Skip to main content

Marcus, Louis, 1880-1936

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1880 - 1936

Biographical History

Louis Marcus (1880-1936) was a Salt Lake City mayor and businessman in the motion picture industry.

Louis Marcus was born on January 9, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York to Eleazor Albert and Diana Gumpel Marcus. He moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1907, where he married Gertrude Levin on January 16, 1912. Together they had one child, Louis Howard Marcus in 1919.

In Salt Lake City, Marcus became involveed in the motion picture business as an operator, exchange manager, and owner of film exchange and theatres. He established a theatre chain in Utah, as well as other mountain states. The companies he was involved in include Louis Marcus Enterprises, Publix-Marcus, Inc., Gem State Theatres, Victory Amusement Company, Notable Feature Films Company and others. In 1927 he purchased the Orpheum Theatre, to which he increased the seating capacity, added a Wurlitzer organ, changed its name to Capitol Theatre Building, and in 1929 showed the first talking picture in Salt Lake City.

Marcus's business ventures extended into real estate and was the president of the United Realty Co., and served as the director of Tracy Loan & Trust Co., as well as Walker Bank & Trust Co. He was also very active in his community and civic service. He was a member of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, was a York and Scottish Rite Mason, and member of the B'nai B'rith.

In 1931 he ran for and was elected as mayor of Salt Lake City, and served from 1932-1935. He was the first Jew to be elected to this position. Louis was also a member of several clubs, including Alta, Rotary, Ft. Douglas, and the country clubs in both Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah.

Marcus died on July 27, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:
UPB files, July 3, 2013 (born January 9, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York; father Eleazor Albert Marcus; mother Diana Gumpel Marcuas; moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1907; married Gertrude Levin on January 16, 1912; one child, Louis Howard Marcus born in 1919; involved in the motion picture business; motion picture operator, exchange manager, and owner of film exchange and theaters; established a theatre chain in Utah and other mountain states; Louis Marcus Enterprises; Publix-Marcus, Inc.; Gem State Theatres; Victory Amusement Company; Notable Feature Films Company; purchased Orpheum Theatre in 1927 and increased seating capacity; added a Wurlitzer organ to theatre; changed theatre name to Capitol Theatre Building; showed first talking picture in Salt Lake City in 1929; extended ventures into real estate; president of United Realty Co.; director of Tracy Loan and Trust Co.; director of Walker Bank and Trust Co.; active in community and civic service; member of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce; York and Scottish Rite Mason; member of B'nai B'rith; ran for and was elected Salt Lake City mayor in 1931 and served from 1932-1935; first Jew to be elected mayor; member of several clubs such as Alta, Rotary, Ft. Douglas, and Salt Lake City and Ogden Country clubs; died July 27, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah)

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Louis Marcus papers, 1911-1936

 Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 1
Scope and Contents

This series contains the letters, financial papers, and materials pertaining to Louis Marcus' theatrical and movie businesses, and his time as Mayor of Salt Lake City.

Dates: 1911-1936

Negatives of the Marcus family photographs, approximately 1885-1935

 Series — Box 20: Series 5 [Barcode: 31197233622460]
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 5 Series 6
Scope and Contents

These are the negatives that correspond with the photographs taken by the Marcus family.

Dates: approximately 1885-1935

Photographs and paintings, approximately 1848-1984

 Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 5
Scope and Contents Photographs and paintings belonging to the Marcus family. Includes studio portraits, professionally taken photographs, as well as family snap shots and scrapbooks. There are several group photographs pertaining to Louis Marcus' business and mayoral activities, and include people such as Cecil B. DeMille, Harold B. Lee, Amelia Earhart, and other prominant figures of the day. Travel photographs are also included, and contain several of Utah and surrounding states during the early 1900s. Dated...
Dates: approximately 1848-1984

Filtered By

  • Subject: Family records X

Additional filters:

Subject
Family life 2
Salt Lake City (Utah) -- History -- 20th century 2
Business records 1
Home and Family 1
Images 1