b"BLOCK-SELLING ATRepublic PicturesBy Charlie LeSueurGREAT FRONTIER TOWNCharlie LeSueur, AZs Official Western Film Historian. Encore Fellow @ Western Spirit,GARAGE SALEScottsdales Museum of the West. azfilmhistorian@gmail.com, silverscreencowboyz.comSaturday, October 12th I t never ceases to amaze meneighborhood theaters and the genre du jour was a All welcome and bring your stuff! just how far movie theatershealthy dose of Gene Autry, John Wayne, the Three have come since I was aMesquiteers and eventually Roy Rogers.kid. Buying your ticket online THE 138TH ANNIVERSARY OFwith a reserved reclining seat complete with adjustableThis is where the business of block-selling (also temperature, stadium seating and lots of aisle space.known as block-buying) was used by studios such THE GUNFIGHT AT OK CORRALThen theres the gourmet menu, and a fully stockedas Republic Pictures to gouge smaller theaters into bar to make your stay even more comfortable, orbuying a dozen or so films, mostly titles that will Where theSaturday, October 26th comfortably numb depending on beverage choice. gather dust in the corner of the projection room, just Pavement Ends andRecreated by the Arizona Gunfighters.so they could get a small handful of B westerns that Its a world away from the days when you went to thewould bring in the local audience. It was an unfair the West begins! Performances at Noon and 2:05pm. movies and spent the whole day watching the doublebut legal type of extortion rural theaters unwillingly SHOPS OPEN feature, cartoons, previews of coming attractions, andpaid to stay in business.DAILY! the obligatory newsreel, not my favorite part, over and CAVE CREEK WICKEDover without having to leave until you were ready. Enter Gene Autry who in just a short amount of time had become the number one cowboy in these theaters. Saturday, October 26thIt is generations apart from the days, even beforeIn 1938, ever the businessman, always looking to get my time, when there were Mom and Popthe upper hand, Gene found a way to use the All day and night, tons of eventspractice of block-selling to get the raise he had including costume contests! been wanting while gaining support from fans and theater owners.Going to Republic Pictures President, Herbert J. Yates Gene gave him an ultimatum, either stop the practice of block-selling or he would walk out on his contract.Yates balked and true to his word Gene publicly denounced block-selling and refused to show up for his next film Washington Cowboy, forcing Yates to sue his premier star for breachwith Roy appearing in the 1938 box office poll as a top of contract. ten fan favorite. Needless to say, Gene could see that the studio had a winner in Rogers and negotiated his Always one step ahead of Yates processcomeback at Republic.servicers. Autry continued to make public appearances at rodeos, parades and otherGene got his raise, Yates added a popular new singing events to keep his name in the news. cowboy star to his ranks, and Republic Pictures continued the practice of block- selling. It was a win/win Meanwhile back at Republic, the search wassituation for everyoneeveryone that is except the local on to find a replacement for Gene in the filmneighborhood movie houses he walked out on. This is where the newly minted Roy Rogers came into play. Roy made his starring debut in Under Western Stars the new title for Washington Cowboy. The film and Roy immediately became a hit Derek James PhotographyYour own personal Wedding Coordinator handles EVERYTHINGOnly with this coupon!from start to finish, and will be there$1,000 OFF!!!the day of the wedding as well!If you book one of our all inclusive wedding azrusticweddings.com packages on select dates in 2019. Clockwise from top: Racing Lucky Bill Cracks Down (1935) This Republic/Bill Boyd film was released just as he was beginning his Hopalong Cassidy career; (1937) a block-seller classic starring Grant Withers; The Zero Hour Under Western Stars (1939) Block-selling continues after Gene Autry's 1938 walkout; (1938) Roy's first starring role thanks to Gene Autry; Fresh-facedRoy Rogers retains Smiley Burnette after Gene breaks contract. Romance on the Run (1938). Republic Pictures film included in block-selling.For more information: 480-488-9129frontiertownaz.com ArizonaRealCountry.com October 2019 17"