Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1945)

20 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 16, 1945 PICTURESQUE AND MODERN. Republic's studios in North Hollywood today are a Republic lot an architectural showplace. The plant has 14 major sound stages, far cry from the two-stage plant in which the company began operations in 1935. seven auxiliary stages, permanent outdoor sets and 16 other buildings. At left Above, right, is a glimpse of the studio with two of the huge and ultra-modern above is a fragmentary view of the famous Western Street — a permanent outdoor sound stages looming above the neatly landscaped terrain which makes the set — which is used to such good effect in Republic's celebrated action films. {Continued from Preceding Page) producer. However, franchises were taken over by the company and distribution from that point forward became an activity in which Republic also was to shine. In 1938 James R. Grainger, the president of Republic Pictures Corp., joined the company. He is widely known and as widely popular in the field. Grainger's association with the industry dates back to the salad days of the films. He was a sales manager for the Edison Talking Pictures company before working his way up to a post as general sales manager of Fox Film Corporation. This latter post was assumed by Grainger in 1924. The present distribution setup, which has been perfected by Grainger, consists of an eight-district division of the country. The men heading these divisions are under the immediate direction of Edward L. Walton, assistant general sales manager, and Walter L. Titus, Jr., in charge of all branch operations. The sales executives who head the divisions are : Maxwell Gillis, eastern district ; Sam Seplowin, Central ; Jack Davis, New England ; Nat E. Steinberg, Prairie district ; N. J. Colquhoun, Southwestern ; Will Baker, Midwestern ; Merritt Davis, Southern ; Francis Bateman, Western. In the field of exploitation and promotion of its pictures and stars. Republic has been one of the standout concerns of the industry. Though operating in the past on a scale far more modest than the big companies of the industry, Republic has been increasingly prominent in general magazines, billboards and on the radio. A sample of the backing which this company gives its special pictures and star events is the current campaign for the lOth Anniversary. A budget of $2,750,000 in advertising, publicity and promotion, concentrating during the drive. May 27 through July 27, on its flagship picture, "Flame of the Barbary Coast," is what Republic is putting behind its present showmanship effort. Promotion in Pace With Progress Promotion budgets on important films have increased as production investments were enlarged, and the pattern adopted includes national advertising and publicity in fan and general magazines and newspapers, and concentrated campaigns in branch and key cities, covering newspaper advertising, radio, and special promotion. Outstanding publicity placement in fan and general magazines reaches the same wide audience, and, coupled with special star promotion, has played an important part in player and picture build-up. National newspaper, syndicate. and radio coverage adds to the effectiveness of Republic campaigns, all of which are geared toward the ultimate box-office goal of bringing the public to the theatre. Advertisements on Republic films, ranging from two-columns to full-pages, appear in 100 publications each month ; while cooperation on theatre advertising expenditure is increasing as box-office returns more than justify the outlay. Changes in WB Field Staff Announced by Blumenstock Transfer of Jack Leewood, who has been Warners' field representative in the Denver-Salt Lake City territories, to the Seattle and Portland exchange areas, and the addition of I. Q. Cross to the field staff to take over Leewood's former duties was announced this week by Mort Blumenstock, advertising and publicity director in the East. Changes take effect in about two weeks. Cross was a newspaper correspondent, magazine writer and publicity man in the East for 11 years before entering the Army Air Forces in 1942. Before his recent honorable discharge, he was public relations officer at the aviation Cadet Center, San Antonio, with the rank of second lieutenant. J. R. GRAINGER (left above), president and sales manager of Republic Pictures, is one of filmdom's foremost distribution executives. Grainger joined Republic in 1938 and proceeded to build up one of the industry's most efficient sales organizations. Included in his sales cabinet ore E. L. Walton, executive aide and assistant general manager (top center), and Walter L. Titus, Jr., in charge of all branch operations, upper right. In center below is Morris Goodman, president of Republic International, and at lower right, Charles Reed Jones, advertising director. Wilma Freeman Joining Fizdale Resignation of Wilma Freeman as United Artists promotion manager was announced last week by Barry Buchanan, director of advertising and publicity. Miss Freeman will leave the company on June 22 to join the Fizdale Organization in an important post. She will continue to contact UA home office executives, inasmuch as the Fizdale Organization is handling the campaign on "The Southerner," Loew-Hakim production released through UA. Jack Hunter Turns Exhibitor Jack Hunter, for the past 24 years Ontario branch manager for Paramount and one of the most popular men in Canadian film circles, has deserted distribution for exhibition. Hunter resigned from his Paramount post to assume management of the late Morris Milligan's three theatres — the Delta, Queens and Empire — in Hamilton, Ontario. 12 Fairs for Massachusetts Massachusetts and the Boston area will have at least a dozen fairs again this year, despite gas rationing. The ODT ruling on fairs apparently will permit their staging, and parimutuels will be run at all except at Topsfield.