Published In:
Ann Arbor News, May 8, 1949
Caption:
FIRST AUTHOR'S PREMIERE: Principals in the world's first "author's premiere," staged last night at the Michigan Theater amid much lighthearted fanfare, are shown standing outside the theater before the ceremony got under way. Pictured from left to right are Valentine Davies, Hollywood scriptwriter; George J. Burke, local attorney; Mayor William E. Brown, jr.; and Shirley W. Smith, retired University vice-president whose short story became the basis for the movie, "It Happened Every Spring," given its first public showing here last night. (others pictures on page 28)

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, May 8, 1949
Caption:
SET FOR "SINKER" BALL: The "sinker" is a valuable pitch in a Major League hurler's repertoire, and Shirley W. Smith used a slight variation last night to embed an autographed baseball in a block of wet concrete. The ceremony was part of festivities at the "author's premiere" of a motion picture based on a story by Smith with a baseball background. Scriptwriter Valentine Davies, who adopted Smith's story for the screen, had previously enslabbed another ball (left) for posterity. The footprint in the cement was made "accidental" (so he said) by Attorney George J. Burke, who acted as master of ceremonies at the premiere.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, May 8, 1949
Caption:
'OSCAR' OF A DIFFERENT SORT: Author Shirley W. Smith received a catcher's mask "Oscar" from George J. Burke at last night's "author's premiere" of a movie based on a short story by Smith, retired University vice-president. Burke was clad in the judicial gown he wore while presiding over war crimes trials in Germany.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, May 8, 1949
Caption:
OPENING NIGHT RITUAL: Ann Arbor, like every other place, has its autograph hounds. Shirley W. Smith, guest of honor at an "author's premiere" at the Michigan Theater last night, is shown graciously obliging a young and pretty autograph seeker before the ceremonies began.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, May 8, 1949
Caption:
PREMIERE PARTY: Celebrities dotted the full-house crowd which jammed the Michigan Theater last night for the "author's premiere" of "It Happened Every Spring," a sprightly baseball comedy based on a short story by Shirley W. Smith. Pictured in this imposing "lineup" are (right to left) Attorney George J. Burke, Smith, Scriptwriter Valentine Davies, Mayor William E. Brown, jr., Mrs. Brown, and University Regent Roscoe O. Bonisteel.