Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1936)

Study All Processes of Operation ADVISES RKO'S JOE COETZ joe goetz may have interpreted Horace Greeley's epic injunction as "Go Midwest, young man." At any rate, Goetz, a young man, did just that. At least, he got there eventually by quick, successive stages. And Greeley couldn't have asked for more. At 28, our Mr. Goetz is comfortably perched near the top rung of the ladder. He is assistant division manager of the RKO Midwest division, for which he also is feature and short subject booker. And add the managerships of the deluxe Paramount and the Orpheum in suburban Cincinnati. The recently-formed Cincinnati Booker's Club — said to be the only organization of its kind in the country — is his brain-child. Goetz is the directing head. The club was formed to create a closer bond of personal and professional relationship among members of the booking fraternity, a place where mutual problems could be discussed and constructive criticisms and suggestions offered. In addition, Mr. Goetz acts as auditor for the Cincinnati theatres of the RKO circuit. "Guess I might be compared to a bank examiner," he explained. "I drop in at unannounced periods and make a check. No mistrust exists, and no reflection intended. It's merely a matter of general policy to keep natural accounting errors down to the minimum." Upon further question-, Goetz revealed to the writer that a few months ago he organized a managers' school. "I feel," he said, "that this is the one way to select and train worthwhile managerial timber. So many young men start in with high aspirations but soon perform their duties as a matter of routine, doing only what is set out for them. An employee must use his head to get ahead — put his whole heart and soul in his work, become familiar, through study and observation, with all branches and processes of theatre operation, regardless of his position. He will succeed only in proportion to his enthusiasm, application and desire to go places. For example, an assistant manager, when reaching that post, should be so thoroughly qualified that he can immediately step into the manager's place and carry on in case of an emergency. The school is conducted weekly at the Palace theatre in Cincinnati. Each house manager selects ushers for enrollment. Meetings are devoted to instructions and discussions. Lectures on some phase of theatre operation or related subject are given by theatre managers or other compe • ONE OF A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS WITH • INTERESTING CINEMA FOLK tent authorities. The Orpheum theatre is used as a "training ground," where the more advanced students are assigned for definite periods and placed practically "on their own" as a test of their potential managerial ability. Mr. Goetz has also inaugurated systems of manager's house inspection reports and projectionist's film reports. The former covers the theatre premises under 21 dis t i n c t headings, further broken down into more than one hundred individual items. This insures cleanliness, ventilation, repairs and gene r a 1 maintenance. Projectionist's reports, proportionately complete, prevent controversies when film is received in poor or mutilated condition, which permits action and adjustment before the showing. The reports are sent to the local executive offices, with copies retained by house managers and projectionists. Despite his numerous activities, Mr. Goetz finds time to "sell" continuously Cincinnati's Paramount theatre to the public. For example, the New Thought congregation, having outgrown its previous quarters, holds regular Sunday morning services at the theatre, from 1,500 to 1,800 attending. Also, Mr. Goetz never fails to hold a birthday party on the anniversary of the opening of the Paramount. This has become a city-wide event, usually attended by the mayor and members of his staff, and leaders of civic bodies. There are refreshments, music, sometimes dancing in the lobby. Pastors, priests and rabbis are there. People come from all walks of life. It's just one big, happy family. An activity which won Mr. Goetz much praise was his effort to popularize the city government through lobby displays depicting various functions of city government. He has exhibited fire apparatus, ambulances and accessories, etc., accompanied by signs and photos exempli fying the work. Sometimes, a city employe has been on hand to explain and answer questions, thus familiarizing the public with what the city is doing, and how and why. Moreover, he gratuitously furnishes the city jail with films. However, Mr. Goetz finds his real happiness in entertaining poor and crippled children, which he does at various intervals, either at the theatre or the institutions where the wards reside. The city provides transportation to the theatre, and Society leaders act as chaperones. Some of the kiddies have been brought to the theatre on stretchers and in casts. Joe Goetz started as an usher at the old Keith theatre in Dayton, Ohio, while attending school. Five years later, at 19, he was made manager of Keith's State there — probably the youngest manager in the country. When RKO took over the Keith houses, he was appointed manager of the Capitol in Cincinnati. In less than a year he was placed in charge of the Palace, the circuit's second largest Cincinnati house. Soon thereafter the new Paramount opened. Goetz was named manager. His other appointments followed. Sometime, he confided to the writer with a smile, he intends taking sufficient time out to allow his little daughter, Barbara Joan, to become acquainted with "that strange man" whom she occasionally sees around the house. — E. H. Mayer. July 25, 1936 15