Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1945)

Its Colossal Well, the boys and girls of the industry — particularly the boys and girls of the theatre branch — have done it again, but in spades. We refer, of course, to the job turned in by our industry for the Mighty Seventh War Loan campaign. Figures and such are not available, but who needs them to be aware of the outstanding work accomplished for the immensely successful bond campaign by motion pictures and motion picture people? This campaign just concluded was precisely what many of the leaders within and outside the industry said in the beginning it would be — a long, tough, hard pull. There was, perhaps, less glamor, more sweat than in any previous drive. That's why the devotion to duty shown by workers for the drive wins for them such deep admiration and profound respect. One of the really tough factors in all this so far as we trade paper publishers, editors and reporters are concerned, is the lack of supplies with which to record the hundreds and hundreds of outstanding feats of showmanship and unselfish devotion that have been put forth by motion picture people to stimulate the purchase of War Bonds. From all sections of this country have come documented testimony of fine and inspiring patriotic effort as theatremen strove to serve their government's Treasury Department. But there isn't enough paper stock to even attempt a listing of the names of all who won stars for putting on bond premieres, children's matinees, free movie day — plus other activities which resulted in extra sales of War Bonds. We might mention, as an example, an Irving Lesser, who headed the New York area campaign, and Morris Kinzler, campaign director for Lesser, as typical of the really extraordinary men whose colossal plans were brought to successful materialization in huge events resulting in enormous War Bond sales. But these men, great and outstanding as was their work, met their matches in the great campaigners of Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Memphis, Charlotte — every area of this great country. This campaign, of course, was a "grass roots" drive. Sam Pinanski, great organizer, fine showman and business man that he is, planned it that way. That Pinanski took the right course in his initial premise has been eloquently demonstrated. That the National Chairman had the most loyal, devoted and eflScient cooperation was also demonstrated in the work done by area chairmen and every worker employed in a theatre that participated in this campaign. Great credit goes to all who worked in this campaign. those whose names will not be printed as well as such industry notables as those already mentioned and such men as Tom Connors, head of the distributors division; Herman Gluckman, consultant; Joseph Kinsky, E. W. Street, Dave Wallerstein and Charles M. Thall, coordinating committee, and all those who served on the National Committee. ▲ A A Mirror of Progress As the far-flung Paramount organization prepares to celebrate the company's one-third of a century of service to this industry, all men of good will within the film fraternity will take individual pleasure from their own personal expression of good wishes to Paramount upon the notable occasion which is to be signalized with a month-long observance during the period August 26September 29. Paramount stands forth as one of the pillars upon which the great motion picture industry has been constructed with such surprising speed and ingenuity. Thus, to all who are of and for the motion picture industry, and accord to it the loyalty which is its due. Paramount represents a tradition, a symbol and a beacon in which are encompassed the early dreams, the hard-won beginnings, the glorious triumphs and future opportunities of a new art form and a commercial enterprise that has moved boundary posts in intellectual and cultural as well as economic fields. One need not be a veteran to feel a great affection for what is represented in the name and trade mark which designate Paramount Pictures today. This company is the one whose founder courageously set forth on a quest for finer achievement in the creation of entertainment through a medium then regarded as elementary, shallow and too utterly mechanical ever to amount to much in the great institution of the Theatre. This is the company in whose development men of outstanding ability and vision ventured forth into paths that were wholly uncharted for artists and business men. Thus Paramount, and the men who built the company, pioneered many and many an idea, technique, practice that today finds application generally in the field of motion picture production, distribution and exhibition. The element of showmanship, in all three fields, has been advanced — in this most adept of all industries in handling the art of merchandising which reaches its highest expression in what we know as "showmanship" — by the company to which the industry now extends best wishes. —''CHICK" LEWIS