What's New? (Sep 1966)

GEORGE DESTOUNIS — Our new Executive Vice-President At the last meeting of Famous Players’ Board of Directors, George Destounis was appointed Executive Vice-President of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. ! Destounis was formerly Executive Vice-President of United Amusement Corporation Limited of Montreal, the largest and most important affiliate of Famous Players. . George Destounis joined United Amusement Corporation in 1940 as an usher in the | Regent theatre, Montreal. In June, 1944 he was appointed manager of the Monkland | theatre. Two years later he was transferred to the downtown Strand and in August t 1947 was moved to the booking department at United Amusement head office. In the ensuing years he was head booker, buyer and general manager and until his transfer | to Famous Players this year he held office as Executive Vice-President of United Amusement Corporation Limited. In his letter to our partners, managers, associates and executives Mr. Bolstad said | Mr. Destounis had spent his life with United Amusement during which time he had ac| quired a very thorough knowledge of all phases of the theatre business and had gained the respect and confidence of all people connected with our Industry. ! ‘“‘We are hopeful that before too long George will find it possible to personally visit each of our theatres so that he will become more familiar with our managers and the properties for which they are responsible,” said Mr. Bolstad. ‘‘We ask you to extend to him the same fine co-operation that you have extended to me and the other Executives of the Company over the many years we have been together.” FAMOUS PLAYERS OPENS NEW THEATRE IN ST. CATHARINES | A modern and strikingly attractive dual audi Special attention has been paid to the seating | torium theatre has been constructed in the Pen which is spaced to allow ample leg room. Special Centre Shopping Centre under the direction of Famous Players Canadian Corporation Limited. This new entertainment centre, known as the Pen Centre Cinemas, was formally opened by Mayor Johnson on August 25th. One auditorium, Cinema 1 will accommodate 770 patrons. The other theatre, known as Cinema 2 will seat 460 patrons. The theatres will operate independently of each other and will each present completely different programs of film being shown for the first time in the St. Catharines area. The richly carpeted entrance is off one of the main shopping malls, where patrons purchase their tickets at a dual counter-style cashiers’ desk. From there patrons enter the theatre by a staircase which leads to a lower level spacious foyer and lounge area, which is colourfully decorated, carpeted and tastefully furnished. Ladies’ powder room, ample washroom facilities, and the manager’s office are located off the main foyer where there is a refreshment bar. Cinema 1 and 2, which are entered off the main foyer, have been designed for perfect viewing from every seat and have been acoustically engineered for the ultimate in sound reproduction. Decorations, draperies, carpeting and seating fabrics have been tastefully selected. smoking areas have been provided in each theatre and these have been designated by a distinctive colour trim. The temperature of the theatres will be controlled by an independent air-conditioning system, thus insuring year ’round patron comfort. The projection equipment is of the latest type with Xenon sources of light and the sound equipment is the new transistorized type. Pen Centre Cinemas were designed by the well-known Toronto architect, Mendel Sprachman. Representatives of the St. Catharines City Council, executives of Famous Players and leading film companies attended the formal opening of the Pen Centre Cinema located in the second largest shopping plaza in Ontario.