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Charles and Irving Ackerman Papers
xxx.xx
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Title: Charles and Irving Ackerman Papers
Dates: 1895-1971
Collection Number: xxx.xx
Creator/Collector:
Ackerman, Charles L.
Ackerman, Irving C.
Extent: 3 Boxes. 1.1 linear foot.
Repository:
Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library
San Francisco, California 94124
Abstract: The Charles and Irving Ackerman Papers is a family collection of letters, photographs of family members, and information from
their various professions and social activities. Charles, Senior, was one of the original founders of the Orpheum circuit
and operated and built many West Coast theaters. His son, Irving, did much the same but also had a wide list of other financial,
social, and professional activities. Both men were attorneys and worked in that capacity with the management of their theaters.
Charles, Junior, Irving's son, began his early professional life in the theater business in Hollywood studios and in mid-life
turned to the operation of interior design studios. This collection also contains a large file with many photographs and printed
material on Irving's work with the American Kennel Club and the Wire-haired Fox Terrier.
Language of Material: English
Entire Collection is open for research.
Reproduction of these materials can occur only if the copying falls within the provisions of the doctrine of fair use. Copyright
varies by item.
[Identification of item]. Charles and Irving Ackerman Papers. Collection Number: xxx.xx. Museum of Performance and Design,
Performing Arts Library
Acquired by Russell Hartley.
Biography/Administrative History
Charles Louis Ackerman (1850-1909) was an attorney who was also a founder and vice president of the Orpheum Circuit theater
chain, as well as president of the Grand Opera House, the Tivoli Opera House, and the Chutes Amusement Park in San Francisco.
His son was Irving Ackerman, born in 1885, father to Charles Jr. and Carol. Irving was also an attorney who formed the Western
States Vaudeville in 1910, which booked acts in 25 large California theaters, including the Garrick, Republic, American, Majestic,
and Lyceum in San Francisco, Barton in Fresno, and Victory in San Jose. He also directed a chain of 44 western motion picture
theaters, including the San Francisco Warfield Theater, which he built. He was a partner with Marcus Loew of Loew's, Inc.
and a founder and vice president of Columbia Pictures in Hollywood (where his son later was employed). With Sid Grauman, Irving
built the Million Dollar Theater in Los Angeles. Irving was also a great dog fancier and breeder. He operated the Humberstone
Kennels at 530 Fulton Street, which received many acolades, in San Francisco and in 1898 introduced the Wire-haired For Terrier
to California. Irving became director of the American Kennel Club (1907-10) when he was 22 years old and was president of
the Golden Gate Kennel Club. He authored two classic titles on the subject: "The WireHaired Fox Terrier," (1927) and "The
Complete Fox Terrier" (1938). Charles Ackerman, Junior, was born in 1912, in San Francisco. His first job after studying at
the California Polytechnic College was in 1934 in Los Angeles at Columbia Pictures studio. He worked in the property, scenic,
and synchronization departments, and as apprentice to the assistant editor, and editor of short subjects. From 1942-1945,
he was in the Marine Corp serving in the Photographic Section as editor on documentation, training and campaign footage and
later served at Pearl Harbor in the Photo-Service Pool. After his war service, Charles was employed as an editor of short
subjects with the Walt Disney Studios. Carol married Frank Singer.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Charles and Irving Ackerman Papers is a family collection of letters, photographs of family members, and information from
their various professions and social activities. The papers offer a glimpse into the workings of early century theater operation
and management. Charles, Senior, was one of the original founders of the Orpheum circuit and operated and built many West
Coast theaters. His son, Irving, did much the same but also had a wide list of other financial, social, and professional activities.
Both men were attorneys and worked in that capacity with the management of their theaters. Charles, Junior, Irving's son,
began his early professional life in the theater business in Hollywood studios and in mid-life turned to the operation of
interior design studios. The collection includes a sizable number of letters and photographs of their children and, in the
case of the Charles Meyer family, extensive numbers of letters, photographs and printed matter of these in-laws. The collection
is fragmented in that there are decades in which little or no material is available. The early century and the decade of the
1960s are the most complete. This collection also contains a large file with many photographs and printed material on Irving's
work with the American Kennel Club and the Wire-haired Fox Terrier.
Theaters--California
Wire fox terrier
Grauman, Sid, 1879-1950
Loew, Marcus, 1870-1927
American Kennel Club
Chutes Amusement Park
Columbia Pictures
Golden Gate Kennel Club
Grand Opera House (San Francisco, Calif.)
Humberstone Kennels
Million Dollar Theater (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Orpheum Circuit theater
San Francisco Warfield Theater
Tivoli Opera House (San Francisco, Calif.)
Western States Vaudeville