Document: dbr015  [view transcript]

Letter: Tarpon Springs, Florida, 1925 Sept. 8


author: Wilson, Rogers
extent: [1] p.
date: September 8, 1925
summary: Letter from Rogers Wilson, manager of the Florida office of the Kansas City, Missouri-based, African American independent film company, Western Film Producing Company and Booking Exchange, to the manager of the "Colored Theatre" in Macon, Georgia (probably William M. Smith, manager of the Douglass Theatre) dated September 8, 1925, advertising the film The Flames of Wrath. Wilson identifies the manager as one who would be interested in "negro feature pictures." He represents The Flames of Wrath as a film that would appeal to African American audiences and one that has generated profits. Wilson recounts the rates for the film and solicits a reply. The film, released in 1923, featured Roxie Mankins, John Burton, Charles Pearson, Anna Kelson, and John Lester Johnson and was the first feature film produced by an African American woman, Maria P. Williams.
repository: Middle Georgia Archives
collection: Charles Henry Douglass business records
box: 19
folder: 169
item: 20

subjects:
Smith, William M., theater manager
Macon (Ga.)
Bibb County (Ga.)
Douglass Theatre (Macon, Ga.)
Western Film Producing Company and Booking Exchange
Mankins, Roxie
Feature films--Southern States
African Americans in the motion picture industry
African Americans in motion pictures
Race in motion pictures
Race films--United States
Motion picture theaters--Georgia--Macon
Film posters--Georgia
Advertising--Motion pictures--Georgia--Macon
Commercial agents--Southern States
Flames of wrath (Motion picture : 1923)
Letters (correspondence)




Page: [1]  [view image] thumbnail


[Note: This document contains typewritten, handwritten, and printed text.]

[printed text:
J. L. WILLIAMS
PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
MARIA P. WILLIAMS
ASSISTANT MANAGER, SECRETARY AND TREASURER
-----
PHONE CLIFTON 4735

[Note: Image of a lion with fruit in its mane.]

The Western Film Producing Company and Booking Exchange
1515-17 EAST 10H [10TH] STREET
KANSAS CITY, MO. [MISSOURI]]

[written text: Local Exchange 334 So. [South] Lincoln Ave [Avenue]
Tarpon Springs, Fla. [Florida]]
[typewritten text: Sept. [September] 8, 1925]
[written text: The Manager.
Colored Theatre
Macon, Ga [Georgia]]
[typewritten text: Dear Sir:-

Your name has been handed to me by a friend who represents you as one who is very much interested in negro feature pictures, hence we are writing to tell you of the money-making possibi lities [possibilities] of our "THE FLAMES OF WRATH" featuring Roxie Monkins, with an all-colored cast; one of the greatest melo-dramas [melodramas] of the day, in five big reels.

There is a large colored population in your city who should be interested in seeing the first run of this picture. It is a novelty. A picture with color and a beautiful story which appeals to audiences.

It has been a very big thing with other exhibitors, making business during dull nights. This picture has neverlost [never lost] a dollar to an exhibitor in all of its rounds. It will be shown in Jacksonville, Fla. [Florida] on September 21st at the New Frolic Theatre.

We would be very glad to have you take the picture for a day or so in your city and state, Rental, one day $25.00; two days $40.00. A deposit required of $5.00 to $8.00 with your contract or letter making date. The picture is sent to you c. o. d. [cash on delivery] for the balance of the rental.

We shall look for a reply from you by return mail, with deposit, in a letter making your dates. DO THIS TODAY.


Yours very truly,
[Signed] ROGERS WILSON
Manager for State

ADVERTISING MATTER: -- One sheets 15¢ -- three sheets 30¢ -- six sheets 60¢
Photos: Large size set $1.00; small set 50¢
Heralds: 500 for $1.00, 1,000 for $1.75. Slides 25¢]