Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Death of Al Lewis

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 10-03-2005, 07:35 AM:

quote: Los Angeles Times
Al Lewis, 97, award-winning sound engineer for motion picture theaters, died Sept. 25 in his Cupertino, Calif., home of kidney failure.

Born Sept. 7, 1908, in Holdrege, Neb., Lewis grew up building radio sets and working as a theater projectionist. He moved to Sacramento in 1935 to work for Altec, and later Ampex and ElectroSound, installing and maintaining sound systems.

He equipped Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and many old Hollywood movie palaces. He also set up sound systems for premieres, including that of "Funny Girl" at the Egyptian Theatre.

In 1986, the Academy of Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences awarded him a medal of commendation. Four years later, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers gave him the Samuel L. Warner Award for his lifetime work.

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 10-03-2005, 11:03 AM:

Al was the father figure and example for all theatre technicians that followed in his foot steps. He personified class and style in an end of the business that could use all it can get.

I'll bet no theatre manager ever asked Al to fix the popcorn machine. One thing about Al is that he did not suffer fools gladly.

His best work was in his days at Ampex, particularly the tube based equipment. The product was by far the best one could get anywhere in terms of build quality and the fidelity of the audio coming from it.

The solid state equipment that came later had all the style but not the audio quality of his earlier work.

Al had a great life.

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 10-03-2005, 12:57 PM:

I cannot improve on Sam`s comments on Al. I knew him for over 50 years starting when I came to Sacramento for RCA Photophone in 1950 and guess who my competitor with Altec was? Right. He was already a legend in No Ca. Anyway, he helped me with everything technical, as I was very green. I soon learned from him not to pay any attention to our company`s entreaties to go after the others business. Al was an old IA man joining in Beatrice Nebraska in the very late 20`s.He said we`re both getting the same scale to do the best work for our customers. I`ve known many people in the technical end of the business but none with the memory of this man. He remembered details of early Western Electric equipment the same way he explained to me every thing aboutIMAX. One of my last conversations with him was a discussion of Western Electric motor control cabinets of 1930 which he explained to me; I never did know how the damned things worked.
He is all the good things Sam posted, maybe more.I will miss him terribly.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 10-03-2005, 04:34 PM:

Before reading, I expected the thread to be about "Grandpa Munster"

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-03-2005, 05:00 PM:

[original text removed by author]

[ 10-03-2005, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: David Stambaugh ]

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 10-03-2005, 05:03 PM:

Both Al Lewis's are probably chuckling about this. The one I knew had a pretty impish sense of humor.

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 10-03-2005, 05:06 PM:

Is grandpa munster still alive?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-03-2005, 06:19 PM:

I've seen Al's photo in alot of old theatre magazines over the years. There was one photo if him taken in the Cinerama Dome back when it opened and he was in front of the new Ampex sound rack in that install. I'm sure that he will be missed by many in the industry and there were but a handful of engineers since the 20's that were on Al's level!!

Mark

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 10-03-2005, 06:48 PM:

quote: Frank Dubrois
Is grandpa munster still alive?

Yes, Grandpa munster is still alive. He's 95 years old this year.

imdb

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 10-03-2005, 07:47 PM:

As we used to say in my day:what a pile of horses asses. What a complete insult to this man, who none of you have enough expertise or talent to carry his equipment upstairs. I realize, upstairs means nothing to morons whose idea of a full house encompasses all of 75 people.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-03-2005, 08:55 PM:

No disrespect was meant to the memory of the Al Lewis who is the actual subject of this thread. Since I'm not familiar with the man or his contributions to film exhibition, I'll take the word of others that Mr. Lewis was a giant in the business.

Condolences to all.

quote: Sam D. Chavez
Both Al Lewis's are probably chuckling about this. The one I knew had a pretty impish sense of humor.

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 10-03-2005, 09:30 PM:

Since you are not familiar with the man; why did you feel qualified to make any comment? People like you are what is wrong with the world.

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 10-03-2005, 09:40 PM:

Bob,

Whats your problem? Seeing the name Al Lewis instantly sparks pictures of grandpa munster for A LOT of people. Seeing as though they are roughly the same age..I see no disrespect in confusing the two. Lighten up...no one was trying to be nasty. [beer]

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 10-03-2005, 09:45 PM:

Frank:
It sure as hell sounds nasty to me.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-03-2005, 10:31 PM:

Bob: You're going to get this nice tribute thread locked if you don't quit griping at people.

It's nobody's fault if they got the names confused. When I first saw the thread title, I too thought it was about Grandpa Munster and I've been in this business 30 years. So forcripesake, lighten up.

It's been great to read about this engineer who I knew nothing about beforehand, probably because I'm here in the boondocks of Montana and had no reason/ability to ever meet him. I look forward to more stories and great memories.

Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 10-03-2005, 10:37 PM:

Am I qualified to say Rest in Peace? Oh well, I'll say it anyway, Rest in Peace.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-03-2005, 11:34 PM:

Well I was not thinking of Grandpa Munster at all and Bob there are two people here that are not horses ass's and thats both You and Sam.... the rest of us... oh well..... Both you guys have garnered more cinema technical experinece than NASA has launching rockets! I would be honered to carry either of your tool sets to the booth some day [thumbsup]

Also keep in mind than many here grew up glued to the front of the TV set... I fortunately did not... would have had to fight both my sisters and my mom for the TV set [Eek!]

. Hang in there you'll get used to us critters..... eventually. And don't make yourself so scarce... you have alot of expertise to share with all of us.

Mark

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 10-04-2005, 06:59 PM:

You know what? I've been in this business a long time. I dont know either of the Al Lewis in question. The fact that this thread has changed from remembering someone who must have made an impact on alot of people, To "grandpa Munster" is sad.The way I see it, this was a thread about someone who made a difference, who was some one to look up to, but instead, its been changed to wondering about an old sitcom. Sad!

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 10-04-2005, 09:22 PM:

Well, its not sad..it may be unfortunate. The fact is they had the same name (first and last)and were both mid 90's in age, and both alive. A majority of people will think grandpa munster when they hear the name Al Lewis. I dont think ANYONE meant disrespect. I know I didn't. I personally dont know either one, but I did watch the Munsters a lot and remember the actors names. That fact takes nothing away from the departed Al Lewis, I'm sure he was a good guy too.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 10-04-2005, 09:34 PM:

Hmmm... Well, I also did not know the tech/engineer with that name. I too thought of Grandpa Munster when I read the thread title. I guess I'm doomed to hell as well as with ALL the other FT members 'cepting a few that knew AL the tech. Since I did not personally know him, I guess I should say 5 Hail Mary's and ask for forgiveness for this post.

I'm dismayed at the degrading and asinine statements of Mr. Koch. While it is somewhat understandable and forgivable since he was a close friend of the guy, there however was certainly ***NO*** reason to demean other members of this website. It's unfortunate that he missed the good-natured posts and has turned this tribute thread into some personal issue and has tarnished the memory of a great person.

SOME of yous may think NO ONE is "worthy" of carrying "HIS" baggage and equipment, HA, I find that general statement stupid and ludicrous. What a bunch of horseshit!

HOT TIP: There are PLENTY of FT members that have accomplished MANY great things and ARE GREAT technicians/engineers/operators in their own right! Cut out the lame BULLSHIT!

Bob, I am sooo resisting the temptation to tell you to go fuckoff cuz I know you are hurting and missing a longtime friend. But Bob, give us all a break... Even thought we may argue and disagree about "things". WE ARE ALL GOOD PEOPLE HERE!

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 10-04-2005, 09:43 PM:

I now regret having posted a followup to the original mention of the other Al Lewis -- This wasn't the place for it. That's why I deleted my comment. At the time I thought it was harmless, but it was out of place in this tribute thread. I've apologized here and in a reply to a distraught-sounding email I received from Mr. Koch. That's all I can do. I don't hold anything against him for being upset. I hope he doesn't hold anything against me.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 10-04-2005, 10:56 PM:

Seeing how this thread has developed, I too now regret having made my post, and I apologize to anyone who may have been offended. No disrespect was intended I can assure you. I must mention, however, being annoyed by the subsequent replies by Mr. Koch. An effective way to deal with a "horse's ass" would be to not be one yourself.

I wonder if perhaps Mr. Koch was not aware that there is an actor who happens to have the same name as his colleague and who played a role on a well-known television series and that the mention of his character's name somehow was mistaken to be a disrespectful jab at or a mocking of the Mr. Lewis who is the subject of this discussion.

Posted by Frank Dubrois (Member # 3042) on 10-04-2005, 11:43 PM:

The title simple said "Death of Al Lewis". Everyone knowing that name is gonna read the thread. I'm sure Bob is in mourning so his comments can be dismissed quite easily, however, when he regains control of his emotions, perhaps an apology would be in order? I dont personally don't need one, but it would be the right thing to do.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-05-2005, 12:34 AM:

You're right Frank, the title should have been more descriptive of who the man was -- and maybe the thread really should have been in FHF, that would have helped too.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 10-05-2005, 02:05 AM:

At this point it doesn't matter, I'm not going to let this bickering continue on what should've been a memorial thread.

THREAD CLOSED

Bob Koch - I am very sorry to hear of your friend's passing. Sam and Mark's comments further enforce what a loss he is to our industry, but it's quite clear to me that in no way did anyone else who posted here mean ANY disrespect to Mr. Lewis. Regardless this does not change the rules of this forum, so please read them before posting again, particularly rule #1.