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Seeking Photo of HIGH NOON on Theater Marquee
posted by
4330
on
June 23, 2004 at 8:51 am
I am producing a documentary about a Zen philosopher, D.T. Suzuki (1870 – 1966)… a long story.
I am trying to find a photo with the movie HIGH NOON (starring Gary Cooper) on the marquee. Suzuki loved this film. “The sheriff was a Zen man…” he said after seeing it. Does anyone have such a pic, or know where I might try to find one?
Michael Goldberg
Much thanks.
Comments (3)
The THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY does indeed have the largest collection of photos of theatres, but it is not cross-indexed by such sub topics as ‘what is on a theatre’s marquee’, as far as I know. It may help you more to look to the producer of the 1952 film which was the Stanley Kramer Productions Co., but it is apparently out of business, so now you must go to the current owner of the copyright, which is listed in the Combined Credits at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044706/combined
The firm listed: Republic Pictures Corp., a corporation of the United States, MAY have some promotional materials inherited from the Kramer Productions, but that is uncertain this many years after original release when they might have kept such photos for publicity. In any case, such a photo of a theatre marquee with a specific title is not likely to be found, except by sheer good fortune. About all you can do is ask for theatre facade/marquee photos from the year 1952 and hope a source has them cross indexed by year.
The Internet Movie Data Base can direct you to more “professional details” by clicking on their “IMDb-Pro Professional Details” link at the top of a page, and likely they can give you the address of Republic Pictures. You might also contact the Library of Congress which has a vast photos collection, but again, it is unlikely that they are indexed by theatres having the title of HIGH NOON on their marquees, but you can always ask. It may take them some time to locate any such photo for you. Go to: http://www.LOC.gov
As a last resort, there are, of course, many places that can use computer or photographic methods to replace the title shown on a marquee photo and replace it with “High Noon,” the degree of verisimilitude varying with the amount you are prepared to pay for this ‘retouching.’
Best Wishes, Jim Rankin, member THSA since 1976
P.S. Just last night, the American Film Institute declared the High Noon theme song (“Do Not Forsake Me”) to be one of the top ten movie songs of all time, for whatever that is worth.
You could always visit the friendlt neighborhood movie palace and ask for their assistance. For the right price, I’m sure that the announcement could be put on a theatre with a classic/historic marquee for you to shoot.
No self-respecting manager, espically if it’s a small town cinema or PAC, would turn down a few bucks, to let you photograph the marquee with “High Noon” displayed on it.
Finding the right theatre with a classic unaltered facade is your biggest task.
Michael
Republic Pictures Corporation is now owned by Aaron Spelling Productions.
Gerald Lyda
San Antonio, TX