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While Variety became synonymous with film industry coverage, its initial publication focus was primarily on which entertainment sector?
Answer: Vaudeville and theater news.
Although Variety evolved to extensively cover the film industry, its initial publication in 1905 was primarily focused on vaudeville and theater.
What was the primary catalyst for Sime Silverman's founding of Variety magazine?
Answer: A dispute with The Morning Telegraph concerning advertising influence on editorial content.
Sime Silverman founded Variety following a disagreement at The Morning Telegraph, where his critical review of an advertiser's act led to his dismissal, prompting him to establish a publication free from such commercial pressures.
Who is credited with sketching the original logo for Variety magazine?
Answer: Edgar M. Miller.
The original logo for Variety, which bears resemblance to the current design, was sketched by Edgar M. Miller, a scenic painter who provided his work without charge.
Variety's first issue featured photographs of its founder and three other key editorial staff members.
Answer: True
The inaugural issue of Variety included photographic portraits of its founding editorial team: Alfred Greason, Epes W. Sargeant (Chic), Joshua Lowe, and founder Sime Silverman.
Sime Silverman's seven-year-old son, Sidne, wrote the publication's first film review.
Answer: False
While Sime Silverman's son, Sidne, did write a review for the first issue, it is considered the first film review in history, not specifically the publication's first film review.
Daily Variety was launched in Los Angeles in 1933 primarily to cover the theater and vaudeville circuits.
Answer: False
Daily Variety was launched in Los Angeles in 1933, but its primary focus was the motion-picture industry, not theater and vaudeville.
Variety established its first overseas office in London in 1909, shortly after its founding.
Answer: True
The publication expanded its international presence early on, establishing its first overseas office in London in 1909.
What was the primary focus of Variety magazine when it was first published in 1905?
Answer: Vaudeville and theater news.
Upon its inception in 1905, Variety was primarily a weekly newspaper concentrating on news and developments within the vaudeville and theater circuits.
What motivated Sime Silverman to found Variety magazine?
Answer: A desire to publish without advertising influence after a dispute at The Morning Telegraph.
Sime Silverman established Variety due to a dispute at The Morning Telegraph, where his editorial independence was compromised by advertising interests, leading him to found a publication prioritizing editorial integrity.
How was the initial launch of Variety magazine financed?
Answer: With a $1,500 loan from Sime Silverman's father-in-law.
The initial funding for Variety's launch came from a $1,500 loan provided by Sime Silverman's father-in-law.
Which publication was considered a main competitor to Variety at the time of its founding?
Answer: The New York Clipper
At its inception in 1905, Variety's primary competitors in the entertainment trade press included The New York Clipper and the New York Dramatic Mirror.
Who is credited with sketching the original logo for Variety magazine?
Answer: Edgar M. Miller
The original logo design for Variety is attributed to Edgar M. Miller, a scenic painter who contributed the artwork without compensation.
Where were Variety's first offices located?
Answer: New York City, in the Knickerbocker Theatre
Variety's initial offices were established in the Knickerbocker Theatre building in New York City.
What was the reason for Variety's temporary cessation of film reviews between 1911 and 1913?
Answer: True
Variety briefly suspended film reviews from March 1911 to January 1913, influenced by a producer's argument that reviews were counterproductive, potentially wasting space and skewing audience demand.
Army Archerd's "Just for Variety" column was known for exclusively reporting on major Hollywood film releases.
Answer: False
Army Archerd's "Just for Variety" column, while focused on Hollywood, reported on a broader range of celebrity news, including deals, personal events, and industry happenings, not exclusively film releases.
Starting in 1949, Variety's anniversary editions began including the annually updated all-time rental chart for films.
Answer: True
From 1949 onwards, Variety's anniversary editions incorporated the annually updated all-time rental chart for films, supplementing the lists of top-performing films introduced in 1938.
Reviewers at Variety traditionally used full names, but adopted four-letter pen names ('sigs') starting in 1991.
Answer: False
Reviewers at Variety traditionally used four-letter pen names ('sigs'), a practice that ceased in August 1991, rather than adopting them in 1991.
Variety began reporting box office grosses by theater on March 3, 1922.
Answer: True
On March 3, 1922, Variety initiated the practice of reporting box office grosses on a per-theater basis, providing valuable performance data to exhibitors.
The Variety Box Office Index (VBI) was used to track international box office performance from 1976 until its discontinuation in 1991.
Answer: False
The Variety Box Office Index (VBI), published from 1976 to 1991, tracked key city box office tallies domestically, not international performance.
What significant event related to film criticism occurred on January 19, 1907, according to the source?
Answer: Sime Silverman wrote the first known film review in history for Variety.
On January 19, 1907, Variety published what is widely considered the first film review in history, authored by founder Sime Silverman.
Why did Variety briefly discontinue film reviews between March 1911 and January 1913?
Answer: A film producer argued reviews created unbalanced demand and wasted space.
A film producer persuaded Variety to temporarily halt film reviews, contending that they were inefficient, consumed valuable space, and potentially skewed audience demand.
When did Variety begin publishing miniature reviews or capsules for films?
Answer: 1930
Variety commenced the practice of publishing summary miniature reviews, or capsules, for films in 1930. This format was later refined in 1951 to appear at the top of reviews.
Army Archerd's "Just for Variety" column was known for:
Answer: Breaking exclusive Hollywood stories and reporting on star news.
Army Archerd's "Just for Variety" column was renowned for its exclusive Hollywood scoops, reporting on celebrity news, industry deals, and personal events within the entertainment sphere.
What type of data did Variety's anniversary editions begin including from 1938 onwards?
Answer: Lists of top-performing films
Beginning in 1938, Variety's anniversary editions started featuring lists that identified the year's top-performing films.
The Variety Box Office Index (VBI), published from 1976 to 1991, served what purpose?
Answer: To measure key city box office tallies monthly.
The Variety Box Office Index (VBI) provided a monthly measurement of box office performance in key cities, expressed as an index relative to a base year.
What did Variety compile and publish annually starting in 1937 related to radio?
Answer: A directory of radio events, program histories, and ratings.
Starting in 1937, Variety published an annual Radio Directory that documented radio events, including program histories and ratings.
Following Sime Silverman's death, his son Sidne took over as the publisher of Variety.
Answer: True
Upon Sime Silverman's passing in 1933, his son Sidne assumed the role of publisher for Variety.
Abel Green became the editor of Weekly Variety in 1933, succeeding founder Sime Silverman.
Answer: False
Abel Green became the editor of Weekly Variety in 1933, but he succeeded Sidne Silverman, not the founder Sime Silverman, who had passed away earlier that year.
Thomas M. Pryor significantly increased the size and circulation of Daily Variety after becoming its editor in 1959.
Answer: True
Upon assuming the editorship of Daily Variety in 1959, Thomas M. Pryor oversaw a substantial expansion in the publication's size and a notable increase in its circulation.
Peter Bart served as editor-in-chief for Variety's daily Los Angeles edition for 20 years starting in 1989.
Answer: False
Peter Bart served as editor-in-chief for Variety for 20 years starting in 1989, but he initially oversaw the weekly New York edition, while Michael Silverman managed the Daily edition in Hollywood.
Who was the first editor of the Los Angeles-based Daily Variety when it launched in 1933?
Answer: Arthur Ungar
Arthur Ungar served as the inaugural editor of Daily Variety upon its establishment in Los Angeles in 1933.
After Sime Silverman's death, who succeeded him as the publisher of Variety?
Answer: His son, Sidne Silverman
Following the passing of founder Sime Silverman, his son, Sidne Silverman, assumed the position of publisher for Variety.
Abel Green took over the editorship of which publication in 1933?
Answer: Weekly Variety
In 1933, Abel Green assumed the role of editor for Weekly Variety.
Under Thomas M. Pryor's editorship starting in 1959, Daily Variety saw its circulation increase from approximately 8,000 to:
Answer: 22,000
During Thomas M. Pryor's tenure as editor, Daily Variety's circulation grew substantially from approximately 8,000 to 22,000 copies.
Who served as Variety's editor-in-chief for 20 years starting in 1989, overseeing the weekly edition?
Answer: Peter Bart
Peter Bart held the position of editor-in-chief for Variety for two decades, commencing in 1989, initially overseeing the weekly edition.
The New York Clipper, a competitor acquired by Sime Silverman in 1922, continued publication as a separate entity for over a decade before being merged into Variety.
Answer: False
Sime Silverman acquired The New York Clipper in 1922, but he folded it two years later, merging some of its features into Variety, rather than allowing it to continue publication for over a decade.
Variety was sold to Cahners Publishing in 1987 for approximately $1 million.
Answer: False
Variety was sold to Cahners Publishing in 1987 for $64 million, not approximately $1 million.
In December 1988, Variety adopted full-color printing and redesigned its front page.
Answer: True
On December 7, 1988, Variety implemented a significant visual update by transitioning to four-color printing and redesigning its front page layout.
The print edition of Daily Variety ceased publication in 2013 with the headline "End of an Era."
Answer: False
The print edition of Daily Variety ceased publication in March 2013, but its final headline was "Variety Ankles Daily Pub Hubbub," not "End of an Era."
The "Dirt" website, focused on high-end real estate news, was launched by Variety in June 2014.
Answer: True
Variety launched the high-end real estate news website "Dirt" in June 2014.
Variety.com was launched in 1998 and initially offered all content for free access.
Answer: False
Variety.com launched in 1998 and was among the first online publications to implement a paywall, charging for content access from its inception.
Variety's archives are exclusively available through microfilm copies.
Answer: False
While older issues are available on microfilm, Variety's archives are also accessible through digitized versions on Variety.com and the Media History Digital Library.
In 2023, the weekly Variety magazine reported a paid circulation of over 100,000 copies.
Answer: False
In 2023, the paid circulation for the weekly Variety magazine was reported as 85,300 copies, which is below 100,000.
Variety.com attracts approximately 32 million unique monthly visitors.
Answer: True
Variety.com maintains a significant online presence, attracting approximately 32 million unique visitors each month.
From 1920 to 1987, Variety's headquarters were located in a modern skyscraper on Park Avenue South.
Answer: False
From 1920 to 1987, Variety's headquarters were situated in an old brownstone building at 154 West 46th Street in New York City, not a modern skyscraper on Park Avenue South.
After the 1987 sale, Variety's operations gradually shifted, with the majority eventually moving to Los Angeles.
Answer: True
Following the 1987 acquisition, Variety's operational center gradually migrated, with a significant portion of its activities eventually relocating to Los Angeles.
Who is the current owner of Variety magazine?
Answer: Penske Media Corporation
Variety magazine is currently owned by Penske Media Corporation (PMC).
What happened in 1922 that involved Sime Silverman and another publication?
Answer: He acquired The New York Clipper, which he later folded.
In 1922, Sime Silverman acquired The New York Clipper, a long-standing entertainment publication. However, he ceased its publication two years later, integrating some of its content into Variety.
In 1987, Variety was sold to Cahners Publishing for what amount?
Answer: $64 million
The sale of Variety to Cahners Publishing in 1987 was finalized at a price of $64 million.
What significant change occurred on December 7, 1988, related to Variety's print publication?
Answer: The transition to four-color printing.
On December 7, 1988, Variety adopted full-color printing and concurrently redesigned its front page, marking a significant visual modernization.
What was the final headline of the print edition of Daily Variety when it ceased publication in March 2013?
Answer: "Variety Ankles Daily Pub Hubbub"
The final headline featured in the print edition of Daily Variety upon its cessation in March 2013 was "Variety Ankles Daily Pub Hubbub."
The "Dirt" website, launched by Variety in 2014, focuses on what niche?
Answer: High-end real estate news
Launched in June 2014, the "Dirt" website by Variety specializes in reporting on high-end real estate news.
When did Variety.com become entirely paywalled, requiring subscriptions for all content?
Answer: In June 2010
By June 2010, Variety.com had implemented a complete paywall, necessitating subscriptions for access to all its content.
How can older back issues of Variety be accessed?
Answer: Through microfilm and digitized versions on Variety.com and the Media History Digital Library.
Access to older issues of Variety is available via microfilm, digitized versions on Variety.com, and through the Media History Digital Library.
What was the paid circulation of the weekly Variety magazine in 2023?
Answer: 85,300
In 2023, the reported paid circulation for the weekly edition of Variety magazine stood at 85,300 copies.
What is 'Variety Insight'?
Answer: A data and research division acquired in 2011.
'Variety Insight' refers to Variety's data and research division, established in 2011 following the acquisition of TVtracker.com.
Variety has won multiple Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards for its co-production "Variety Studio: Actors on Actors."
Answer: True
Variety received Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards in 2015 and 2016 for its collaborative production with PBS SoCal, titled "Variety Studio: Actors on Actors."
The "Variety Hitmakers" franchise, established in 2017, focuses on recognizing influential figures in the television industry.
Answer: False
The "Variety Hitmakers" franchise, launched in 2017, is dedicated to celebrating achievements within the music industry, not television.
"Varietyese," or slanguage, is a form of jargon primarily used in Variety's reporting on the television industry.
Answer: False
"Varietyese," or slanguage, is a distinctive jargon primarily associated with Variety's reporting on the movie industry, not exclusively television.
Terms like 'boffo' and 'payola' are attributed to the unique language style developed by Variety.
Answer: True
The unique lexicon employed by Variety includes terms such as 'boffo' and 'payola,' which are widely recognized as originating from or being popularized by the publication.
Time magazine recognized Sime Silverman in 1934 for his contributions to American slang, not jargon.
Answer: False
Time magazine recognized Sime Silverman in 1934 for his contributions to American slang, not jargon, acknowledging his role in keeping the language vibrant.
The headline "Wall St. Lays an Egg" referred to the stock market crash of 1929 and is an example of Variety's distinctive language.
Answer: True
The headline "Wall St. Lays an Egg," published in reference to the 1929 stock market crash, exemplifies Variety's characteristic pithy and distinctive linguistic style.
The book 'Variety: An Illustrated History...' primarily focuses on the magazine's coverage of business trends within the entertainment industry.
Answer: False
The book 'Variety: An Illustrated History of the World from the Most Important Magazine in Hollywood' examines Variety's reporting on global events and their intersection with societal and political changes, not solely business trends.
Variety made its first political endorsement in 2016, supporting Donald Trump for President.
Answer: False
Variety made its first political endorsement in 2016, but it supported Hillary Clinton for President, not Donald Trump.
In 1981, Variety published a reference book claiming to be the first to list winners and nominees for major U.S. awards like the Oscars and Emmys.
Answer: True
The 1981 publication 'Variety International Showbusiness Reference' asserted its status as the inaugural compilation of winners and nominees for prominent U.S. awards, including the Oscars and Emmys.
What distinction does Variety hold regarding film criticism?
Answer: It is the longest unbroken source of film criticism in existence.
Despite a brief interruption, Variety maintains the distinction of being the longest continuously published source of film criticism globally.
Variety won Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards for its co-production "Variety Studio: Actors on Actors" in which years?
Answer: 2015 and 2016
The co-production "Variety Studio: Actors on Actors" earned Variety Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards in both 2015 and 2016.
The "Variety Hitmakers" franchise primarily celebrates achievements in which industry?
Answer: Music
The "Variety Hitmakers" franchise, established in 2017, is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating significant contributions within the music industry.
Which of the following terms is attributed to Variety magazine?
Answer: Boffo, Payola, Striptease
Terms such as 'boffo,' 'payola,' and 'striptease' are among the distinctive vocabulary popularized or originated by Variety magazine.
The headline "Sticks Nix Hick Pix" is cited as an example of Variety's distinctive use of language, relating to what era?
Answer: The Golden Age of Hollywood (1933)
The headline "Sticks Nix Hick Pix," published in 1933, exemplifies Variety's characteristic linguistic style during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Variety's first political endorsement in 2016 was for which candidate?
Answer: Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Variety made its inaugural political endorsement by supporting Hillary Clinton for the presidency.
The 'Variety Film Reviews' book series compiles approximately how many reviews?
Answer: 10,000
The 'Variety Film Reviews' book series comprises approximately 10,000 film reviews, spanning from 1907 to 1996.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a term attributed to Variety magazine?
Answer: Box office
While Variety extensively reports on box office performance, the terms explicitly attributed to its unique lexicon in the source material are 'boffo,' 'payola,' and 'striptease.'