Year book of motion pictures (1929)

FOOTBALL PRIZE Have spotting goods store display a football in window a week prior to opening of football feature. A card in window states that the football will be thrown from roof of theater at a stated hour. Tie up with high school band for a parade to theater. Have one boy act as ballyhoo, dressed to impersonate hero of picture. The football is thrown from roof just prior to opening. The band is admitted free to show, and the other boys in parade are admitted for a nickel. SPORTING GOODS Arrange with sporting goods dealer to name several articles, such as sweaters, bathing suits, etc., according to the season, after the star of picture. Furnish a pass for two to every purchaser of these articles. Dealer features this in his ads, and the theater distributes throwaways on the tie-up. GASOLINE RECORD CARDS Line up gas stations for distribution of gasoline record cards to motorists who stop for gas. The cards will carry copy on your racing or auto picture. Get the gas stations to display banners on the attraction. WINDOW DISPLAYS THE BOXING ANNOUNCEMENT Special window cards on picture featuring prize fight. The cars read like the announcement of a regular fight club. "Boxing Tonight." This is followed with the name of the battlers in the picture, theater, etc. PRINTED MATTER THE SCORE CARDS Distribute special score cards at the ball game. Besides carrying copy on your coming attraction, the score cards contains a coupon bearing number which is torn off and dropped in box at entrance to ball park. At the end of seventh inning, the umpire announces the winning numbers which entitle the holders to two tickets to theater. The number on coupon corresponds to number on score card, so it is easy to check up. SPECIAL STUNTS SWIMMING MEET On a picture featuring swimming or bathing beauties, this stunt will apply. Secure telegram from star sponsoring a swimming contest, and offering a prize cup to winner. Have the swimming meet held under auspices of the A. A. U. or local athletic club. A. A. U. rules apply, and members of the local club act as judges. Every amateur girl swimmer in the city is eligible. Have entry blanks supplied at box office. The contest includes three swimming events and five diving events. The winner is the girl making the most points, five being credited for first place in each event, three for the second and one for third place. POSTING 24-SHEETS Where you have a 24-stand at the ball park, use this stunt. Have the billcrs start just at the opening of the game. They proceed slowly and finish about the first half of the ninth inning, in this way arousing the curiosity of the fans THE FIELD MEET A business builder for dull seasons. It was originated by a theater to offset a slump in business after the street had been closed for repairs. Theater lines up all merchants on the street to cooperate in a field meet, held at 7 o'clock Saturday evening. Every business house in the block pays $1 to cover newspaper and handbill advertising. Eacll one also donates merchandise to the extent of $2 each to be used as prizes. Field Meet lasts an hour, open to all comers. Put on egg races, wheelbarrow races, sack races, scooter races for the kids, etc. Place orchestra in the street. Burn red flares along the curbing. This stunt will get the crowds, and boost a weak box-office. PLAYING CARDS On a feature with a gambling background, a novelty stunt is to advertise that a free ticket will be given to the first 25 couples bringing a certain playing card. It might be the ace of hearts. The idea can be adapted to pictures whose title includes the word "hearts," "king" or "queen," designating the appropriate card in each instance. FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Secure members of high school football squad to appear in their uniforms on streets for distribution of cards giving the schedule of games for the local school. The card contains an announcement of the football feature and play dates MASKED CAR Any motion picture that has a big automobile episode lends itself to exploitation with a mystery car which goes about town several days draped in muslin as a teaser to an announcement relating to the film. GAMBLING CLUB On attraction featuring a gambling sequence. Secure an empty store and whitewash the windows. Place showcard in window stating that a gambling club, named after the picture, will open on a date just before the picture runs. Distribute membership cards with space for members names. A few days before picture opens, place card in store window stating: "Owing to police interference, the Club will not open here. Watch newspapers for further particulars." Then an ad is run in the paper stating : "The Club will not open as previously announced, but all interested in seeing how such a club is run should attend the theater, etc." CITY FIELD DAY Arrange to print the official programs for this civic event, appropriating sufficient space to get over your attraction, theater and play dates. HORSE PICTURES Hang signs on a number of horses in the town, reading: "I'm proud to be a horse. (Name of horse) is knocking 'em cold in (name of picture) at (name of theater)." Hang signs on a number of automobiles in the town reading: "For the first time in my life, I'm sorry I am an automobile I (Name of horse) is copping all the glory in (name of picture) at (name of theater)." GOLF TOURNAMENT Run a golf tournament on a local course through cooperation of the Rotary or Kiwanis Club. Here is a chance for unlimited publicity. Newspapers will feature it on their sport pages. Sporting goods stores will offer prize? and give window displays. Cards announcing the showing at theater can be tacked on the tee boxes. Most towns have a big quota of golf enthusiasts. Here's your chance to make them your friends. POPULAR FOOTBALL PLAYERS Run a contest for selection of the most popular football player in each of the local schools. Allow each student one vote. Award the popular selections football? autographed by the star of feature. The presentation of footballs occurs on different evenings at the theater, thus keeping the interest going among the students. SPECIAL SHOWINGS FOOTBALL CELEBRITY NIGHT For Christmas Holidays. When the local football hero returns from college for the holidays, give him a send-off with a special "Welcome Home." You can get the cooperation of everybody on this one. The civic organizations, merchants' association, and school organizations will all help to make the affair a success. The theater party can be followed by a banquet at the hotel, or a dance. This special night can also be staged at the Thanksgiving holiday. Underworld and Mystery NEWSPAPERS THE PHOTO HUNT Windows of dealers are secured, and in each is placed a photo of a player in the picture. Use this stunt on a feature with a large and welt 784