Charlestowne theater manager wins lunch with Tom Cruise
It might be an understatement to say that Randy Pollock likes movies.
Pollock, 48, has been the general manager of Charlestowne 18 Cinemas at Charlestowne Mall for the past eight years, and his career in the movie theater business spans over 30 years. He even took his wife to a movie on their first date.
On May 13 Pollock, a resident of Lockport, got to live every movie buff's dream and travel to MGM studios in Hollywood, Ca., to eat lunch with one of the silver screen's most well-known stars: Tom Cruise.
Pollock and his theater were the winners of a nationwide contest put on by MGM to see which theater could create the greatest promotional buzz the weekend Cruise's movie, "Valkyrie," debuted.
After Pollock heard about the contest he quickly rose to accept the challenge. "Valkyrie's" opening weekend at Charlestowne 18 featured over 20 historical re-enactors dressed as World War II German soldiers. The actors brought props, ranging from old transistor radios to fake barbed wire, with them as part of their display.
After opening weekend Pollock submitted a booklet of photos chronicling the events of the "Valkyrie" promotion to MGM.
When the winner of the contest was announced in mid-February Pollock found out that his theater was selected from over 400 other entries as the winner.
The memory of winning is one Pollock will not soon forget. When the winner was announced, the vice president of Classic Cinemas called Pollock on his day off to share the news.
"The first thing he said to me when I picked up the phone is, 'So when are we going?' And I was like, 'what are you talking about?'" Pollock recalled. "He simply said, 'You won' and I was like, 'oh my goodness, are you talking about Valkyrie?'"
Pollock, who says that he has seen all of Cruise's movies, was thrilled but still faced one big dilemma.
"I was a bit worried. What do I say to Tom Cruise?" Pollock said with a laugh.
As part of his first place prize Pollock and his wife, Shari, were flown to Hollywood, put up in a hotel for three days and two nights, given $1,000 in spending money and an autographed "Valkyrie" movie poster.
And, of course, the big moment ... meeting the movie star.
Pollock remains most impressed by Cruise's cool down-to-Earth demeanor.
"When we got to (the studio) they brought us up to the 14th floor for lunch and we started to eat," Pollock recalls. "About 10 minutes later Tom Cruise just walks in, with no entourage, and says, 'Hey guys, how's it going?"
"(Cruise) made you feel very relaxed when you were talking to him and you could tell he was interested in what you had to say."
According to Pollock, they talked about Cruise's wife, Katie Holmes, and his daughter Suri.
Pollock says Cruise also discussed his love of World War II movies, such as "The Great Escape" and "Saving Private Ryan," which led him to accepting the role in "Valkyrie."
Throughout it all Pollock remains most impressed by the love Cruise has for his work.
"He was very passionate and movies and still loved making them. You could tell he was proud of the work he had done," Pollock said.
During lunch Pollock had Cruise autograph several "Valkyrie" posters, one of which is hanging in the Charlestowne Mall movie theater for workers and moviegoers to enjoy.
"Everyone in the theater contributed to this win. It certainly wasn't just me," Pollock said.