# Front Row Joe

Front Row Joe is an animated character developed as the mascot and promotional character for the American movie theater chain Cinemark Theatres in 1988. The mascot was created by Willming-Reams Animation, an animation studio in San Antonio. He appeared in policy trailers and advertisements until he was retired in 1998 when Cinemark rebranded to an Art Deco design. The mascot returned in 2004 for Cinemark's 20th anniversary before leaving in 2009, and again in 2018 with a significantly different look. He no longer appears in policy trailers, but still does appear in promotional advertisements and special events.

## Character

Joe is a anthropomorphic tabby cat that serves as both the protagonist of each animation and the primary example of an upstanding theater guest, following all the policies laid out in each of Cinemark's notices, and encouraging others such as Elton to follow. His reputation as such a guest lights up any part of the theater he's in, with Cinemark staff very happy to see him, some cases borders on the level of celebrity status, for example, laying out the red carpet for a limo carrying him.

### Other characters

* Starstruck Penny (originally Popcorn Penny) Penny is an orange tabby cat cat with a purple hair bow, green shirt, and purple skirt. She serves as Joe's love interest, first appearing in 1991.
* Clyde is a British Shorthair with a blue jacket and red nose. He serves as the antagonistic foil to Joe and such, is the primary example of boorish behaviors and violations against theater policies such as littering and smoking. Despite his negative disposition and joy brought from causing disruptions, he has been shown to have a sort of limit, such as when Joe gifted him and Elton gift certificates for the holiday season after they had secretly planted dynamite in a gift box given to Joe, causing the pair to shed a tear and reflect, stealing the gift box back without Joe knowing, only for Elton to recover the concessions inside and for Clyde to take the brunt of the explosion.
* Elton is a short brown Manx cat with a red nose who is second fiddle to Clyde. While Elton, as Clyde's secondary, partakes in some frowned-upon actions either following or at his own behest, he is the first between the two to either willingly correct his behavior, prompt Clyde to correct his behavior, or in one case, snicker towards his friend's punishment at the hands of an usher. However as time has progressed, Elton became more of a positive guest, eventually even playing regular third wheel with Joe and Popcorn Penny.
* The main male ushers are blue cats who took the main singing role until 1991, when Joe filled the role, though the male ushers reappeared a year later supplying background vocals. A trio of pink-colored female cats based on the Andrews Sisters replaced the original male trio in 1991, and appeared alongside them in 1992.
* A baby orange cat is also present in each, serving as the example of crying children, which Cinemark instructs to be taken to the lobby until they can be calmed down.
* A group of bulldogs also occasionally appear, usually in response to Clyde's behavior, prompting them to physically intervene.

## Appearance

Joe has orange fur and originally wears a purple jacket with a necklace featuring the Cinemark logo until 1990 when he started buttoning his jacket. The logo then appeared on the right side of his jacket, closer to the collar of his shirt. He was a silent character until when he started taking the singing role in 1991. Joe has also worn a scarf in a holiday policy trailer and occasionally wears sunglasses. On a policy trailer made by Cinema Concepts for Cinemark's 20th anniversary in 2004, Joe made a comeback in CGI wearing a tuxedo with a red tie.
In 2018, a new CGI design was created by ATK PLN for Joe, significantly changing his look. He now has beige colored fur and wears a red and white-striped shirt, a black necktie covered with a red sleeveless shirt, and black jeans. His accessories include a purple lanyard, name pin, and digital watch. His purple lanyard describes Joe's is described as teenager since its provided to Cinemark employees under 18, despite originally being an adult cat before the design. He occasionally wears other outfits such as a jungle explorer and summer outfit for promotional images.

## Merchandise

During Joe's original run, cinemas offered merchandising such as plastic kid-sized cups, plush, and t-shirts.