Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

March 13. 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD (a Stanley Chambers' Birthday Party Makes Big Week for Wichita, Kans. Stanley Chambers, manager of the Palace theatre. Wichita. Kans., the man who put Wichita on the theatrical map, so to speak, may be relied upon to do properly whatever there is to be done in connection with that popular playhouse. He lived up to his reputation for this sort of thing in his anniversary week, which has just passed into Wichita history. To give a general idea of the affair, without firs't making readers dig out the essentials by reading this account, we have reproduced some of the Chambers jnniversary advertising, advertising that may be termed exceptional, even for Mr. Chambers, all of whose work is of a high order. The three, four and six column newspaper advertisements accompanying this article echo the spirit of the week. They bring out the fact that Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin, stars whose salaries are matters of national interest, were upon the anniversary bill, each in the latest and consequently the most expensive production that could be booked. Beginning thus at the first, in the booking, with a lavish expenditure, an expenditure which was mentioned in other advertising for the week, Mr. Chambers set the standard of the whole enterprise. He next devoted his attention to other details of the performance. His organist prepared a special concert of the highest class. His employes, each and every one, were called upon for some extra effort for the occasion. The newspapers were given more advertising than upon the most unusual previous occasions, and space was bought with a free hand. The artist was exhorted to do his best, and with the material provided, an occasion genuinely worthy of celebration, he worked wonders. Then Mr. Chambers took his type writer into his private office, locked the door, and sat down to turn out copy worthy of the event. The Chambers copy is always well thought out and always contains a note that cannot be mistaken. It is never failing in its appeal. It is intelligently and correctly written. The latter qualities, despite their obvious desirability, are remarkably rare in American theatre advertising. The message that was printed in "Reel Stuff." the house organ of the Palace, is tvpical of the Chambers stvle. It reads: THE PALACE is nearing its fourth birthday. Four years ago its doors were thrown open to the public for the first time. Since that time it has played a prominent part in the lives of all Wichitans. It has furnished Wichita with a high class place of amusement where the best of screen productions can be enjoyed for a minimum charge. It has become a part of the lives of Wichita folks who make regular pilgrimages to worship at the shrine of the "silent drama." It has become a part of Wichita life because the Palace patrons are in some respects like a big family who share with us the pleasures and disappointments of this business. Patrons who are glad, with us, when we get an exceptionally good picture, and who are sorry with us — not mad — when we get a poor one. Because we like to think that these patrons have a little personal interest in us and are interested in our aims and achievements, we have decided to give a birthday party to celebrate our fourth anniversary. This birthday party will last for six days. During that time we will show Mary Pickford in her new picture. "Pollyana," along with Charlie Chaplin in a brand new picture called "A Day's Pleasure." CIUJ CHAP1IH A my/ PU4/W MART RCKfNt) One of the best layouts recently used by Stanley Chambers for the Palace Wichita, Kansas, one of America's better newspaper advertisers. This puts filmdom's two highest priced stars in brand new pictures on the same bill, something that we have never heard of being done before. Our birthday wish to you is: That you may get as much pleasure and satisfaction from this program as we will in presenting it. This is typically . Stanley Chambers, a man who puts his thoughts before the public and makes the public believe that those thoughts are its own. Implanting firmly the impression that the Palace is the logical theatre to attend, a theatre in the affairs oi which the public has a distinct part, this copy brings business. It holds business, also, which is vastly more important. For Mr. Chambers is "for" his patronage every minute. He believes that the motion picture is the entertainment of the masses, and he bends every personal effort, and guides the efforts of those in his employ, to the single end of pleasing the public. STANLEY CHAMBERS, manager of the Palace theatre, Wichita, Kans., makes the most of his opportunities. Upon the fourth anniversary of his theatre he used "Pollyanna" and "A Day's Pleasure" as the attractions for a special week. This design was used in a six column width