Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1960)

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4 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, July 26, 1 ij Hold Funeral Services Today for Blumberg Tribute Paid By Leaders Of Industry {Continued from page 1) as a mark of respect to the deceased. Born in Racine, Wis., on Feb. 4, 1894, and raised and schooled in that city, Blumberg, as a boy, got his first taste of show business by selling candy in theatres after school hours and he liked it so well that it became his life's work. He was in business for himself several times in 1911, during his earlier years in show business, was general manager for the Wisconsin sector of the erstwhile Universal Theatres. Divisional Head for All Houses When the Orpheum Circuit became a part of the Radio Corporation's ambitious RKO organization, Blumberg became divisional manager for all RKO Theatres in Chicago and the West in 1929. He then moved into the New York office as assistant general manager and eventually into the vice-presidency in charge of theatre operations. Through the experience he gained as operating head of RKO Theatres. Blumberg was eventually called to head Universal Pictures and on January 1, 1938, he became its president. In 1946, Blumberg, in association with J. Cheever Cowdin, who was then chairman of Universal's board, consolidated Universal with International Pictures. On July 15, 1952, simultaneously with the election of Milton R. Rackmil as president of Universal, Blumberg was elected chairman of the board. Statement by Rackmil In connection with Blumberg's death, Rackmil said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and devoted colleague, Nate Blumberg. A great industry leader and a true humanitarian, Nate was beloved by all who were privileged to know him. His friendship and his counsel were a source of strength and inspiration, and I shall always cherish the years and the experiences we shared together. "He leaves a heritage for all of us to share and remember. His life was full of accomplishment. He reached the heights of our industry but never lost his humility. His heart was as big as his being and he gave of himself to all who knew him as a friend and they were legion, "The Universal family shall miss him and we shall mourn his loss, but he shall live on with us always for he has enriched us through the years." Blumberg is survived by his wife, Vera; a son, Lewis, and a daughter, Mrs. Stanley Meyers, all of Van Nuys, Calif. Other industry leaders, of Universal and of other major companies of the industry, paid tribute to Blumberg for his contributions down through the years to the world of the motion picture. Included below are some of these tributes. David A. Lipton: "Nate Blumberg more than anyone I have ever known exemplified 'the big heart of show-business.' It was a heart full of love for people in every walk of life— for his family, for his legion of devoted friends and for the business to which he devoted his life. '*He will be remembered in the hearts of all who knew him and whose lives he enriched with his wami friendship, his unfailing loyalty and the depth of his simple, sincere humility." F. J. A. McCarthy: "Nate Blumberg will be missed by all and forgotten by none in the theatrical industry. His great interest and affection for the 'little people' of our industry, as he expressed it, was a token of his understanding and great heart. His ever willingness to help through his immense knowledge of the industry's problems will be greatly missed. His understanding of the trials and cares of all associated with him will never be forgotten." Americo Aboaf: "All of our Universal-International overseas colleagues and associates join me in the expression of our condolences to the bereaved in the passing of our warm personal friend and mentor, Nate Blumberg." B. M. Cohn: "In the passing of Nate Blumberg, we of Universal overseas have lost a warm personal friend and advisor. The industry has lost one of its pioneer pillars. We extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved." Edward Muhl: "Nate Blumberg, was a gentleman and a showman and always a credit to the industry to which he devoted all of his working years. His passing is not only a personal, but an industry-wide loss." Barney Balaban: "Any list, large or small, of the industry's great pioneers and developers must include the name of Nate Blumberg. He knew this industry from a lowly candyselling post to the presidency of a major company, and in every step along the colorful way between these two spots he made contributions of massive importance to the progress of our industry. He knew also the very human nature of our business, so that wherever he went, with whomever he dealt, he made friends. He had a fine influence for good on our industry, so that his passing from the film scene is a deeply regretted loss to all of us." Samuel Goldwyn: "Nate Blumberg was a fine and generous man whose passing is a loss to the community and the motion picture industry. My sincere condolences go out to his family." Sol A. Schwartz: "All of us at RKO Theatres feel deeply the loss of Nate Blumberg. He spent many fruitful years with our company and his warm friendship and willing helpfulness is something we will always remember. Frank Freeman: "I have known Nate Blumberg since the early 1930's when were both in New York, and since he moved to Hollywood. I've never known any man that I respected or admired more than I did Nate Blumberg for his honesty, democratic principles and his charitable life. I feel that his passing is not only a great loss to the motion picture industry, but also that America has lost an outstanding citizen. Arthur L. Mayer: "In Nate Blumberg's passing we have lost not only a wonderful human being but also a superb showman. My acquaintance with Nate dates back 40 years when he was a Kenosha, Wis., theatre manager, of a type grown increasingly rare— indefatigable but aggressive. "He was in show business not because he could make monev in it but because of the joy his daily work afforded him. He advanced steadily from one important post to another more important, in part because of his intelligence, integrity and independence, but above all because movies were his life and his life was movies. "If our picture business is to survive and prosper, we need more men like Nate, rising from the ranks full of courage, confidence and faith in the future." Steve Broidy: "We will not soon again see the like of Nate Blumberg. He was a good friend, a master builder of the industry, and a humanitarian." Samuel Rinzler: "Nate Blumberg was more than a pioneer and more than an exhibitor who became president of Universal. He was a tower of strength, a man of vision and courage whose dynamic and inspirational leadership will long be remembered. As personal friends of long standing, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Vera and the family." John J. O'Connor: "In the passing of Nate Blumberg, the industry has lost one of its great leaders and I Praised as Kei Figure in Rig Of the Cinem — have lost one of my most devo friends. I will always treasure more than 25 years I have been sociated with him. He has been* inspiration to me in my own life. Henry H. "Hi" Martin: "The pil ing of Mr. Blumberg will be a gmt loss to the entire motion picture ! dustry. His wisdom and foresifl were always helpful. To the m> employees of Universal he ■ "Uncle Nate." We especially > miss his guidance and good couns: Maurice Bergman: "Nate Bli berg was a loyal friend who ] the rare ability to be both an ceptionally fine executive and a wf human being. I shall always remt ber him for the many kindnessesi showed to me during our long sociation, and for the sympath guidance he showed to me. "Our industry loses a construct and creative leader." Philip Gerard: "Nate Blumty was a rare human being. He walll E among the giants of our industry % never lost his humility. He wasr gentle man, he was a wise man,! was a good man. We mourn his Is , and cherish his friendship." Adolph Schimel: "In the passingf it Nat Blumberg, I have lost one of E. dearest friends. His inspiratioi leadership has touched all of us vat have been associated with him." Felix M. Sommer: "It was SB great shock and deep regret thai received the news of Mr. Blumber passing. I counted him as my best1 friends. I think of his guidance afj5 personal relationship with me as i r only a valuable experience but a.W precious memory." Budd Rogers: "In the passing Nate Blumberg I have lost a rea great personal friend and the ind try has lost one of its finest ci structive brains. His loss will long ' felt by all of us. He made a wond: ful conribution to all phases of ) U industry as well as being a great j , fluence in the welfare of Univerj Pictures. Art House Cuts Rates I HARTFORD, July 25. The N] meg Theatre Circuit has institut a new bargain price (50 cents), fr< 1 to 5 P.M., Mondays through F , days, at the Crown Theatre, Ni j Haven, a first-run art situation. Ne; by opposition theatres charge ai , where from 60 to 90 cents during tl same time span.