Year book of motion pictures (1929)

known cast. No names are used with the pictures, merely numbers. The object is to locate and identify the players. Arrange with newspaper to publicise the contest, giving details of the search and announcing there will be prizes of passes, and any other prizes that various dealers care to offer for the publicity in it. Contestants for the special prizes are asked to write a 100word essay on "Why I Like This Player," selecting one of the cast. The editor is the sole judge of the awards. This stunt gives dealers a chance to work up beautiful displays of their goods around the photo they display TITLE WRITING Arrange with editor to insert in his newspaper, two column scene cut secured from press book. In box above this cut, place caption: "What is the title of this picture" Below illustration insert copy telling about the story and giving little hints, to enable them to identify the scene. Manager of theater will place a large scene still in his lobby, similar to that displayed in newspaper. FREE PASSES Arrange with newspaper to run names and addresses taken at random from telephone book in between ads in the Classified section. Those listed are entitled to a free ticket upon presentation at the box-office. This can be varied by placing a name in theater ad, as follows: "This advertisement will admit J. L. Smith and one." It insures your ad being widely read. THE THUMB PRINT CONTEST A Thumb Print Contest to find one most nearly resembling that of the star in feature. For three days prior to showing the newspaper prints a coupon bearing star's thumb print, and a place for the contestant's print. Those submitted are taken to the superintendent of police. Prizes awarded to the three first, and passes to others. LOBBIES STREAMERS Here is a simple but very striking stunt that can be applied to any variety of feature. Place cutout of star on wall of lobby opposite boxoffice. Place a large compo board sign above box-office. On this sign is a single word in heavy black lettering on the white board reading "Sensation." "Gorgeous." "Thrills." — or any other one word that typifies the picture. Connect this sign with red streamers running to the cutout of star. Here is an effective eye-smash that is bound to attract. FLASHING GUN Get a six-sheet showing crook or cop with a gun in his hand. Cut a hole at muzzle of gun 60 that when covered with red crepe paper it will resemble the flash from discharged gun. A light in back is equipped with a flasher button that cuts it off and on. Have all lights in lobby present a red and purple color to give the picture a dim and mysterious atmosphere. MECHANICAL DISPLAY Have constructed a street scene back drop showing a street intersection. At the intersection place a cutout building, entrance, etc. By means of an endless belt and a motor, the figure of a gunman carrying the figure of a girl in his arms is made to travel down the street and into the building entrance. THE INSURANCE NOTICE To get over tremendous thrill angle in picture, place large three-sheet poster display in lobby announcing that insurance company cancelled policy on the star because of the risk taken during certain scenes or a statement to the effect that an excessive sum was necessary to obtain the big policy of star on account of dangers taken in filming the picture. FINGERPRINTS A fingerprint stunt, playing up the fact that they are useful as a means olm identification. A booth is constructed, where a masked young lady takes fingerprints after the Bertillon system. Have fingerprint cards for throwaways, showing a fingerprint and stating the management is giving the public a chance to establish identification without charge. Police department will undoubtedly cooperate. BURGLAR TOOLS For crime picture. Cooperate with police department for display of burglar tools, weapons, handcuffs, and other police department souvenirs. Secure special detailed policeman to "guard" the display. Supplement with throwaways with scare head, "Reward" or "Catch This Criminall" THEATER FRONTS CUTOUT LETTERING Pictures with short titles offer unusual opportunities for letter cutout for marquee display. Make letters about four feet square just the width of the compo board strips. Paint them in brilliant colors and if letters are used on front of theater building increase size to eight feet letters and use substantial wood backing. Give face of letters a coat of weather-proof varnish. AUTO CUTOUT Large cutout of star riding in auto installed on top of marquee. Wheels are built to revolve through small electric motor in back. Colored electric lights on wheels attract attention at night as they revolve. MASKS For crime picture. Have your sign painter prepare criminal masks from heavy stock, and paint them black. Suspend these around marquee. BALLYHOO SPOOKS Dress several bo>s as spooks, using white sheets and false faces. They parade the main streets at night. Some carry banners announcing the picture and play dates. The others carry fuses to light up the banners. MYSTERY GIRL Tie up with newspaper to feature stories and pictures of a girl dressed to represent the star. The newspaper offers tickets to those who recognized her at the time when they held a copy of the newspaper in their hand. The newspaper keeps the interest going for several days with stories of the girl's experiences, and hints as to where she will appear the following day. CRIME PUBLICITY Enlist the aid of the criminal court to secure a man who wants to reform and go straight. Put him to work on street billyhoo. The stunt is worked by writing a letter to the judge, which is read in court. Newspaper publicity is sure to follow. TIE-UPS LIBRARIES Wherever suitable pictures suggest reader interest to librarians, they will be very enthusiastic in giving co-operation at libraries in the form of bulletins and card layouts for book counters. Placard announcements to call attention to the importance of the book and the photoplay with scene illustration containing proper captions. THE MASKED GIRL Arrange with department store for a masked girl to distribute special cards advertising the picture. These are distributed to the customers in the store, and also on the street. The store supplies the girl with changes of costume, which is a good piece of publicity for its dress department. The store has its ad on the back of the cards the girl distributes. MERCHANTS' ASSOCIATION On big feature tie-up with Merchants' Association for a special sale among dealers on the opening day of picture. The sale is named after the feature. Each merchant puts certain articles on sale. Merchants come in on a double truck ad. featuring the special sale and the picture, after which it is named. Admission price can be advanced ten cents, and the extra dimes turned over to the Merchants' Assn. for town improvements. WINDOW DISPLAYS SOAP LETTERING Secure the services of a local letterer for at least a half a day, instructing him to mark with soap preparation, billing of picture on windows of empty store locations. This soap substance 785