WANTED -- c.1970s General Cinema "Coming Attractions" or "Feature Presentation" Trailer

I loved that logo! Later they used a clear blue sky with clouds if I remember!

Going by memory here, so please bear with me. Any corrections or additions are most welcome.

The General Cinema "Projector" trailers of the 1970's and early 80's (which David talks about) were retired in 1986 and replaced by new trailers. The font of the letters GCC were changed to a more contemporary one (although strangely, the positioning of the letters remain unchanged from their "projector" days) and the letters were set up against a dark blue circle. This particular logo would serve as the company logo right up until AMC bought out the chain in 2002, but I think the 1986 trailers were retired long before then. These new trailers pitched the new logo against either a starry nighttime backdrop (for the Coming Attractions/Also Playing bumper) or a blue sky with scattered clouds (for the Feature Presentation bumper). I believe these are the trailers to which Forrest136 is replying about, not the 1970's trailers (which were set against a background of trippy "multi-colored" ripples).

David, you might want to try and reach member "dwodeyla" about this. He worked as a manager for General Cinema for a number of years (in fact I worked under him for a short time in the 1980s, so be sure to say hello for me). He's mentioned this fact in other posts so I am not dropping any trade secrets here. Now I don't know if he can procure the materials you are looking for, but he at least should be a great reference point.

The clear blue sky replacement trailer that Forrest 136 refers to I used to call the floating paperweight because that's what it looked like -- a clear lucite paperweight with the GCC logo embedded inside, floating against the sky.

Thanks, MovieMatty! Indeed, dwodeyla came through for me yesterday. The file gccfull.wav plays upon landing on his site:

http://framinghammass.info/GCCIndex_1.htm

My dinosaur Windows 98 operating system didn't play it, but Windows XP does fine.

Also, thanks to Mike Ransom, whose terrific site:

http://tulsatvmemories.com/origin.html

contains that WAV file for downloading from the section about Drive-Ins.

I'm still following up on finding or creating a digital version of the animation, so stay tuned....

That was amazing hearing that drum beat again.

I worked for General Cinema during the 80's as a projectionist. I would love to have the GCC logo in screen saver format, does anyone have this available in file format.

If anybody manages to find one please let me know, too. I worked for GCC from the late 60s to the late 70s, and could kick myself for not latching onto a few of them during those years [who would have ever thought they would go bankrupt?]....

BTW, the originals were the GCC logo on a black background. they would get scratched and become worn, and due to the black background it was very obvious. Around 1970 they added a deep red keilidescope background so the scratches wouldn't be so obvious and we could get a little more life out of them.

Those were made up by Pike Productions out of Chicago [at that time], but there is no longer a listing for them in the Chicago area. I don't know if they are still in business.

I remember them playing against the recessed box type screens they always had in the cinemas ! Memeories! And the orange chairs! lol

I worked for General Cinema during the 70's in Houston. The original manager of the Galleria Cinmema in Houston was Frank Joines. He is still in the Houston area and I would bet he has a copy of the intro. He gave me a couple of the window stickers a few years back. I know he has a few of the Blue ushers jackets and maybe one or two of the orange ones.

Dave-Bronx -- THANKS for answering a question I'd been wondering about who is responsible for this logo. If anyone has further information (or links thereto) about the conception and creation of this logo, including who composed and/or created the music, and how the logo image and music were conceived, I'd be grateful. It's nice to know there are so many other folks out there who appreciate this bauble of pop nostalgia.

To Dwayne, if you have a contact with Frank Joines, please let him know a bunch of us would like to have one of those snipes digitized and put on a DVD. We'll all chip in.

I put a call in to Frank. Hopefully I will hear back shortly.

Or even a digital download if not a DVD -- whichever is easiest for whoever has it, no?

As a projectionist for GCC in Atlanta, I was told the 1986 versions of the logos and related materials were produced by Lucasfilm. That would include the Candy Band animations with the flying Gummi Bears in space and the follow-up with the dating Pepsi and Popcorn characters.

Those snack bar plugs and the Feature Presentation strips were always shipped as one package; there was no splice between them.

My friend, Scott, another projectionist and a musician, always marveled at the '70s Feature Presentation strip. He thought it was sloppy because he says there's an offkey note in the audio.

My brother and I are both musicians, and he wondered whether the music on this trailer was a result of genius or happenstance. I think some of both. Recall that the music was precisely cut to match the animated words coming from the projector. When you slow down the music, you can hear on at least one cut where it returns from the harpsichord to the drums just before a beat, unevenly, which is part of the charm of the track. I don't believe any of the notes are offkey -- they're bluesy but not dissonant -- but I do ponder that gurgle of double bass that bubbles up on one section. It makes me wonder what the original music track was before it was cut, and how they decided what to include of the harpsichord versus the drums. (Man, listen to me -- I sound like someone with WAY too mcuh time on my hands! ;) )

In those days the technology and production standards for all those kind of snipes wasn't what it is today. These, being custom circuit snipes was a little better than most. The generic snipes we used to get from National Screen Service for intermission (the dancing hot dogs and popcorn boxes singing "Let's go out to the lobby for something good to eat") was an animation that had washed-out color and was often out of sync.

I think I remember when we screened the first Candy Band trailer for Jack Leonard, the guy from Pike told Jack the saxophonist was a charicature of him. Maybe someone has a copy of that, and could get it transferred to digital! Feel free to email me if you can.

Perhaps someone at Pike Productions could help. They have an office in Newport, R.I. on Clarke Street, adjacent to the Jane Pickens Theatre. This is the Pike Productions website.

Thanks for that contact info, Gerald. I've written an Email to the folks at Pike. Let's all think good thoughts.

Pike Productions used to handle all of GCC's work. I managed for GCC during the 70's and 80's and I may have a copy. I ran across these things about 6 months ago when I was moving my "memborabilia". It may be a long shot, but Stu Harnell the owner of Cinema Concepts may now be the keeper of some of these archives. He and his daughter did the "thank you for coming to Loews" jingle and he designed the AMC Theatres logo. I once heard that an advertising agency in Boston that had ties to the Smith family did the original "projector/snare/harpsichord" version.

I have that 'Thank you for coming to Loews' jingle on a VHS videotape from Cinema Concepts, but I have to figure out how to get it into the computer....

I know Cinema concepts has cd/dvd versions available. If you want to do it yourself, find a multimedia PC or any good mac and they should have RCA video in/out jacks. The Sony Vaio's are great for this sort of thing.

Its amazing how many people are interested in this memeorabilia!

I mentioned to 'dwodeyla' that everybody loved those things, even people not in the business or into theatres, and would tell me that they liked going to the movies at the local General Cinema "because they have that little projector-thing with the silly music before the movie" -

Somehow, I think the enjoyment is related to the visit to the theatre, and the films we played. GCC stressed the family image, and played every Disney film released. Not only that, but all of our shopping center theatres were new, and clean. Seats were fresh, vinyl walls hadn't been hacked, and painted, carpets were bright and thick, and concessions weren't crowded with pretzels, hot dogs, and all the extra junk that came along in the '80s. Vending areas had fresh white formica, restrooms were shiny and new, lobbies had art galleries and the blue and orange furniture was new. Of course, the films of that era were memorable too, and that helped make everything memorable too!

Let's not forget that was the era before the video game rooms in the lobby. That was back when a manager was allowed to manage their theater. We promoted our films. We were pillars in the community, etc. Most managers in the Houston area speak very broken English, never promote the films or the theaters. We recently had the grand opening of a new 12-plex in our area. I could not believe they opened with no promotions, no advanced advertising in the local newspaper, no newspaper artice about the theater. They just unlocked the doors and turned on the lights.

I went to see a movie about a week after they opened. The manager was sitting at the coffee bar wearing his headphones. All doormen and ushers wear them as well. No one speaks to customers, and employees no longer must be clean cut, or for that matter, clean.

Oh well, I'm getting on my soapbox. Sorry guys!

When the buildings began to wear out, white seatbacks got scratched, then painted, then scratched again, then painted again, until the top edge resembled an ....old painted seatback. When Timmy the Trash Can got covered with cigarette burns, he got a paint job. When the floors in the auditoriums got too dirty, they got a paint job and a coat of wax. When the wall vinyl got ripped, and scratched, it got a paint job. When a screen got dirty, it got not only a brushing, but a washing, and in some cases a paint job too. We probably kept our local Sherwin Williams in business for a few years in the mid '80s.

In the end, just think about the fact that we are the people who treasure the moviegoing experience. Every day we sit here blogging this site about how the experience has faded or disappeared altogether. If this is how we feel, just think about how the workaday public feels about plunking down $9.50 for a movie. The public has disconnected with the experience of going to the movies and certainly considers movies a low-end commodity. Just look at DVD sales, the downturn isn't just one at the boxoffice. It doesn't help when studio chiefs and exhibition chiefs are the tools of investment bankers and short term profiteers. Dwayne's comments are sad about Houston. They reflect what the captains of our industry will allow the industry to decend to. There is a lot of blame to spread around, but I hope that there are exhibitors who will buck the trend and still be able to survive.

Rockin' good news! Thanks to a great former GCC employee (whom I'll thank publicly if he approves), I believe some of these trailers are on their way to me for digital transfer. I'll let y'all know when they arrive, when they're transferred, and when they're available!

All of us former Managers will be grateful. Next quest, a Timmy the Trash Can snipe, a "Gulp & Crunch" pin, or ...remember these...orange usher's jackets!

Excellent news - are they the old ones with the original logo or the newer ones with the GCC inside of blue circles?

dwodeyla: If someone does come up with Timmy, I think I'll pass on that one - after I saw it for the first time, I never wanted to see it again :) I have a couple of blue ushers jackets and I think a couple of dark blue manager jackets hanging in a closet in my parents house in Ohio.

As I recall, the feature presentations were all flat; if we had a scope film we ran the same one and the "reels" [the 2 C's] were oval instead of round.

These are the early 70's versions with a red/silver background on top of the white projector logo. Later version had a kalidescopic backgound with a light blue projector. A Policy "J" was sent as well (this was known as the later "new" policy. Dave should have them 9/23.

I have a digital file of the old GC policy trailer. I will locate it and make it available within the next few days.

What about the Feature Presentation logo that Quentin Tarantino used for the Kill Bill films? When I saw this it freaked me out and gave me a 70's flashback.

Hi dave-bronx and JManz! I'm new to this forum and I happened to catch your posts concerning the old "Thank you for coming to Loews" policy trailer. I have been searching for that trailer for years! To get a copy of it myself, should I just contact Cinema Concepts and inquire about it, or is it a more elaborate process than that? Also, how much should I expect to pay for it? Any information would be GREATLY appreciated. Concerning a way to input the video into your computer, JManz is right on the money. A nice graphics card that should handle what you're looking for is the "All in Wonder" multimedia card from ATI. They have several models in various price ranges - all you would need is one with composite video inputs. If your tape is "copy protected", however, the card can detect this and you will be unable to digitize your video. Let me know if you have any other questions about this. Thanks!

To Cineman, have you found the GCC trailer?

Sorry to have been out of touch, and also a little neglectful. I received the trailers on 35mm a few weeks ago but have yet to get them transferred.

I have to search Radio Shack for the proper cables. What I have to do is record it from the VCR to my camcorder, then from there I have a cable that goes into the USB port on the computer. Or I have to find a cable with 3 RCA plugs on one end and a single USB plug on the other end.

dave-bronx, could you let me know how you managed to get a copy of the Loews trailer? Also, if you have difficulties importing the video into your computer, I would be more than happy to do it for you and return your original video along with the digital file. Just let me know if you're interested. By the way, is the Loews trailer you have the one that ran in the 80's and early 90's?

It is the one from the late-90s, after Sony but before the Cineplex merger - with the current red and white kleiglight logo. It isn't what I would call a "policy" trailer, it is just that little song, no "no smoking, no talking no cell-phones" kind of stuff. I was working for Loews at the time I ordered it and it was shipped to the theatre.

Thanks for responding, dave-bronx. The Loews trailer that I've been mainly searching for is the one from the 80's and early 90's. Would you, or anyone else on this forum, have any tips on how I could go about finding a copy of this? I've tried searching ebay, posting to other forums, and calling several Loews theaters - but to no avail. I would accept the trailer in any format - whether it be a DVD/VHS (unlikely, I know) or a 35mm film print. I am prepared to make an offer similar to what David Bruskin proposed in his original post - it would seem I'm as interested in the old Loews trailer as he is in the General Cinema trailer. Any thoughts?

does anyone have audio of the old loews jingle "thank you for coming to loews, sit back and relax. Enjoy the show!"? I've been hunting for days. I'd really appreciate it.
sixfootsix9nyc@yahoo.com

does anyone have audio of the old loews jingle "thank you for coming to loews, sit back and relax. Enjoy the show!"? I've been hunting for days. I'd really appreciate it.
sixfootsix9nyc@yahoo.com

I was surprised to see so many other people who remember the cool GCC logo. I was just a kid in the 1970s and I loved that projector. It was also great to hear that music again. Thanks guys.
Dewey
Coleslaw70@aim.com

I'd love to see the GCC trailer as a QuickTime video. Didn't they do a newer version with candy floating in outer space? Anyone have that trailer video?

I think we're all hoping that either of the two readers who promised a digitized version will eventually come through.

Hey, Mr. Bruskin, did you ever get a chance to transfer the GCC trailers?

Mea culpa to all of you fellow GCC fans! I thought I could get a free transfer here in LA but I haven't swung it yet. (And I work at a studio -- you'd think I have no excuse.) I know I'm slow as molasses but I beg your indulgence just a bit more.

I remember searching a while back for any of these trailers on the internet, and all I could find were the most recent candy band versions, both the Coming Attractions and Feature Presentation trailers. While the video quality's rather poor (and that's even AFTER I cleaned it up), the audio quality still pretty good if I remember correctly. When I figure out where the heck I backed up those video files, I'll try to upload them and post a link on here.

Wow, found it lying idle on my hard drive. Happy downloading!

http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3LR8RWBMHR5TA39BK640FWD60E

I'm only getting the audio - what video codec is required for it?

Hey, thanks Mr. Fusion. You don't happen to have the older version, too, do you??

Thank you Mr Fusion, for the candy band!

Thank you Mr. Fusion!

(And seconded on the older version... or the cinemark trailers too)

Sorry y'all, I forgot to mention, it's compressed using the XviD codec. You can get it here:

http://www.xvidmovies.com/codec/

The only other thing I have is the newer Coming Attractions trailer from around the same time. As for other versions or Cinemark trailers, we'll have to keep Googling around.

EXCELLENT!!
Thank you, Mr. Fusion...

The sax player is a caricature of Jack Leonard? I don't know... but then, I never saw him in dark glasses...

I would love to be able to get the original GCC Feature Presentation, too - the one that goes with the music file up near the beginning of this thread.

BTW, to those concerned, I am going to have to find a place video place in Manhattan to put the Loews jingle and feature presentation on a cd-rom for me - I've searched all over the place and can't find the proper cables to do it myself.

Thank you, Mr. Fusion! Can't get enough theater ads. While I'm at it, those of you who collect 35mm may want to check out http://www.drive-infilm.com - nothing "theater-specific", but some nice old intermission films, policy trailers, etc., ranging from the 40's to the 70's...

And thanks dave-bronx for addressing the Loews materials - I was wondering about those. As I wrote before, I've been searching forever and haven't been able to find anything.

A friend of mine pointed out that there were TWO Candy Band trailers, this is the later one. The earlier one ends with the candy band staring at the screen and a circle wipe coming down onto the saxophone players nose who then has to pull it out.

Any other places to find this stuff online?

Skywise, I've been looking for that eariler one for ages! I think the soda cup does a slam dunk in the trash can at one point, but at the very end, the band huddles together to smile, then the nose gets stuck in the screen, followed by indentations of hands pushing on the screen and a popping sound when the nose gets unstuck.

Anyone, please let me know if there's a copy floating around that I could get my hands on! Thanks! :)

Mr. Fusion, I've been DYING to get this trailer, but the one you posted has expired. Would you mind reposting it?

Thank you so much!

Royman

I missed the trailer also. I'd love to see it, but I got here too late. I'd appreciate it if somebody reposted it. Thx.

Fortunately I had it still. It will be on my server until I need the space - http://bizarrelabs.com/GCC.avi
I'd love to see the original as well!
Brian

I know I am late on this but if anyone does have any of the old GCC logo trailers availble in either wmv, avi.... please let me know

Thanks for your help!

nsp21@sbcglobal.net

Thanks for the GCC.avi trailer with the animated Candy and Soda. What I am really anticipating soon though is the trailer used all throughout the 70's and even early 80's, with the GCC logo projecting out it's name in time with the mad drummer tune. It's classic and embodies an era so perfectly. I read somewhere recently that it was either done by a genius or by fluke, by nevertheless it is a simple, yet perfect, trailer.

Looking forward to SOMEONE out there transfering it into a computer file for download soon!

me too!

Add me to that list also. I'm dying to see that again after all these years.

Any news on this. I've been itching to see it since this thread started.

Better save this - it probably won't stick around forever!
http://forums.cinematour.com/ubbpics/GCC.mov

Wow!

Thanks. It's so good to see this again.

Hey BrianC, thanks man! Its awsome to see that old logo again! I feel like a little kid at the movies. I owe you a beer, or if you don't drink, then something good besides a beer!

Thanks so much, BrianC! I've waited YEARS to see that again. Everyone I show it to literally gasps when it begins! The first time I ever went to the movies, I saw that trailer. It's so amazing to see that graphic and hear that music... Thanks again!

KUDOS to BrianC!

Not that I'm one to turn down a beer, but credit where credit is due. I wasn't the one who made that transfer and posted it - it was THIS guy - http://forums.cinematour.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000110 - so hats off to him! I just stumbled across it. Glad everyone enjoyed it though - I know I did!

Thank you BrianC for providing that link!
I'm guessing that trailer is from the 1970s, but as a kid (in the 1980s), I remember watching the trailer with a blue background, as shown on this page: http://tulsatvmemories.com/gccvill.html

I'd love to see that particular trailer again.

Does anyone remember the first new policy trailer that GC used when they replaced the classic "projector" trailer? It was produced by Lucus's ILM and featured candy, popcorn, drinks and trash cans floating in space. It was also rumored to have a Volkswagen Beatle floating somewhere in the frame.

I uploaded the GCC projector video on YouTube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIRwv1Ahq-c ), although the aspect ratio is a bit messed up. Hopefully if people see this, someone will find/upload the other GCC trailers (candy floating in space, 1980s projector trailers).

Does the blue background one have that disco-esque/samba remix of the GCC tune?

Does anyone know who owns the rights to the coming attractions music? I talked with AMC (corporate) and Cinemedia (who AMC believes created the spot). Neither claims ownership or knows who might own the rights. Any help will be most appreciated.

I uploaded GCC projector video on RapidShare, in case the Cinematour server goes down.
http://rapidshare.de/files/21231528/GCC.mov.html

Very cool:)
If anyone has a downloadable version of Candy Band, I would appreciate a head's up...wwdarth@comcast.net

Thanks!
wade

I can't even begin to thank everyone for tracking down the GCC projector clip. That 27-second slice of heaven was such a huge part of my childhood: the funky little jazz theme meant that, within seconds I was about to be transported into the world of James Bond, the Planet of the Apes, or a Disney film. WOW!

Now, not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but does anyone have the "black background" version? That's the one I truly remember.

Once again, many, many thanks for getting something that I thought I'd never see again.

Oops! Of course it was a BLUE background that I remember, not black.

The very first ones had a solid black background, but scratches made them look shabby faster, so the swirl patterns were added. Does anyone remember the first audio spot commercials, recorded by Jordan's Furniture? Barry and Elliot only had a store in Waltham at the time.

Irv Saver's claim-to-fame -

Jordans Furniture on Moody Street had an add like General Cinemas???

No, Jordan's Furniture paid for an audio commercial which ran in front of the coming attraction snipe, just as the lights dimmed. Barry and Elliot still do the same, only on TV today. And in front of the film at their IMAX Theatre across the street from the original Shoppers World in Framingham.

This page has the 2 General Cinema trailers that have already been posted, also some drive-in intermission countdown clocks from way back (not necessarily GCC).
http://tulsatvmemories.com/gccvill.html

thanks... I've wanted to show all of these to my kids in our video "home theater". Now at least I have the one.

thanks... I've wanted to show all of these to my kids in our video "home theater". Now at least I have the one.

I remember a version from the early 70's that was a white logo and letters on a light blue background. I think the blue was about the same shade as our GCC usher jackets. I didn't manage to swipe a jacket but I do have a patch or two still.

I also have a few bits of 35 mm film. If I find anything useful that doesn't break when I un-roll it ( after 30 plus years ), how would I go about getting it transferred to some form of video or digital ?

I've gone thru my old bits of 35 mm film. I've found a piece with that matches the "Feature Presentation" one already ready cover in the messages here but has "Coming Attractions" instead... at least that's what it looks like from the markings and some of the frames... I didn't un-roll the whole thing. Also, it looks a it scratchy...it likely that I only was able to obtain it because it was in too bad a shape to continue using it in the theater....

So, should I bother pursuing the idea of having it transferred to
some digital form ? How or where ?

Thanks,

Hal Wolverton

Has anyone uploaded any of the 1986 General Cinema logos? I have been searching for them for years on the internet. You can contact me at dgontar@tulane.edu

Sincerely,
Daniel Gontar

Any decent film development shop should do transfers of film to DVD, then it's just a matter of ripping it to a PC and uploading it

Has anyone uploaded any of the 1986 General Cinema logos? I have been searching for them for years on the internet. You can contact me at dgontar@tulane.edu

http://forums.cinematour.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000110;p=1

Somebody (not me) posted a version of the GCC Projector trailer on Youtube. It has a blue background, so it probably predates the 'kaleidescope' and 'blue cloud' versions.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5sWoiCIlVwY

PS: I'm also waiting for the 'blue cloud' and 'candy floating' GCC trailers as well.

That was great! Such memories of Shoppers World in Framingham!

Another from the 80's on FilmTech (along with the kaleidascope one we have all seen):

http://www.film-tech.com/

Look under "Videos" if it is not in the recent warehouse additions any longer.

I seem to remember a stop-motion version of the General Cinemas' "Feauture Presentation." It had little flat discs that animated out of the GCC logo and moved off-screen to the right. The track was a guitar and not that odd harsichord. Am I nuts? That would be great to see again, if only to prove my memory works.

Somebody (not me) uploaded a bunch of GCC trailers on YouTube. Some we have seen, some we have not (including the "candy in space" trailer). He also uploaded a bunch of trailers from Lowe's/Sony and United Artists theaters.

Here is the channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Cinemajig

According the the folks at YouTube, someone who runs "Film-Tech" claimed copyright violation and demanded their removal.

Could that by any chance be the same people at film-tech.com, mentioned a few posts above this one? If so, they really have no right to claim copyright against ALL of his YouTube trailer videos.

The flying candy trailer was produced by George Lucas as a special favor to Paul DelRossi, then President of GCC. If anyone "owns" it, it certainly isn't Brad Miller who owns Film-Tech.com.

I managed to pull down some of the videos. But if he could share some of them on another server, I'd owe him a few beers.

And, NO, Film-Tech does not own the rights to any of the GCC trailers. If anybody does, it's AMC.

Did the YouTube guy happen to have the "Blue Background" GCC trailer, and if so, did anyone grab it? As cool as the psychedelic background is, it's the blue background that I remember, so I'd love to see it again. Thanks!

I downloaded all the GCC Trailers that Cinemajig uploaded. They are in *.flv format. I can put them in a single zip file and upload it to Rapidshare if anybody wants them.

I think it's safe to say we all want them (or at least most of us!)

Here you go:

http://rapidshare.com/files/39966977/General_Cinema_Trailers.rar.html

I even included the older GCC trailer with the blue background (Film-Tech even removed this as well).

Thanks a bunch!!

Hi mthiel - I would really like the Blue GCC trailer that film-tech has, but without the film-tech URL at the tail end, do you have this one?

I've downloaded the RapidShare folder and the individual Flash files are looking for their links to the videos, so the Flash window opens up blank.

Thanks, Danny

Danny,
The Blue GCC trailer is in the compressed folder I uploaded. It looks like you need to configure your computer to play FLV files.
Here is a tutorial on playing FLV files on a Windows machine: http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/how_to_play_flv_files.cfm

Hi mthiel - You were right, I did need some tutoring. I was able to successfully view the FLV files using the info on the link above.

I've wanted the Blue GCC Policy Trailer for many months. It is going to be a gift to my brother. He worked at the Lincoln Mall Cinema, Lincoln, RI, in the late 70's or early 80's. He's wanted this trailer for a long time.

Thank you very much.

Thanks so much, mthiel, for posting the GCC trailers, and special thanks for the clouds logo from 1986. Would it be possible for you to save and post them in a larger file format so that the definition is better? Also the sound could be a little louder.

Once again, much thanks
Daniel Gontar

The video files I downloaded are exactly the same as on Youtube, so the only way those trailers can be in a better format is to talk to Cinemajig directly (I'd like to see higher quality versions as well).

I used DownloadHelper (a Firefox plugin) to download the flv files from the YouTube web pages directly to my computer.

I have removed the GCC videos from Rapidshare. Cinemajig contacted me and said the issues between him and Film-Tech are not resolved and asked that I refrain from redistributing the videos.

Isn't the entire situation foolish!

What are the issues between GCC, Film Tech, and Cinemajig? Wouldn't AMC own the trailers?

They are all outdated so whats the hassle?

Greetings everyone. I'm sad to see that these trailers are no longer available. I have been busy with summer school and had no idea that such a treasury was available (if only for a short time). I am a film studies student with an emphasis in exhibition and having these trailers available is a valuable resource.

I trust that this situation will resolve itself very soon. Thanks everyone.

Can anyone explain who owns the trailers and why? There were some old Mann Theatre trailers that seem to have come down off Youtube as well.

Is that related?

I have been in contact with Brad Miller over this GCC copyright crapola. Just simple questions as to 'where' I can view documentation supporting his claim of copyright. He exploded and told me it was none of my concern. I will eventually find out who owns the rights to this material. By the way brad did mention that if you lift the videos off his website and post it to youtube he has no problem with that as long as you leave his watermark at the bottom. Probably just a way to bump up sales for his Filmguard crap he sells in a bottle.

Perhaps Brad did the transfer to video of the old GCC trailers.

I do not know who did the transfer but would love to know who owns the copyright. He gets pretty heated when approached with those questions.

The videos didn't look like transfers, but more like they were taken with a video camera from a screening.

We've contacted American Multi Cinema's film department who is checking into this matter about copyright ownership. Hopefully they will return with good news.

For those having GCC Policy Trailer withdrawal, go here:

http://www.dailymotion.com/videos/relevance/search/general+cinema%20policy/1

Thanks. I luckily grabbed them all before they were removed from whatever site. Somebody at one point had a buch of old Mann Theatre trailers up as well, but I think they came down too.

Just in case ya didn't see them the Mann policy trailers are up there as well.

Never mind, Some son of a bitch had them removed.

Whoops! Slip of the tongue, sorry. Just go to www.dailymotion.com and put 'theatre policy' into the search area. I just spoke with AMC's film dept. who has turned this over to their legal department to research further to see who owns the copyright for GCC policy trailers. It will be interesting to see if Film-Tech.com does hold some kind of rights to them.

WOW! Thank you so much for posting this link. These clips really bring back so many great memories.

You're welcome. These clips NEED to be shared with the public and it's a shame some arrogant arseholes think otherwise.

Thanks for posting the link! I remember the plain blue bumpers from the Sixties, with the reels spinning in synch to the dots/lettering. That, and the accompanying music, have been in the background of my memories ever since. Brings me right back to New England in the winter, with my mother taking us all to see a Beatles double feature.

Am I the only one who remembers the logo with the C's more oval than round and the harpsichord part being cymbals? Late '70's in Boston. Had to be before 1980, when I moved to Ohio.

The C's were oval when used with a scope lens - there were not scope versions, only flat, so if you were running a scope picture and trailers and attached the feature presentation the scope lens stretched it out so the C's looked oval. Few, if any of the GCC's in those days had turrets to change the lens and plate, which would have eliminated that effect. As far as the little song, as I recall the first time overhauled the feature pres. & coming attr. snipes in the early 80s, the new one had a blue background, and the harpsichord part was replaced by a piccolo, and the snare drum part was replaced with a sort of clicking sopund, I can't place what instrument it might have been. The cymbals version you refer to may be the one with the candy band.

BTW, the original version was the best, simple, to the point, and that's the one that sticks in the mind of so many people all these years later - new and improved seldom is either, IMHO.

Thanks, perhaps my 40 year old brain is having a hard time with recall of a 13 year old movie goer!

I first saw the GCC “projector/harpsichord” trailer when I was 11 (it was 1976, seeing Mel Brooks’ “Silent Movie” at the Jersey City Twin Cinema). I was obsessed by that logo and music.

A couple of years later, I took a tape recorder into the theatre to record the music, which I synched to a crude Super 8 film of the logo I animated myself.

Then they switched to the "piccolo version" in the eighties. I felt betrayed. I just saw that piccolo version on the daily motion website. It ruined my day.

Don’t get me started on the Candy Band.

Candy Band blows!

http://generalcinematheatres.com/ upon entering this you can here the wav

oops typo in my last post http://generalcinematheatres.com/
upon entering this you can hear the wav file

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6uHhUKURYE
youtube video for the logo from 50's when you go there you will also find videos from general cinemas for other years enjoy

GENERAL CINEMA WELCOME TRAILER
http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/wareview.php?id=1776&category=3

GENERAL CINEMA ALSO SHOWING #2 (1990S)
http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/wareview.php?id=1814&category=3

GENERAL CINEMA ALSO SHOWING (1990S)
http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/wareview.php?id=1812&category=3

GENERAL CINEMA COMING ATTRACTIONS SNIPE (1990S)
http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/wareview.php?id=1811&category=3

· General Cinema Coming to the Northpark Cinemas tag (285.5 KB - Flash Video)
· General Cinema feature presentation snipe from the 1970s (1.19 MB - Flash Video)
· General Cinema feature presentation snipe from the 1980s (997.2 KB - Flash Video)
· General Cinema Now Showing (1980s) (265.3 KB - Flash Video)
· General Cinema policy from the 1980s (2.56 MB - Flash Video)
· General Cinema policy from the 1990s (candy band #2) (3.65 MB - Flash Video)
· General Cinema policy from the 1990s (candy band) (3.49 MB - Flash Video)
· General Cinema policy from the 1990s (space candy/clouds) (3.06 MB - Flash Video)
· General Cinema welcome trailer (800.3 KB - Flash Video)
· Generic policy trailer - Generic
If the links don’t work go to http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/index.php?category=3 the policy trailer section there are great stuff from various companies and cinemas there the site is film-tech video warehouse

another good site http://www.closinglogos.com/page/General+Cinema+Corporation?t=anon

Thanks for that wonderful contribution! If you want to watch these classic General Cinema Policy Trailers without a logo at the bottom AND be able to FULLSCREEN it then here are some more alternatives, Flash format as well at www.dailymotion.com
They have many other Policy trailers such as AMC, Mann and others!
But here are some direct links to the clean GCC shorts:

GENERAL CINEMA FEATURE PRESENTATION LATE 80’S (SPACE CANDY)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x2e5yq_gcc-general-cinema-feature-presenta_ads

GENERAL CINEMA FEATURE PRESENTATION 1977
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x3jhfg_general-cinema-1977-feature-present_shortfilms

GENERAL CINEMA FEATURE PRESENTATION 1997
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x2fakb_general-cinema-1997-feature-present_ads

GENERAL CINEMA FEATURE PRESENTATION (1980)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x2fam6_gcc-general-cinema-feature-presenta_ads

GENERAL CINEMA FEATURE PRESENTATION (70’S)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x1va4l_general-cinemas-feature-presentatio_ads

GENERAL CINEMA COMING ATTRACTIONS (1993)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x2faq5_general-cinema-1993-coming-attracti_ads

GENERAL CINEMA COMING ATTRACTIONS (1986)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x2faqa_general-cinema-1986-coming-attracti_ads

GENERAL CINEMA POLICY TRAILER (1975)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x5c87f_general-cinema-1975-policy-trailer_shortfilms

GENERAL CINEMA NO TALKING TRAILER (BLUE STARS)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x3hsnj_general-cinema-1986-preshow-no-talk_shortfilms

GENERAL CINEMA NOW SHOWING AT THIS THEATRE (1986)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x2fapf_general-cinema-1986-also-showing-at_ads

GENERAL CINEMA NOW SHOWING AT THIS THEATRE (1993)
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/general%2Bcinema/video/x2fap3_general-cinema-1993-also-showing-at_ads

Iknow a closed up GENERAL CINEMA in AUGUSTA, GA. When they went broke they locked the doors and walked away i bet that booth is full of trailers.I sneaked in by a back exit door and witha flashlight walked all over the place.Mainly looking for one sheets. I did grab an old film can had i known anyone wanted trailers i could have grabbed a box full.Probably a few more locations like the one here in Augusta.