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Carole Mikita reportingThe national premiere of a classic film, now on DVD, attracted thousands of movie buffs to Provo yesterday. The screenings were of the 1940 released -"Brigham Young" .
"THERE'S DEAN JAGGER AND HIS WIFE... HE PLAYS THE PART OF BRIGHAM YOUNG IN THIS NEWEST EPIC OF THE SCREEN..."
It was a world record! In 1940, more than 200- thousand Utahns lined Main Street for the premiere of the film "Brigham Young". It opened simultaneously on seven screens -- even those who couldn't get a ticket -- wanted to be part of the experience.
The film had obvious appeal to Utahns, but a theme that struck a much broader chord.
"THE WHOLE POINT IS....WHETHER JOSEPH SMITH OR ANY OTHER AMERICAN CITIZEN HAS A RIGHT TO WORSHIP GOD AS HE CHOSES..."
Hollywood studio head Darryl F. Zanuck promoted it as 'the Great American Motion Picture... he foresaw wide appeal.
James D'Arc/ Curator BYU Motion Picture Archives"THE PLIGHT OF THE JEWS IN EUROPE WAS A REALLY INTERESTING PARALLEL TO HIM... PERSECUTION OF JEWS... PERSECUTION OF THE MORMONS IN THE 1840S AND HE THOUGHT THIS IS A TERRIFIC STORY..."
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had reason to be wary of Hollywood.. between 1918 and 1940 there had been 30 films with mysterious, evil characters and titles "Trapped by the Mormons" and "A Victim of the Mormons"...
This time, there was a partnership
Jim D'Arc"IN LATE 1939, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY TRAVELED TO 20TH CENTURY FOX IN BEVERLY HILLS FOR A FORMAL READING OF THE SCRIPT..."
All of that historic information and much more can now be found on the new DVD version of 'Brigham Young'.
The new version had its national debut for audiences in Provo... where film goers wandered past movie memorabilia before the screening...
Molly Madden/ Fox Home Entertainment" AND WE'VE GOTTEN LETTERS AND E-MAILS SAYING THAT A LOT OF FANS WANT TO OWN IT AND THEY WANT TO SEE THE ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE..."
Fox hopes this classic will appeal to yet another generation.
The 'Brigham Young' DVD is available now and also includes original premiere footage and production stills.
