Famous News (Summer 1991)

The cleanliness and over-all good condition of your facilities has certainly added to the pleasure of your clientele. I would like to add my personal appreciation to Mr. Essam Mohktar and to his assistant, Mr. George Faria. Not only were these gentlemen competent and efficient but also very creative in problem-solving. Your ingenuity helped me organize this outing for our students. I look forward to visiting your theatre on future occasions. @ The English department members of Lord Beaverbrook High School would like to thank you for arranging for complimentary passes to current screenings of Hamlet. Ms. Sharon Mills has been extremely helpful to all of us in arranging for tickets at times convenient to each teacher. Our shool was not invited to attend the preview of the film. We felt this was a considerable oversight since this school is the largest in the province with over 2200 students. Ms. Mills corrected that oversight both efficiently and pleasantly. (Editor’s Note Hamlct groups from Lord Beaverbrook numbered well over 500) co) The following letter was sent to Ron Emilio by Victoria Newman. "T have been an employee of Famous Players since July 1987 and feel that it would be in your best interest to know of a manager that is of outstanding ability. Mr. Mark Smaal, manager of Capitol 6, Victoria, has also served your organization for a number of years. His skill as a manager, in my and many of my co-workers opinion, goes above and beyond his call of duty. Many times he has gone out of his way to make both staff and customer feel comfortable. In July of 1987 Mr. Smaal became manager of the brand new theatres, University Cinemas 4 in Victoria. During this period before his promotion to the Capitol 6 he encouraged a sense of teamwork among all staff. This was accomplished through social events which Mr. Smaal would arrange varying from staff parties to sporting events which Mr. Smaal would arrange. Once Mr. Smaal was promoted to the Capitol 6, he again formed staff there into an effective team. Not only did he accomplish this, but he saw the need for both theatres to work together. As you know, happy staff equals happy customers. I think that Mr. Smaal should be commended for his work as past manager of University Cinemas 4 and current manager of Capitol 6." John Dake of the Gateway Six Cinemas is Brampton sent us the following note: "A regular guest of our theatre has, in the past, been in need of a wheelchair and just recently has been able to function without it. During his visits the customer and several of my staff members have come to know each other on a first name basis due to that little extra attention and care shown by the staff. He was so impressed with the way he has been received on his visits that he has donated his wheelchair, in appreciation to the Gateway, so it may be used by those who may require the same care he once needed." @ This Ictter came from a customer who had visited a theatre, experienced some trouble and wrote the Public Relations department. She took the time to write again..... "Last night my guests and I enjoyed a very pleasant evening at your Bayview Village cinema. The staff at both the entrance and counter were pleasant and professional. The theatre manager was very gracious and went out of his way to speak with me. We look forward to viewing many more movies at the Bayview Village location and I thank you for your kind response to my letter of complaint. Please ensure that the staff at Bayview Village is made aware of their improved efforts and the impact it had on this patron." @ It seems that our customers lose their wallets at an alarming rate and we have received letters thanking our staff for their honesty in returning lost wallets and their concern in making sure that this is done as quickly as possible. These are examples: To John Tolias, an usher at Cinemas du Pare: "Thank you very much for your kindness in handing my calculator to Mr. Pico after it had fallen out of my pocket. It was very important to me to get it back, not only because it cost quite a lot of money, but also because it contained a considerable amount of information which I need." To Jean, the cashier at the Market Mall: "A short note to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to you and your cashier, Jean, for returning my wallet which I carelessly left at the box office on Sunday afternoon. It is refreshing to know there are people who still consider integrity and responsibility over personal gain. Famous Players should be proud to have employees of such calibre." To Paul Cohen at the Lethbridge Centre: "J phoned the Centre Cinemas at 12:15 am and spoke with Mr. Cohen. He was very, very helpful and kind. He went to look for my wallet for me and when he found it, he delivered it to my place at 1:30am. I was greatly appreciative of what he had done for me. He went out of his way to help. Thank you very much." To Wendy Moore, our assistant manager at Windsor’s Devonshire Cinemas: "This is to compliment you on your employee, Ms. Wendy Moore. My daughter left her purse in the theatre after the late show. Ms. Moore had been extremely nice to us and helped us to find her purse. She had to come during the middle of the night. I think it was beyond the call of duty." My congratulations to you for selecting such a wonderful employee and our thanks to you and everyone who worked that night in the theatre." To one of our ushers at the Fairview, Montreal: "After calling your manager to explain that I had lost my wallet he told me he would speak to his staff. I must admit that I had little hope of recovering my wallet. Within an hour, however, I received a call informing me that my wallet had been found by one of the ushers and returned intact. I wish to to send my gratitude to this young and honest usher and to your organization."