VERY. HUMAN STORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 30, 19 May 1947, Page 5

VERY. HUMAN STORY

‘THE GREEN YEARS’ NEARLY 3000 PATRONS The warm appeal of the screen version of Cronin’s celebrated book, ‘The Green Years’ was not lost upon the public of Whakatane who set up something like a record in attendance over the four day sessions during which it was screened last week. Nearly 3000 patrons witnessed the picture which made a marked impression on every occasion.

The film, which had been widely advertised brought home the truth of all 'the high tributes which had been paid it in other centres and we have'nothing but the highest praise for the intensive advertising campaign which heralded its serening. This perhaps was without precedent in Whakatane. Stickers by the thousan were gummed to trade parcels throughout the town; special tickets were discovered by car owners on their steering wheels; calico signs graced the main street, and traversed the countryside on the R.D. buses. Apart from this an attractive window display at Morpeths held public attention.

In spite of power restrictions making the normal matinee impossible on Wednesday, the experimental 11 a.m. session drew a capacity house. From the : parade of the Pipe Band to the theatre on Tuesday evening, Whakatane residents responded almost without exception to the widespread invitations and reminders, and we have yet to hear of one person who has felt let down. We understand that Whakatane’s reputation as a high-class picture and concert town has been greatly enhanced of recent yeai’s and that because, of this public appreciation, our town is already in line for many first line shows and films which will be arriving in the Dominion in the near future.