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

22A NEW DYNAMO “Young Mr. Lincoln Special” GREATEST CAMPAIGN OF ITS KIND! Midwest Showmen Flabbergasted by Turnout The world premiere of “Young Mr. Lincoln,” at Springfield, 111., climaxed a month of careful planning and team-work on the part of New York and studio and local theatre. Under the supervision of Publicity and Advertising Director Charles E. Mc- Carthy, what was unques- tionably one of the greatest and most effective cam- paigns ever to launch a mo- tion picture was the result. That some 50,000 people jammed Springfield on Tuesday is the answer to the effective- ness of the advance campaign and the sensational publicity ob- tained in newspapers—and all in such good taste as to bring the praise of a municipality, from its mayor down to its business men. Veteran newspaper men who in their time have attended many premieres, were loudest in their praise of the dramatic manner in which “Young Mr. Lincoln” was introduced. No publicity department re- ceived greater co-operation. Typical of the sort of co-opera- tion received, the Illinois legis- lature adjourned in order that the visitors could be accommo- dated at Springfield’s two ho- tels. Mayor Kapp issued a proc- lamation. The legislature passed a resolution urging its member- ship to attend in a body. Both newspapers published 48-page souvenir editions, with the entire contents devoted to “Young Mr. Lincoln” and his- torical data on the most distin- guished citizen Springfield has had. The business men co-operated to the extent that they decorated the downtown streets, their stores, made special window dis- plays, etc., etc. The city gov- ernment authorized the installa- tion of larger lights to turn Springfield’s night into daylight. Shield reading “Welcome 20th Century-Fox Stars” were on every post. Huge banners were flung across principal thoroughfares. GET THIS The police issued an order keeping private cars off the downtown streets, the record crowds having been anticipated. Only cars carrying the visitors were allowed downtown. Hotels dressed their employ- ees in the period of young Lin- coln. Newspapers ran a total of 11 editorials—nine in advance, two on opening day and two on the day following. Every taxicab and 72 privately owned cars were given over to the visitors, with distinguished business men serving as chauf- feurs. Even opposition theatres dis- Four Hints As To How Press Co-operated ILLINOIS STATE REGISTER LINCOLN PREMIERE ‘RING HELD MO NDAY MAY SCENES FROM “YOUNG LINCOLN” HERE TUESDAY 3Utnm0 Ifmtnml llmois Outside Of Chicaqo Lincoln Premiere Edition Ford’s Directing j| As Rutledge Tavern Appeared To Abe Lincoln ] LiOCOlll Freed III : ; . IHnn„n Ononnon i T (ini T I'in I '' ' '."V"' ' 6n '*i Means Success Stari O! “YounR Lincoln" Movie | Born Far Apurt URMA g r °cery ^ The North Side Was a /Cow Pasture (— — 1 Dockum { & Dawson I \ ■ Dockum & Dawson Springfield Welcomes ‘‘Young Mr. Lincoln” WE ARE PROUD of the fact that this hotel bears the name * * of a £reat man who so honored a &reat city HOME OF THE STARS * * COFFEE SHOP COCKTAIL LOUNGE CLUB LIDO »•>. 'lit | 5TH AT CAPITOL HOTEL- SPRINGFIELD, ILL. I JOURNAL SPRINGFIELD, ILL., TUESDAY, ; Welcome PREMIERE VISITORS To The FOLLOWING Night Clubs and Taverns Where The Best In Dancing, Entertainment And Foods Can Be Had! NEVER A COVER OR MINIMUM CHARGE A F THESE TAVERNS Like Lincoln’s Home 1 0RB AND “Ta BAR IN” Is Springfield's Own Creati< T PABST BLUE RIBBON You Can't Afford to Miss the THE PREMIERE Harding’s #n5ffcer 2 EAST MONROE rcATvzi.nt in e rers i\ r too ft shows VILLA VALENCIA AIR CONDITIONED WINE and DINE MILL TAVERN OLD LUXEMBURG CONTINENTAL ( STOP' LOOK! LISTEN! MORICONIS CAY 90s CLUB The Bowery rr CAMP LINCOLN TAVERN ★ MAEGARMER* 4 SHADY TREE BARBECUED RIBS TOMMY MEAGHER J5c -"■15c JABUSCHS TAVERNS EDITH GILLEN „ PARA-DICE SANDWICH SHOP EXTRA DRY LAGER played signs of welcome—and profited because of the record crowds, for the overflow was enough to pack more than two score of houses. All records for a day’s volume of display advertising were smashed by the Illinois State Register and Illinois State Jour- nal, thanks to the “Young Mr. Lincoln” souvenir editions. Ev- ery store in the downtown area was represented. The Chicago & Alton railroad ran excursions—and in two and three sections. Tieups of all descriptions were negotiated. Night clubs and taverns put on special entertainment — in advance of the premiere. The famous Mid-Day Lunch- eon Club called an extraordi- nary get-together to ■ welcome Lowell Thomas and the stars. More people were attracted to historic spots attached to Lin- coln’s life than had visited them in a whole year, according to officials of the historical society. Showmen throughout the Mid- west were flabbergasted by the magnitude of the campaign. They had never seen anything like it. Rodney Bush, exploitation manager, and Lou Davidson, working under Mr. McCarthy, attended to the Springfield end. Publicity Manager Earl Win- gart, Leonard Gaynor, Bill Chambliss, Jeanette Sauer and Christy Wilbert had a multi- plicity of assignments, but all contributed importantly to put- ting on a campaign that brought world-wide attention to “Young Mr. Lincoln” and gave Spring- field one of its greatest days, comparable only with the de- parture of Lincoln for Wash- ington, celebration of the sign- ing of the armistice and the visit of war-time British prime minister, Lloyd George. It was a masterpiece in show- manship ! More actual wired press word- age was inspired by the world premiere of “Young Mr. Lin- coln” than any two other widely ballyhooed openings held this season combined. The campaign was handled so expertly that for the first time New York news- papers assigned staff writers to cover the opening. All the news syndicates, pic- torial services, radio networks, and important magazines sent representatives. It was the first affair of its kind that utilized wirephotos. Some newspapers sent as many as four reporters. Count- less cameramen from New York, Chicago, St. Louis and this city were on hand.