Ritz Theater invites B-25 Bomber "autographs"

War Bonds provided substantial revenue for the U.S. effort during World War II and aggressive marketing campaigns were part of everyday life in Lucas County and beyond during those years. In all, an estimated $185 billion was raised through sales to 85 million citizens.

During September of 1942, patrons of Chariton's Ritz Theater were invited to "send their names to Tokyo via bomber" during a special program, described in the following report from The Herald-Patriot of Sept. 17. 

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Citizens of Lucas county will be given an opportunity to autograph one of the famous B-25 bombers of the same type which earlier this year bombed Japan, according to Kenneth Vohs, manager of the Ritz theatre.

Vohs has concluded arrangements with the North American Aviation Corporation, Inglewood, Calif., makers of the B-25 bomber, to carry in their planes scrolls containing the autographs of persons who buy War Bonds during September at the Ritz.

Every purchaser of a War Bond at the Ritz will be allowed to sign a scroll which will be sent of officials of the North American Aviation plant. Not more than 50 names will appear on any one scroll. These scrolls will be contained in special frames on every B-25 bomber that is produced at the huge California factory. Only one scroll will be attached to any plane.

Sent along with the signed scrolls to North American Aviation officials will be typewritten lists of the names and addresses of the various bond purchasers, and each one of these people will receive postcards confirming the fact that their name appears on one of the B-25s. The postcard will contain a photo of the bomber.

Thus bond purchasers not only will have the satisfaction of knowing that their dollars are helping build bombers, but they will also have the grand feeling of knowing that their names are being carried in giant planes which will bomb the enemy real soon.

The plan of "Autograph a B-25 Bomber" has the complete approval of Amy authorities.

The B-25 bomber has an enviable combat record. Not only were these planes used by Brig. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle and his intrepid fliers on their daring bombing of Tokyo and other Japanese cities but they also participated in the battle at Midway and are being used extensively over Germany today.

The plan is being used by the theatre in connection with "Salute to Our Heroes" month.