Remembering Joe Trevino ~ a KBRO Tribute

1947-48 Ticket-taker Joe Treviño in front of movie poster for Song of Scheherazade starring Yvonne De Carlo who we all remember as Lily on the Munsters.  Joe told me these were good times for him before the Majestic but added with a grin that "fun-time" was after work. 

 

The Brownsville Herald printed a special section for the opening of the Majestic Theater in 1949

Joe Treviño and daughter Sandra with character actor Don Stroud at Fort Brown Motor Hotel restaurant.  Movies:  Bloody Mama (1970), Joe Kidd (1971), The Buddy Holly Story (1978), Amityville Horror (1979), License to Kill (1989).  Ever the promotional man he enjoyed hosting guests for movie promotions.  Some of you might have caught Stroud recently in Quentin Tarantino's Django (2012).  He has a great cameo in the opening scene.

The Majestic celebrated its 14th Anniversary 1963:  (left to right)  Leo Martinez, Jr., Raul Davila, Joe Treviño, Carmen Abete, Reynaldo Alaniz during release of Flipper (1963)

With BruceCabot of King Kong (1933) fame.  Photo by Luis Garcia, Jr.  “Photographer” McAllen 

Left to right: Manager of the Palace in McAllen (whose name may be Truman Riley or Chester J. Medley), Manager of the Arcadia in Harlingen ( Maurice Agnew).  Mr Treviño had a great memory and spoke well of Brownsville and the people he remembered but these names the best he could remember at the time he shared these.

Mexico’s most famous movie star was named “Mr. Amigo.”Cantinflas:  Mr. Amigo (Feb. 1965) “Cantinflas” [Mario Moreno Reyes] (1911-1993) with Joe and Irma Treviño with Manuel Moreno, with Joe Cruz and wife of Cruz Shoes of the Majestic Building, unknown, woman married to state representative etc etc

You can't really mention the Majestic Theater without thinking of Carmen Abete and this photo many fell in love with when her son Eddie shared it with George Lopez who created Brownsville1965.com back in 2000 or so and while the site no longer exists her memory lives on and will continue when Bronsbil Estacion is long gone too I hope.  Share the history. 

 (Sept. 1965) Joe Trevino and President of the Chamber of Commerce Glenn Herman with Emilio "El Indio" Fernandez (1904-1986), legendary Mexican actor.  Treviño was on the board of directors.

Enthronization of The Most Reverend Bishop Adolph Marx in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral  Brownsville businesses place ads in a 16-page Brownsville Herald welcoming the Bishop.  However, Joe Trevino placed letters on one side of the Majestic marquee to spell, “Welcome Bishop Marx.”  As the Bishop’s car passed the sign, the Bishop Marx looked back at the other side of the marquee which announced “What’s New, Pussycat?” as the movie showing that night.  The Bishop was a little flushed with the surprise and he included the anecdote in a following sermon.

This photo appeared as a promotional gimmick in the Brownsville Herald.  It supposed that movies were placed in vault immediately upon being received to maintain secrecy of coming attractions.  Manager of local bank Noel Ramon  and Joe Trevino. 

 Promotion of Shenandoah (1965) with Katherine Ross and Glenn Corbett

 Here was another photo Joe threw in the stack of photos he let me copy.  Unknown school performance – stage was new addition to theatre.

His Obituary

Quick endnote.  When I first met Joe he was still directing Trevino Funeral Home down the street where I lived.  He and my grandfather were also neighbors.  Anyway I use to take the bus every morning for classes at Texas Southmost College.  One day I forgot my wallet and started rushing back home when I saw Mr Treviño walking out of the funeral home and I asked him if he would loan me a dollar and I was nervous because I still might be able to run home and not miss bus but anyway he saved the day and I paid back the dollar and years later as I started researching theaters and drive-ins of Brownsville I met Joe again and this is a piece of that history.   He was a great man and will be well remembered by a great many.