Fox West Coast Theaters Now (April 16, 1930)

NOW SIX REASONS FOR CHILDREN SHOWS sends letters to parents and teachers stating good arguments for special matinees which feature right pixes try their keys anytime during business hours. Worthwhile prizes in the locked boxes stim- ulated the searchers to visit each shop. Of the six boxes dis- played only one remained un- opened. The merchants re- ported that practically every one who had a dummy key visi- ted their shops. An additional box was placed in the lobby of the thea- tre for which the key was held until the very last. Conse- quently everyone who did have a key came back to try that lock after visiting all the stores. The prize in the lobby box was a $5.00 scrip book. One of the merchants partici- pating in the stunt printed the back of the key tags with his ad reducing the cost to the theatre to that of only providing the keys. The gag was good advance exploitation for Seven Keys to Baldpate as it gave Hunsacker six big window displays for a week preceding the opening date. The word of mouth ad- vertising passed around by the searchers was invaluable in stimulating attendance during the feature. Nothing new to the key hunt idea, but as worked here it was effective. ences*\vill be asked to select the four or five best talking pictures they would like to see again. Six sheet boards will be placed in the lobbies of all theatres suggesting the titles of all big pictures available, with as many features being listed as possible. Ballot boxes placed in the lobby and cards handed to patrons will allow them to vote for their favorites. Those pictures getting the largest number of votes will be the ones shown. Ricketson states that he is only picking up an old idea that has been used in that ter- ritory previously with good re- sults being obtained. Experience showing that in towns where "Request Week” has been put on before, even though the pic- tures have been run twice and three times, the last at very cheap prices, the stunt has brought patrons back to a de luxe house at the usual admis- sion price. Try it. It always succeeds. • Addressing A letter to all the members of the Rich- mond, California, Parent- Teachers Associations. A. V. Brady, manager of the Fox California Theatre gives 6 big reasons why parents should send their children to the Saturday matinee. 1. Feature pictures, carefully se- lected for their suitability to the child’s mind, are the only ones allowed on our screen. Added attractions such as car- toons and talking comedies that ap- peal to children, also group singing of popular songs are part of the mati- nee program. 3. Your child gets his entertain- ment during the day time, thus lessen- ing his desire to see an evening per- formance and later wander about the streets unchaperoned. 4. Every child attending the mati- nee receives a regular size ’’Hot Air” candy bar, manufactured by the Car- dinet Candy Company, to add to his enjoyment of the show. 5. The organization of Birthday Clubs, etc., help to keep an interest alive in the worthy activities of the theater and community. 6. A Junior Matinee is primarily a kid’s party where the conventions of the evening show are cast aside to give them one opportunity each week to have a whale of a good time in their own way. COSTS NOTHING TO DOUBLE BUSINESS schools support contest while teachers feel it increases student interest in regular musical instruction courses m YOUR HARMONICA HfRf ft %jf WALDO THEATRE cotf& r ■ i MBi I ■ 1 muomtcmhi ♦: : 'KtC,*!<>.] 9 FIELD representatives of NOW are starting to get in effective work. Here’s H. E. Jameyson’s first story of a real event in his territory: “Harmonica contests to double business, to help young- sters learn the elements of music, and finally to make the Fox Waldo Theatre, Kan- sas City, a community center of family interest is the three-fold accomplishment of L. B. Spon- sler. manager of the theatre. Sponsler started his weekly Harmonica contests by enlisting the P.-T. A., who called a spe- cial meeting to sponsor the idea and help put it across. The meeting was held in the neigh- borhood school. The principal of the school put her stamp of approval on it by declaring that interest aroused in Harmonica playing led to a better under- standing of the principles of music and made instruction in piano and violin easier. The merchants of the com- munity came across with fine window displays and stores handling harmonicas did a rush- ing business. The contest is held once weekly and four prizes are given, including Harmonicas furnished gratis by the Hohner Company. The four winners of each contest are eligible to become members of the Har- monica band being organized by Sponsler. In addition to doubling busi- ness, the contests have aroused much interest. to forestall summer drop @ Looking ahead to summer, with a view to forestalling the usual drop in business. Rick Ricketson. Northern Rocky Mountain Division Manager, is planning a "Request Week.” A month in advance, audi- • RIGHT from school came the kiddies to attend the first junior matinee held at the FOX BELMONT THEATRE. Los Angeles, in cooperation with associated Parent-Teach- ers Associations. Sixteen hundred youngsters contrib- uted a goodly sum to the treasury of the ‘‘Nutrition Fund.” full pag;e tie-up HAS NOVEL IDEA facade of theatre and figure of modish maiden make up entire front page of a special fashion week supplement • WINDOW display and just a few of the juveniles who participated in the FOX WALDO Harmonica Contest. Competition is keen for from the four weekly winners will be selected members of a har- monica band that will repre- sent the theatre. 9 Some Measure of the ex- cellent business that Herman Kersken is doing at the Fox THEATRE, San Francisco, can be attributed to his keeping his eyes and ears attuned to what most interests the public. On Sunday, April 6, the San Francisco Chronicle had a twenty-four page section de- voted to a spring revue of foot- wear and fashions. The entire front page depicts but two ob- jects—a feminine figure garbed from chapeau to pumps in the ultra mode and a striking pen and ink etching of the ornate facade of the Fox THEATRE. No woman in San Francisco could escape the terrific power of suggestion. Just that fash- ionable lady joining the throng in front of the theatre. In the entire supplement, there’s only one other reference to Fox. On one of the inner pages, sur- rounded by a mass of fashion notes, is a little squib stating that Walt Roesner, concert over- tures leader, recognizes spring shoe fashion week by donning a pair of the latest style light shoes for men. The front page is the thing. If ever a picture was worth a thousand words, this one surely is. The beauty of the layout, the smashing drive of the tie-up, is more than stealing a page. It makes the page. APRIL 16TH 19 3 0