top of page

THE MOTION PICTURE CLUB

In 1939, a group of film bookers gathered at the Dixon Cafeteria on Eighth Avenue to form a Social Club for local people in the film business. A dinner celebrating the formation of the Club and the installation of its first group of officers was held at the Hotel Astor in 1940 with Henny Youngman as Master of Ceremonies. And that was the beginning of the Motion Picture Bookers Club – 85 years ago! 

​

Over the years, the Club has grown to include people from all areas of the motion picture industry - exhibition, distribution, advertising and other related businesses. Presently, The  Motion Picture Club is a thriving organization of 350 film business professionals throughout the country. We still have social functions to foster camaraderie among members of the film community. However, our main focus is on raising funds for film industry - related charities. Each year the MPC makes substantial contributions to Variety - The Children's Charity, The Will Rogers Memorial Fund, The Motion Picture Pioneers, Rising Ground, Boys and Girls Club of Queens, and The Ronald McDonald House. 


We continue to sponsor lots of annual events, all to support these charities we hold so dear.

Past Presidents

​

  • 2023-         Jodi Gwydir

  • 2019-2023 David Ostrander

  • 2017-2019 Chadd Barksdale

  • 2015-2017 Kelly Wasserman

  • 2013-2015 Lori Bandazian

  • 2011-2013 Carla Ornelas

  • 2009-2011 Seth Leifer

  • 2007-2009 Dennis Meagher

  • 2005-2007 Andrew T. Sheppard

  • 2003-2005 David Youngstein

  • 2001-2003 Jackie Santiago

  • 1999-2001 John Z. Shahinian

  • 1997-1999 Larry Piller

  • 1996-1997 Joseph Reid

  • 1995-1996 Steve Saphos

  • 1994-1995 Bobbie Peterson

  • 1992-1993 Jack DeCrescente

  • 1990-1991 William R. Thompson

  • 1988-1989 Pam Pritzker-Maurer

  • 1986-1987 Steven Toback

  • 1984-1985 Robert K. Polson

  • 1982-1983 Nick Guadagno

  • 1980-1981 Leo Fisch

  • 1978-1979 Tom Gaughran

  • 1976-1977 Arthur Morowitz

  • 1974-1975 Hank Feinstein

  • 1972-1973 Jerry Frankel

  • 1970-1971 Ron Lesser

  • 1968-1969 Ralph E. Donnelly

  • 1966-1967 Marvin Friedlander

  • 1965 Max Fried

  • 1963-1964 Marty Perlberg

  • 1962 Jerry Horowitz

  • 1961 Myron Starr

  • 1959-1960 Jack Birnbaum

  • 1958 Oscar Lager

  • 1956-1957 Max Fried

  • 1954-1955 Sam Einhorn

  • 1952-1953 Lou Wolff

  • 1950-1951 Harold Margolis

  • 1948-1949 Alex Arnswalder

  • 1946-1947 Oscar Lager

  • 1944-1945 Bernie Brooks

  • 1942-1943 George Trilling

  • 1940-1941 Harold Klein

Nat Stern

 

  • 2022 - Jodi Gwydir

  • 2019 - Christina Blumer

  • 2018 - Dennis Meagher

  • 2017 - Alison Matheis

  • 2016 - Melanie Valera

  • 2015 - Jeff Goldman

  • 2014 - Rose Devery

  • 2013 - Debbie Walsh

  • 2011 - John Spinello

  • 2010 - David Atlas

  • 2008 - Lydia Cole

  • 2007 - Jim Amos

  • 2006 - Craig Zeltner

  • 2005 - Seth Leifer

  • 2004 - Richard Tabin

  • 2003 - Eileen Dougherty

  • 2002 - Ira Miller

  • 2001 - William R. Thompson

  • 2000 - Millie Gautier

  • 1999 - Ted Cooper

  • 1998 - Ron Lesser

  • 1997 - Nick Guadagno

  • 1996 - Jared Mestre

  • 1995 - Paul Scheib

  • 1994 - Marvin Friedlander

  • 1993 - Millie Tramontano

  • 1992 - Clarice Hausman

  • 1991 - Sid Rubinstein & Arleen West

  • 1990 - Linda Hogarty

  • 1989 - Selma Fried

  • 1988 - Grace Ganguzza & Agnes Moskos

  • 1987 - Dom Frascella

  • 1986 - William Frankle

  • 1985 - Ann Rosenbaum

bottom of page