The Exhibitor (1961)

1 etro-Goldwyn Mayer presents COLOSSUS of RHODES A MONSTER STATUE OF BRONZE AND STONE TWENTY STORIES TALL ! Violence, passion and danger. ..intheshadow of a 20story statue of bronze and stone' RORY CALHOUN -l IN BLAZING COLOR LOEWS have a good selling lobby for little cash. I suggest that wherever possible we should cut out the eyes of the statue and affix some of the new science-fiction toys in back so that streaks of fire shoot from the eyes. This is effective animation at little cost. A wonderful advance lobby piece can be created by past¬ ing either a 24-sheet, if room permits, or a six-sheet on wall board. Frame it with inexpensive cap moulding, give it a coat of bronze and you have a million-dollar looking set piece for little cost. As a selling job, we can dust off and revamp most of the things we did on “QUO VADIS” for “THE COLOSSUS.” Only in this case we have a far more workable word to assist us. Colossus is a big word and it fits into just about any kind of tie-up any of us can think of. It was good to find out after a few telephone calls that the title was so impressive to people. For example, I sold a classified ad tie-up, a cartoon coloring contest (using the line drawing in the press book), a candid camera stunt whereby the newspaper photographer will snap school boys and girls in groups in all parts of the city and circle the lucky ones for cash and tickets to “THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES.” All old stuff, but seven three column cuts and editorial copy in a big newspaper is not to be taken lightly. This sells tickets. Also, I tied up with a 36-store chain opera¬ tion for colossal-sized streamers in all their snack bars fea¬ turing their colossal sundaes. The same line of selling will work out for full page bargain items and possibly some sale where the word— Colossus— would be welcome to the ad man. One thing we are doing that costs almost nothing. We are taking a tape recorder about town for quips from editors, TWENTY STORIES TALL ! IN BLAZING COLOR fsosufcve fro SERGIO LEONE • MICHELE SCAGLIONE • SKIS? ***** * QNEfflOOiONI ASSOCIATE. * Home PR0C4ISA Madrid CfPC and elites ABOVE, a banner newspaper display for a tie-in with Want Ads that is a natural for the film. BELOW, a still showing the epic produc¬ tion values that can be sold hard. politicians, radio people, and other VIPS. Examples: “I’m Joe Novotny of KKZZ. Next to spinning hit tunes for your pleasure, I’d rather see MGM’s ancient history thriller, ‘The Colossus of Rhodes,’ at Loew’s. It’s for the young in heart . . . and that’s me!” “ I’m Ted Broccoli, movie editor of the News. I see ’em all, hut the super spectacle with grand scale heroics like ‘The Colossus of Rhodes,’ keep reminding me that movies are still your best entertainment. See you at Loew’s!” “I’m Veree Klevah, fashion editor of the Sun. I cover women’s ivear from Podunk to Paris. Take a tip from me, girls, you may never see anything to compare with the lovely high fashion costumes worn in ‘The Colossus of Rhodes.’ . . . and it has the handsomest collection of muscular men you ever saw!” Any showman can write a stack of these to fit each person. We plan to tack these onto our radio spots to give them special importance and interest. Any VIP who refuses will get himself off my pass list. One interesting scene caught my fancy. It was a magician doing fire ball tricks. I plan to duplicate this for my lobby opening night. We have some great local magic men. Dressed in ancient garb, they attract crowd interest and more than pay their hire. We hope to have one of our Greek societies over in native dress for official hosts and hostesses on opening night. A Greek is the main hero in our movie. We hope to have special early shows opening through Saturday if we have a summer¬ time date. By adding five well chosen cartoons and a few gimmicks, these shows usually pay good dividends. Due to the classical nature of our story, we expect a good reception from our papers regarding editorial contests. These can be slanted to all ages and tastes. Remember, “THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES” is a colos¬ sal movie. It will not embarrass anybodv who tries to “over¬ sell” it. Best of hick for big box office returns. 13