From this information it would certainly appear that Hoyts commenced releasing some selective P.R.C. product in Australia commencing in 1945 to fill the shortage in their B grade film titles availability. The 35 titles listed previously by Dave would certainly appear to be the total of all the PRC films that that Hoyts released here in Australia between 1945 and 1947.
What then regarding the earlier pre 1945 period. Were there other PRC titles released here? More on this subject soon.
I assume they would have been double features? The 'very' bottom of the bill?
Yes the vast majority of PRC films screened in Australia were programmed at the bottom half of a double bill. There were a few exceptions though where some titles were programmed of the top of a double bill. Examples of Bluebeard (Sydney) and The Black Raven (Hobart) appear below.
I located the following information regarding some other PRC involvement in Australia in Trove. ''In February 1941 PRC signed a deal with British Empire Films Pty. Ltd. for the distribution of the company's product in Australia and New Zealand,'' So far no proof of this happening has been located. I will continue to research to see if I can find any proof of any PRC film titles being released by BEF in the 1940's after the 1941 agreement was signed.
I located the following information regarding some other PRC involvement in Australia in Trove. ''In February 1941 PRC signed a deal with British Empire Films Pty. Ltd. for the distribution of the company's product in Australia and New Zealand,'' So far no proof of this happening has been located. I will continue to research to see if I can find any proof of any PRC film titles being released by BEF in the 1940's after the 1941 agreement was signed.
After extensive researching I cannot locate any PRC films released by BEF between 1941 and the end of the 1950s.
Of the 4 PDC (1939 and 1940) and then 281 PRC (1940 and 1947) U.S.A. released films only 38 titles (13.5%)s= appear so far to have been released here in Australia. The only found four Australian film posters are for three film titles with images and details as follow below. .
Hitler-Beast Of Berlin (1939) Australian daybill and one sheet. Released in Australia by BEF in 1940.
Untamed Fury (1947) Australian daybill printed for the delayed Australian release in 1951 by BEF., The film was then part of the now defunct PRC film library then owned by Eagle-Lion Classics who's films at that time were being distributed in Australia by BEF.
The Wife Of Monte Christo (1946). This film had a delayed first release in Australia in 1955 by the major studio Paramount Pictures. Paramount had a shortage of B grade second features to distribute at that time and were sourcing B grade second features from independent film distributors for Australian distribution. This film would have been acquired from the films then current rights owner in1954 or 1955.
Do you think The Wife of Monte Cristo daybill is a first printing? Or a re-issue?
Thanks for your question Peter.
It is definitely first release. The film is listed in The Film Weekly Motion Picture Directory 1956-1957 yearbook as being first released in Sydney on October14, 1955.
Don't let the duotone format throw you as Paramount produced many duotone daybills and one sheets for some B grade films that they released in the 1950s. Examples can be located in the Forum's1950's First Release Australian Daybills Not Designed By Richardson Studio For Paramount Pictures September 2018 thread. Three of the titles listed in that thread appear below, but there are other daybill examples you can checkout by visiting the earlier thread.
THE MISSING 1950'S MUSICAL FILM GENRE AUSTRALIAN DAYBILL LIST OF TITLES. Released in Australia film titles without any daybill images being located. This research was very extensive, but on saying that is is possible there could be other titles not located, but I am fairly confident that my list is near complete, if not complete for U.S. and U.K. films released films. About Face Athena Bernadine Best things In life are Free, The Carmen Jones Cha-Cha-Cha- Boom! (daybill since located) Cruisin' Down The River Dancing Years, The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady, The French Cancan ( A small Australian film distributor release of a foreign film ) Great Caruso, The Hoedown Juke Box Rhythm Lilies In The Spring Mr. Imperium New Faces Oh! Rosalinda!! Oklahoma! (daybill since located) On Moonlight Bay Rhythm Inn Shake. Rattle And Rock! She's Back On Broadway So This Is Love Starlift (daybill now located and image appears below) Ten Thousand Bedrooms (daybill since located) When You're Smiling
(John)
There are now remaining twenty two daybill titles on the list that images are still waiting to be located.
If you have any of the missing daybill image titles that you may have acquired since the original listing appeared here in April 2023 would you please include them here?
As previously mentioned here there were 35 known P.R.C. films credited as being released here in Australia by Hoyts between 1945 and 1947. Not a single daybill or any other size posters have been located for any of these films.. With the newspaper advertising that I have managed to locate previously for some of the 35 titles that feature P,R.C crediting there is no Australian distributor mentioned.
This has now changed as I have recently located an undated image of an Australian newspaper advertisement for the P.R.C. Film The Man Who Walked Alone, which is one of the above mentioned 35 films. The film is advertised as being released by National Films Of N.S,W, How this distributor's information then fits into the puzzle is unknown.
I will continue to search for more images and information regarding this subject.
Some information regarding early Hoyts film releasing will be revealed here in the future.
It certainly does appear that Hoyts Distribution only commenced trading as a fully fledged Australian film distributor in the very late 1970's, circa 1979 when they did become a major distributing force here. They operated as a film distributor over many decades between 1979 and 1994, then in other forms until 2001 when Hoyts being a sole distributor was revived, They then commenced trading as Hoyts Entertainment until 2012 when they were re-branded Studio Canal Australia,
I will now cover the pre 1979 Hoyts Australian film distribution. I have established that Hoyts imported some product to fill in programming shortages for the bottom part of their major film distributors releases in their cinemas.
Previously discussed here was the known thirty five PRC and the five Monogram films that they imported into Australia in the 1940's. It certainly would appear that the aim was to screen them in their cinema chains, What then appeared to have happened is that they then had some or all of this product distributed by Hoyts to be available to non Hoyts cinemas around Australia to be handled physically through a small independent film distributor. The Man Who Walked Alone film which was originally released by Hoyts in 1946 in their cinemas was later shown in Townsville Queensland in 1950. The following newspaper advertisement which was placed for screening there has a credit for being released by National films of Australia. This is the only example of the forty PRC and Monogram films newspaper advertising that I have located that contains an Australian distributor's credit. Not a single daybill or any other size poster size has been found.
The 1950's decade of very limited known Hoyts film distribution in Australia will follow shortly, but does contain three daybill images.
I have only located six films that Hoyts imported into Australia during the decade of the 1950's. The films being - We Want a Child (1949). A Danish film released in the U.S.A. by Lippert Pictures n 1954., but earlier in Australia in 1951, Gunman In The Streets (1950), being a French film that never received a theatrical release in the U.S,A, Bachelor In Paris (1952). A British film released in the UK by Adelphi Films and the U.S.A. by Lippert Pictures. Invaders From Mars (1953) An independent Edward L. Alperson production that was released in the U.S.A. by 20th Century Fox, but elsewhere in all or most of the world by various other distributors. The Tall Texan (1953) A Lippert Pictures release in the U.S.A. New Faces (1954). Another Edward L Alperson production that was released in the U.S.A. also by 20th Century Fox but again around in all or most of the world the by other various distributors,
The following are daybills for three Hoyts films released later on by Australian independent film distributors A Bachelor In Paris was released by National Films Of NSW. The Tall Texan also released by National Films Of NSW. Invaders From Mars had a later IFD release.
Finally I can confirm that New Faces was also later released in Australia by IFD. I have been searching for a daybill image over a very long period of this title for this title, but so far to no avail.
I have all but one of The Film Weekly trade yearbooks from the 1950's and I have not found any other Hoyts credited Sydney N.S.W. Hoyts releases. Also in my possession are all of the 1960's yearbooks as well and there are no listings of any Hoyts released films at all. After one issue in the 1970's which I do have a copy of The Film Weekly ceased trading. The issue had no Hoyts releases mentioned.
It is unknown to me if any Hoyts releases happened during the balance of the 1940's where The Film weekly Yearbooks aren't available, and for any years prior to 1940.
In 1978 credited as being a Hoyts Theatres release The Chant Of Jimmie Blacksmith was released in Australia by Hoyts.
As mentioned in part one Hoyts became a fully fledged Australian film distributor around circa 1979, They then as Hoyts Distribution in the very early 1980's began releasing films here in Australia now complete with available printed poster material. n the very early 1980's. An example of there poster availability is seen below on the Fatty Finn 1980 press sheet.
Of interest in 1991 at least Hoyts Distribution adverting was changed to just being Hoyts with two examples of this appearing on a Spotswood and Black Robe daybill images appearing below. I also have three other Australian daybill images from circa 1991 having similar Hoyts only advertising logos printed on them as well on..
A later 2007 now again named Hoyts Distribution logo.
Great research - have you ever thought of contacting the Society of Cinema Pioneers to see if anyone has recollections? I'm a member and could give you contact details if you like. Perhaps they can put a something in their newsletter?
Great research - have you ever thought of contacting the Society of Cinema Pioneers to see if anyone has recollections? I'm a member and could give you contact details if you like. Perhaps they can put a something in their newsletter?
Firstly thank you. Your suggestion is great' I will contact you shortly privately to discuss this further.
Any feedback/comments regarding my Hoyts parts 1 and 2 posted information welcomed.
Even a like would be appreciated. The amount of time and effort that I put inro researching and then presenting this information here was extensive. It is very disappointing after all this work, that apart from Peter's responses nothing at all.
It may be just a case of not having anything to contribute, which is fine, but at least a click on the like button would certainly indicate to me an interest and encourage me to continue posting more non quiz entries containing information of mostly little known poster and film related information. Only a second or two it does take to press the like or agree button, and even better it is for me to receive some feedback.
A thank you though to Peter for his like for part one and to Bruce for his like for part two. Much appreciated.
(John ) An Australia The Top End (1987) daybill seen above with the blank section on the bottom. Different from the Filmways/Filmpac daybills that were not printed for cinema screening details to be added, the above poster was printed for this purpose. Australia.The Top End was a 16mm self distributed film, and the bottom blank section was definitely added to provide dates and screening venues information. This film wasn't designed to be screened in cinemas but mainly in hired halls.
Comments
From this information it would certainly appear that Hoyts commenced releasing some selective P.R.C. product in Australia commencing in 1945 to fill the shortage in their B grade film titles availability.
The 35 titles listed previously by Dave would certainly appear to be the total of all the PRC films that that Hoyts released here in Australia between 1945 and 1947.
What then regarding the earlier pre 1945 period. Were there other PRC titles released here? More on this subject soon.
Peter
(Both above images courtesy of Trove)
''In February 1941 PRC signed a deal with British Empire Films Pty. Ltd. for the distribution of the company's product in Australia and New Zealand,''
So far no proof of this happening has been located. I will continue to research to see if I can find any proof of any PRC film titles being released by BEF in the 1940's after the 1941 agreement was signed.
Of the 4 PDC (1939 and 1940) and then 281 PRC (1940 and 1947) U.S.A. released films only 38 titles (13.5%)s= appear so far to have been released here in Australia. The only found four Australian film posters are for three film titles with images and details as follow below.
.
Hitler-Beast Of Berlin (1939) Australian daybill and one sheet. Released in Australia by BEF in 1940.
Untamed Fury (1947) Australian daybill printed for the delayed Australian release in 1951 by BEF., The film was then part of the now defunct PRC film library then owned by Eagle-Lion Classics who's films at that time were being distributed in Australia by BEF.
The Wife Of Monte Christo (1946). This film had a delayed first release in Australia in 1955 by the major studio Paramount Pictures. Paramount had a shortage of B grade second features to distribute at that time and were sourcing B grade second features from independent film distributors for Australian distribution. This film would have been acquired from the films then current rights owner in1954 or 1955.
Peter
It is definitely first release. The film is listed in The Film Weekly Motion Picture Directory 1956-1957 yearbook as being first released in Sydney on October14, 1955.
Don't let the duotone format throw you as Paramount produced many duotone daybills and one sheets for some B grade films that they released in the 1950s. Examples can be located in the Forum's 1950's First Release Australian Daybills Not Designed By Richardson Studio For Paramount Pictures September 2018 thread. Three of the titles listed in that thread appear below, but there are other daybill examples you can checkout by visiting the earlier thread.
It might have been a "Rich and Rich Production, but rich didn't extend to the printing of the daybills!
Peter
There are now remaining twenty two daybill titles on the list that images are still waiting to be located.
If you have any of the missing daybill image titles that you may have acquired since the original listing appeared here in April 2023 would you please include them here?
More information regarding Australian P.R.C. released product coming soon.
This has now changed as I have recently located an undated image of an Australian newspaper advertisement for the P.R.C. Film The Man Who Walked Alone, which is one of the above mentioned 35 films. The film is advertised as being released by National Films Of N.S,W, How this distributor's information then fits into the puzzle is unknown.
I will continue to search for more images and information regarding this subject.
Some information regarding early Hoyts film releasing will be revealed here in the future.
It certainly does appear that Hoyts Distribution only commenced trading as a fully fledged Australian film distributor in the very late 1970's, circa 1979 when they did become a major distributing force here. They operated as a film distributor over many decades between 1979 and 1994, then in other forms until 2001 when Hoyts being a sole distributor was revived, They then commenced trading as Hoyts Entertainment until 2012 when they were re-branded Studio Canal Australia,
I will now cover the pre 1979 Hoyts Australian film distribution. I have established that Hoyts imported some product to fill in programming shortages for the bottom part of their major film distributors releases in their cinemas.
Previously discussed here was the known thirty five PRC and the five Monogram films that they imported into Australia in the 1940's. It certainly would appear that the aim was to screen them in their cinema chains, What then appeared to have happened is that they then had some or all of this product distributed by Hoyts to be available to non Hoyts cinemas around Australia to be handled physically through a small independent film distributor. The Man Who Walked Alone film which was originally released by Hoyts in 1946 in their cinemas was later shown in Townsville Queensland in 1950. The following newspaper advertisement which was placed for screening there has a credit for being released by National films of Australia. This is the only example of the forty PRC and Monogram films newspaper advertising that I have located that contains an Australian distributor's credit. Not a single daybill or any other size poster size has been found.
The 1950's decade of very limited known Hoyts film distribution in Australia will follow shortly, but does contain three daybill images.
I have only located six films that Hoyts imported into Australia during the decade of the 1950's.
The films being -
We Want a Child (1949). A Danish film released in the U.S.A. by Lippert Pictures n 1954., but earlier in Australia in 1951,
Gunman In The Streets (1950), being a French film that never received a theatrical release in the U.S,A,
Bachelor In Paris (1952). A British film released in the UK by Adelphi Films and the U.S.A. by Lippert Pictures.
Invaders From Mars (1953) An independent Edward L. Alperson production that was released in the U.S.A. by 20th Century Fox, but elsewhere in all or most of the world by various other distributors.
The Tall Texan (1953) A Lippert Pictures release in the U.S.A.
New Faces (1954). Another Edward L Alperson production that was released in the U.S.A. also by 20th Century Fox but again around in all or most of the world the by other various distributors,
The following are daybills for three Hoyts films released later on by Australian independent film distributors
A Bachelor In Paris was released by National Films Of NSW.
The Tall Texan also released by National Films Of NSW.
Invaders From Mars had a later IFD release.
Finally I can confirm that New Faces was also later released in Australia by IFD. I have been searching for a daybill image over a very long period of this title for this title, but so far to no avail.
I have all but one of The Film Weekly trade yearbooks from the 1950's and I have not found any other Hoyts credited Sydney N.S.W. Hoyts releases.
Also in my possession are all of the 1960's yearbooks as well and there are no listings of any Hoyts released films at all. After one issue in the 1970's which I do have a copy of The Film Weekly ceased trading. The issue had no Hoyts releases mentioned.
It is unknown to me if any Hoyts releases happened during the balance of the 1940's where The Film weekly Yearbooks aren't available, and for any years prior to 1940.
In 1978 credited as being a Hoyts Theatres release The Chant Of Jimmie Blacksmith was released in Australia by Hoyts.
As mentioned in part one Hoyts became a fully fledged Australian film distributor around circa 1979, They then as Hoyts Distribution in the very early 1980's began releasing films here in Australia now complete with available printed poster material. n the very early 1980's. An example of there poster availability is seen below on the Fatty Finn 1980 press sheet.
Of interest in 1991 at least Hoyts Distribution adverting was changed to just being Hoyts with two examples of this appearing on a Spotswood and Black Robe daybill images appearing below. I also have three other Australian daybill images from circa 1991 having similar Hoyts only advertising logos printed on them as well on..
A later 2007 now again named Hoyts Distribution logo.
Peter
Peter
It may be just a case of not having anything to contribute, which is fine, but at least a click on the like button would certainly indicate to me an interest and encourage me to continue posting more non quiz entries containing information of mostly little known poster and film related information. Only a second or two it does take to press the like or agree button, and even better it is for me to receive some feedback.
A thank you though to Peter for his like for part one and to Bruce for his like for part two. Much appreciated.
)
An Australia The Top End (1987) daybill seen above with the blank section on the bottom. Different from the Filmways/Filmpac daybills that were not printed for cinema screening details to be added, the above poster was printed for this purpose. Australia.The Top End was a 16mm self distributed film, and the bottom blank section was definitely added to provide dates and screening venues information. This film wasn't designed to be screened in cinemas but mainly in hired halls.