The passing of Robert Endres |
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| Written by: Theo Gluck, Hollywood, USA | Date: 23.07.2024 |
 Robert
Endres on stage at "the Hall" in 1997. Picture: Thomas HauerslevChampions of film lovers across the globe are mourning the loss of Robert Endres, who passed away on June 25, 2024. Bob was the Chief Projectionist at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The depth of his knowledge and his exemplary craftsmanship has long been admired and will likely remain unequalled. In the spring of 1977, along with my twin brother, Josiah, I went to the Hall to see and hear a 4-track mag print of "FANTASIA". Afterwards, we managed to cajole our way into the projection booth and started peppering Bob with questions such as whether the 4-track mix we had just heard was a faithful copy of the original Fantasound mix and if the button on the screen masking controls for “Magnascope” dated back to the opening of the Hall in 1932. Once Bob recovered from the interrogation from these two 18-year-old nerds we remained friends for the next 47 years. Bob was a mentor in every sense of the word. He was an invaluable resource and advisor on my Master’s Thesis on widescreen cinema and citing him as such carried a lot of weight with my professors. To this day I still have the film clips Bob gave me on that first visit in 1977 (35mm 4x mag 2.55 Scope frames from "Knights of the Round Table" (MGM 1954 – the first CinemaScope film to play at Radio City, and some 70mm frames for "Around the World in 80 Days"). In 1984 after my college studies, I moved back to New York City and ultimately rented an apartment around the corner from Bob. For the next six years before I moved to Los Angeles, Bob and I had countless dinners together, spent way too much money on laser discs at Tower Records, and continued our discussions that began in 1977. Bob introduced me to Michael DiCosimo and Brad Hohle from Dolby Labs in NYC. Together, these three men encouraged my love of widescreen cinema and all were willing teachers. I joined Disney Studios in 1991 and in 1994 was part of a larger group that worked on the 70mm premiere of The Lion King at Radio City Music Hall. To be even tangentially involved in that process with Bob, Brad, and Michael some 17 years after I first set foot in that booth was a true Circle of Life moment. My parents got to know Bob over the years. One time we were celebrating my father’s birthday at a favorite French bistro in my neighborhood and Bob was there as well. We asked him to join us but he demurred not wanting to intrude on our dinner. I assured him he would not be intruding but still he declined. As luck would have it our meals ended at the same time and our desserts arrived in sync as well. I got up, walked to Bob’s table, picked up his dessert and coffee and walked them over to our table. The remainder of that evening remains a treasured memory of Bob. When my mom excused herself from the table to go to the ladies’ room she whispered in my ear “I’ve got Bob’s check as well.” When my father passed away at the end of 1999, Bob came to the family apartment for a shiva visit. I told him how much it meant to me that he was there and Bob told me that my father was always kind and respectful to him. Both of my parents were professors and were immensely appreciative of Bob’s generosity of time and knowledge in teaching their sons. Their respect for Bob was genuine and heartfelt. My last dinner with Bob was in December of 2021 during quick visit to NYC. It was great to see him, catch up, and to once again thank him for his time and friendship which unquestionably put me on my professional path. I reminded him that I saw him and Michael in Michael’s office the day before I left NYC for Los Angeles (Monday, March 25, 1991, but who keeps track of the things….?). I was able to hug them both and express my affection for them and all their support as I began the next journey in my life. I’m glad I got to hug Bob again three years ago. He was a true gentleman and scholar. Those of us who spent time with him will never forget his professionalism and enthusiasm. |
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