STICKS NIX HICK PIX

July 17, 1935 - One of the most famous headlines of all time appeared on the front page of Variety on this day. It read, "STICKS NIX HICK PIX" and it promoted a story about rural audiences rejecting Hollywood's attempts to cater to them with movies about country life.

The article featured comments by a theater owner from the midwest named Joe Kinsky. He pointed out how the most successful movies in his region were dramas and comedies about high society, like "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and "Monte Cristo."

"STICKS NIX..." has become a legendary example in the fine art of headlining, but experts disagree on who actually wrote the line. Some credit Lyn Bonner, while others say it was the handiwork of Variety's longtime editor, Abel Green.

Other memorable headlines include Variety's "WALL ST. LAYS AN EGG" regarding 1929's Black Monday, and the April 15, 1983 New York Post which ran with "Headless Body in Topless Bar."