Year book of motion pictures (1928)

newspaper they like best, and why. Letters are to deal with one particular feature or department. This competition will stimulate much interest in the paper, and give the editor an insight into the popularity of the various departments. The theater gets its publicity by offering free tickets to the best answer? which are published in the paper. TABLOID SPECIAL A serialized novel tying up with a motion picture can be launched in co-operation with the picture's opening by the issue of a tabloid supplement of the newspaper carrying the first two or three chapters lavishly illustrated with still pic tures. The tabloid gets theater and house-to-house distribution, and the expense is shared by the theater and the newspaper. CO-OP STUNT A simple but effective stunt which helps materially in selling a co-op page to the local merchants. Each merchant's ad carries a line to the effect that the first ten people entering the store will receive a free ticket to the show. 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 well 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 SIMILARITY CONTEST Run a week before the opening, and continue till the final day of the showing. Tie up with merchants for prizes to the first three most re sembling the star of the picture. Photographs submitted and published in the paper. Consolation prizes to all whose photos are published in the form of theater tickets. DRAWING CONTEST Run a drawing contest in cooperation with newspaper. The latter shows a head of the star. Prizes are announced for the best complete drawing. The clothes may be original drawings or cut from other ads and attached to the head. TELEPHONE TEASER For use on picture with a catchy title such as "The Beloved Rogue" or "The Lady In Ermine." The newspaper publishes articles calling attention to the stunt in advance. Before play date, twenty persons are called to the telephone to hear a voice say: "This is the voice of the Beloved Rogue," or "The Lady in Ermine." The telephone numbers are picked at random from the telephone book. The lucky persons visit the newspaper office and receive two complimentary tickets. MOST POPULAR GIRL Announcements made that valuable prizes will be given to the most popular girl in the city by the celebrated star, appearing in the picture advertised. Newspaper to insert coupon good for ten photos, and when accompanied by a ticket to the picture will be good for twenty-five photos. The theater to stamp coupons in red, so that they can be identified later, when counted. 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. SPECIAL ISSUE Arrange with local newspaper to run off special issue with page 1 carrying an ad for the theater and attraction imprinted in red across the face of the reading matter. Girls or boys in appropriate costume distribute these. "TO BOB OR NOT TO BOB" This is a newspaper stunt. The tie-up is with some woman star who may or may not be bobbed. She is sponsor for her style of hairdress and the newspaper calls lor opinions pro and con , contestants send in their portraits, some of which are published. The prizes are for the best essays in each class; the theater ties up by running a short film of the winners during the run of the picture in which the star is being featured. AD AND LOBBY CONTEST Theater to offer through newspaper, prize for the best newspaper ad on the picture it is presenting. Also best sketch or design for effective lobby display on this picture. The latter would make best ballyhoo, because the people would naturally visit theater front to get some idea of how to work their plan, and incidentally would see advertising material posted in prominent spot of the lobby on the presentation offered. FASHION "CLINIC" Tieup with newspaper on suggestions from women readers on fashion hints. The paper uses a picture of the star in a fashionable costume. Readers are to try and suggest how this costume could have been improved upon. BABY CONTEST Arrange contest with newspaper, which features baby's photos each day. Mothers are requested to be on the lookout for their baby's photos, some of which are secured from photograph studios and others snapped on the street by newspaper photographer. When photo is published, the parent calls at the newspaper office and receives a ticket to the show. Have the newspaper place a banner in front of its office, and display posters on its delivery wagons, giving publicity to the contest. Good displays can be arranged with photographers featuring baby photos. Work up special lobby display. POPULAR MOTHERS Arrange with newspaper for a Mother Popularity Contest. This can be worked up to a point of great interest on the part of the public, through interesting the various women's clubs as well as social and civic organizations. TELEGRAM STUNT Wire sent by the star to the editor of local newspaper at request of theater manager, inviting all the readers of that newspaper who bear the same first name, to call at the newspaper office and receive invitation to be the guest of the management during the showing of one of the pictures in which the star appears. This wire to be reproduced in newspaper, also displayed in theater lobby. 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. CLASSIFIED ADS Contest for short essays from readers of the newspaper on the value of the classified ads. This continues during run of picture, and free tickets are given for the best contributions. The paper publishes a list of appropriate subjects which contestants can choose. PHOTO IDENTIFICATION Newspaper photographer with representative passes out post-card announcements that pictures will be snapped on these spots at the same time the following day, and that the persons whose published pictures appear within the circle, will receive free tickets to see the picture at the local theater. Certain titles sometimes make excellent tieups for this stunt. LONG HAIRED BEAUTY Tie up with newspaper for a contest to discover the girl possessing the most beautiful long hair. The winner is signed up for a week's engagement in a prologue number at the theater. All contest ants submit their photographs to paper. The newspaper builds up the interest with a series of articles hooking up with the feature picture. If a male star, the angle is that he prefers long 716