In Theaters Everywhere: A History of the Hollywood Wide Release, 1913-2017

The book explores how the few became the many in the Silent Era of Hollywood, by contracting the release cycle, maximizing the marketing dollar, and democratizing consumer access. It offers a comprehensive list of wide releases and rebuts previous scholars' findings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 237 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2018
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

For years, Hollywood studios and exhibitors have been engaged in heated conflicts, centered around fundamental questions regarding the release of films. At the core of this disagreement lies the debate over the optimal strategies for distribution, timing, and speed. Unfortunately, both parties involved in this conflict suffer losses, with exhibitors resorting to legal measures through various consent decrees, while studios respond by tightly regulating their output.

In the early days of cinema, the release of movies was significantly limited compared to the widespread distribution we witness today. This book delves into the historical transformation, exploring how a handful of films gradually expanded to become a dominant force in the entertainment industry. It examines the contraction of the release cycle, the strategic emphasis on maximizing marketing dollars, and the democratization of consumer access to films. Furthermore, the book provides a comprehensive inventory of wide releases, challenging and refuting many of the findings previously established by scholars in the field.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 178 x 254 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476674148