Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

iwo ojiiuwxu^n Earn Public Esteem Peter Davis, manager of the Odeon Theatre at Harlow, and Alfred G. Crisp of the Odeon at Southend-on-Sea, both in Essex, England, helped give a group of handicapped children a delightful evening and earned a wann place in public esteem at the same time. The children were from the Dr. Barnardo Home near Harlow. Davis, who has worked in behalf of the home several years, suggested the excursion to the Kursaal (amusement park) at Southend as sort of a christening trip for a specially equipped coach (bus) presented by the citizens of Harlow to the home. Manager Crisp took charge of the Southend part of the celebration, aiTanging for the full cooperation of C. J. Moorhouse, owner of the fun park, and 12 student monitors from the nearby Shoeburyness High School to push the wheelchairs and otherwise escort the handicapped children around the park. There was impressive coverage of the big day in the local newspapers of the area. In short, it was a fine public relations activity by two energetic showmen. Friskies Ticket Deal Supports 'Gay Purr-ee' The Friskies pet food division of Carnation is offering 10 to 15 million free theatre tickets for children under 12 in a national promotion involving “Gay PuiT-ee,” arranged with UFA Pictures and Warner Bros. Stores handling Friskies will use inside displays of the canned and boxed food, with window signs reading; “GET FREE MOVIE TICKETS HERE! See Friskies Display Inside.” The inside displays contain a picture of Judy Garland and copy on the film, plus notice that any Friskies cat food label or Little Friskies cat food box top admits one child under 12 to “Gay Purr-ee” when accompanied by an adult paying regular admission. The Friskies promotion also includes the sponsoring of spot television commercials in 104 major market areas, and a full-page, four-color ad in the November 9 issue of Life magazine. Two-for-One Gimmick Franklin E. Ferguson, Frank McQueeney and Charles LaFlamme, operators of the Rivoli at Hartford, Conn., offered “preview guest passes” during the first two days of “The Best of Enemies” on presentation at the boxoffice of a newspaper ad, entitling the bearer to buy two tickets for the price of one. Uses Kennedy Mask Dorothy Solomon, manager of Loew’s King Theatre in New York City, had a man wearing a rubber President Kennedy mask passing out heralds for “Advise and Consent.” Salute to Abilene Showman Don Singletary, manager of the Queen Theatre in Abilene, Tex., was accorded a Salute by the Weekly Digest, Interstate Theatres’ bulletin to managers, for his selling of his Golden Opera series to music teachers and students of the city. CITATION WINNERS FOR OCTOBER 1962 Bob Walter, manager of the Tristate Drive-In, Joplin, Mo. His Bugathon promotion of three “buggy” pictures — “Them,” “The Angry Red Planet” and “The Deady Mantis” — brought in a capacity night. • Paul Hanner, public relations-exploitation director for Astral Films, Toronto, Ont. Outstanding promotions in behalf of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” “Last of the Vikings” and “Tales of Terror.” • Don Scott, owner of the Waldorf 301 Drive-In, Prince Frederick, Md. This handy showman rebuilt a wreck from a junkyard into a big red fire engine as potent ballyhoo for “Big Red” and other attractions. • Joe Andrek, owner of the C-Waj Drive-In, Ogdensburg, N. Y. Boxoffice Showmandiser adds its Citation of Honor to other kudos he has received for his promotion of the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital collections at his theatre. Don Rist, manager. Senate Theatre, Springfield, III. Original ad on holdover week of “El Cid.” F. F. Chenoweth, Noll Theatre, Bethany, Mo. Promotion of his Golden Age Movie Club and weekly Block Party stimulant. Larry Mallory, manager. Princess Theatre, Toledo, Ohio. For his 16mm slide promotion in the lobby for “Hatari!” Fred Koontz HI, manager of the Waterford, (Conn.) Drive-In Theatre. After-vacation season promotions, including a Speed-O-Rama and Movie Quiz. Bill Chambers, manager. Plaza Theatre, El Paso, Tex. For unique use of theatre organ in promotion of “The Phantom of the Opera.” Shelby Bourne, manager of the Missouri Theatre, Columbia, Mo. Lobby display for “The Music Man.” Janet Leigh Twists to Get Big Copy for 'Candidate' “The Manchurian Candidate” received frequent and widely spread boosts as a result of a two-day stay in New Orleans by Janet Leigh, a star of the film. From the time she arrived at the airport and was greeted by a youthful jazz group, with whom she performed the twist dance, she made copy. The high school jazz players hurried to the Monteleone Hotel to give her another welcome. There Miss Leigh went through her impromptu twist routine again. “One little fellow was so cute,” she said. “He was doing the twist so I kicked off my shoes and joined him. I love to dance.” Hotel guests joined in. There was a tour of the French Quarter; a parade on Canal street sponsored by a sorority; eight radio stations took tapes at a press interview; Mayor Victor Schiro hosted a luncheon for newspaper, radio, TV and motion picture people, and there was a round of visits to civic and commercial clubs and charity homes. The schedule was arranged by Frank Henson, manager of Loew’s State ; assistant Bob Ragsdale and Addy Addison, UA publicist. Premiere Night on Radio Maggie Daly, columnist for the American, and Herb Lyons, who does a daily column for the Tribune, will cover premiere activities for “Mutiny on the Bounty” over WCFL radio in the lobby of the Michael Todd Theatre at Chicago. Polynesian musicians, Hollywood studio lighting and a 12-foot high electric sign of the film title will be used at the theatre. Contest for Visiting Star An “Outstanding Girl Contest,” in which three winners were picked to meet actor Rock Hudson, was arranged by Jack Chalman. Interstate circuit showman in San Antonio in the interest of “The Spiral Road.” Chalman got the contest in the San Antonio Express. Entrants had to write essays in 100 words or less. The Marienbad in Hairdo A photographic essay, spotlighting the Marienbad hairdo and Delphine Seyrig, star of “Last Year at Marienbad,” are featured in the October issue of Hairdo, the national magazine. The article is another striking example of the popularity of the hairstyle which was first introduced in the Astor release. BOXOFFICE Showmondiser : : Nov. 26, 1962 — 191 — 3