San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1515
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 3/9/2010
MARK M. LEICHTER
With a long and successful experience in connection with the theatrical industry, Mark M. Leichter has demonstrated his executive ability as manager of the State Theater at Stockton, owned by Sam Harris and Irving C. Ackerman, long connected with the theatrical world in the West. In 1908 they started the Wigwam theater in San Francisco. Latter they took over the Republic and following that the Hippodrome in Los Angeles. In a short time they annexed houses in Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Stockton, Oakland, Fresno, Long Beach, and Salt Lake. Their success has been noteworthy and it is a well-known fact that every theater they handled proved a big money maker. At present Ackerman & Harris are operating the Palace-Hip, Seattle; the Hippodrome, Portland; the State and Hippodrome, Sacramento; the State, Stockton; the Casino, Hippodrome and Century, San Francisco; the State, Oakland; the Hippodrome, Fresno; and the State, Salt Lake. They are booking their vaudeville in several smaller houses in the West.
Mark M. Leichter was born on January 29, 1884, at San Francisco, and there he attended the public schools and the Humboldt high school. In company with his father he became connected with a moving picture theater at Third Avenue and Eighteenth Street, New York, and next they ran the Clinton Street Theater there. In 1907 they opened the Hippodrome Theater in Jersey City with vaudeville and pictures, and from that they established a circuit throughout the state in the large cities. Returning to San Francisco, Mr. Leichter opened the Rex Theater on Polk Street in that city.
In 1916 Mark M. Leichter opened the Strand Theater on Market Street, San Francisco, for Sid Grauman, as a picture house, and in 1917 he came to Stockton and opened the Hippodrome Theater for Ackerman & Harris. Under his efficient management the theater was a financial success and then Mr. Leichter retired from the theatrical business for two years. On November 17 he again entered the field in Stockton, opening Loew's State Theater, now the State Theater, owned by Ackerman & Harris. This was formerly the Yosemite Theater and was remodeled at a large expenditure into a modern, up-to-date playhouse, for pictures and vaudeville, and again Mr. Leichter's ability has made it a paying enterprise.
At San Francisco, on October 31, 1909, Mr. Leichter was married to Miss Sibyl Cohen, a native daughter of that city, and they have two sons. Newton Sterling and Mortimer Elliott, both born in San Francisco. Mr. Leichter is a member of Doric Lodge No. 216, F. & A.M. of San Francisco; the Scottish Rite bodies there, and Islam Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; he also belongs to the Yosemite Club, the Lions Club and the Sciots of Stockton. He is one of Stockton's ardent boosters, a live wire in every way, and when he returned to take over the management of the State Theater he received a hearty welcome from his many friends here.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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