The Hot Button by David Poland

The Hot Button by David Poland

Share this post

The Hot Button by David Poland
The Hot Button by David Poland
THB #544: Damn The Box Office - Memorial Day Edition

THB #544: Damn The Box Office - Memorial Day Edition

David Poland's avatar
David Poland
May 27, 2024
∙ Paid
7

Share this post

The Hot Button by David Poland
The Hot Button by David Poland
THB #544: Damn The Box Office - Memorial Day Edition
Share

I am sick of hearing myself think about box office this week. But I am going to dive in one more time because… I just have to…

Since it is Memorial Day, let’s start with World War II.

In 1944, as the war to end all wars had its end in sight, Congress passed The G.I. Bill.

The G.I. Bill, formally known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, was a law that provided a range of benefits for some of the returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s).

The bill offered a wide array of support mechanisms for soldiers coming home from the war, including cheap home loans, money to return to education at whatever level was appropriate, business loans, a year of unemployment compensation, and more. The bill offered opportunities for 14 years.

That is how you rebuild something well.

“But we gave you a blockbuster for Christmas and we have another one in July…”

So what has the movie exhibition business been treated to since COVID effectively shut it down almost completely for 14 …

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Hot Button by David Poland to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 David Poland
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share