Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1954)

Monday, October 25, 1954 Motion Picture Daily 5 Film Leaders in Tribute to Charles Skouras {Continued from page 1) in the death of Charles Skouras. He was a pioneer in the business and a vital and outstanding leader. We all will miss him very much." which inspired producers to make bigger and better pictures. I shall miss him more than words can express. My sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones." to all branches of the industry than Charles Skouras. His generosity to his fellow man, his civic minded guidance and contributions were a source of inspiration to all who knew him." Association of Motion Picture Producers: "The industry has lost one of its outstanding figures. Skouras served not only his industry well but also his community and his nation." Bob Coyne, special counsel for the Council of Motion Picture Organizations: "The passing of Charles Skouras marked a sad milestone for his host of friends and associates. Not only to his friends but to the entire business community will this event have deep import. His life and progress in America was a business romance to inspire all those of humble beginnings and to reaffirm our faith in America as a land of promise. I know the entire COMPO membership to a man joins with me in my feelings of loss and in my sincere sympathy to the Skouras family." Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and sales manager for Universal: "We are left with a tremendous void in our business with the passing of Charles Skouras. But he leaves behind a wonderful heritage of countless friendships. This is the way we should always remember him." Sol Schwartr, president RKO Theatres: "I was deeply shocked at the news of the untimely passing of Charlie Skouras. The industry has lost a great showman and personality, and I, a very good friend. He was a wonderful humanitarian and ever ready to give unstintingly of himself to all worthy causes. He will be missed." Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-president of Universal Pictures Co.: "The death of Charles Skouras is an irretrievable loss to the industry. His contributions to the development of the motion picture business in America were gigantic. He leaves behind him a name that will live indefinitely in the minds of those associated with our business. He was a man of God and a great humanitarian and his rewards must be great. It is a sad loss to all who knew him personally and those who did not." John J. O'Connor, vice-president of Universal Pictures Co.: "The industry has lost a great exhibitor in the passing of Charles Skouras. He was one of the pioneers who helped make our industry great." William J. German, president of William J. German, Inc.: "Charles Skouras was a good friend of mine. I will feel his loss very keenly. I feel that the industry has lost one of the great figures, particularly in the exhibition field. Charlie was a great American and a great humanitarian." R. W. Al+schuier, Republic director of World-Wide Sales: "We all owe a real debt to Charles Skouras for his inspirational leadership, and I join the many in our industry who sincerely mourn his loss." Arthur B. Krlm, U-A president: "This is a sad day for the industry. In the death of Charles Skouras, it has lost one of its great leaders. His contribution, and those of his brothers to the growth and development of American motion pictures throughout the world have been unparalleled. We at U-A have lost one of our best friends and the heartfelt sympathy of all of us goes out to Mrs. Skouras, Sypros, George, and the whole Skouras family." George Dembow, vice-president and sales manager National Screen Service: "The industry has lost a great pioneer, great leader, and great humanitarian. I am very distressed at his death." Si Fabian, President of Stanley-Warner: "I have lost a great friend. The industry has lost a notable leader, a unique and dominant personality, a man of boldness, vision and determination. His career was in the great American tradition. Charles' sudden passing is a personal loss to all of us who admire his gift as a human being and a statesman of the industry." Sam Rosen, vice-president StanleyWarner: "Charles Skouras was a giant in our industry, a far-seeing leader, a man of courage and tremendous personal force. His friends were legion and his career was fabulous. His passing is a serious loss to the motion picture business." Charfes Einfeld, vice-president 20th Century-Fox: "A distinguished statesman, a warm-hearted friend and loving father has passed away. Charles Skouras, a man of deep faith in God and love of fellow man, typifies the spirit of America and stands as one of our nation's great^t success stories. Coming to these shores as an immigrant lad from Greece, Charles Skouras in his monumental career has left a legacy of accomplishment in the film industry as well as in his many philanthropic projects. He leaves a heritage which will make his memory live forever." Manny Frisch, president of Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association: "Not merely exhibition but the entire motion picture Industry has suffered a great loss in the passing of Charles P. Skouras." Harry Kalmine, vice-president StanleyWarner: "With Charlie Skouras gone, a remarkable family triumvirate suffers an irretrievable loss and a great leader is gone from our industry. He was a warm and distinguished personality, a pioneer of outstanding vision and foresight." A. W. Schwalberg, pres. of Paramount Distribution Corp.: "My heartfelt sympathy goes to the members of Charles Skouras' family in their sorrow. I share their grief, for I myself have a sense^ of personal loss. At milestones in my own career Charlie was my mentor and guide. Charles Skouras was one of the leading statesmen of the industry, one of those rare individuals who put the industry's interest before their own. Charlie's love of and devotion to the motion picture business will long be remembered. His greatness as a human being I will never forqet." Arthur Mayer, president IMPDA:"lt is a great loss to our industry. He was a man of great energy, foresight and determination." Barney Balaban, president of Paramount Pictures: "The imprint left by Charlie Skouras on the motion picture industry is definite and permanent. In his passing, we have lost one of the industry's pioneers, a great pillar of strength. In the early years when he and his brothers were operating theatres in St. Louis and I was operating theatres with my family in Chicago it was my pleasure and privilege to count him as my friend. Charlie's leadership in all of the worthy causes in which our industry has participated has been outstanding and his loss will be sorely felt. We will all miss him very much and I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife and his brothers, Sypros and George and his other dear ones." Nate J. Blumberg, chairman of the board of Universal Pictures: "The tragic news of Charlie Skouras is being felt deeply by all of us in our industry. His life was indeed a symbol of the American success story. But more important than his achievement in business was his great contribution to humanitarian causes. To those of us who knew him intimately, his personality was inspired and at all times he could really be called a good friend. I share the sadness of all his many friends and associates at this time of mourning. Milton R. Rackmil, president of Universal: "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Charles Skouras. His loss will be greatly felt by the motion picture industry to which he devoted so much of his time' and talent." Harry Cohn, president of Columbia Pictures: It is with deepest regret that I learn of the death of Charles Skouras. He was one of the true leaders of our industry and his loss will be felt by every person who knew him. Jack Cohn, executive vice-president of Columbia Pictures: "I am shocked beyond words by the sudden news. Charles Skouras always appeared to me as one of the immortals of our business. It is hard to believe that he will no longer be with us." Abe Montague, vice-president In charge of distribution: "In the death of Charles Skouras the motion picture Industry has lost an internationally important figure and I have lost a close friend and associate. His contribution to motion pictures and to humanity must be long remembered." Al Lichtman, distribution director for 20th Century-Fox: "Charlie Skouras was one of the great pioneers of our business. He was a great spirit. He loved people. He had great faith In our industry and he was a great fighter for everything that was good and progressive. His passing will be keenly felt by all his friends and associates in the entire Industry." Herbert J. Yates, president of Republic Pictures: "The motion picture Industry can III afford to lose Charles Skouras. He probably did more than any man to revitalize the sagging theatre box office. He gave new hope to studios, Robert L. Lippert, president of Lippert Pictures: "I have lost one of my closest and dearest friends, and the motion picture industry has lost Its greatest champion. From personal experience I know how hard he fought to advance presentation of motion pictures. Don Hartman, of Paramount Pictures: "I didn't know Charlie Skouras very well, but quite possibly the true measure of his individuality Is that I feel that I knew him intimately." E. J. Mannix, of M-G-M: "Charles Skouras will always be remembered as one of the great showmen of our time. For many, like myself, who have known him over the years, I feel deeply the loss of a friend as well as a leader of industry." Al Galston and Jay Sutton, Galston and Sutton: "The motion picture business has lost one of Its most progressive exhibitors the industry has ever known, a great humanitarian and humorist." Harry M. Warner, president of Warner Brothers: "Charles Skouras was first of all a great American. His story stands for all of the great things this nation represents. His loss will be keenly felt." Jack L. Warner: "I personally have lost a great friend, and the motion picture industry has lost a great leader. Charles P. Skouras was as well-known for his philanthropies as for his contribution to the motion picture Industry." Major Albert Warner: "As a motion picture pioneer, Charles Skouras helped the Industry grow. His progressive thinking and actions will serve to guide the industry for years to come. His death has saddened all of us." Joseph M. Schenck: "Charles Skouras was a leader and builder of the American Motion Picture Industry. His Is one of the most Inspiring stories of success, because from an humble beginning he rose by sheer power of ability, character I and executive force to become head of ! one of the world's largest theatre chains. His untimely passing is a distinct loss." Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president of 20th Century-Fox: "He was one of the outstanding men of our Industry. He gave fine leadership not only to the organization of which he was president but also to the community, for whose good he was always ready to work unselfishly and charitably. James R. Grainger, president of RKO Radio: "The motion picture Industry has lost a great man, and 1 have lost a great friend." Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president of Paramount Pictures: "The untimely death of Charles Skouras leaves a void in the hearts of his associates in the picture Industry that can never be filled by anyone. He was a forthright leader, a man of fine spiritual qualities, and an outstanding leader in civic affairs. The industry, the community in which he lived, and our country have lost a real American." Edmund J. Baumgarten: "There never has been more sincere or truer iriend