Boxoffice-November.2001

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\pieatre Service &Suf>plij§
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1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1
—
P.S.: "In my 21
years of being a part
of the entertainment
business, our industry
has seen lots of ups
and downs. It appears
to me that the rea'
strength of our industry
is in its people,
both in the exhibition
and distribution sectors
of our business. I have confidence in
our business looking forward, because I
believe that strength will always be there."
JEROME A. FORMAN
Always a man of
the American West
he was born in Hood
River, Ore. in 1934
and educated at the
University of Arizona—Jerry
Forman
served as general manager
of United Theatres
of the Northwest
and in 1 97 1 joined what
was to become his longtime home of Pacific
Theatres, where a series of promotions
led to the presidency in 1987. Forman was
a founder of ShoWest and has served as
chairman of NATO, NATO of California,
and the Will Rogers Memorial Fund and
board member of the Foundation of the
Motion Picture Pioneers.
RAYMOND J. SYUFY
Raymond J. Syufy
was born in 1918 in
Sacramento, Calif,
the child of Lebanese
immigrants who were
in the grocery business
in Berkeley. After
a year in law school,
he joined his cousins,
the Naify family, in
their Bay Area exhibition
business. With his parents, Syufy
opened his first theatre in 1940, in Vallejo;
in the early 1950s, the single-screen Vallejo
Auto Movies launched what grew to a
drive-in circuit of more than 100 screens.
By the 1960s, moviehouses under the
Century name were operating throughout
California and in Nevada and Utah.
Today, with surviving sons Raymond W as
CEO and Joseph as president. Century Theatres
has more than 700 screens in 1 1 states.
JAMES VELDE
Called "the dean of the motion picture
business," Jim Velde headed film distribution
for United Artists from the late 1950s
through the mid-1970s—the two-decade
era when the then-independent UA produced
the Oscar-winning "Around the
World in 80 Days," "The Apartment,"
"Elmer Gantry" and "Marty." Velde is
credited with creating the premiere showcase
distribution pattern that debuted new
releases in downtown and suburban cinemas
simultaneously. He first joined
Paramount in the 1930s, and returned to
the studio after the Second World War.
during which conflict as an army lieutenant
he made landings in the Philippines
and was decorated for a grenade wound.
—
P.S. ( by surviving son Thorn Velde, AMC
senior vice president): "Remembering Dad
In light of Dad receiving this award, I
could talk about his many achievements,
outstanding career in the industry, distinguished
military service in WWII, campaign
ribbons and Purple Heart, or his
holding the 100- yard dash record in Chicago
his senior year and also beating Jessie
—
Owens in the dash that same year, or his
four varsity letters in football and track at
Old Hyde Park High School and his two
varsity letters in football at Illinois Wesleyan
University and holding a B+ average.
"But I prefer to just say that he was a
great dad who loved his family, his God
and his country—he and Mom are missed
every day—and that they devoted themselves
to us, the family. .and we are all forever
grateful." (In the archival extendedfamily
photo above. Thorn Velde is the Lee
Majors-looking gent on the right; Jim
Velde is on the far left; and Jim Velde's
wife Jan is seated at mid-table. Ed.
TED PEDAS
Born in 1931 in Farrell, Penn., Ted
Pedas with brother Jim Pedas opened the
Circle Theatre in Washington, D.C., one of
the country's first repertory houses; the
Circle/Showcase group of moviehouses
grew to more than 80 screens before it was
sold in 1988. The brothers also formed
Circle Releasing, with Ted Pedas serving as
president. In film producer capacities, his
credits include a number of Coen brothers
films, including "Raising Arizona," "Miller's
Crossing" and "Barton Fink."
BUD STONE
From our editorial coverage of Sho West
2001 earlier this year, where the longtime
Deluxe leader was also honored:
"Presenting the Ken Mason Inter-
Society Award, R/C Theatres' Wayne
Anderson quoted from the ShoWest handbook
in introducing recipient Bud Stone,
saying he 'must have a very large house.
Having received virtually every major
award, honor and plaque known in the
motion picture industry, they must occupy
an enormous amount of space.' Anderson
declined to list them, joking that, if he did
so, 'We'd be here 'til lunchtime!'
"Recently retired as president of Deluxe
Labs but still active in the industry. Stone
said in his acceptance speech, 'I spent
much of my career trying to build bridges,
linking my friends in the creative community,'
including directors, einematographers,
editors and students with exhibitors
and distributors.
"Citing the collaboration of art and
technology. Stone continued, 'That's what
this industry is about— providing the creative
freedom to storytellers to bring their
vision to the screen."
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82 BOXOFFICE
Response No. 86