Jaws 2 daybills

Pancho

This is one that's puzzled me for a while. There are two daybills out there for the main release of Jaws 2 (excluding the teaser), both full colour, but one from M.A.P.S and one from Robert Burton:

 

It's only a hunch, but I think the Burton one (on the left) is a re-release, but can't find any info to corroborate that - anybody have any idea?

I actually queried the team at EMP about it; their view is that (until proven otherwise) both are first release.

David

I am not so sure Bruce is right, I think there was a re-release in 1980.

Pancho

There are certainly enough differences between the posters to suggest two different runs. Hypothetically, if I was prepared to spend the hours looking for a definite answer, where would be a good place to start, do you think? Old newspapers? Try and contact the distributors?

David

Best place to (start) an historical dig and get pretty good results is http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/result?q=

It takes a little getting used to on how to filter properly but it will certainly give a good result, many of the dating that this forum has provided come from here - certainly myself and Lawrence are regular users/researches and has helped solve many a dating issue.

I did a quick scan on Jaws 2 and there does seem to be a second re-release in 1980, but you will need to double check and cross reference.

But it is fun...if you enjoy that sort of thing.

John

I have used Trove quite a bit over the years. Its particularly good for those who are researching family history. As far as Jaws 2 goes, it is possible that one of the two daybills is for a re release but no evidence to prove that. The fact that one daybill might be more appealing than another - brighter colours etc, means nothing.

David

John said:

I have used Trove quite a bit over the years. Its particularly good for those who are researching family history. As far as Jaws 2 goes, it is possible that one of the two daybills is for a re release but no evidence to prove that. The fact that one daybill might be more appealing than another - brighter colours etc, means nothing.

I think Trove is more than just good for researching family history! 

HONDO

John said:

I have used Trove quite a bit over the years. Its particularly good for those who are researching family history. As far as Jaws 2 goes, it is possible that one of the two daybills is for a re release but no evidence to prove that. The fact that one daybill might be more appealing than another - brighter colours etc, means nothing.

I agree with John has to say here, Around this period there lots of examples of posters printed for CIC by two different printers of very similar if not the exact same  designed poster. Too many to all  be re-releases and some titles are for minor films that certainly wouldn't have received a re-release anyway and remember also that films went to television very quickly as well. There may have been a film or two that were re-released but the majority just would have had two daybills printed for whatever reason and at this point of time it is impossible to know the story regarding Jaws 2 daybill printings. MAPS first then Robert Burton following is my guess but that is all it is but we will never know for sure along with dozens of other CIC releases.

John

David said:

John said:

I have used Trove quite a bit over the years. Its particularly good for those who are researching family history. As far as Jaws 2 goes, it is possible that one of the two daybills is for a re release but no evidence to prove that. The fact that one daybill might be more appealing than another - brighter colours etc, means nothing.

I think Trove is more than just good for researching family history! 

I said it is particularly good for researching family history. Of course it has many other uses.

John

While on this subject, some Jaws daybills have a pink censor rating and some have a blue rating. One collector I know thinks the blue rating came first. Anyone have any ideas on why they used the two different colours?

David

John said:

David said:

John said:

I have used Trove quite a bit over the years. Its particularly good for those who are researching family history. As far as Jaws 2 goes, it is possible that one of the two daybills is for a re release but no evidence to prove that. The fact that one daybill might be more appealing than another - brighter colours etc, means nothing.

I think Trove is more than just good for researching family history! 

I said it is particularly good for researching family history. Of course it has many other uses.

Okie dokie.

HONDO

Readers of this thread may be interested in a new thread I intent to post soon. It will be titled Slightly Different Daybill Versions Of  Same Design.

John

Lawrence, have you been able to do any research into the different coloured ratings on the Jaws daybills?

HONDO

John said:

Lawrence, have you been able to do any research into the different coloured ratings on the Jaws daybills?

Yes but no answer as yet. Yesterday I thought it may be to distinguish the different printers but after more research I find this is not the case. Please check out my newly posted thread ''Slightly Different Daybill Versions Of Same Design" where I have supplied some more details.

Pancho

What would be classed as 'definite' information? Looking on Trove it appears that both Jaws 1 & 2 played as a re-release double bill at drive ins in late 1980. Given that Jaws 2 was released in Australia in Dec 1978 surely the film wasn't showing for two years straight. It is generally accepted that there is a Robert Burton RR daybill for Jaws; if it relates to this 1980 RR, can the conclusion be reached that the Burton Jaws 2 daybill is also a RR done for the same showings?

John

Still no proof either way. If one of them actually is a reissue why couldn't it be the MAPS version?

HONDO

John said:

Still no proof either way. If one of them actually is a reissue why couldn't it be the MAPS version?

Agree here with John as many films released  by CIC in the 1970s had follow up second printings for a first release poster. 

Pancho

Fair point. Is it at least enough evidence to say that there is a RR daybill of Jaws 2 out there?

HONDO

Pancho said:

Fair point. Is it at least enough evidence to say that there is a RR daybill of Jaws 2 out there?

Sorry I don't think there is evidence to support this.

John

HONDO said:

Pancho said:

Fair point. Is it at least enough evidence to say that there is a RR daybill of Jaws 2 out there?

Sorry I don't think there is evidence to support this.

I agree with you Lawrence

Pancho

This is still on my mind...

Let me ask this question: Do you believe there is enough evidence to say that Jaws 2 did have a re-release in Australia?

HONDO

Pancho said:

This is still on my mind...

Let me ask this question: Do you believe there is enough evidence to say that Jaws 2 did have a re-release in Australia?

As far as I can see there isn't any evidence at all.

Pancho

Hmm...how far apart would screenings need to be to support the idea of a re-release? 

HONDO

Pancho said:

Hmm...how far apart would screenings need to be to support the idea of a re-release? 

No set time. I know of many cases where it was only a short period of time e.g. four years and with proof to support this. In the case of Jaws 2 there is no evidence at all to support the thought that the film was re-released in Australia.

David

As said no set time and lots of reasons why they are re-released too. 

For example, Disney typically re-releases classics every seven years, the seven year period is essentially set based on the next generation reaching the right age as it were (seven).

However on the flip side RKO, when they were distributors here in Australia, rolled out re-releases it seemed like almost every year and also they were completely out of sync with USA 'official' re-releases which is why dating some of the posters by some of the US auction houses is so often wrong (because the date them based on the (re)release dates of the USA.

These are the current 'classics' that get the seven year cycle, Frozen will no doubt be added to that in time

•Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 

•Pinocchio 

•Fantasia 

•Dumbo

•Bambi  

•Cinderella 

•Alice in Wonderland 

•Peter Pan 

•Lady and the Tramp 

•Sleeping Beauty 

•One Hundred and One Dalmatians 

•The Jungle Book 

•The Little Mermaid 

•Beauty and the Beast 

•Aladdin

•The Lion King

But no doubt popularity and finances are the another (the main?) reason, Mad Max and Mad Max II being a prime examples of taking advantage of the popularity to take care of the bank account. 

Mark

Now you're moving forward.

We may not always find documented proof of a release date, but by observing the trends and practices of the time, you can make a more informed decision. This applies to the style of poster, film co, distributor, printer etc.

Another factor to keep in mind is the relative value of daybills. If I remember right they were being sold to exhibitors for approx. 10c each in the 1970s / '80s (I did have an actual invoice but can't find it anymore). In 1978 the average price of admission in Australia was $3.50, which should put their value into perspective!

Also on re-releases - check for one sheets when two printers are involved.

From my old employer:

https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/cinemaboxofficeprices.aspx

Bruce

HONDO said:

Pancho said:

Hmm...how far apart would screenings need to be to support the idea of a re-release? 

No set time. I know of many cases where it was only a short period of time e.g. four years and with proof to support this. In the case of Jaws 2 there is no evidence at all to support the thought that the film was re-released in Australia.

Remember too that in the U.S. in the 1930s they would only make a limited number of prints (they were expensive!) and then the premiere theaters would get them, then the "first run" theaters, then "second run" theaters, then "bargain theaters". Many popular movies were still in their "first run" two full years after the first release (I have found many window cards that prove this).

Pancho

Jaws 2 was definitely re-released in other parts of the world in 1980; there's no doubt about that. 



It's accepted that there's a RR daybill for Jaws, I'm quite intrigued why I'm getting no support for my Jaws 2 RR daybill theory! 

David

There is some logic in the argument based on the international re-release, and I have found in 1980, Jaws 2 played as a double feature at a Drive-in - but just the one, doesn't actually make it an official re-release.

Problem is by 1982 it was out on VHS (and Beta?) available for hire for as little as $5 per week.

John

So how does this one affect the discussion .....

HONDO

Personally I believe it is just a first release alternative printing but I am sure we will never know for sure if it was or as Reggie thinks perhaps it may be from a early RR.

John

I always feel that we need to see factual evidence before declaring anything to be a re release.