Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1941)

September 27, 194 1 MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE 61 EXPLOITATION BRIEFS FROM A-FIELD Tying up with a popular local hot spot, Francis Deering, Loew's, Houston, arranged a rhumba contest in connection with the engagement there of the Pete Smith Specialty, "Cuban Rhythm." Also cooperating was the local Arthur Murray organization. The stunt was good for plenty of publicity. Winners were awarded substantial prizes, including a full course in learning the rhumba, a loving cup and a record album of rhumba music. V Guest tickets were awarded to listeners sending in correct lists of all Hardy pictures in their chronological order as a highlight of the "Life Begins for Andy Hardy" campaign put over by Rodney Toups, Loew's, New Orleans. V The Cleveland News devoted plenty of space to the eight local Hardy families brought together by Jim Harris, Loew's, for the opening of "Life Begins for Andy Hardy." In Houston, Francis Deering of Loew's, arranged a special dinner and theatre party for local Hardys, also with excellent breaks. Another Hardy break was the double page spread on Mickey Rooney as the "Carvel Casanova" planted in the Ohio State Journal by Fred Ostreicher, Loew's. V A masked figure in high hat and opera cape was an effective street ballyhoo for the Loew's, Harrisburg, Pa., engagement of "Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde" in Bob Gibbons' campaign for the film. V A pistol-shooting contest highlighted the "Billy the Kid" campaign put over by Lou Golden, Orpheum, St. Paul, Minn. V Five thousand "Wanted" cards were distributed in and around Bethlehem, Pa., by Lloyd Siebert, College Theatre, as one of the features of his "Billy the Kid" campaign. V A series of Greer Garson coiffure stills was good for a six-column spread in the Indianapolis News as part of the advance "When Ladies Meet" campaign put over by Bill Elder, Loew's. V Carrying a sign on his back hailing the new "King of Comedy — Red Skelton," a man paraded the streets of Youngstown, O., wearing a kingly crown and a robe of purple velvet during the "Whistling in the Dark" campaign, executed by Jack Hynes, Paramount theatre. V A "whispering campaign" in local beauty shoppes, spreading word about Joan Crawford's startling characterization in the film, was launched by Charles Pincus, Utah, Salt Lake City, in advance of the "Woman's Face" engagement there. V Readers of the local newspaper were asked to write in telling how they met husband, wife, sweetheart or boy friend, as part of the "They Met in Bombay" campaign put over by Leonard Klafta, Paramount, Kankaree, 111. BEAUTY, PHOTO CONTESTS AID "NAVY BLUES" DATE On "Navy Blues" at the Fox, in Philadelphia, Bill Israel planted newspaper beauty contest, with the winner being guest of honor at luncheon tendered for the "Navy Blues Sextette", in town for the opening. The Warnerman also tied in with another daily on a "shutter-bug" contest, wherein photos taken at the station when the sextette arrived were rewarded with cash and other prizes. Pop Graver, manager of Warners' Grove Theatre, Willow Grove, Pa., used a stencil line drawn from the street corner to the box-officer to call attention to "Love Crazy," the line running in curves and circles with copy set nearby stating: "Follow this line and you'll go Love Crazy." Promoting prizes from local business houses, Graver promoted a beautiful child contest for "Broadway Limited." V Edgar Wright, assistant manager at Mark Rubinsky's Lyric Theatre, Dallastown, Pa., had two ponies ride through the streets of the city and the surrounding towns for "The Singing Hills." Large signs on each side of the ponies heralded the attraction and playdates. The horses were trained animals and always created crowds by performing a few tricks for the onlookers. V Ray Wolf, manager of the Affiliated circuit's Frolic Theatre, Philadelphia, distributed chocolate pennies in connection with his showing of "Penny Serenade," distributing both door-to-door and on busy street corners during the rush hours. V Lobby display ahead and during run of "Young America Flies" short subject as arranged by Ed Harris at the Fox Glendale, •in Glendale, Cal., consisted of poster from Army Recruiting office in addition to declaration by George Washington boosting preparedness. Accurate model of advance trainer used by the Army Air Corps was also promoted from local aviation company with photos of plane in production. THEATRE OFFERS STAMPS INSTEAD OF CHANGE Neat newspaper break was secured by Milt Harris for the Cheektowaga Drive-In Theatre, Buffalo, with announcement that the theatre is successful in prevailing upon patrons to accept ten-cent defense stamps instead of currency in change. Through cooperation of local bank, bond booklets are distributed to all patrons so that stamps given in lieu of cash may be inserted without difficulty. To attract local youngsters to his "Billy the Kid" date at Loew's Granada, in Cleveland, Carl Rogers had youngster ride bannered Shetland pony about city streets. In addition kid covered playgrounds, etc., with young man with camera snapping youngsters sitting in the saddle. V Street teaser gag used by William G. Bryan, city manager for Vandergrift Theatres, in Vandergrift, Pa., ahead of "Love Crazy" featured lad seated in front of theatre fishing from a miniature fish bowl. Copy alongside read: "If you think I'm crazy, come and see" etc. V In connection with opening of "The Sea Wolf" at the Frolic theatre, in Chicago, Ben Cohn set up a writing desk in lobby. On top of desk was sign asking people to cast their vote for Ida Lupino as the year's most dramatic find, then to see her in the picture. V Measuring some 10 feet in length by six in height was the "Billy the Kid" lobby display constructed by J. H. Dowdy at the Criterion, in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Made up from cuts from regular three-sheets and stills. In an action setting, cutouts of Robert Taylor were featured together with cast and playdates. Display itself was executed by artist Robert Minetree. V As a street stunt ahead of "Bad Men of Missouri" at the Warner theatre, in Memphis, Manager A. B. Morrison dressed usher in chappes and ten gallon hat and had him ride horse about town with title chest banner. V Reported as a crowd-stopper ahead of ''Forced Landing" at the Liberty, in Tyler, Tex., was A. D. Deason's dismantled 450 h.p. Pratt & Whitney wasp airplane motor on platform out front. Appropriate tiein cards explained various parts. V Executed by house artist was lobby setpiece used by Ken Prickett at Long-Griffith's El Rancho in Victoria, Tex., ahead of "Caught in the Draft," which featured tent with caricature of Bob Hope's head and feet sticking through the front flap. Window display was a transparent leg filled with beans, guest tickets going to those coming closest to guessing correct number. V Using a 24-sheet cutout of the Grable figure as she appeared in "Moon Over Miami," Stan Stern at the Cameo hung it from one end of the local traffic boom directly over to his marquee. V Taking advantage of a new luncheonette opening in his theatre building, Joe Bergin, manager of Warners' Stanley Theatre, Chester, Pa., had the stars of "Ziegfeld Girl" send a congratulatory telegram to the proprietor, who gave "Ziegfeld Girl" photos to purchasers of sundaes named after the picture title. V George Kemble, manager of Warners' Orient Theatre, Philadelphia, put out a novel teaser "Date Book" herald for "Love Crazy," which asked people to look inside for the funniest date of their lives.