Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Record Details:

Title:
Boxoffice
Date:
Apr-Jun 1937
Publisher:
Kansas City, Associated Publications
Volume:
Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)
Leaf #:
00064
Language:
English
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library
Sponsor:
Media History Digital Library
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
BOXOFFICE was the leading American exhibitor trade paper of the post-World War II era. But the publication had modest beginnings. In 1920, Ben Shlyen founded the paper, orginally titled THE REEL JOURNAL, in an office located in Kansas City's Film Row district. Like other regional exhibitor publications, THE REEL JOURNAL focused its attention on the local -- in this case, KC and the nearby territories that the city's distribution exchanges served. By the end of the 1920s, however, Shlyen had acquired or founded several more small exhibitor papers serving other US markets. In 1932, their titles all changed to BOXOFFICE, though they continued to be published in regional editions for decades to follow. -- Eric Hoyt, 2015
Date Added:
March 21, 2024
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ANGEL'S HOLIDAY — 20TH CENTURY-FOX The Cast: Jane Withers, Sally Blane, Robert Kent, Joan Davis, Frank Jenks, John Qualen. Lon Chaney jr.. Harold Huber, Russell Hopton, George Taylor. Cy Kendall, Troy Brown, Virginia Sale, Ray Walker. Paul Hurst. Producer: John Stone. Director: James Tinling. Original: Lynn Root, Frank Fenton. Screenplay: Lynn Root, Frank Fenton. What it's about: Angel (Jane Withers) , intrigued by the presence of a veiled woman aboard the train which is returning her to her home, does some amateur sleuthing and discovers that the woman is Pauline Kaye (Sally Blane) on her way to make a personal appearance at Jane’s home town. The veil is a publicity stunt and Pauline disappears soon after arriving in town. Angel tells the whole story to her pal, Nick (Robert Kent), a reporter, and he scoops the other papers. When the story breaks Pauline leaves her hideout and goes to the ranch of her uncle for a long earned rest, not telling her press agent where she is. A gang of crooks move in and hold her for $20,000 ransom. Angel discovers this plot, also, and brings Nick and the police to rescue Pauline. WHAT to do and HOW to do it; Jane Withers, with her wide audience appeal, should have the star billing in the picture, with the romantic support being credited to Robert Kent and Sally Blane. The picture should be plugged as a comedy-romance, with such laugh-getters as Joan Davis, Cy Kendall and Frank Jenks having prominent parts. Make an art display for the lobby showing Jane in the dual role of an assistant to cupid and an assistant to Sherlock Holmes. TYPEWRITER TIEUP In many of the scenes, Jane and Robert Kent are seen in a newspaper office using typewriters. Using these stills get a tieup with the local typewriter dealer. In other scenes she is shown reading various detective fiction magazines. By planting inserts and stickers in the detective fiction magazines at the local news stands many good plugs for the film can be arranged. Photo blowups of Jane with one of the magazines in her hand can also be used at the stands. JANE WITHERS G-MAN CLUB To tie in with the detective angles in the film, organize a “Jane Withers Junior G-Man’’ club among the kid patrons at the theatre, presenting each member with a photo of Jane and a G-Man badge secured at the local dime store. On the day the show opens, have all the youngsters parade through the streets carrying banners and plugs for the film. The studio has made merchandise tieups with more than a dozen manufacturers of quality products. A list of these manufacturers can be obtained from the exchange or from a Press Book on a previous Withers picture. Place particular emphasis on ads for the Jane Withers Steel Racer Hoops, manufactured by the California Toy Craft Company, of San Francisco, and the Jane Withers Dolls, sold at all the exchanges. Prices on the dolls can be had from the ad salesmanager at the exchange. The hoops will be given wide publicity during the summer. Arrange a Jane Withers style show for a Saturday matinee, using little girls from the neighborhood to model the authentic Withers merchandise supplied by local dealers. DISTRIBUTE FAN PHOTOS During her career in pictures and radio, Jane has been known by half a dozen nicknames, among them the Mischief Kid, Dixie’s Dainty Dewdrop, The Brat and Ginger Jane. Promote a newspaper contest asking the child readers to suggest a new nickname for her. Award the best daily suggestions with free theatre tickets and wire the grand prize name to Miss Withers in care of the studio. In answer she will send the winner a large autographed photo of herself. To attract the children to a special opening day matinee, give away the tinted fan photos of the star, which can be obtained at the exchange, to all youngsters who attend. Borrow some tear gas bombs from the local police department and display them in the lobby under a glass case. Use photos which show Jane routing gangsters with tear gas bombs. Adlines: They Nicknamed Her “Angel” . , . But She Raised . . . Well . . . Quite a Crop of Trouble. Mile a Minute Mischief . . . Aboard the Transcontinental Kxpress . . . With Little Miss Dynamite. Public Nuisance Number One Is on the Loose Again . . . Beating the Police to the Solution of a Big Case. BOXOFFICE : : April 10, 1937