Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

* ★ * * * * * ★ THE CHECKUP LIST Soldiers^ Wives Help Bond Sale At Local Houses {Continued from page 28) premiere; to use their savings for same and to ask their parents to purchase an extra Bond in the name of a child. Only children were admitted to the show and on opening day policemen, Boy and Girl Scouts and firemen assisted in handling the crowds. On stage the high school band performed and the principal speakers were the heads of the drive. The stage was decorated in patriotic motif with the color guard from Fort Snelling in attendance. Scout groups, Camp Fire Girls, YMCA and YWCA members distributed thousands of mimeographed sheets describing the show. Several weeks in advance, the Sunday amusement page of the local paper had a large art display with story about America's first film premiere for children only, followed by art work showing children purchasing Bonds. Torpedoes With his goal the purchase of four torpedoes, P. J. Crowlev at the Belevue theatue, Centra Falls, R. I., worked with the local high schools and had a torpedo displayed in the lobby with copy to the effect that the purchase of sufficient Bonds would permit the acquisition of these same torpedoes. Rallies were held all over the city and the girls were on hand from various civic organizations to handle the Bond sales. Wives Enlisted Proving highly successful for A. L. Clary of the Ritz theatre, Killeen, Texas, was the enrollment of 250 servicemen's wives, who assisted in the sale of Bonds. The women attended a rally at the theatre, from which point, escorted by the high school band, they paraded through the main business streets urging people to support the drive. Mr. Clary was appointed Honorary Sheriff and Mayor for one day, discharging the police force, conducting his own court, releasing all city prisoners who bought Bonds and fining many of his own friends; the fines being the purchase of Bonds. A Bond premiere with talent from a nearby camp was held and additional sales were realized through a Bomber Day sponsored by the local schools. The money was earmarked to purchase a bomber with a school holiday declared on Dedication Day and Mr. Clary host to the students at a special matinee. Crab Bog G. D. Carpenter of the Colonial theatre, Valdese, N. C, held two Bond premieres to put over his campaign. Each person who purchased a Bond for the premiere was permitted to "Honor a Serviceman" by inscribing his name on a special chart in the lobby. In addition, Mr. Carpenter staged a "Club Week," visiting various organizations and soliciting Bond sales from the memberships. He also worked in close cooperation with the ( Contin ued on page 35) Here is a summary of the promotions which have helped to make previous drives sticcessfjil and the press manual which has been compiled by the War Activities Committee for exhibitors in the Sixth War Loan drive. Go through the list; select those devices which you know you can put over in your community. When you have decided which are likely to bring effective results, call your staff together, work out each detail with them and from that point concentrate your effort to make each device produce the greatest possible number of Bond sales. 1. WAR BOND PREMIERES Contact your local Distribution Chairman or any exchange with which you do business. 2. JUNIOR BOND PREMIERES Organize children to solicit Bond sales in their names. Tie up with school authorities to put on a special matinee for students who sell Bonds. 3. FREE MOVIE DAY December 7 has been generally accepted by the industry as Free Movie Day. However, if it is more convenient, another date may be selected when Bond purchasers may be admitted free. 4. SCHOOL PROMOTIONS Children have proved willing to cooperate in previous Bond drives. In this section are to be found the ideas and promotions undertaken during past drives which may be adapted to local requirements. 5. SPECIAL TALENT NIGHTS Recruit local entertainment or talent from nearby Army camps or Naval bases to appear for stage presentation. 6. OUTDOOR RALLIES Establish a temporary bandstand at some busy downtown intersection. Provide entertainment with volunteers from night clubs, etc., and speakers Including servicemen. 7. BOND AUCTION NIGHT Arrange for a Bond Auction with gifts and prizes (promoted from merchants) to be auctioned from your theatre stage. War trophies obtained from local servicemen or patriotic organizations also create interest. 8. COMMERCIAL TIE-UPS Promote merchants and dealers to plug your various Bond selling activities in sponsored newspaper and radio advertising. 9. HONOR ROLL IN LOBBY Provide a large Honor Roll In theatre lobby and affix the name of every local resident who buys a Bond at the theatre. ★ * ★ * 10. SPECIAL BOND DAYS Designate one night during the drive dedicated to "Local Heroes", "Navy Mothers", "Servicemen's Wives", etc.. 1 1. STAGE RALLIES One night each week, arrange for local patriotic organizations to spur Bond sales from the stage. A suitable trophy may be promoted from the merchants to be awarded to the group selling the most Bonds. 12. BOND BOOTHS Reconstruct or repaint your Bond booth. Have It manned day and night by the women auxiliaries. If possible, provide a perambulating booth which can be moved about town. 13. ALL-NIGHT SERVICE Publ Icize the fact that your theatre is geared to handle Bond sales until midnight, Banks, post offices and other public agencies normally close early. 14. CONVENTION RALLIES Arrange with hotel operators to Inform yoiij of all conventions scheduled. Contact thosa in charge of the convention agenda to permifl speakers to address the groups with the Ideff of selling small denomination Bonds. 15. THEATRE FRONTS Decorate your theatre with flags, pennants i and accessories. Use them so that your the-i atre will present a patriotic appearance. j 16. PARADES ! Arrange for a big demonstration to staH your campaign with soldiers, sailors, veterar organizations. Boy Scouts, etc. The paradf should end in front of the theatre with th< Mayor or other prominent speakers. ! 17. EXHIBITS I Arrange with Army or Navy Ordnanci Department for theatre display of equipmen used by our forces. Tanks, amphibious ducks airplanes, etc., might be available. 18. HOLIDAY OCCASIONS Remember Thanksgiving Day and Pearl Hai bor Day, December 7. Both fall within th drive dates. 19. ACCESSORIES Three bulletins will be available during th drive for use on theatre screens. Two regular War Bond trailers have bee prepared— one featuring Jennifer Jones, tli other Eddie Bracken. For theatre and lobby use a number < accessories may be obtained from Nationj Screen Service. * * * ^