Over 300 people gathered at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City on May 18 for the West Coast Retirees Luncheon. Long-time friends caught up on retired life during a cocktail hour, and before lunch was served, past presidents Irv Rosenblum and Stan Frazen were introduced.

Guild Vice President Dede Allen joined Board member and luncheon organizer Bill Elias in

Inside Gallagher’s Steak House, the Eastern Region Editor’s Guild Retirees Luncheon was filled to the brim with post production professionals whose joyful demeanor virtually erased the cold damp day outside. Circulating around the dining room, one could hear old friends catching up and enjoying stories about careers and past experiences. Many hugs and smiles were exchanged, creating a delightful prelude to a delicious meal.

saluting the members of the First Motion Picture Unit of the United States Army Air Force, who remain friends after 60 years. In appreciation of their contributions, Dann Cahn, Stanley Frazen, Hal Geer, Harry Harris, Eugene Marks, Bernie Matis and Pierre Wilson were called to the stage and received a round of applause.

Bill explained that the idea for the First Motion Picture Unit came into being shortly before World War II, when Warner Bros. was called upon by the United States government to create a series of eight short Technicolor films. The military quickly realized the value of the films and requested a full-length feature. Winning Your Wings (1942) starred a young lieutenant named Jimmy Stewart and played throughout the United States, resulting in 150,000 enlistments.
The unit made nearly 400 films in a period of four years, including Resisting Enemy Interrogation, which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary. Some were shown on Turner Classic Movies during the Memorial Day weekend.

Dale Johnston surprised Bill Elias by taking the microphone and expressing his gratitude to Bill for all his work over the years organizing this event.

The Editors Guild was the first guild to hold an annual event honoring those whose careers have ended, but whose work continues to touch our hearts. It has been 22 years since the first luncheon, and Bill introduced members who were in attendance at that gathering on December 6, 1981: Bernie Balmuth, Sydney Gottlieb and Ving Hershon. The Retirees Luncheon gives old friends the chance to socialize with people they have worked with and known throughout their careers, and it is also an opportunity for the next generation to meet the editors whose careers they have admired.

Sharon Smith Holley

Chairman of the History Project committee A. Maddy Shirazi presented an edited version of a recent interview with distinguished member Lora Hayes, and discussed our goal of gathering an archive of facts, photos and stories relating to film and television editing by past and present union members on the East Coast. Many of the attendees expressed an interest in participating in this project. Guild 2nd Vice President Martin Levenstein welcomed everyone to the event, and Assistant Executive Director Paul Moore introduced the office staff. There was a casual competition among those attending as to who had been a member the longest — the top two were Henry Traiman, who joined in 1945 and Bea Conetta, who joined in 1946. Everyone was happy to see each other, and it was inspirational for the staff and the Eastern Region Board to meet with those who had helped to build the union and make it strong. The luncheon was a reaffirmation of how important the Guild was — and continues to be — for the many members and their guests in attendance.

Special thanks to Sandy Fong-Ging and board member Lou Bertini for their help.