Bidll is currently auctioning a 1942 RKO Australian one sheet poster of The Big Street ( 1942 ) with a 4 star logo on it and further supports my statement that all RKO first release Australian one sheets from around 1940 to 1948 had 4 stars on the RKO logo. Still looking good for the Wonder Man one sheet with the four stars being the original release poster and the no stars a 1950s re-release. Please post an Australian RKO one sheet first release poster from 1940 to 1948 to prove me wrong?
When I have more time I will post some further information on RKO daybills 1940 to 1942.I am absolutely convinced the Australian RKO one sheet question on logos is separate from the daybill logo printings.
I firmly believe my information is correct on the RKO 4 Star logos on one sheets so please prove me wrong by producing an image on a 1940's pre 1949 poster first release without the 4 stars..
Well, actually I think you need to prove that you are correct and I don't think you have quite done that as yet! I think it is still a theory rather than fact at the moment.
Here are a few questions that need to be answered ....
Why would the one sheets have a four star logo while daybills for the same films from the era often have a different logo - no stars?
Is it possible that the poster artist just copied the logo from a template that had been used in the past?
What are the logos on the few hundred one sheets that are unaccounted for? We only have a very small sample at the moment and we would need to see the other logos before making a judgement.
Why do some daybills from the era have a four star logo and others just the standard logo?
Why would they stop using the four star logo on one sheets in 1948? What is the significance of that year?
A theory perhaps but a good one. I believe I am correct and have put my case before our members. I don't know all the answers to the questions that are asked, but in response to "Is it possible that the poster artist just copied the logo from a template that had been used in the past?'' I don't believe so is my answer and only so far I have found the case of the Banjo ( 1947 ) daybill printed by F. Cunninghame who was at the time printing the RKO one sheets and very few daybills. It wasn't a template that was used in the past but a then current one used on a separate style of poster and used by mistake on the daybill. I believe they realised their mistake as a few later daybills they printed in the 1940s are without the 4 stars.The printing of logos on RKO daybills ceased around 1941. With the one sheets and a couple of different printers during this period my answer is no to the question as it appears RKO, for whatever reason,fully intended to use the 4 stars on all one sheets. Please send any questions to me and I will endeavour to answer them but what I would really like is evidence I was incorrect in my theory by producing an example of a non 4 star RKO Australian one sheet released between 1940 to 1948 approximately. There possibly could be examples from early 1949 with 4 stars.
Bidll is currently auctioning a 1942 RKO Australian one sheet poster of The Big Street ( 1942 ) with a 4 star logo on it and further supports my statement that all RKO first release Australian one sheets from around 1940 to 1948 had 4 stars on the RKO logo.
A very nice US3SH was printed without the stars, as was the US1SH and the Australian Daybill....
Australian RKO daybill posters printed in 1940 & 1941 for whatever reason were printed with both 4 stars and without 4 stars. By 1942 on daybills the 4 stars logo was officially discontinued. Confusing isn't it?
It is certainly a good theory but not proof as yet.
I have found a lot of examples of RKO logos on daybills that are different from that era - sometimes the differences are subtle but they are there. From a personal point of view, I can't see that the artists were too bothered about reproducing the exact logo. I still feel that there is no reason whatsoever why the four star logo would be used on one sheets but not all daybills or other advertising from the era. That just doesn't seem logical at the moment. Why would they suddenly stop using the four star logo on daybills in 1941 but not one sheets?
I still think the onus is on you to prove your theory. If you can do that then the legend becomes fact!
It is certainly a good theory but not proof as yet.
I have found a lot of examples of RKO logos on daybills that are different from that era - sometimes the differences are subtle but they are there. From a personal point of view, I can't see that the artists were too bothered about reproducing the exact logo. I still feel that there is no reason whatsoever why the four star logo would be used on one sheets but not all daybills or other advertising from the era. That just doesn't seem logical at the moment. Why would they suddenly stop using the four star logo on daybills in 1941 but not one sheets?
I still think the onus is on you to prove your theory. If you can do that then the legend becomes fact!
I'm not talking about subtle differences I am only talking about 4 star logos and without star logos. You mention a lot of examples from that era that are different. If they are from 1940 to 1948 please post a few images to prove your point as I would love to see them. I see no reason also why the four star logo was used on one sheets at certain periods in time and daybills at other times. All I know is it happened and no one has yet convinced me otherwise by presenting a scrap of proof as evidence that I am wrong in my thinking.
Hondo, as I said, I think your theory is a good one and quite possibly correct. All I am saying is that there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how and why it happened.
Hondo, as I said, I think your theory is a good one and quite possibly correct. All I am saying is that there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how and why it happened.
I agree completely with your last sentance. I doubt if we will ever find answers to those questions you raised.
Interesting daybill of Cat People ( 1942 ) and looking to me the printers had been thinking of placing the 4 stars within the box section then they realised they were not doing 4 stars anymore.
RKO daybills appeared from 1942 to have dropped the boxed section and the RKO logo was printed straight onto the colour background.
The logo like to be a block on the plate that had the stars and the stars were removed for this print - this also suggests that there was a a reason or a directive to remove the stars.
These are additional Australian RKO one sheets not previously listed.
Additional titles to a list compiled and displayed previously.
The Arizonian ( 1935 ) No Stars
A Woman Rebels ( !936 ) ****
Wise Girl ( !937 ) ****
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs ( 1937 ) ****
Having Wonderful Time ( 1938 ) ****
The Big Street ( 1942 ) ****
Tarzan And The Leopard Woman ( 1946 ) ****
Macao ( 1952 ) No Stars
This is how things stand at present and daybills don't feature at all in this discussion as they are need to be treated as a separate RKO poster advertising decision made about the 4 stars usage.
Australian RKO one sheets found to date ---
1935 one with no stars
1936 ( when it appears the 4 stars was introduced to the posters ) to 1948 ( when it appears the 4 stars was dropped ) I have now found 26 titles with 4 stars appearing.
1949 ( when it appears the use of stars were discontinued ) to 1948 when RKO ceased operating in Australia, 33 without any stars at all,
It should be noted a 1939 Gunga Din one sheet is without stars but it was the only one I have found printed by Marchant & Co. so this could be explained perhaps with a misunderstanding a printer's error or any other reason
The Best Years Of Our Lives ( 1946 ) was pointed out to me earlier that it was without stars but I think it was decided this poster was a 1950s re-release.
The Woman In The Window ( 1944 ) Although not made by RKO it was released in Australia by RKO and it doesn't have any RKO logo on it at all only the International Films logo appears.
I believe I have listed enough solid reason why in the case of the Wonder Man one sheets the one with the 4 stars is the original and the one without the stars is the 1950s re-release.
If you find any more RKO Australian one sheets not previously listed would you please post the images here?
Have I changed anyones mind who previously didn't agree?
One day I will discuss four star RKO daybills in depth as well.
I have found another eleven one sheets that are with 4**** and without**** that correspond with the periods I stated when these two styles were printed. This further cements my case I believe that the one sheet poster of Wonder Man with out the four stars is from a 1950s re-release. I will list all the titles shortly.
I am also looking into Australian RKO 3 sheets that were printed up to 1958 to see what the posters had in the way of the with and without star logos that were printed on the posters. This is proving very difficult as not too many 3 sheets have apparently survived. I have only found images on four to date and they are all from the 1950s and without stars. I am really looking forward to finding some posters from the 1930s and the 1940s so if anyone has any examples of RKO 3 sheets from this period please post them?
The new images I have found of RKO Australian one sheets are as follows --
A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS ( 1937 ) ****
THE BRIGHTON STRANGLER ( 1944 ) ****
THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE ( 1946 ) ****
SAVAGE SPLENDOUR ( 1949 ) NO STARS
INTERFERENCE ( aka Easy Living ) (1949 ) NO STARS
FLYING LEATHERNECKS ( 1951 ) NO STARS
FACE TO FACE ( 1952 ) NO STARS
HALF BREED, THE ( 1952 ) NO STARS
MARRY ME AGAIN ( 1953 ) NO STARS
TENNESSEE'S PARTNER ( 1955 ) NO STARS
RODAN ( 1957 ) NO STARS
Also found TOMORROW IS FOREVER ( 1945 ) Although not made by RKO it was released in Australia by RKO and it doesn't have any RKO logo on it only the International Films logo appears on the poster.
I no have found a total of 70 images, 29 with stars from between 1936 and 1948 and 41 without stars from between 1949 and 1958. Unless images turn up I think I have a strong case to say the Wonder Man ****star poster is the original release daybill and the daybill without the stars is a 1950s re-release.
Comments
Bidll is currently auctioning a 1942 RKO Australian one sheet poster of The Big Street ( 1942 ) with a 4 star logo on it and further supports my statement that all RKO first release Australian one sheets from around 1940 to 1948 had 4 stars on the RKO logo. Still looking good for the Wonder Man one sheet with the four stars being the original release poster and the no stars a 1950s re-release. Please post an Australian RKO one sheet first release poster from 1940 to 1948 to prove me wrong?
Hondo
A theory perhaps but a good one. I believe I am correct and have put my case before our members. I don't know all the answers to the questions that are asked, but in response to "Is it possible that the poster artist just copied the logo from a template that had been used in the past?'' I don't believe so is my answer and only so far I have found the case of the Banjo ( 1947 ) daybill printed by F. Cunninghame who was at the time printing the RKO one sheets and very few daybills. It wasn't a template that was used in the past but a then current one used on a separate style of poster and used by mistake on the daybill. I believe they realised their mistake as a few later daybills they printed in the 1940s are without the 4 stars.The printing of logos on RKO daybills ceased around 1941. With the one sheets and a couple of different printers during this period my answer is no to the question as it appears RKO, for whatever reason,fully intended to use the 4 stars on all one sheets. Please send any questions to me and I will endeavour to answer them but what I would really like is evidence I was incorrect in my theory by producing an example of a non 4 star RKO Australian one sheet released between 1940 to 1948 approximately. There possibly could be examples from early 1949 with 4 stars.
Hondo
Australian RKO daybill posters printed in 1940 & 1941 for whatever reason were printed with both 4 stars and without 4 stars. By 1942 on daybills the 4 stars logo was officially discontinued. Confusing isn't it?
Hondo
It is certainly a good theory but not proof as yet.
I have found a lot of examples of RKO logos on daybills that are different from that era - sometimes the differences are subtle but they are there. From a personal point of view, I can't see that the artists were too bothered about reproducing the exact logo. I still feel that there is no reason whatsoever why the four star logo would be used on one sheets but not all daybills or other advertising from the era. That just doesn't seem logical at the moment. Why would they suddenly stop using the four star logo on daybills in 1941 but not one sheets?
I still think the onus is on you to prove your theory. If you can do that then the legend becomes fact!
I'm not talking about subtle differences I am only talking about 4 star logos and without star logos. You mention a lot of examples from that era that are different. If they are from 1940 to 1948 please post a few images to prove your point as I would love to see them. I see no reason also why the four star logo was used on one sheets at certain periods in time and daybills at other times. All I know is it happened and no one has yet convinced me otherwise by presenting a scrap of proof as evidence that I am wrong in my thinking.
Hondo
Hondo, as I said, I think your theory is a good one and quite possibly correct. All I am saying is that there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how and why it happened.
I agree completely with your last sentance. I doubt if we will ever find answers to those questions you raised.
Hondo.
Interesting daybill of Cat People ( 1942 ) and looking to me the printers had been thinking of placing the 4 stars within the box section then they realised they were not doing 4 stars anymore.
RKO daybills appeared from 1942 to have dropped the boxed section and the RKO logo was printed straight onto the colour background.
Hondo
Oh no!
More information coming soon on RKO **** in a box Australian one sheets.
Lawrence
These are additional Australian RKO one sheets not previously listed.
Additional titles to a list compiled and displayed previously.
The Arizonian ( 1935 ) No Stars
A Woman Rebels ( !936 ) ****
Wise Girl ( !937 ) ****
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs ( 1937 ) ****
Having Wonderful Time ( 1938 ) ****
The Big Street ( 1942 ) ****
Tarzan And The Leopard Woman ( 1946 ) ****
Macao ( 1952 ) No Stars
This is how things stand at present and daybills don't feature at all in this discussion as they are need to be treated as a separate RKO poster advertising decision made about the 4 stars usage.
Australian RKO one sheets found to date ---
1935 one with no stars
1936 ( when it appears the 4 stars was introduced to the posters ) to 1948 ( when it appears the 4 stars was dropped ) I have now found 26 titles with 4 stars appearing.
1949 ( when it appears the use of stars were discontinued ) to 1948 when RKO ceased operating in Australia, 33 without any stars at all,
It should be noted a 1939 Gunga Din one sheet is without stars but it was the only one I have found printed by Marchant & Co. so this could be explained perhaps with a misunderstanding a printer's error or any other reason
The Best Years Of Our Lives ( 1946 ) was pointed out to me earlier that it was without stars but I think it was decided this poster was a 1950s re-release.
The Woman In The Window ( 1944 ) Although not made by RKO it was released in Australia by RKO and it doesn't have any RKO logo on it at all only the International Films logo appears.
I believe I have listed enough solid reason why in the case of the Wonder Man one sheets the one with the 4 stars is the original and the one without the stars is the 1950s re-release.
If you find any more RKO Australian one sheets not previously listed would you please post the images here?
Have I changed anyones mind who previously didn't agree?
One day I will discuss four star RKO daybills in depth as well.
I have found another eleven one sheets that are with 4**** and without**** that correspond with the periods I stated when these two styles were printed. This further cements my case I believe that the one sheet poster of Wonder Man with out the four stars is from a 1950s re-release. I will list all the titles shortly.
I am also looking into Australian RKO 3 sheets that were printed up to 1958 to see what the posters had in the way of the with and without star logos that were printed on the posters. This is proving very difficult as not too many 3 sheets have apparently survived. I have only found images on four to date and they are all from the 1950s and without stars. I am really looking forward to finding some posters from the 1930s and the 1940s so if anyone has any examples of RKO 3 sheets from this period please post them?
The new images I have found of RKO Australian one sheets are as follows --
A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS ( 1937 ) ****
THE BRIGHTON STRANGLER ( 1944 ) ****
THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE ( 1946 ) ****
SAVAGE SPLENDOUR ( 1949 ) NO STARS
INTERFERENCE ( aka Easy Living ) (1949 ) NO STARS
FLYING LEATHERNECKS ( 1951 ) NO STARS
FACE TO FACE ( 1952 ) NO STARS
HALF BREED, THE ( 1952 ) NO STARS
MARRY ME AGAIN ( 1953 ) NO STARS
TENNESSEE'S PARTNER ( 1955 ) NO STARS
RODAN ( 1957 ) NO STARS
Also found TOMORROW IS FOREVER ( 1945 ) Although not made by RKO it was released in Australia by RKO and it doesn't have any RKO logo on it only the International Films logo appears on the poster.
I no have found a total of 70 images, 29 with stars from between 1936 and 1948 and 41 without stars from between 1949 and 1958. Unless images turn up I think I have a strong case to say the Wonder Man ****star poster is the original release daybill and the daybill without the stars is a 1950s re-release.
Great poster Chris and particually pleasing that it has the four stars on it.
Thanks Ves but I already knew about them. Just in case you missed my original listings they are on page three.
Another four star RKO one sheet ....
Genius at Work 1945
Well, it actually helps support Lawrence's findings so the title applies to him!