Document: dbr032  [view transcript]

Letter: Jacksonville, Florida to Ben Stein, Macon, Georgia, 1927 Oct. 18


author: Seligman, Mort
extent: [1] p.
date: October 18, 1927
summary: Letter from Mort Seligman of the Jacksonville, Florida-based New Frolic Theatre, to Ben Stein, owner and manager of the Douglass Theatre, dated October 18, 1927, regarding film and advertising circulation. Seligman notifies Stein that he is showing Oscar Micheaux's film The Millionaire on October 30 and 31, following Stein on October 27 and 28 and asks Stein to make sure that the shipment of the film is made promptly so that Seligman receives it on time. He adds that he has not received promotional photos and asks Stein to send promotional photos along with the film if he received them. Seligman adds that he showed a preview of the film Moon of Israel to a large group of school principals, teachers and ministers to great success, and recommends the film to Stein. H. Rider Haggard's 1918 retelling of the Exodus, Moon of Israel, was the source of the 1924 Michael Curtiz film of the same name. Paramount bought the film for U.S. distribution. The Millionaire, released in 1927, starred Grace Smith, J. Lawrence Criner, Lionel Monagas, Cleo Desmond, Samuel T. Jacks, E. G. Tatum, and Chicago Defender editor Robert S. Abbott.
repository: Middle Georgia Archives
collection: Charles Henry Douglass business records
box: 19
folder: 173
item: 41

subjects:
Macon (Ga.)
Bibb County (Ga.)
Jacksonville (Fla.)
Douglass Theatre (Macon, Ga.)
New Frolic Theatre (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Seligman, Gus
Micheaux, Oscar, 1884-1951
Haggard, H. Rider (Henry Rider), 1856-1925. Moon of Israel
Stein, Ben
African Americans in the motion picture industry
African Americans in motion pictures
Race in motion pictures
Race films--United States
Religious films--United States
Religion in motion pictures
Feature films--United States
Motion picture theaters--Georgia--Macon
Motion picture theaters--Florida--Jacksonville
Film posters
Advertising--Motion pictures
Theater management--Florida--Jacksonville
Theatrical managers--Florida--Jacksonville
Millionaire (Motion picture : 1927)
Sklavenkonigin. English (Motion picture : 1924)
Letters (correspondence)




Page: [1]   [view image] thumbnail


[Note: This document contains handwritten and printed text.]
[Note: Letter is framed by a border of diamond shapes.]

[printed text:
P. O. [POST OFFICE] BOX 613

[Note: Image of ringing bell surrounded by ribbons and leaves.]

SEATING
CAPACITY
1,000		To New Frolic Theatre Dr. [Drive]
741-743-745 W. [WEST] ASHLEY STREET
LARGEST AND BEST EQUIPPED COLORED
MOTION PICTURE THEATRE IN THE SOUTH
GUS SELIGMAN, Owner		PHONE 2855

[Note: Image of ringing bell surrounded by ribbons and leaves.]

PROGRAM
CHANGED
DAILY



JACKSONVILLE, FLA [FLORIDA]] [written text: Oct. [October] 18, 1927,

Dear Bennie: --

Received your wire in which you state you are playing "The Millionaire Oct 27 and 28, -- We play it Oct 30 - 31 and Nov 1, and will ask you to see that shipment is made promptly so we receive it on time.

We have not received photos on this subject although I ordered 3 sets. I would appreciate very much that in the event you received photos you save them after your use and enclose same with film.

Trusting that business is good and your family and self are in good health I am,

[added text (appears to be different ink and hand; right margin): TBS]

Sincerely yours,
[Signed] Mort
Playing "Moon of Israel -- Thurs [Thursday], Fri [Friday] & Sat [Saturday] this week, and expect to break all records for this theatre. Would advise you to secure it through [unclear text: FBO], -- wonderful advertising possibilities in Churches & Schools. Held a private screening for Ministers, Principals and school teachers Saturday morning and 183 attended who were enthusiastic and promised to use their influence to further the interests of the picture.]