I had the pleasure of working for Bert Katz at the Pennsbury II in ‘84-'85. A fellow BCCC film student named Mark Brems worked at the theater, and he recommended me for the job. I immediately liked Bert. A true character. I believe he was the Director of the Bucks County Playhouse at that time. I believe he also had a play that he had written named “Jewish Kid” chosen for production by a local theater at that time. I remember how delighted he was by this. I believe I moved to Eugene, Oregon in the summer of 1985 before his play was produced.
Bert definitely said the Pennsbury II was a “Jerry Lewis” theater. As the link below describes, it was actually possible to run the theater with as few as two people. It was my understanding that the theater had been originally built as a twin-house.
I am so glad that people remember Gulliver—as I liked to joke “The Katz Dog.” He was a beautiful, sweet Golden Retriever. He stayed at the theater because the Katz’s son was allergic to him, and he shed too much at home to keep him there without the son constantly being miserable.
I once went to the theater to clean it, but forgot about Gulliver being inside. I unlocked the door, and boom! Gulliver burst out of the narrow door and bounded down the strip mall, scaring the living crap out of one old man in particular who was holding a paper sack of food from the little super market in the strip mall. I felt bad for this poor old man, but the Z-axis view I had of this man panicking as this big, fluffy gold dog ran at him— and then right by him— was a hilarious sight I’ll never forget. Karma was instant, because I think it took me about three hours of searching before I finally found Gulliver.
Two films that I particularly remember playing at the Pennsbury II during my time working there were the original “Terminator” and also “Purple Rain.” Both were greatly anticipated, widely enjoyed and very successful for Bert. Both films are linked in my mind with this movie house, probably especially because of running up to the projection booth to catch the switch-overs.
I had the pleasure of working for Bert Katz at the Pennsbury II in ‘84-'85. A fellow BCCC film student named Mark Brems worked at the theater, and he recommended me for the job. I immediately liked Bert. A true character. I believe he was the Director of the Bucks County Playhouse at that time. I believe he also had a play that he had written named “Jewish Kid” chosen for production by a local theater at that time. I remember how delighted he was by this. I believe I moved to Eugene, Oregon in the summer of 1985 before his play was produced.
Bert definitely said the Pennsbury II was a “Jerry Lewis” theater. As the link below describes, it was actually possible to run the theater with as few as two people. It was my understanding that the theater had been originally built as a twin-house.
http://cinelog.org/cinelog/2009/03/28/fantasy-failure-with-jerry-lewis-cinemas/
I am so glad that people remember Gulliver—as I liked to joke “The Katz Dog.” He was a beautiful, sweet Golden Retriever. He stayed at the theater because the Katz’s son was allergic to him, and he shed too much at home to keep him there without the son constantly being miserable.
I once went to the theater to clean it, but forgot about Gulliver being inside. I unlocked the door, and boom! Gulliver burst out of the narrow door and bounded down the strip mall, scaring the living crap out of one old man in particular who was holding a paper sack of food from the little super market in the strip mall. I felt bad for this poor old man, but the Z-axis view I had of this man panicking as this big, fluffy gold dog ran at him— and then right by him— was a hilarious sight I’ll never forget. Karma was instant, because I think it took me about three hours of searching before I finally found Gulliver.
Two films that I particularly remember playing at the Pennsbury II during my time working there were the original “Terminator” and also “Purple Rain.” Both were greatly anticipated, widely enjoyed and very successful for Bert. Both films are linked in my mind with this movie house, probably especially because of running up to the projection booth to catch the switch-overs.
Many fond memories. Thank you, Bert!