Barney Balaban (1887-1971)

A Movie Theater Pioneer

Barney Balaban never completed his formal education. He dropped out of school at age twelve to help support his six younger brothers. In 1908, he and his brother Abe invested in a Chicago movie theater, an emerging form of entertainment. As theater grew in popularity, they expanded their business. By 1914, they owned three theaters and restaurants in the area and entered into a partnership with fellow entrepreneur, Sam Katz, who also operated three venues. They created a movie chain, Balaban and Katz houses, aimed at middle-class Americans. The company prospered. In 1925 they entered into business with Famous Players-Lasky, the world's largest movie company, and formed Paramount Pictures. Balaban was elected Paramount's president in 1936, and the company flourished and expanded until the 1950s when the theater industry declined nationally. In 1966, Balaban was removed from his position as president.