Pressbooks

Pressbooks or press sheets were prepared by the film distributor (in this case, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) for use by the exhibitor, meaning the theater manager, in promoting the film in question for the purpose of attracting the moviegoing public. In other words, the exhibitor was supposed to use the pressbook to create local interest in the films being shown. The pressbook was an internal document, never offered to the public; the exhibitor was supposed to study it, to get ideas from it, and use each article or idea in the appropriate medium to generate interest. He could carry out the stunts, plant the stories with local newspapers, send away for the advertising accessories, etc.

If you read the thing item by item you will see the intended purpose for everything included. It was a textbook for the exhibitor to consult in order to maximize promotion and attendance at his theatre. Often today, when you find old pressbooks they are cut up because the articles were often sent out for reprinting in local newspapers. With this info in mind you can read the pressbook and see what each item was there for.

Today, the one-sheet poster is probably worth $4,000 or more. If you could find one. Some one-sheets from other films made in this period sell at auction houses now for $20,000 or $50,000 or in excess of $100,000.

 

 



View pressbooks:

Pack Up Your Troubles pressbook

The Sons of the Desert pressbook

Midnight Patrol pressbook