Generic Theatre Bumpers

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Background

This is a bumper complication of generic theatre bumpers (i.e. drive-in, independent, grindhouse) without the main major theatre name (AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Showcase, etc.) which are located around the world.

1st Bumper (1957-March 16, 2020)

Visuals: On a non-movie theatre, a candy bar, a popcorn box holding an intermission sign, a candy box, and a soda cup walk from right to left. While this happens, the shot fades to a popcorn machine which disposes popcorn. While this scene happens, it fades to a family drinking and eating on a purple-yellow gradient background with the table. This continues for a while which then fades to the girl in it. When it is completely zoomed out, the text "Let's All Go To the Lobby to get Ourselves a treat!" fades in. After a while, the logo fades out.

Trivia: The short was directed by Dave Fleischer, one of the owners of the famed Fleischer Studios animation company (along with his brother Max Fleischer) that was active from 1929 to 1942.

Variants: 

• In Regal theatres from 2012-2020, a curtain with the REG crown logo on it unveils a black-and white pastiche of the classic "Let's All Go To the Lobby" animation, with the REG logo above. The screen zooms out to reveal this animation playing out on a CGI tablet on a theater screen. The candy notices the situation they're in and punches the tablet screen, causing a pack of M&M's to pop out of the tablet. The M&M's fly out of the theater screen and through a film projector, with a Regal logo inside. The M&M's come out of a flatscreen TV displaying peanut M&M's, with another TV advertising Twix to the left. Below the TVs, the M&M's floats down to a Regal concession bar, where it rests alongside a drink, a popcorn bag, and other candies.
• The M&M's were changed to Mike and Ike in 2014.

Technique: Cel animation done by Filmack Studios.

Audio: The iconic "Let's All Go To The Lobby" song.

Availability: Used at drive-in and independent theaters by various companies since 1957.

Legacy: This bumper is very famous for its animation, song and characters for theatres and fans. In 2000, the short was selected for preservation by the US National Film Registry due to its cultural significance.

2nd Bumper (1968-1981)

• 

 

 

 

 

Visuals: On a multi-colored psychedelic screen, one of the following snipes appears from all sides and corners, merging at the center:

• OUR FEATURE PRESENTATION
• PREVUES OF COMING ATTRACTIONS
• INTERMISSION
• COMING SOON
• OUR NEXT ATTRACTION
• STARTS FRIDAY
• STARTS SATURDAY
• STARTS SUNDAY
• STARTS MONDAY
• STARTS TUESDAY
• STARTS WEDNESDAY
• STARTS THURSDAY
• FRIDAY SATURDAY
• FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
• SATURDAY-SUNDAY MATINEE
• SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
• ALSO
• AND
• ALSO SELECTED SHORT SUBJECTS
• LATE SHOW FRIDAY & SATURDAY
• CHILDREN'S MATINEE
• NO SMOKING IN THIS THEATRE
• PLUS THIS 2ND GREAT HIT

Variants:

• Sometimes, the snipes would demerge and return the way they came.
• The merge is faster on some snipes.
• A few snipes (most specifically custom ones) utilize no animation for the text.
• One of the snipes features a lengthy anti-smoking disclaimer set in a different font without an animation. The text reads as:
  
  "Attention ! Smoking Is Prohibited
  In The Auditorium Of The Theatre.
  Smoking In Outer Lobby And
  Rest Rooms Only.
  By Order Of The Fire Marshall"

Technique: Camera-controlled animation.

Audio: An abridged version of a 1968 go-go-like tune called "Funky Fanfare" by Keith Mansfield. Sometimes it's silent.

Availability: Used at drive-in theaters by various companies in the 1960s and 1970s. Made a surprise reappearance on the following Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino films: Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003; directed by Tarantino), Machete Kills (2013; directed by Rodriguez), and their 2007 double feature Grindhouse (Planet Terror/Death Proof).

Legacy: This is a cult classic among moviegoers.

3rd Bumper (1981-August 27, 2002)

• 

 

 

Visuals: Against a space background, a white flash appears in the center of the screen, from which emerges a crystalline blue film canister. As it zooms in, red text appears with a trail of sparkles behind it:

• OUR FEATURE PRESENTATION
• PREVUES OF COMING ATTRACTIONS
• INTERMISSION
• ALSO

Variant: On Gentle Savage (1973), a freeze frame of the "Prevues of Coming Attractions" bumper can be seen before the trailer reel.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Either a whimsical brass fanfare or a synthesized piece of music.

Availability:

• Used at drive-in and independent theaters by various companies from the 1980s to 2005.
• Also appears at the end of a few Warner Home Video rental tapes from 1982 to 2006, as well as its "Night at the Movies" series of videotapes, and also the 1990 Paramount VHS of The Little Mermaid and many early 1980s tapes from Family Home Entertainment and its sister companies.

Legacy: Those who collect early 1980s FHE/U.S.A./Monterey tapes will surely be familiar with this bumper.

4th Bumper (1983-July 16, 1997)

Visuals: Against a space background, an animation appears in the center of the screen, ending with the word "Spring", and cuts to a bluish background with white text reading "Choose Wisley.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Either a whimsical brass fanfare or a synthesized piece of music.

Availability:

• Used at drive-in and independent theaters by Universal from 1983-1997.

4th Bumper (September 10, 2002-December 1, 2007)

This logo is currently missing in action. Please do not add reconstructions of the logo if any exist, as they are likely not accurate to the actual logo. Additionally, do not attempt to add a finalized description of the logo until it has been found in its entirety.

• 

Opening: The logo of the theater appears over a dark, starry background. Two film projector graphics are at the top-left and right areas in frame.

Trivia: According to a Regal employee, the film projectors are intended to signal the projectionist to reel up the movie to the projector.

Variants: 

• Sometimes, "silence your cell phones now please" in blue and a Cingular logo are between the REG and chain logos.
• On re-releases of black and white movies, the policy is in black and white.

Technique: None.

Audio: Some soothing music.

5th Bumper (December 2, 2007-June 15, 2023)

One or more variations of this logo is/are currently missing in action. The missing variation(s) is/are: All RealD 3D versions, first and third GQT versions, all Geico versions, M&M's version of the second GQT version, the Regal L.A. Live, Georgia Theatre Company, AMC, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes version, versions with the logos for movies and error screen version Please do not add reconstructions of the logo variations if any exist, as they are likely not accurate to the actual logo variations. Additionally, do not attempt to add a finalized description of the logo variations until it has been found in its entirety.

• • • • 
        
      • 
        
        

 

 

 

Opening: The logo of the theater fades in over a dark, shadowy background. The logo is under a spotlight and dust particles are shining. The words "Please silence your cell phones now." appear between the logo. About 20 seconds in, two film projector graphics appear at the top-left and right areas in frame. They then spin and a light comes out of it. As this happens, the logo is ever-so-slowly spinning to the left.

Confirmed Versions:

• Regal Entertainment Group (The original version. AT&T, Sprint (with "The Now Network" slogan or no slogan at all), 3D, and Geico versions exist. Used from May 21, 2002-June 29, 2018.)
• Regal L.A. Live (This version has 4 projectors instead of the usual 2, and the Regal, Edwards, and United Artists logos are removed. Sprint, and Geico versions exist. Two versions exist, one with the pre-2016 Regal L.A. Live logo, and one with "A Barco Innovation Center" under the logo. Used from October 26, 2009-June 29, 2018.)
• Cinemark Theatres/Brandy & Mr. Whiskers (Uses "Please be quiet and courteous to others" (May 21, 2002-October 24, 2022) or "Please sitpop your beach ball" (December 25, 2020-June 15, 2023) instead of Please silence your cell phones now. 3D, M&M's and Amazon Prime Video versions exist. Five versions exist, one without the Tinseltown logo, one without the Rave Cinemas logo, one with Robin, one with Eugenie, and one with the Rave Cinemas logo. A videotaped version in which the male Robin was changed to the female Robin (also known as Maria or Eugenie) exists on the series finale of Brandy & Mr. Whiskers R.I.P. Jack Whiskers (2019) from October 27, 2022 to June 16, 2023. Used from May 21, 2002-June 15, 2023, before it became incompatible for Paramount Home Entertainment until later that year due to HiT Entertainment fully being absorbed to Paramount Family Entertainment.)
• AMC Theatres (Similar to the Brandy & Mr. Whiskers variant, but "Please sitpop your beach ball" is replaced with the usual "Please silence your cell phones now.” However, a 3D version exists which had the "Please sitpop your beach ball" text. Used from May 21, 2002-June 29, 2018.)
• Hollywood Theatres (Similar to the AMC variant. Used from June 29, 2008-September 23, 2016, when Hollywood Theaters was bought by Paramount Cinemas, and switched to Regal's version.)
• Warner Village Cinemas/Paramount Cinemas (Similar to the AMC variant. 3D, Videotaped, Geico, M&M's and Amazon Prime Video versions exist. Used from October 26, 2009-February 2, 2023. Two versions exist, with the Warner Village Cinemas logo (October 26, 2009-September 23, 2016), and with the Paramount Cinemas logo in the similar font as the Paramount logo (September 24, 2016-February 2, 2023). Seen on Inflatable Pogo Whiskers: The Caidin Johnson Theory, before it cuts to the warning screen.)
• Kerasotes (Similar to the AMC variant. Used from June 29, 2008-May 30, 2013, until they ditched it for the "Enjoy the show!" version.)
• Marcus Theatres (Possibly similar to the AMC variant. Possibly used from October 26, 2009-September 3, 2010.)
• Showplace Icon (Similar to the AMC variant. Used from September 4, 2018-present.)
• Cobb Theatres/CMX (Similar to the AMC variant, but it adds "and discontinue texting" after "Please silence your cell phones now." 3D, Geico, and M&M's versions exist. Used from October 26, 2009-December 14, 2017, when Cobb Theatres was merged with Cinemex, renamed CMX, and switched to Technicolor.)
• Goodrich Quality Theatres/GQT Movies (Similar to the AMC variant, but "Please silence your cell phones now" is replaced with "Please turn off your cell phones now" in the same font as the pre-2016 Regal version. Geico and M&M's versions exist. Three versions exist, with the pre-2014 GQT logo (2008-2016), with the 2014 GQT logo (2016-2022), and the GQT Movies logo (2022).)
• Georgia Theatre Company (Similar to the Paramount Cinemas variant. An M&M's version exists. Used from May 21, 2002-present.)
• Young Frankenstein (2016 remake) (Similar to the AMC variant)
• The Fault in Our Stars: The Night Before Our Stars (Similar to the AMC variant)
• Paper Towns: Night on the Towns (Similar to the AMC variant)
• Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago (Similar to the AMC variant, but the Fathom Events and MGM logos are in the bottom left and bottom right corners, respectively.)
• What Price Dignity? Cheap? (Second 2019 remake) (Similar to the AMC variant, but the projectors are replaced with beach balls in the same font as the pre-2016 Regal version. Only an M&M's version exists.)
• Generic "Enjoy the Show" (Similar to the Brandy & Mr. Whiskers variant. Geico and M&M's versions exist. Used from September 24, 2016-present.)

Variants:

• A 3D version was occasionally shown, with an added disclaimer to put on your 3D glasses for "the best experience". The projectors are replaced with 3D glasses, "FIRSTLOOK 3D WILL BEGIN SHORTLY" is added below "Please silence your cell phones now" or "Please sitpop your beach ball" and the RealD 3D logo is at the bottom right. Known theaters using this variant are Regal, Mr. Whiskers, AMC, Cobb and Paramount. This was used until 2014, though some films kept using it until 2018.
• A version sponsored by Geico is known to exist. Known theaters using this variant are Regal, Cobb, GQT, Paramount and Kerasotes theaters using the "Enjoy the show!" variant.
• A version sponsored by M&M's is known to exist. Known theaters using this variant are Mr. Whiskers, Cobb, GQT, Georgia Theatre Company, Paramount and Kerasotes and Regal theaters using the "Enjoy the show!" variant.
• A version sponsored by Amazon Prime Video is known to exist. Known theaters using this variant are Mr. Whiskers and Paramount.
• A version exists where there was no logo and the text below is replaced by "Please start your feature DCP from the TMS or cinema server".

Technique: Well done CGI work for the mid-2000s.

Audio: A soft piano/flute bit with some synth in the beginning composed by Danny Elfman. During the beginning, a female announcer says one of the following;

• "AT&T asks you to please be quiet and courteous to others, and silence your cell phones now." (Used from May 21, 2002-June 28, 2008 in Regal Cinemas)
• "Sprint asks you to please be quiet and courteous to others, and silence your cell phones now." (Used from June 29, 2008-September 23, 2016 in Regal Cinemas)
• "Please be quiet and courteous to others, and silence your cell phones now." (Used from May 21, 2002-September 23, 2016)
• "Geico asks you to please be quiet and courteous, and silence your cell phones now." (Used from September 24, 2016-December 14, 2017)
• "Please, be quiet and courteous, and silence your cell phones now." (Used from September 24, 2016-February 2, 2023)
• "M&M's asks you to please be quiet and courteous, and silence your cell phones now." (Used from September 24, 2016-December 24, 2020)
• "Amazon Prime Video asks you to please be quiet and courteous and silence your cell phones now." (Used from December 25, 2020-October 26, 2022)
• "Please be quiet and courteous and silence your cell phones now." (Used from December 25, 2020-present)

Availability:

• Regal: It was seen in nearly all Regal, Edwards and UA theaters between 2007 and 2018, before it was replaced with the 2018 Regal logo from July 9, 2018-May 22, 2025, when Woody Woodpecker's Fun Zone was demolished at Universal. On September 19, 2016, Regal announced that they would use the Regal version until 2026 for a 25th anniversary policy trailer, but four days later on September 23, 2016, they announced that they would only use the Regal version until 2018 due to it's final surviving source, Toys R Us closing.
• Regal L.A. Live: Only used at the Regal location at L.A. Live.
• Brandy & Mr. Whiskers/Paramount Cinemas: Both seen in all Paramount, National Amusements, Showcase Cinemas, Cinemark, Century, CineArts, and Tinseltown theaters between 2007 to 2022 (even though Paramount films from Top Gun: Maverick to 80 for Brady still used it), and Walt Disney World and Rave Cinemas between 2016 and 2022. The Paramount Cinemas version was first seen at Cinemark on December 25, 2020. The open matte videotaped versions can only be seen before the warning screen on D-VHS copies of R.I.P. Jack Whiskers and the Peacock documentary Inflatable Pogo Whiskers: The Caidin Johnson Theory, both released on February 3, 2023.
• AMC: It was seen in all AMC theaters between 2007 to September 23, 2016 (though two 2017 films, which were Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Ferdinand kept using it).
• Starting on May 23, 2025, the Generic “Enjoy the Show!” variant of this policy trailer was reintroduced at all four major theater chains - AMC, Regal, Cinemark and Paramount.

6th Bumper (2010-January 29,  2016)

Visuals: On a black background, there is the pre-2012 Screenvision logo, with "Remember to silence your phone and enjoy the movie" below it.

Variants:

• A Sprint version exists, where the Sprint logo replaces the Screenvision logo.
• Starting in 2012, the Screenvision Limelight logo is shown instead.

Technique: TBA

Audio: TBA.