William and Charles Topkis
James Ginns

(William born in 1878, Russia;
Charles born in 1882, Pennsylvania;
James Ginns born ca. 1874, Russia)

Russian-born
American-born
William Topkis

Always alert to new opportunities, brothers William (right) and Charles Topkis and their brother-in-law James Ginns entered the moving picture business when they opened the Majestic Theatre in Wilmington in 1911. Four years later, the Topkis-Ginns syndicate, known as the Wilmington Amusement Company, opened the Queen Theatre, which was praised for its beauty and opulence, at Fifth and Market. They also owned the Arcadia and Garrick theatres. In 1925, they sold their theaters to Warner Brothers. Other family members including Oscar Ginns, David Topkis, and Benjamin Schwartz also owned movie theaters.