Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1948)

Once again SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW is privileged to report the annual selections of the nation's exhibitors on product, stars and vital trade matters of the industry. And once again we remind you that this is still the only industry poll based entirely upon exhibitor opinions. Each year since the LEADERS was established in 1937, these theatremen's opinions and selections have attracted wider attention and respect. Which is only natural since the theatre's box-office is the final arbiter on any and all endeavors in the making and marketing of motion pictures and the personalities associated therewith. Whether you agree or disagree with the results, the facts are that these are the pictures and stars selected by the men who certainly are best equipped to know. They buy, book, sell and play the product and, most importantly, they have the figures to show how the public patronized the picture when it was presented at their theatres. Also, they are the men and women whose business it is to operate and maintain the theatres of our country in accordance with the preferences of the public. Theirs indeed is a great responsibility and we are deeply grateful to them for their cooperation with us in bringing the results of this year's LEADERS number to you and to the industry. Our own work in this effort consists of diligent editorial endeavor to convey with complete accuracy the consensus of exhibitor opinion as to the leading productions released during the period covered by the poll and the stars they name, by majority write-in vote, as Leaders in attracting people to the box-office. In addition to the results of the poll and survey, there will be found much illuminating information on industry trends as revealed by the news developments and showmanship techniques as practiced during the past year by distributor promotion departments and theatre managers and exploiteers. —CHICK LEWIS A Section of SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW IS