In September of 1970, Variety identified the Mini Cinema as the first venue in NYC to screen films (16mm) with explicit hardcore content (outside of the context of the 35mm “marriage manual” films were screening widely that same year). Maybe they should erect a plaque.
The exterior of the Variety Theatre c. 1960 is visible, by the way, several minutes into Doris Wishman’s second feature film, Nude on the Moon. A drive-by shot shows part of the neighborhood as well as the theater’s marquee advertising her first feature film, Hideout in the Sun (which premiered there in January 1960). Hideout in the Sun – a nudist film – ran at the Variety for at least 10 weeks according to the film’s pressbook.
I’m hoping folks out there have more info on the Paris during its Variety years. Pre-1961, the Variety was owned/operated, I’ve been told in interviews, by brothers Jack and/or Martin (“Marty”) Caplan. It is also possible that a David Caplan (another brother?) was involved. The Caplan family reportedly owned other theaters in Florida and perhaps elsewhere in the South. Sisters named Marietta and Leila (sp?) were also involved. The Variety premiered exploitation filmmaker Doris Wishman’s first feature, Hideout in the Sun in January 1960. Variety – the entertainment industry newspaper – reported on 20 January 1960 that the opening week of Hideout produced “the biggest single week’s take in the 14-year history of the house” (placing its opening – if correct – around 1946). Variety Theatre, Inc. – presumably the Caplan family’s firm – was incorporated in the State of Florida in November 1956 and dissolved in April 1961 (around the time the Variety became the Paris, as per a previous poster). I would like to know if anyone out there knows more about the Caplan family or can direct me to other resources on the early history of the Variety/Paris, especially in Miami newspapers of the time.
In September of 1970, Variety identified the Mini Cinema as the first venue in NYC to screen films (16mm) with explicit hardcore content (outside of the context of the 35mm “marriage manual” films were screening widely that same year). Maybe they should erect a plaque.
In re: Marty Caplan. Could be the same guy – don’t know anything more about him. Know more?
The exterior of the Variety Theatre c. 1960 is visible, by the way, several minutes into Doris Wishman’s second feature film, Nude on the Moon. A drive-by shot shows part of the neighborhood as well as the theater’s marquee advertising her first feature film, Hideout in the Sun (which premiered there in January 1960). Hideout in the Sun – a nudist film – ran at the Variety for at least 10 weeks according to the film’s pressbook.
I’m hoping folks out there have more info on the Paris during its Variety years. Pre-1961, the Variety was owned/operated, I’ve been told in interviews, by brothers Jack and/or Martin (“Marty”) Caplan. It is also possible that a David Caplan (another brother?) was involved. The Caplan family reportedly owned other theaters in Florida and perhaps elsewhere in the South. Sisters named Marietta and Leila (sp?) were also involved. The Variety premiered exploitation filmmaker Doris Wishman’s first feature, Hideout in the Sun in January 1960. Variety – the entertainment industry newspaper – reported on 20 January 1960 that the opening week of Hideout produced “the biggest single week’s take in the 14-year history of the house” (placing its opening – if correct – around 1946). Variety Theatre, Inc. – presumably the Caplan family’s firm – was incorporated in the State of Florida in November 1956 and dissolved in April 1961 (around the time the Variety became the Paris, as per a previous poster). I would like to know if anyone out there knows more about the Caplan family or can direct me to other resources on the early history of the Variety/Paris, especially in Miami newspapers of the time.