Associated First National franchise (Nov 1921-Apr 1922)

April 1 , 19 2 2 First National Franchise 31 Letters from Managers Tell of Box Office Records Washington, D. C., March 1st, 1922. Mr. Bache, Manager, Associated First National Pictures, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: The week just closed, “First National Week,” proved to be the most successful of any similar week we ever had and we have had several. Jackie Coogan in “ My Boy ” proved to be an especial winner. I am an enthusiast on co-operation and would urge all Franchise Holders to boost and then there will be less cause for knocks and “ Eventually ” the First National will be the peer of them all. Yours for co-operation, William P. Herbst, President, Circle Amusement Company, Inc. Milford, Ohio, Feb. 28th, Associated First National Pictures, Cincinnati, Ohio. Dear Sirs: Enclosed you will find picture of the Family Theatre of Milford, Ohio (which has a seating capacity of two hundred and sixty-eight), with a population of sixteen hundred and ten (1,610), of which about three hundred are colored, that do not attend only on Tuesday nights, and then we allow them sixteen seats. I started First National Week with “ Hail the Woman ” on Saturday, March 18th. Skipped Sunday, as we do not run on Sunday. On Monday and Tuesday, “The Kid”; Wednesday, “The Sky Pilot Thursday, “ The Jack Knife Man Friday and Saturday, “ Peck’s Bad Boy.” As to newspaper advertising, you will find the enclosed clippings, which I started one month previous to “ First National Week.” Adv. in same amounting to $26.30. Mailing program on heralds $8.70. Tie-up with D. of A. Council on “ Sky Pilot,” $22.50, making a total of $57,50. The lobby was trimmed on the inside with a background of pale blue. A three-sheet cut-out of “ Hail the Woman ” was on the wall over the background mounted and lighted up with one red light in each hand; one white light was mounted on the head, and two blue lights on the trunk of the body. This was left burning one week previous to the showing. Pennants, streamers, pictures of all the stars and one sheets, three sheets, 11 x 14, 22 x 28, and window cards. One sheets were distributed all over the town and community, as well as the window card on each picture. Also 2,000 heralds were distributed to the public. Three prizes were offered. One pass for six months, one for three months and one for one month. To which I gave out the following prizes: Miss Elizabeth Stevens, Tom Inderrieden and Charles Rosenszweig. Trailers on each picture were run two weeks previous to the showing. The advertising I did gave me an increase of 1,000 attendance to any previous week, since June 18th, 1921, the time since I owned same. This broke all records for the seven years the show has been in operation as far as I can find from the records. My prices were ten and twenty cents, the same as I run all the time. The enclosed photo is a picture of the manager and owner, C. T. Johnson. Kindly return same when you are through with it, and oblige, Respectfully yours, C. T. Johnson. Note — During the week, Mr. Johnson played to 2,152 adults, 374 children; total, 2,526. Memphis, Tenn., March 3rd., 1922. Mr. Paul E. Krieger, Manager Associated First National Pictures, Louisville, Ky. Dear Mr. Krieger: I have your letter of March first and assure you that it is a pleasure to learn that your Anniversary Week was a success, and I sincerely believe that it is to the advantage and benefit of every exhibitor to assist in making a proposition of this kind a success as we know that one cannot be a success and the other a failure and go very far. I do not believe that it is necessary for me to add that I have always been willing to do just a little more than my share for Louisville First National With kindest personal regards, I am, Yours very truly, C. A. McElray, General Manager Consolidated Enterprises. Welch, W. Va., February 21st, 1922. Associated First National Pictures, Inc., 119 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. Gentlemen: The third day of the First National Week has passed, and the success of it at the present time has been an increase of a third more business than we have done for some time past. I have worked some novelty or advertising stunt for each day of the week, one of the best is: Securing a human fly to climb the largest building across the street from the theatre, at a small cost in hand bills having him climb just before the hour of opening the box office in the evening, this brought a crowd that stood for an hour waiting for the big event, by time of the exhibition there was such a crowd there that it stopped all traffic on two blocks. While he made each and every story he made an announcement about the Welch Theatre the picture shown that evening and laid stress on the FIRST NATIONAL WEEK. The results in a light rain and such a large crowd outside that we was soon able to fill our theatre. The results we done seventy-five or a hundred more in money than otherwise. A Wonderful advertising stunt at no cost. Line of advertising that we have used in our theatres for the big week are: Billboards, banners, throwaways, sidewalk painting, and newspaper advertising. At the present time the First National Week has been a very profitable investment. Hoping that you have 100 per cent accounts on First National Week, we are. Very truly yours, American Theatre Company, Inc., W. J. Reynolds, General Manager. Lexington, Ky., Feb. 27, 1922. Mr. Paul E. Krieger, First National Pictures, Louisville, Ky. Dear Mr. Krieger: First National Week is over and at no time during my eighteen months as Manager of the Ada Meade theatre was it more clear to me that a First National Franchise is a motion picture theatre’s best asset. We did very well last week. The first four days we played Chas. Ray in “A Midnight Bell ” ; Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Mildred Harris in “ Habit.” Our gross receipts the largest of the season and not much more spent for advertising. Did not say a great deal about First National Week in my advertising, as every week has been First National Week at the Ada Meade since the first of this year, using this service exclusively with very gratifying results, too. The owners of this theatre, all Lexingtonians, say we have the best pictures and our slogan is: ALWAYS A GOOD PICTURE AT THE ADA MEADE. Want to thank you and the boys in your office for your splendid co-operation in helping me to put these pictures over by always getting to me advertising matter and prints in plenty of time. Have nothing but words of praise of the pictures and everyone in your office. Very truly yours, Henry F. Eger. Arcadia, Florida, February 22, 1922. Associated First National, 148 Marietta Street, Atlanta, Georgia. Gentlemen : If all of your accounts are as successful with “FIRST NATIONAL WEEK” as mine has been so far, they have a lot to be thankful for. Saturday I played Charles Ray in “ R. S. V. P.” and broke the house records since I have been here and as far back as I can find on the records previous to my coming. I heartily endorse this picture, recommend it to any exhibitor who wants a big day. Monday we played Anita Stewart in “ THE INVISIBLE FEAR” and everyone was pleased and congratulated me on securing such good pictures. Business was far better than the average Monday and yesterday “ TOL’ABLE DAVID ” carried the honors. I can’t begin to tell you all the nice things that were said about the picture. Of course, you know you have a wonderful picture in this one; all of the critics have declared it to be a good picture but I can tell what it will do at the box office. Of course, I have advertised my pictures big and have my theatre decorated and you would laugh to hear the people say, “why, this looks like the theatres in the city” and when you get a compliment in this town you have done something because they sure are about as “ hard boiled ” as anybody I ever saw. Taking it all in all everyone is pleased with the attractions this week and I am pleased because business is good and I have succeeded in pleasing the public one time in my life. I know you will be pleased because we are. With best wishes, Very truly yours, Star Theatre Company, Inc., S. E. Baxter. Paducah, Ky., March 1st, 1922. Mr. Paul E. Krieger, Associated First National Pictures, Louisville, Ky. My Dear Mr. Krieger: I am sure you will be pleased to know that First National Week turned out to be one of the biggest weeks in the history of our theatre. We have often heard exhibitors in the smaller towns make a statement that the exchange is the only one to benefit from an event of this kind. Let me say that this is a gross misapprehension on the part of these exhibitors. If one is careful in selecting a first class program, as was done in this case, and started out with the determination to make the week a success, and will let this enthusiasm find its way into his advertising, there can only be success. I am always safe in booking First National Pictures solid for a week with several changes of program, as on the whole your pictures go further in satisfying my patrons and I can depend upon fair returns at the box office. Count on me for the next anniversary. Most sincerely, Leo F. Keiler, Arcade Theatre. Louisville, Ky., March 1, 1922. Mr. Paul E. Krieger, Manager, Associated First National Pictures, Louisville, Ky. My Dear Mr. Krieger: Just want to voice an expression on the success of “ First National Week.” It showed a desire of co-operation which with the products is bound to meet with acclaim that will insure satisfaction and prosperity alike. Concerted effort and mutual interest in one another will keep the standard waving. More power to your being able to promote the commendation of your efforts. Yours very truly, J. J. DeWald, Manager B. F. Keith’s National W. J. REYNOLDS HENRY F. EGER The Wise Showman will profit by Reading what the other Fellow Did