Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1961)

TV Shock Show Adds Impact to Contest For Best Ghouls and Black Sunday' The "Black Sunday” pressbook “Search for the Five Best Ghouls" turned out to be one of the best and most effective contests that Cliff Knoll and his State Theatre staffers ever staged at Sioux Falls, S. D. To get the most mileage out of the competition. Knoll arranged with television station YELO to act as sponsor in connection with its late Shock Theatre. Then Knoll lined up a former theatre staffer who is a member of the Community Playhouse to make herself up as a ghoul and announce and explain the contest, and pitch for “Black Sunday.” This was filmed in an eerie fashion by the KELO cameraman so it could be used each day during the contest. The State theatre’s regular paid TV spots also were tagged with this special ghoul contest trailer. Newspaper ads (2 col.) featured this copy: “WHO ARE THE BEST GHOULS? In the One-column ad with Sioux Falls Area? . . special copy. The answer to this intriguing question will come from the results of a contest to find the unholy ghouls in connection with the opening of the new horror movie 'Black Sunday’ on Thursday at the State Theatre . . . For Details and List of Prizes Watch SHOCK THEATRE Tonight at 12 Midnight . . . KELO-TV ... A Lovely Girl Is Tranformed Into a Ghoul in ‘Black Sunday’.” This ad was run on the television page. The contest was plugged in the theatre’s regular ads. Then on Tuesday before opening a single-column ad (reproduced herewith) with some gag copy really hit the spot. Knoll reports: “Was there interest in the ghoul contest? Indeed there was. One day I received a call from one of the presidents of a local cemetery association, advising me that he had received several calls, including long distance calls from some people who had relatives buried in the cemetery, protesting one of our prizes : namely, a ride through the local cemetery in a chauffeurdriven hearse. I assured this gentleman it was really a gag which he realized and explained to the people protesting. I men tion this only to show that the contest was effective!” On Friday, opening night, the ghoul finalists appeared in the lobby of the State in full makeup, were treated to the picture, then taken to KELO-TV where they appeared live on the Shock Theatre, at which time the winners were announced and each ghoul interviewed about “Black Sunday.” There was a bit of luck on the lobby display. Knoll discovered at the local Dakota Costume Co. an old-fashioned coffin exactly like the type shown in the “Black Sunday” display paper. Inside was placed a manikin properly made up and horrified, then both were set on a pair of saw horses directly in front of the double windows of the lobby, with signs and a green spot playing on the whole. COFFIN IS BORROWED In the coffin was a borrowed citizen’s band transistor receiver. A girl at the candy counter sent messages to the coffin via a portable citizen’s band transmitter. This was great for the youngsters, hearing the voice from the coffin speak to them. A thousand “Black Sunday” incantation envelopes (from the distributor) were passed out where they would do the most good — at high schools, colleges and downtown stores. Some 200 voodoo charms (a small plastic skeleton), with cards attached were distributed to college and high school students a week in advance. At different times during the week, a State Theatre aide visited the school campuses (high school at noon and colleges at 3:30 p.m.) and passed out free tickets to “Black Sunday” to youths noted wearing the voodoo charms. This turned out to be a pretty good gimmick. A “My Pet Superstition” contest was planned on radio station KSOO, with passes as prizes. A Brass Ring Showman Jerry Colonna, manager of the Manchester Drive-In at St. Louis, is one of General Drive-In Corp.’s Brass Ring showmen. The former Smith Management Co. awards these rings to its managers for successful promotions. Colonna won his award for his excellent promotion of a large local coffee and tea company, whereby both his programs and those at the Airway, another St. Louis General operation, were mentioned five days each week on radio and television as part of the weather forecast. In return the drive-ins exchanged tea box tops for passes. 'Dixie Belles' for Wind Girls in Civil War period costumes appeared in convertibles which toured all neighborhood areas in promotion of the return of “Gone With the Wind” in the Wometco circuit’s Carib, Miracle and 163rd Street theatres in Miami. Full of curiosity as people are, the above illustrated ballyhoo has always got plenty of attention for Joe Brown of the Conway Theatre and 65 Drive-In at Conway, Ark. Brown reports he picked up the idea in the late 1940s. One side of the 28-inch hands has only a question mark, as in the top photo. Brown reports there are very few persons who won't stop and look to see what's on the back, as in the bottom picture. The ballyhoo can be made at the cost of two cardboards, 28x44, cut out and glued together at the edges, leaving the bottoms open for the hands of the carrier to go up inside. 'Swiss Family' Animals At Drive-In at Chicago Oscar Brotman is building a fence enclosure near the entrance of his Oasis Drive-In at Chicago to serve as a permanent home for some 50 animals which were seen in the film “Swiss Family Robinson.” The animals will be brought here by Gene Halter who supplied them for the Disney picture. By way of special interest, Brotman is building a racetrack for the ostriches. Patrons will be permitted inside the fence enclosure free of charge, to get a closeup look and feed the animals. Twenty-five cents will be charged for rides on the elephants and camels. Chinese Decorations For 'Suzie' Are Low Cost “The World of Suzie Wong” is a film that calls for some atmospheric decoration in the theatre, and it can be obtained at small expense. Don Mott, formerly at Indianapolis, has moved to Chicago where he has been working as swing manager between the Congress and Gateway theatres in the northwest side for Balaban & Katz. Mott reports he bought 28 pieces of Oriental decorations — Chinese lanterns (all sizes) and two wind chimes for $5.74 for both the theatres. They were put up about ten days in advance and made a good impression on the customers. ATTENTION! The unusual response to the KELO-TV . . State Theater "BLACK SUNDAY" GHOUL CONTEST makes additional details necessary .. . MANY WHO WISH TO GET IN ON THE PRIZES. . a tour of loco I cemeteries in a chauffeur driven heorse . . . o certificate for a with* drawal ot the blood bank. . and those who enter the serious side of the contest ere aiming for one of these prizes . . . $25 Saving Bond 2 — three months passes 2 — $5.00 prizes ARE AFRAID OF BEING ARRESTED When they walk to the State Theatre Friday to preview "Black Sunday" and to KELO-TV Studios where the winning ghoul will be announced over SHOCK THEATRE (12 Midnite. . .following "Twilight Zone" For these Ghouls . . . dressings rooms will be available at the Theatre and KELO . . . After ell we like our police deportment and don't wont to scare the yell out of them! "Black Sunday" is the Most frightening picture you have Ever Seen! Starts Thurs.-STATE 2 — 78 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: May 15, 1961