. He was the substitute DM, and I remember travelling around with him inspecting the theaters all over NY and NJ. Ed Bernhardt and my dad were old friends, and to me, Mr. Bernhardt wads “Uncle Eddy” and was a dinner guest at our home many imes. I’ll be glad to answer any questions about Century history from the 1960’s to 1986, since I gre upgoing to work w/ my dsad during school vacations- my dad retired in 1986 from the Prospect Theater in Flushing-and that was when they closed it!Post your questions- I’ll be glad to reply!
Warren G. Harris..are you still around? If you or anyone else needs detail info. on this or any other Century Theater Circuit theater from the 1960’s to the 1980’s, please post your question here, and I’ll be happy to tell you whatever I can remember! My late father was a Century Theaters Manager for 30 years, so I grew up hanging out with him while he was working…he managed theaters for Century until he finally retired in 1986, and then they closed the last theater he managed- The Prospect!Regards.