With these cartoons, famous directors congratulated their colleagues on breaking their box office record (5 photos)

Have you heard that in the 20th century there was a tradition where famous directors would publicly congratulate each other on the box office records of their films? The one whose record had fallen would congratulate the one whose film had broken it.





The tradition began in 1977, when Steven Spielberg took out a page of Variety to congratulate George Lucas on his success with Star Wars, along with a funny cartoon of R2-D2 catching the shark from Jaws, the previous box office record-holder, with a fishing rod.

Basically, this is a short story about how Lucas and Spielberg shared the throne as the most successful directors of the late 20th century, and then James Cameron came along and ruined everything.

1977: Steven Spielberg wrote a congratulatory letter to George Lucas in Variety



Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope broke Jaws's domestic box office record.

Dear George. Last week, Star Wars beat Jaws at the domestic box office. Your hyperspace approach really worked. Congratulations to everyone at the Mos Eisley Cantina and to the power of your imagination that made Star Wars worthy of its throne. You look good sitting there.

Your friend, Steven Spielberg

1983: George Lucas congratulated Spielberg in similar style when E.T. became the new box office record-breaker





Dear Steven. Congratulations to you and your alien pal. The Extra-Terrestrial has surpassed Star Wars in domestic box office this week. Ichi's adventures on Earth and his gift of intergalactic friendship continue to touch us all. May the Force be with you.

Your friend, George Lucas

The directors emphasized that the record was set in the domestic US box office. Now, films receive a significant percentage of their box office receipts in foreign box offices, for example, in China.

1997: Spielberg congratulates Lucas again when A New Hope breaks box office records after re-release and re-release



Dear George, Congratulations on updating the most enduring film in history.

Your friend, Steven

By endurance, Spielberg probably meant Star Wars' ability to not age visually, despite the fact that it is almost impossible to make a film in 1977 with a clear emphasis on special effects and have it not become a laughable retro film in 20 years.

1998: George Lucas congratulates James Cameron when Titanic becomes the highest-grossing film of all time



Jim, congratulations!

George

That was the end of the tradition, as after Titanic, the highest-grossing film of all time was another James Cameron project, Avatar (2009). It has remained at the top ever since, despite the efforts of The Avengers and Cameron's attempts to break his record with Avatar 2.