20th Century-Fox Dynamo (June 3, 1939)

14A NEW DYNAMO “Young Mr. Lincoln Special” WOMEN PLAY GREAT PART AT PREMIERE (Continued from page 12A) prove. Jimmy came on from New York with two assistants. This staff was augmented with local lensmen. 17 DDIE COLLINS, comic char- acter in “Young Mr. Lin- coln,” will rate top billing and marque prominence from now in this neck of the American woods. Collins did himself a tre- mendous amount of good, for every one of the some three score and 10 newspaper corre- spondents, editors and critics gave him outstanding prom- inence in their reports on the Springfield doings. And Elmer Rhoden of the Fox Midwest cir- cuit has instructed his managers to “push Eddie Collins.” Inci- dentally, after his appearance and personal triumph here at the premiere, Lincoln Theatre Manager Zimmer billed “Young Mr. Lincoln” like this: Henry Fonda in Darryl Zanuck’s “Young Mr. Lincoln” with Alice Brady and Eddie Collins. Great work, Eddie—and more power to you; you endeared yourself with everybody and got yourself set 100 percent plus with every important key city critic in the East and Midwest. From now on, Eddie, they’ll be rooting for you—and how! B INNIE BARNES’ beauty and magnetic personality was another outstanding feature. Binnie made herself at home— and these Springfieldians liked that very much. At the buffet supper at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, after the showing, Bin- nie entered the ballroom with Cesar Romero, Arleen Whelan and Hector Dods. Entertainer Howard was on the job, tickling the ivories with an irresistible rhythm resulting. No one was on the dance floor. Cesar in- vited Binnie to do a few grace- ful twirls and that started the terpsichorean activities that lasted deep into the night; in fact, until dawn. But what we started out to say was: Bin- nie’s a jitterbug—and can shag with the best of them. In fact, when “Three Little Fishes” was being pounded out, Binnie snapped into as graceful a shag as you have ever seen, but Cesar doesn’t shag and no amount of persuasion on her part could induce him to carry on. He tried several times to shag it, but his legs just wouldn’t respond, so they con- tinued twirling it. And all the time, “Buck” Herzog, Milwaukee scribe, was trying to work up enough courage to invite Bin- nie to a shagfest! 9 \\ HEN the C. & A. Railroad’s ” Ann Rutledge, crack train, from Chicago, carrying the studio contingent and Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis newspaper folks, stopped at Bloomington, there must have been 5,000 people at the station, waiting for a look at the stars. Station master said they had been waiting for an hour, not- withstanding a blistering sun. In fact, the stars were warmly received by admirers and auto- graph seekers at all stations along the Santa Fe line from Winslow, Arizona, to Chicago, e 1VT EMORIAL Day usually finds a general exodus of Spring- fieldians. The city, with the legislature adjourned, moves to the country and nearby resorts, or the natives go on motor trips. But the world premiere changed all this and there have not been so many people in town at one time since Lloyd George’s visit to the city. And that was many years ago. Railroads and busses reported a record incoming busi- ness for Memorial Day. And the magnet was positively “Young Mr. Lincoln.” THE STARS ARRIVE A ba I’J nered platform, with welcome posters, was erected on the green facing the railroad station. Here Mayor John W. Kapp, state officials, Elmer Rhoden and others welcomed the stars to Springfield on their arrival aboard, appropriately enough, the Ann Rutledge Spe- cial. Waving to the crowd and acknowledging its cheers are the inimitable Eddie Collins, Alice Faye, Binnie Barnes and Cesar Romero. Lowell Thomas at extreme left recognizes some friends. At the right, rear, you will recognize Charles E. McCarthy. IN order to preside at the premiere festivities, Lowell Thomas had to broadcast away from New York two days in suc- cession. Tuesday he broadcast from Springfield. Wednesday he aired his program from Chicago, resuming in New York on Thursday night. • 1VEW YORK, Chicago, Boston ^ ' and Buffalo had the largest delegation of newspaper writers, exhibitors and publicity men on hand. Oldest critic on hand was Charles Howard of the Boston Globe and youngest was Ann Marsters of the Chicago Ameri- TXISTRIBUTION organization was represented by District Manager Ward E. Scott, Kansas City; Manager George W. Fuller, St. Louis; Manager Ben- jamin B. Reingold and St. Louis Salesmen Eskin, Williams and Ware. Elmer Rhoden in whose division is the Fox-Lincoln, rep- resented National Theatres cir- cuit. ® XJINNIE BARNES won cheers from the crowd when she was leaving the theatre after the premiere. Sporting two orchids, Binnie spotted two girls, called them and presented each with an orchid. The crowd cheered and applauded — and then pressed forward, making a wholesale rush to touch her. When she was finally pushed through a lane the police opened for her, she discovered she had lost a bracelet. • X^HICAGO newspapers found _ themselves directly tied in with the premiere: the Chicago Herald-Examiner and American because “Young Mr. Lincoln” is a Cosmopolitan production; Chi- cago Tribune because its radio station, a link in the Mutual chain, originated the broadcast, and the Chicago News because of Lloyd Lewis’ personal inter- est in Lincolnia. 9 XX NE youngster “freighted” ” his way from Peoria to Springfield on the Ann Rutledge. A railroad officer spotted him, but he suddenly disappeared to the amazement of the officer. But he came to view again when Cesar Romero started to walk up the platform at the station where the stars were greeted. He had hidden behind the six- foot-three Cesar Romero 9 DDIE COLLINS brought the “house” down at the Mid- Day Club luncheon. Lowell Thomas, ad-libbing, decided sud- denly to discuss European his- tory. Referring to the Caesar (Cesaro Romero) from Holly- wood and Napoleon. But before Mr. Thomas had a chance to point to Eddie, the latter was on his feet, a la Dopey wilh his right hand Napoleonically buried in his vest. 9 \ FTER the preview, surprised Marjory Adams of the Bos- ton Globe exited with: “I never thought that Henry Fonda could give such a great performance!” A. M. Miller of the Rochester, N. Y., Times-Union, overhearing the remark, added: “Great per- formance; why he’s made Lin- coln the idol of Hollywood.” 9 pEGGY DOYLE of the Boston American was followed three blocks by a girl about her size. The latter busied herself with pencil and paper when your rov- ing reporter came along. Just then Peggy turned about, stopped and waited for us. See- ing that we knew the duchess of Beacon Hill, the girl asked for her name. We answered with the question: “Why?” And she told us she liked Peggy’s dress so much, she was making a sketch of it so she could sew a duplicate—and she wanted the star’s name. Okay, Peggy, carry on! 9 PAT CORBIN of the Indianap- olis Star and Wally Whit- worth of the Indianapolis News viewed the premiere as a “local” story. You see it was from Kentucky, via Indiana, that Lin- coln finally landed in Illinois. 9 'T'HE manager of the Strand T h e a tr e , an opposition Springfield house, stepped into the lobby of the Fox-Lincoln and asked Elmer Rhoden if he contemplated any more pre- mieres. The chap volunteered the information that the crowds. CLYDE ECKHARDT OPENS CAMPAIGN FOR RIGHT PRESENTATION OF ‘LINCOLN’ CHICAGO.—Every exhibitor in this territory knows the sensational calibre of the triumph of “Young Mr. Lincoln.” But, Branch Manager Clyde W. Eckhardt believes in doing things up right. It is one thing for exhibitors to enthuse— and another to capitalize on the knowledge that makes them enthusiastic. Hence, this week Eckhardt mapped out a mail campaign. This campaign comprises of a series of three letters. The first outlines the possibilities of the picture, how it should be sold. The second letter will concern itself with exploitation sug- gestions for local use. The third letter will outline reasons why the exhibitor should use more advertising accessories. Here is the first letter that Eckhardt sent out this week: “June 1st, 1939. “Dear Friend:— “ ‘Abraham Lincoln As A Young Man’.” “In 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation’s newest production of ‘Young Mr. Lincoln,’ you will see and come to know Abe Lincoln as a young man—years before he ever dreamed of becoming the greatest President and immortal character in the history of the United States. “In no sense of the word is ‘Young Mr. Lincoln’ a heavy historical epic, biography or record of facts. It’s a story of a young American youth with all the surrounding romance of the struggles and ambition of any young enthusiastic and red- blooded youth of the pioneer age. “The story is convincing. It’s the theatre at its very best from its high human dramatic situations to its comedy relief. It’s real entertainment and of a kind that will attract and entertain audiences in every phase of life. “Henry Fonda’s characterization of ‘Young Mr. Lincoln’ is beyond description and at once elevates him to stardom. Alice Brady excels herself in anything she has ever attempted to do. The entire cast is flawless, with names that are box- cffiee. The story, photography and settings are perfect. John Ford’s many successes are topped by this picture. “In advertising and exploiting ‘Young Mr. Lincoln,’ if you will center your effort in line with the above you will create a great interest and appeal that will result in high box-office returns. “20 th Century-Fox Film Corporation did arrange and broadcast the world premiere of this attraction in Springfield, 111., on Memorial Day, May 30th, 1939, and the public are acquainted and know of the coming of ‘Young Mr. Lincoln.’ “You will please observe and keep abreast of the further exploitation that will be accorded this attraction in all of its first-runs and from which you can benefit. “Kind personal regards.” when tired, sought relief in all of the town’s downtown houses —and SRO ruled everywhere, for the first time in theatre his- tory here. 9 A FTER adjourning, so the visitors could be accommo- dated at the two hotels, the Illi- nois legislators returned to town Wednesday morning, ready to resume its session. And first business was made up of two addresses in the House, wherein the speakers praised “Young Mr. Lincoln.” 9 X LOYD LEWIS, of the Chi- cago Daily News and an au- thor, greeted scores of his down- state friends throughout the day. 9 pil OTOGRAPHERS and writers for Life magazine hastened over the city to take visual evidence of the present status of the Lincoln landmarks for the pictorial. Among the pictures taken were shots of Lincoln’s law office and the birthplace of Robert Lincoln. 9 p REATEST complaint of the '- F guests here Tuesday was the weather. New Yorkers, hav- ing been advised from Chicago of the current siege of cool weather, came prepared with regular weight clothing. One of the visitors was heard to re- mark, “Well, this is a three shirt day for me.” 9 L owell thomas in his talk at the Mid-Day lunch- eon club cited the advance pub- licity given the premiere along the route of the train from Chi- cago, declaring that at all the towns en route scores of per- sons were on hand to wave greetings to personages aboard the streamliner. 9 TV/I" ORE than twelve dramatic and theatre critics of the Hearst newspapers were placed for the premiere in a special “newsroom” in the Leland Ho- tel, and compared their views of the premiere, movie celebri- ties and local newspapermen with equal ferver. 9 XIY FAR the favorite among •*-* the middle aged persons who crowded the entrance to the Lincoln theatre, if cheers and general applause mean any- thing, was Lowell Thomas, who also helped kill time before the broadcast in the theatre by act- ing as master of ceremonies. 9 XX FF the cuff note a sigh from an elderly woman standing in front of the theatre as Romero gave the smiling Binnie Barnes a hug—“Fortu- nate young lady.” 9 XXRESS was optional at the ” premiere, with formals, semi-formals and dinner dresses tying for first place in popular- ity for premiere wear. 9 r X'RADE press turned out en masse. Representatives in- cluded: Terry Ramsaye, Motion Picture Herald; “Red” Kann, Box Office; Jack Harrower, Film Daily; Sam Shain, editor, Mo- tion Picture Daily; Tom Ken- nedy, Showmen’s Trade Review; Hal Halperin of Chicago Va- riety and Lew Mentlik, Ex- hibitor. 9 IX ELEN Eager of the Boston Traveler, than whom there is no better motion picture critic in this country, observed: “Dif- ference between Hollywood pro- ducers and some theatre man- agers is that when things do not go just according to Hoyle, the former work harder to make better pictures, while the latter begins thinking of giving away money or dishes.” (Continued on page 15A)