Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

CONTINUED ACCLAIM GREETS AWARDS COMPETITIONS THOMAS J. CONNORS \Vice-President in Charge of Sales {Twentieth Century -Fox Film Corp. I The Quigley Awards are to showmen of ithe motion picture industry very much what Academy 'Oscars' are to actors, writers, directors and those who produce the films, il think Martin Quigley is to be commended for seeing to it that theatre managers and those in any way having to do with the promotion of motion pictures are recognized for their efforts and for their sincerity of purpose. Thanks to the Managers' Round Table section of the Motion Picture Herald, thousands of showmen-readers weekly have an opportunity to study and follow through jon the innumerable promotional ideas presented there. Showmen from all parts of the world, anxious for recognition in the annual Quigley Awards are directly and indirectly pntributing to the general well-being of properly handling motion picture exploita{tion. The Quigley Awards, rewarding those 'phosen by the democratic procedure of votes, 'have helped immeasurably in raising the standard of merchandising pictures and thus have increased box office grosses. The inwards have also been inspirational in ijtimulating the efforts of field exploitation pen, working as they do with theatres ifhroughout the land. i| The Quigley Awards have contributed much to the prestige of motion picture pub'icity emanating from theatre to public. JACK GOLDSTEIN Eastern Director of Publicity and Exploitation David O. Selznick Enterprises and Vanguard Films Thank you very much for your kind invitation to act as a judge in the Quigley Awards Competition. I h?ve seen the prac'ical value of these Awards demonstrated -lundreds of times. For the good of the in'iustry generally and the theatre man es|becially I welcome the opportunity to further this excellent medium in any way I possibly pn. 'i KrTHUR EGBERTS I manager, Loew's State White Plains, N. Y. The Quigley Awards are most certainly a powerful factor in stimulating showmanship — you can bet that each bit of showmanship that earns a Quigley Award has already earned box office recognition at the theatre where it originated ! <i Our executives are decidedly interested in |eeing their managers and assistants participate |n this competition. Promotions and salary in'breases go to those who get results and a Quigley Award entry is a shining testimonial that 'that particular man is out after results! Be■^ides, think of that deep down feeling of quiet Ifeatisfaction we experience by just entering the competition ! JMaNASERS' round table, JANUARY 27, 1945 "KEEP WITS SHARPENED." SUGGESTS STRACHAN There have been many instances within our organization where recognition has been accorded participants in the Quigley Awards competition and all managers are urged and encouraged to submit entries regularly. The showman who fails to maintain an active status in the Quigley Awards competition will find himself at a distinct disadvantage during the postwar period for the reason that those showmen who keep their promotional wits sharpened by active competition and refuse to be lulled into inactivity by wartime box office inflation, will be well ahead of the field when the going gets tough again. — /. KNOX STRACHAN, Director Advertising and Publicity, Warner Bros. Ohio Theatres. M. CONNER Manager, Capitol Theatre Madison, Wis. I have always been interested in the Round Table, not only because it is a show window for managers' efforts and exchange of ideas, but because the competition involved is stimulating and adds interest to one's work. All of w;hich is an aid to increasing box-office results, which is the primary object. Winner or not, I continue to contribute because the Round Table is a valuable institution that cannot afford to be overlooked by livewire showmen. PHILIP KATZ Manager, Kenyon Theatre Pittsburgh, Pa. As far as we are concerned, the Quigley Awards and Managers' Round Table section are by far the most interesting and important of the weekly issues of Motion Picture HekALD. For here may be seen the down-to-earth workings and tested results of all the pretentious plans and preparations announced in the stories in the foreword portion of the magazine. It has been a real stimulant toward further continued exploitation to have our efforts impartially compared with the work of others and be cited by the judges. LOU COLANTUONO Manager, Stanton Theatre Philadelphia, Pa. I was indeed honored to have the Quigley Award judges recognize my efforts toward better showmanship. It is indeed a great factor and a stimulus to men in my end of the motion picture industry, to have such film periodicals as the Motion Picture Herald have the forsight and the ability to recognize efforts made toward better showmanship. SEYMOUR MORRIS Director Advertising, Schine's Gloversville, N. Y. I am very glad to see that the Quigley Awards will be retained for another year, marking the 12th anniversary. Certainly, the past few months have shown us that if we are to reap the full benefits of the increased patronage that came out of a war era, we must revert to the old time showmanship rather than depend on a natural flow of people to the box office. I believe that the competitive spirit so well evidenced by previous Quigley Award contests can be the guiding light as to the course that must be steered at the present and in the post-war future. WILLIAM EAGEN Manager, Princess Theatre ' Sioux City, la. If there is a finer organization for the advancement of showmanship in motion picture theatres, I have not yet heard about it. Not only does the Round Table present valuable aids to the theatre manager in the form of tried and proved exploitation stunts, but it also stimulates the individual manager to greater competitive efforts for recognition on the pages of the Round Table. Obviously his continued and regular efforts are going to be reflected in greater grosses and larger profits. I believe our increased ticket sales can be credited to our showmanship efforts, stimulated by Round Table competition, as much as to any other factor. ED HARRISON Manager, Court Square Springfield, Mass. Not only do I feel that the Quigley Awards are a stimulant but the citations help to put a fellow "on the map" so to speak. This is especially true where an organization doesn't have any circuit organs or other publicity releases. LES G. PUGSLEY Manager, Empress Theatre Edmonton, Alberta, Canada I haven't the slightest doubt that participation in these contests, whether we win or not, directly benefits managers in their relation with circuit heads. In our company, even the listing of our names as contenders for awards brings a fine letter from the General Manager. WILLIAM E. COOK Manager, RKO Proctor's New Rochelle, N. Y. Of course our job is to put our shows over each week, but it does stimulate one to put more effort into one's showmanship, hoping to gain recognition from the Quigley Awards and from the heads of the corporation you are working for. 55