Quadrangle Pictures records, 1932-1991
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Summary
- Creator:
- Duke University. Quadrangle Pictures
- Abstract:
- Quadrangle Pictures, also informally known as Q.P, Quad Pics, and Quad Flix, formed in 1928 to screen films on campus. It quickly became the central source of campus entertainment. Materials in the collection range from 1932 to 1991 and include programs, printed matter, annual reports, financial statements, and advertising campaign materials.
- Extent:
- 1.5 Linear Feet
1000 Items - Language:
- Material in English
- Collection ID:
- UA.09.13.0002
- University Archives Record Group:
- 09 -- Student Affairs
09 -- Student Affairs > 13 -- Student Union
Background
- Scope and content:
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Materials range from 1932 to 1991 and include subject files, arranged alphabetically, relating to the work and programming of Quadrangle Pictures. The files on advertising campaigns detail the types of advertising done for numerous Quad Pics events, including their annual birthday parties at which famous bands frequently played. These files describe visits by bands such as Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman. Also included are annual reports by manager Walter M. Upchurch, most of which date from the 1930s. Files of financial statements include budgets, film costs, and some attendance figures. The policies and procedures governing ushers, doormen, and other staff are well documented. Flyers, schedules, and programs including song programs of the organlogues and community sings held at Quadrangle Pictures events are also present.
- Biographical / historical:
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Quadrangle Pictures, also informally known as Q.P, Quad Pics, and Quad Flix, formed in 1928 to screen films on campus. It quickly became the central source of campus entertainment. Sponsored through the YMCA, it made annual reports to the University Motion Pictures Committee. Walter M. Upchurch, '31, who as a student originally began the film screenings, managed the program from 1931 to 1941.
The program encompassed much more than just films. In its early days, films would be accompanied by newsreels, cartoons, organ concerts, and community sings. On special occasions such as the annual birthday parties, entertainers such as Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman brought their musicians and singers to play. Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra even did a live CBS radio broadcast during the tenth birthday event.
In 1933, Upchurch, now also serving as Director of Student Activities, opened "A School of Movie Palace Operation," a non-credit course that allowed students to earn some money while learning the concepts of theater operation. At its height, Quadrangle Pictures had forty uniformed ushers, who marched, drilled, and memorized daily schedules. The "School" closed in 1941.
Page Auditorium was equipped with an organ used to lead organlogues and community sings. The program also sponsored a record lending library that provided to students a large selection of classical recordings. After World War II, there were significant changes in Quadrangle Pictures. Film screenings moved to the weekends, ushers lost their uniforms, and live performances ended. More of the entertainment programming on campus was organized by the Duke University Union, created in 1954.
Quadrangle Pictures became a staff-administered program of the Union, advised by the Duke Film Society, an independent group founded to encourage film appreciation. Screenings of films moved to the Griffith Theater in 1988. In 1991, administration of Quadrangle Pictures passed to Freewater Films, which shows popular films on weekends under the Quad Flix name.
- Acquisition information:
- The Quadrangle Pictures records were received by the University Archives as a transfer in 1975-2000.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Alyssa Reichardt, October 2007
Encoded by Sherrie Bowser, October 2007
Accessions 75-81; A88-0012; A2000-63 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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Contents
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- Restrictions:
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Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
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Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
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- Preferred citation:
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[Identification of item], Quadrangle Pictures Records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.