Theatres during WWII

During WWII in order to help raise money for the war the US government asked the public to support the effort by purchasing War Bonds. This was not a new idea but thanks to aggressive marketing and outreach it raised a tremendous amount of money for the war.  

According to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans people could purchase a $25.00 War Bond for $18.75 and in ten years time redeem it for the $25.00. This helped raise money for equipment, medicine, uniforms, food, and much more.

By the end of the war $185.7 billion of bonds were sold thanks to the 85 million Americans who purchased them.

The film industry and theatres played a big part in efforts to sell bonds. Eight national drives were held between 1942 and 1945 which sought to push the sale of bonds. Theatres participated by offering free admission with the purchase of bonds and would sell bonds day or night. Additionally theatres offered the public a place to watch newsreel films and stay up to date on the campaigns across the Atlantic and Pacific.

Theatres showed patriotic films and managers mobilized efforts during the drives to great success. Here are a few pages from the Film Daily publication from 1944 before and after the 4th national bond drive.

The efforts during this and other drives brought in millions of dollars in bond sales playing a large role in helping support the war.