Spend Election Night with Louise Brooks and other film stars

In 1928, the United States presidential election was held on Tuesday, November 6. Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover (a Republican) defeated the Democratic nominee, Governor Al Smith of New York. There was a good deal of interest in the election, even among those who went to the movies on election night. So much so, movie goers - including those who took in the recently released Louise Brooks' film, Beggars of Life - were given election returns during the show! 

For example, in Elmira, New York, two William Wellman films were showing. The Strand was showing the sound version of Beggars of Life, while the Regent was showing the road show version (with sound effects) of Wings. Both theaters were also announcing the results of the day's election.

There are many other instances of election results being announced at movie theaters around the country. For instance, Beggars of Life was also showing at the Royal in Kansas City, Missouri - and again, national and local election returns were on the bill, as seen in this small advertisement.

Beggars of Life was also showing in Dayton, Ohio on election night in 1928. The local State theater, however, choose not to announce election returns, though they did offer an extra late night 11 pm showing - perhaps as an election night distraction? However, other local venues like Loews (showing Fazil with Charles Farrell and Greta Nissen) and the Rialto (showing the sensational sex film Girls of the Underworld) did announce results, as did the Dayton theater showing the stage play Wooden Kimono.

How did they do it? How did theaters receive the latest news during the pre-television, pre-internet era? The answer can be found at the top of this Los Angeles clipping.