Public Health And The Movies

New York Times, September 20, 1918

“A conference to discuss means to prevent the spread of Spanish influenza was held yesterday by Health Commissioner Copeland and representatives of the transportation lines and theater managers.” Sydney was one of those invited. The theater people suggested they show slides in the theaters reminding people of the new rules, asking people who are coughing or sneezing and not covering their mouth with a handkerchief to leave the theater.

Sign Of The Times

“Tarred!”, and it’s 1921.

 

In exploring the history of movie exhibition, I love learning about the 1920’s and 1930’s. It’s great to see the flappers, prohibition, jazz, the cars and street scenes. But this one — a guy getting tarred and cottoned — is a new one for me. I’ve heard about people being tarred and feathered, but this is the first instance I’ve seen documented in Variety.

Variety June 14, 1923

The East coast and West coast trade papers sometimes made different interpretations of controversial stories. In my view, Variety usually took sides with Hollywood, while Billboard sided with New York.