24 People Weekly

People is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, and I have the first issue dated March 4, 1974, 35 cents, with the gorgeous, delicate, shimmering Mia Farrow as Daisy of Gatsby, the movie. The first thing that strikes you is that it is completely black and white except for the cover and the advertising.

So why did the editors think they had something good going in 1974?

People is the first national weekly magazine to be started in 20 years. Our flourishing sister publication Sports Illustrated had the last big national launch in 1954.. . . will focus entirely on the active personalities of our time--in all fields. On the headliners, the stars, the important doers, the comers, and on plenty of ordinary men and women caught up in extraordinary situations. . . Editorially, we hope to come at everything fresh. To reappraise, to ask "Who is this person" and give an honest, up-to-date answer. . . Believe us, quote us, enjoy us.

And in 1974 that was the Loud Family, grandparent of today's reality TV. Life in Palm Beach with all the trophy wives. Patty Hearst parents at a news conference. An update on Marina Oswald. Strom Thurmond's hair transplant. The Exorcist. Gloria Vanderbilt and her 4th husband. Playboy bunnies and their union activism. The death of Jim Croce.

The April 12, 2004 commemorative issue with Jessica Simpson on the cover is expected to have 3.7 million buyers/subscribers, according to Media Industry Newsletter, with many TV tie-ins. The 30th birthday party will run through November.

People Weekly
March 4, 1974, Vol. 1 No. 1
ISSN: na
Publication schedule weekly
Subject: Lifestyle
Time Inc.
541 N. Fairbanks Court
Chicago, Ill. 60611
$.35; $15/year
http://people.aol.com/people/index.html
Editor-in-Chief: Hedley Donovan
Chairman of the Board: Andrew Heiskell
Managing Editor: Richard B. Stolley