Bill McMannis is vice president and general
manager of Goodrich Quality Theatres, headquartered in
Grand Rapids, Mich. With 279 screens at 33 sites, Goodrich
ranks as one of the United States’ 20 largest cinema
circuits.
What about you would most surprise the majority of your
fellow exhibitors?
My wife, Debbie, and I are training to run marathons.
What’s
the best thing about living in Michigan?
To paraphrase Joseph Campbell, “It is where the
bananas are.”
Leaving aside family members, who was your first role
model?
I had a wonderful teacher in high school named Mr. McFarland.
He introduced me to philosophy and mythology. His lectures
were as entertaining as some stand-up comics’ routines
and the material remains with me today.
What would you
wish for if a djinn offered to grant one wish (assuming
you couldn’t
wish for more wishes)?
Continued happiness for my family.
What would you
be if you weren’t
a cinema operator?
A photographer.
Who is your favorite filmmaker and why?
While I have tremendous appreciation for Peter Jackson’s
recent films, I most enjoy M. Night Shyamalan’s storytelling.
The subtle details in his films make repeat viewing a joy.
What was your favorite movie last year?
That is a difficult question. It is a toss up between “Two
Towers” and “Signs.”
Which movie or movies are you most looking forward to?
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” In J.K. Rowling’s
fourth installment of the Potter series, the story becomes
so involved with so many characters it will be interesting
to see how the filmmakers bring this complicated tale to
the screen.
Who is the most talented actor most people have never
heard of?
Liev Schreiber.
Which book would you most like to see adapted into a motion
picture?
Tom Wolfe’s “A Man in Full.”
Which TV show do you hate to miss?
I really do not watch television.
What’s
your favorite movie theatre in which you and/or your
partners have absolutely no
investment?
Cinemark’s River Town Crossing in suburban Grand
Rapids.
Which sacred cow would you most like to barbecue?
The perceived inevitability of digital cinema.
What’s
the best thing about running a cinema company?
The varied aspects of the job. You never get bored.
What’s
the worst?
The demands on time can be difficult.
What do you wish someone had told you earlier?
Use a planner and document your work.
What was the single best piece of advice you ever got?
Pay attention and understand how things work. 
