Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

• ADLINES & EXPLOITIPS • ALPHABETICAL INDEX • EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY • FEATURE RELEASECHART • FEATUREREVIEWDIGEST • SHORTS RELEASE CHART • SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS • REVIEWS OF FEATURES • SHOWMANDISING IDEAS THE GUIDE Special Matinee Needs a Gimmick! Monster In-Person Stage Skit Is It Special occasion matinees for the kids sometimes are fizzles, not worth the effort, but this frequently is due to routine handling. With a catchy gimmick, they can be turned into a boxoffice bonanza, real producers of extra revenue. For example, Henry “Bud” Sommers, manager for Dm-wood Theatres at Leavenworth, Kas., longtime site of an Army Staff school and service base, filled the 1,000-seat Hollywood Theatre there at 35 cents a ticket, child or adult, with the appearance “in person — of the actual Frankenstein monster!” GOOD ANY TIME The occasion for his Saturday morning matinee was Halloween, but the idea is good for any kiddy event of the scary order. Sommers relates he was searching for a new angle for the kiddy matinee when he became acquainted with a soldier at Ft. Leavenworth, Lary Byrd, whose hobby was makeup and impersonation of various horror characters. He was made to order; Sommers added him to his show and started advertising the appearance of the actual Frankenstein . . . with “Frankenstein— 1970” on the screen. The appearance was arranged with thrills and chills! A plastic coffin made to resemble the type used in the old Frankenstein pictures was carried on the stage with due ceremony and set on end. Sommers prepared a script for his master of ceremonies as follows: for many years, and they were kind enough to lend it to us for this first showing of the body in the United States. So, after traveling halfway around the world, it arrived here in Leavenworth for you to view and marvel at. Might suggest here that it is on its way to the Leavenworth Prison, where doctors intend to study the criminal mind. Removing paper from pocket, explain: This letter accompanying the body is a short description of the method used to bring the body back to life, and is quite similar to the method supposedly used by the old baron many years ago. Of course we know it won’t work, and I’m sure the prison officials won’t mind if I show you how it was done. Would you like that? (encouraging verbal support) Okay then ! (glancing at paper) It seems they hooked wires to the electrodes on the monster’s neck . . . hmmm, must be these. TTiis was done during electrical storms so that lightning could be harnessed and transferred into the body through these electrodes. We have more modern methods today, however, and the Kansas Power Commission has agreed to furnish the necessary power for the demonstration. Hold up wires. Ed, are they ready yet? Ed answers affirmatively. Well, are you ready, kids? The wires are meticulously attached. Now as soon as they turn on the power, we’ll prove just how silly the old superstition is. Ad lib intro — anything pertinent — Hi kids, gang, ghouls, etc. Call attention to men carrying coffin down aisle and onto stage where they prop it on end. Boys and girls, I give you . . . the Frankenstein monster ! ! With excited gestures, open coffin lid, exposing the monster. HIS PITCH TO AUDIENCE The Frankenstein monster, as I’m sure you know, was created by Baron Frankenstein at his family castle in Germany early in the 1700s. It was supposedly brought to life through the use of electrical shocks, which charged the body, making it invincible. Of course, with the advent of science, you and I know this is ridiculous, but back in those days, people believed such silly superstition. The body of the monster has been kept in remarkably fine condition at the Spitzenberg Museum in Berchtesgaden, Germany, LIGHTS PLAY PART Very brief moment of silence, then lights suddenly dim, go on briefly and begin flickering. Ah, there .... Light return to full strength with nothing happening. Monster remains immobile for about 30 seconds. See there, nothing. other ad libs, scornful, amused, etc., completely oblivious as the monster begins to move in Frankenstein fashion. Pandemonium breaks loose as audience tries to worn emcee that the monster is about to strangle him. Just as emcee turns around, the monster throws emcee to floor and heads for audience. Just as he steps off stage, lights quickly fade out. About 20 second later, lights go suddenly on, emcee is seen struggling to flee, face full of terror as he points to rear of auditorium, then lights go out again. With lights on again “assistant” brings monster back, with log chains on him, and gets him back in coffin. Sommers comments that Byrd is a pro in makeup and acting, but the same idea will work with someone less gifted. The Detroit opening of "Requiem for a Heavyweight" found viewers at the Grand Circus Theatre watching two sparring partners, both wearing Mountain Rivera sweat shirts, practicing in a boxing ring outside the theatre. The fight film was promoted by having the athletes spar and work out on a punching bag attached to the ring. A nearby sport shop devoted most of its window space to the film. The display and boxing ring paid off handsomely as the picture did sturdy opening week business. Miniature Racer Tieup Pulls Kids to Theatres Lem Newton, Pete Hawkins, Stanley Shelton, Ann Hawkins and Esther Newton, managers of Intemtate’s Village, Garden Oaks, Santa Rosa, North Main and Eastwood suburban theatres in Houston, earned circuit salutes for their excellent tieup with the Houston Chronicle which resulted in attracting crowds to their houses on a Saturday. While the stimt was basically a subscription gimmick for the newspaper, the theatres participated by presenting demonstrations of the prize offered by the Chronicle, a sensational miniature racing car. The newspaper ran lots of free space on the promotion, and the theatres came in for liberal space announcing the demonstrations. Since the demonstrations were held on the stage, the kids had to buy tickets in order to see the automobile. BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : Dec. 10, 1962 — 197 — 1