Meet Abner J. Greshler (1951) 🇺🇸
Long before the names of Martin and Lewis zoomed across the Hollywood horizon, Abner J. Greshler was well-known and respected.
by Paul Manning
Long before the names of Martin and Lewis zoomed across the Hollywood horizon, expertly piloted by the managerial skill of one Abner J. Greshler, the name of Greshler was well-known and respected by such top personalities as Al Jolson, Danny Kaye, Tommy Dorsey, George Jessel, Sophie Tucker, Hildegarde, Milton Berle, and others whom he had the pleasure of presenting in various shows. Born of immigrant parents in New York’s East Side, Greshler started in the age-old tradition by selling papers. Early in his school days, he showed an aptitude for amateur theatricals. Later, when one of his father’s friends purchased a small resort hotel in the Catskills, Greshler obtained the job of social director. Those stage personalities who cut their teeth in the Catskill retreats will appreciate the job that young Greshler had on his hands.
From handling the entertainers at this small resort to handling big time names was just a matter of making those steps up the ladder. He was quick to spot talent, and equally as firm in his managing of their careers. While still operating his artists’ agency, he attended Fordham University and also St. John’s University in New York, where he studied law. Vaudeville was the thing in those days, and he boomed along with such names as Gertrude Neisen, Georgie Price, Xavier Cugat, and others tied to his contract strings.
While seeing a film at the Ritz, Staten Island, he noted a young comic by the name of Jerry Lewis go through his zany antics. Greshler promptly threw a dotted line at Lewis, who caught it with happy hands, for here was a real big time agent giving him the nod. Several years later, Greshler teamed Lewis with Dean Martin, and together the team, under the expert guidance of Greshler, began to make night club history.
A fabulous contract with Hal Wallis [Hal B. Wallis], and the boys were successfully launched. Together with Fred Finklehoff, Greshler formed an independent motion picture company, York Pictures, and produced At War with the Army, starring Martin and Lewis. This picture is now breaking box office records, and under the banner of Abner Greshler Productions, he is preparing “The Life of Bill Robinson” for 1951 release. — P. M.
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Good Things to come from Hollywood… “Royal Wedding”
Front the expert hands of veteran film musical maker Arthur Freed and the comparatively new but very talented Stanley Donen, who also co-directed On the Town with Gene Kelly, comes a most delightful bit of entertainment.
by Paul Manning
Royal Wedding fairly zips along with tremendous enthusiasm. Fred Astaire gives one of his best performances, and graciously gives little Janie Powell the opportunity to add immeasurably to her screen stature by inspiring her to some fine dancing numbers augmenting her already top vocal eminence. Adding the talents of sauve Peter Lawford, funny man Keenan Wynn, and the charming Sarah Churchill, Royal Wedding definitely has plenty to add up to royal box office grosses. Using nothing but first-class showmanship, gorgeous Technicolor, and catchy tunes, this is exactly what every moviegoer will gladly pay for. Here is a film for which every exhibitor can thank Metro, Arthur Freed, Stanley Donen, and all those other fine talented artists who joined hands in Royal Wedding. — P. M.
Fred Astaire and Jane Powell are glimpsed in two of their dance routines from MGM’s Technicolor Royal Wedding, produced by Arthur Freed, lower left, directed by Stanley Donen, lower right, and starring Peter Lawford, Miss Powell, Astaire, and Sarah Churchill, center.
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Paul Manning, center, poses on the coast with the stars of Paramount’s forthcoming Rhubarb, Jan Sterling, Ray Milland, and the cat recently chosen for the title role in the picturization of the H. Allen Smith best seller, scheduled to go into production within a few weeks.
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Republic’s Roy Rogers and Penny Edwards, left, recently visited the Crittendon, West Memphis, Ark., to congratulate manager Bruce Young, named by the town’s Chamber of Commerce “Young Man of the Year” for his outstanding work to curb juvenile crime. Mrs. Young is at right.
Collection: Exhibitor Magazine (Studio Survey), February 1951