Santa Clara County
Biographies
SELBY C. OPPENHEIMER
SELBY C. OPPENHEIMER. During the past decade the
responsibility of the theatrical manager has advanced to enormous proportions,
until today he is closely allied to as influential and molding an adjunct of
civilization as the ages have produced. The progress of the world in the
meantime presents no stronger contrast than is to be found in the difference
between the old time incumbent of the position, and his more virile, forceful,
and energetic successor. The note of tragedy, with its depressing and
inharmonious aftermath, has given place to the merry jest, and in proportion as
he can furnish amusement pure and simple, can elicit laughter and bring
forgetfulness of grief, is he a prosperous and successful caterer to public
demand. The new order of things calls for a new order of men, and while the
managers, whose names have become famous through their connection with the
great footlight favorites of the past, are fast disappearing, they have left
behind them valuable lessons, which, in the transforming hands of the younger
generation, insure to histrionic art of the future its most advantageous and
correct presentation. To this latter class belongs
Selby C. Oppenheimer, one of the youngest theater managers in the
United States, and who, through his mastery of the detail of his business, has
become connected with the Victory Theater, of San Jose, one of the finest,
safest, best regulated, and the second largest playhouse on the Pacific coast.
Mr. Oppenheimer is a product of the pioneer west,
and was born in San Francisco November 1, 1878. In the early 50s his
father, Charles Oppenheimer, was known as a wholesale shoe merchant in San
Francisco, continuing his business until shortly before his death in 1889. His
mother, Isabelle (Frank) Oppenheimer, whose only child he is, is a resident of
San Jose. Mr. Oppenheimer was fourteen years old when he gave up his
schooling in the public schools of San Francisco and began to work in the front
of the house in the California Theater. His aptitude for the business was such
that at the age of eighteen he became manager of the playhouse, continuing for
seven years, after which he went on the road as manager of different companies.
He liked the work, and gained an insight into every department bearing upon the
successful production of plays. In 1903 he conceived the idea of remodeling the
Victory Theater, and with him to plan was to act, and
in December, 1903, the public of San Jose were invited to inspect as artistic
and well appointed playhouse as is to be found on the Pacific coast. The
theater has a capacity of seventeen hundred, is equipped with slanting floor
and opera chairs, and in construction has complied with the various legal
requirements for the safety and comfort of patrons. An iron and asbestos
curtain insures confinement of fire to the region behind the footlights, and
numerous exits and stairs leading directly to the street render possible the
complete emptying of the building in half a minute. Located in the heart of the
city, special attention has been paid to proper ventilation, and even during
the warmest evenings a cool and equable temperature is maintained. The leading
attractions coming to the coast are furnished the year round, and it is the aim
of the management to present the best attractions
only. Mr. Oppenheimer is a shrewd and sagacious business man, courteous to
employes, and obliging to patrons, and in the
estimation of those best able to judge, is one of the most promising of the
theatrical managers of the country. Mr. Oppenheimer is fraternally
popular, being a member of Lodge No. 3, B. P. O. E., of San
Francisco. He married into one of the pioneer families of the state, his wife
being Gertrude, daughter of Charles Leavy, ex-United
States appraiser for the port of San Francisco.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 03 July 2016.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page
1246. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marie Hassard.