Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1936)

July 2 5, 19 3 6 MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE 31 Brown Stencils Streets For "Mr. Deeds" Date Gil Brown, city manager, Irvin Theatre, Bloomington, 111., on "Mr. Deeds" put his artist to work making a two-foot stencil of a pair of feet and stencil same on streets leading away from the theatre, copy on sole reading "Mr. Deeds is going to town, but he will be back on Sunday." Stunt was pulled week ahead of opening. Radio station cooperated on a pixilation contest and station's street inquiring reporter approached theatre's perambulating stooge who would talk . into mike, say he was Longfellow Deeds and that he had just come to town, etc. Same stooge seated in cooperating auto dealer's car was driven through town with motorcycle escort. Entire staff wore pixilated chest bands, taxi tire covers were imprinted and Western Union came through with neat display with stills and copy reading "When Mr. Deeds wires, he insists on" etc., etc. "Have You Contributed Lately}" Palmer Constructs Front For "King Steps Out" Accompanying photo shows the display constructed by J. E. Palmer, State Theatre, Presque Isle, Maine, for "The King Steps Out," made of California Sweetwood, bent to fit curve. Frame was built first and the veneer screwed on later and all accessories slide in on the sides and no white part shows. Display was finished in stippled gold and trimmed with burnt brown. Box office and other frames were finished the same. "Have You Contributed Lately}" Corkery Made Member Of Park Commission Board Maurice Corkery, Central Square Theatre, Cambridge, Mass., recently came in for some swell publicity for himself and the theatre when Mayor John D. Lynch appointed him as a member of the Board of Park Commissioners, the only theatre man to be so honored. Recently, working in conjunction with the Cambridge edition of the Boston Evening American, Maurice tied in the theatre to the X-9 Club. During regular Saturday matinee performance, Chief of Police, Timothy Leahy spoke to the boys and presented them with their membership cards and badges. The subject of his talk dealt with crime prevention. "Have You Contributed Lately}" Airplane Tieups Highlight Rotsky's "Things" Engagement The Montreal Light Aeroplane Club was lined up by George Rotsky, Palace Theatre, Montreal, Canada, on "Things to Come," stunt was tied up with a contest which was featured in the various newspapers. Plane flew over city at a certain height and those guessing height received half-hour flight over city together with tickets to see picture. Stunt was pulled opening day. Another air tieup was arranged with Canadian Colonial Airways on a contest with patrons viewing picture at theatre and writing reviews, prize was a free return trip on one of their planes to New York. Accompanying photo shows window display in leading department store. On "Under Two Flags" chain store featured a blouse worn by Claudette Colbert Burbom "Leathernecks" Street Bally 1 Palmer's "King, Steps Out" Front Spencer's "Country Doctor" Birthday Cake Rotsky's "Things to Come" Window using prominent window displays, each saleswoman featuring the blouse. By special arrangement with the Valiquette people who bought the rights to a foreign legion radio serial which is broadcast twice weekly, mention was made immediately after broadcast to see another foreign legion playing at the Palace. Burhorn Stages Parade For "Leathernecks" Date Several civic tieups were effected by John Burhorn, Gayety Theatre, Chicago, for his "Leathernecks Have Landed" engagement, amongst which was the drum and bugle corps of the South Chicago Y.M.C.A., which paraded to and played in front of theatre, as did the high school band. Representatives of the Legion and Marine Corps were stationed in front of house during entire run. One of John's ushers made two papier mache heads which were exhibited in lobby and on Saturday worn by two men who paraded through the streets (see photo). Several neat window tieups were arranged and the Daily Calumet cooperated by planting a coloring contest for kids. "Have You Contributed Lately}" Gag Stunts Highlight Barr's "Fever" Date For "Petticoat Fever" at the Capitol in Winchester, Va., Stan Barr distributed capsules with "prescription for petticoat fever" enclosed ; part of these were sent to weekly mailing list and balance given to patrons as they left theatre week ahead of opening. Cooperating merchant paid for cost of printing and distribution. Pink heralds with outline of upraised hand with the letters "stop" and picture copy were handed out all autoists stopping and waiting for traffic signals. "Have You Contributed Lately}" "Fighting Marine" Club Sells Date for Charninsky To usher in his "Fighting Marines" date at the Capitol in Dallas, Texas, Louie Charninsky one week ahead ran special plugs in his ads inviting kids to join the new "Fighting Marines" Club. Special stories were run in all papers telling the youngsters how to join up. Club was played up in trailer two weeks before advising that membership cards were available at cooperating candy store. For his lobby display, Louie, promoted machine guns, steel helmets and other army equipment. Schools were covered with heralds, daily announcements were made over radio and ice cream, cookies or some promoted novelty was given to each child attending the early showings. "Have You Contributed Lately}" Baker Aids Spencer On "Country Doctor" Through cooperation of leading baker, Art Spencer, Lonsdale Theatre, North Vancouver, B. C, promoted a birthday cake for "Country Doctor," cake was baked in five sections, each bearing one of the Quins' names. Accompanying photo shows the sweetmeat display in lobby, topped by photo of the babes. Every patron attending opening night received a slice, as did the kiddies on Saturday matinee. Florist donated display and stunt was advertised on programs and blotters which were distributed. Doctors and nurses were circularized, bookmarks placed in all lending libraries, cutouts of the babes were planted about lobby and alcoves in theatre and various merchants came through with attractive window displays.