Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 11, 1°S0 .1/ i) t ion I' i c / ii r e N e w's 63 iVtANACfW flCLND TABLE CLUB Another achievement along Pamnaicrn RnnVrlpr the showman lines is the one campaign oooiuec tumed in by Monty MacLe. MacLevey Made Up vey, of the publicity staff of Was A Grpat Hp1n the BrookIyn and Lor>g Is" was a ureat tieip ,and Division for Fox Thea. ~ ■ tres, whereby he issued a special booklet to every manager on the circuit that contained, in complete detail, a popularity contest to be used in conjunction with "Greater Show Season." MacLevey had to do some tall hiking on the contest. He personally went out and tied up a steamship line, obtaining over seven thousand dollars in steamship passages, which were to be distributed to the first prize winners in each house. The girls winning the contest were entitled to go to Miami and return with all expenses paid. The booklet was well made up, the mimeographed pages being bound in a brown, gold-lettered cardboard cover. The first page carried the introduction and the results to be expected by a careful following out of the lay-out. The rest of the pages enumerated the various ideas to be carried out, such as calibre of entries, photographs, announcements, radio tie-ups (broadcasting), outdoor advertising (ballyhoo), window displays, empty store space, special greetings, merchant co-operation, the voting, newspapers and balloting, tabulation of votes (votes given with the purchase of each ticket), eligibility of contestants, judges, semi-weekly and weekly counting, special meeting of employees, front display portraying the festive atmosphere, marquee display, house organs, credit lines to steamship company and co-operating dealers, screen announcements, badges, trailers, sign work, bill-posters, and every other necessary angle. As the popularity contest does not close until Oct. 15, it having been started Sept. 15, we cannot, at this time, give you any more dope on it, but keep your eye on the Club pages because when Monty shoots us in the complete dope, with photos, etc.. we are sure that you'll have something that will help you to boost business in your town as' well as at your house. Playground Aided Powell In Plugging Show At Theatre Even the playgrounds were tied up by William T. Powell, manager of the Strand Theatre, in Portland, Maine, when he set out to sell "Animal Crackers" about the city. He employed a man to carry a huge sign all over the Playgrounds. On this cardboard sign were pasted numerous animal crackers together with lettered copy about the picture, theatre and playmates. The kids giving the nearest correct estimate of the number of crackers on the sign were to receive guest tickets to see the picture. The man carrying the sign also passed out animal crackers in a paper bag; the bag being imprinted with copy relative to the picture. Powell also used a man on the streets. This man was dressed as Harpo in the picture and created a lot of fun and amusement as well as popularizing the picture. The man also went in around the playgrounds, lots and other spots where children gathered, as Powell made it a point to plug his kiddie business hard, as he felt he had an attraction that would more than merit it. This is an angle that means something and it would pay you to think over, and perhaps when you get a chance to use it, you'll work it to good advantage. And then, to show how versatile he is, he tied up "Manslaughter" with a "Save a Life Campaign." The Governor of Maine was informed by letter of the campaign and his answer was used for publicity purposes. In preparing newspaper copy, Powell took advantage — in an indirect manner — of various sensational occurrences in Portland during the last two weeks which tied in with the picture very nicely. Powell also called a number of clubs and societies on the telephone and extended a special invitation to the City Manager and Police Chief, all of which gave the picture publicity. This is Powell's first contribution to the Club pages, and we feel that now he is going to prove a very active member. HOW MUCH TO JOIN? <f THE APPLICATIONIT AN ENVELOPE— J A 2C STAMP— J AND THE SPIRIT OF HELPING YOUR BROTHER SHOWMEN WHILE HELPING YOURSELF! J AND SEE WHAT YOU GET— J MEMBERSHIP IN THIS GREAT SHOWMEN'S CLUB— <f FRAMED CERTIFICATE— 5 NEW PEPNEW IDEAS— AND THE OPPORTUNITY OF SHOWING WHAT YOU CAN DO! ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL!