To Oar Tatrons:
Now that we are drawing to the close of another year we wish to express, through these columns, our appreciation
and gratitude for your patronage during the past year. We are grateful in every respect, yet with this gratefulness we
feel the responsibility of our obligation to you. If we are to merit a continuation of this patronage we must not falter in
our efforts to bring to you the best in entertainment.
The motion picture industry, in its entirety, is aware of its responsibility to the public. With our nation at war
the momentous challenge it hurls upon its populace for a successful and victorious culmination reaches into the lives of
each individual. No one escapes it. The mustering and training of our courageous youth to participate efficiently at
the battlefront, on land, at sea or in the air—the huge task of industry to meet the colossal requirements of modern war
fare—the exacting demands placed upon the people of our rural districts, hampered by the loss of manpower and neces
sary equipment, to produce more than ever before—tax the moral courage and physical strength of each individual in
whatever field his lot may fall.
The sadness that befalls those whose loved ones have paid the supreme sacrifice— the agony that haunts and
tortures those whose loved ones are still subjected to the seemingly inevitable consequences that follow in the wake of war
and the sorrow that is brought to those that return scarred and disabled who will never again enjoy the fullness of normal
life—place a nation of people under a severe emotional tension.
Therefore, in order to cope with this situation, it is necessary that measures be taken to divert the minds of the
people and relieve them, as much a? possible, of this mental tension. The motion picture theatre has contributed more,
in this respect, than any other medium by its established method of furnishing daily programs of entertainment and
periods of relaxation. At no time has the need of motion picture entertainment been so acu ely felt. The motion
picture producing industry has unflinchingly accepted the responsibility to which it has fallen heir and, irrespective of
the handicaps it has suffered by the loss of officials, directors, stars, technicians and laymen in their call to the colors,
has met its obligation in a very commendable manner. During the past year more outstanding pictures—pictures with
unusual entertainment value—have been produced than ever before and the program for the coming year will equal, if
not better, that of the past year.
Because of our remote location, which applies to all commercial theatres in Alaska, many of the pictures produced
in 1943 are still to be shown. It is with pleasure that we announce that never, since the Orpheum Theatre opened its
doors to the public, have we been able to offer to our patrons such outstanding motion picture entertainment as we have
for the coming year. For your convenience we list a few of these pictures which will be shown in the immediate future:
THE MORE THE MERRIER
Jean Arthur Joel McCrea
Charles Coburn
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
James Cagney
EDGE OF DARKNESS
Ann Sheridan Errol Flynn
ARABIAN NIGHTS
Jon Hall Maria Montez
Sabu
CASABLANCA
Humphrey Bogart Ingrid Bergman
Claude Rains
GENTLEMAN JIM
Errol Flynn
SERGEANT YORK
Gary Cooper
AIR FORCE
John Garfield Harry Carey
John Ridgely
The entertaining qualities in each of the above pictures will meet the demands of the most critical. They will be
•njoyed by both young and old and we urge that you take time out to see them.
For midweek showing we will present nice programs in diversified entertainment. Mystery pictures for the many
followers of this type of entertainment and for those who like the outdoor melodrama, a few westerns, which will appear
on our double feature programs. To add a little spice to our diversification we will have an occasional “chiller”—a horror
picture, and of course farce comedies. We particularly invite your attention to our midweek pictures that combine com
edy with music. These are not big pictures nor do they always feature outstanding stars but they are pictures of delight
ful entertainment, the kind that make you forget your cares of the day. A number of these will be shown during the
coming year.
Once again may we express our gratefulness for your past patronage and oui hope for its continuation. We assure
you we will always strive to merit this patronage.
At this time we wish to extend the season’s greetings—may your Christmas be bright and cheery and for the com
ing year we wish you happiness and prosperity.
Yours for bigger and. better entertainment
The Orphewn Theatre