Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

August 2 1, 194 3 MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE 51 'Rising Sun 9 In Boston Receives Press Ovation LEADING FORTN ICHTERS The men and women listed below have during the past fortnight submitted campaigns of sufficient merit to warrant their names being listed as outstanding showmen. There is still time for Round Tablers to enter their material for Quigley Awards consideration in the Third and Fourth Quarters. ELMER ADAMS Yucca, Midland, Tex. EDDIE ALLEN Majestic, Boston, Mass. RUSSELL BOVIM Ohio, Columbus, Ohio JOSEPH BOYLE Broadway, Norwich, Conn. GERTRUDE BUNCHEZ Century, Baltimore, Md. FRANCIS DEERING State, Houston, Tex. BERT DETWILER Latrobe, Latrobe, Pa. D. M. DILLENBECK Rialto, Bushnell, III. BILL ELDER Loew's, Indianapolis, Ind. JACK FLEX Keith, Syracuse, N. Y. ARNOLD GATES Park, Cleveland, Ohio ARTHUR GROOM State, Memphis, Tenn. J. D. HILLHOUSE State, Galveston, Tex. ELLIOTT JOHNSON Malco, Memphis, Tenn. JAMES J. KING Keith Memorial, Boston, Mass. SIDNEY KLEPER Bijou, New Haven, Conn. HARRY KLOTZ Esquire, Toledo, Ohio JOSEPH LONGO Loew's State, Boston, Mass. JACK MATLACK Broadway, Portland, Ore. LESTER POLLOCK Loew's, Rochester, N. Y. JIMMIE REDMOND Rivoli, Falls City, Neb. H. W. REISINGER Loew's, Dayton, Ohio TED RODIS Linden, Jamaica, L. I. H. N. SCOTT Broad, Columbus, Ohio L. L. SIMONS Parle, Windsor, Ont., Canada CHARLES B. TAYLOR Shea's, Buffalo. N. Y. TED TESCHNER Valentine, Toledo, Ohio J. J. King, director of publicity for RKO in Boston, reports that the world premiere showing of "Behind the Rising Sun" received such favorable accord from the press in that city that the opening at Keith's Memorial theatre was like the answer to a press-agent's dream. Beginning with a front page break in the Sunday Advertiser two weeks in advance of playdate and continuing right through the current showing of the picture, a veritable avalanche of art breaks and stories broke daily in every newspaper in the city. The dramatic critics, picture critics news editors and the columnists including the sports-writers plugged the attraction. On the screen, a trailer was used three weeks in advance. A lobby set piece was used in advance. Three weeks ahead of the playdate, 185-24 sheets were posted and 50 three-sheets spotted at the North and South Stations. 1,000 window cards were also distributed at choice locations as were 10,000 heralds. 40,000 heralds stressing the premiere went out ten days in advance. "Smokes for Buddies" at Garden Radio coverage was also thorough. Eight free plugs were obtained daily for two weeks ahead of playdate. A Yankee network hookup plugged the attraction daily over 38 stations. Window promotion was secured with several of the leading stores. In the exploitation field, several unusual promotions were featured, including a "Smokes for Buddies" show at the Boston Garden. The feature of this show was to be a special bout between former heavyweight champion, Lieut. James J. Braddock and Charlie Stack, noted wrestler. Mr. James R. Young, author of the book, "Behind The Rising Sun" appeared in conjunction with the bout which was also preceded by entertainment from leading night-club talent and the stage show of the RKO Boston theatre which featured Horace Heidt. Admission to the show was a pack or cartoon of cigarettes which were turned over to the armed forces. 16,000 persons attended. Another factor which played a large part in the unusual attention the picture received were the personal appearances of Mr. Young, Margo, who is starred in the feature and Col. Carlos Romolos, aid to General MacArthur. "Fliclca" Contest Goes Big in Minneapolis Charlie Zinn, manager of the Century theatre, Minneapolis, among his many other efforts for run of "My Friend Flicka," set a kid and pet photo contest with the local Minneapolis Journal. Cedric Adams, who covers the column beat for the Northwest sheet, ran the contest for a week. Over 500 kids turned in snapshots of themselves and their pets. Winner received a $25 War Bond, while the runners-up received guest passes. Jolley Ties "Casablanca" Into Public Rally Recently when the 500,000,000th military vehicle produced in Canada rolled off the General Motors assembly line in Oshawa, many notables, both government and military, were in attendance at a rally at one of the leading parks. That was Mel Jolley's opportunity to get a break for his date on "Casablanca" at the Marks theatre, which he proceeded to do by having boys carry placards with the following copy: "General Motors military vehicles also proved their worth at Casablanca. See 'Casablanca' at the Marks starting Monday."