Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

Ihild Premieres Effective Theatre iond Promotion ^Continued from page 30) lools, establishing a quota for each and preying a special matinee for the three winning sses. During the final week of the drive, local rchants and mills donated valuable gifts ich were placed in a large grab bag on stage, nd purchasers were permitted one "grab" .ardless of the amount of their purchases. In iition, Mr. Carpenter staged a free movie ek and enlisted the aid of all mill employees, 0 helped sales by subscribing for Bonds. lild Premiere n Etna, Pa., Joe Sommers at Warners' la staged a kiddie Bond premiere at which sold $11,500 in Bonds. He enlisted the supt of local schools, the teachers urging the dents to purchase Bonds in order to attend ree show, which consisted of "Wild Bill l:kock," four Technicolor cartoons and two ledies. The local high school band paraded streets for two days during each of the ) weeks prior to the premiere with banners . signs selling the special kid premiere. At. Sommers personally addressed various [ups of men at local factories, impressing In them the importance of their children |;nding the show and urging them to purse Bonds for the children. Two hundred j;22 cards were posted on poles throughout 1 Section and surrounding localities 10 days ore the premiere and one-sheets also were ted about town. ^^ounded Heroes i. R. Jackson at St. Mary's theatre, St. ry, Pa., arranged to have wounded heroes •ear on his stage urging the purchase of ids. The microphone in the manager's :e, with loud speakers at both ends of the ;atre, was used at certain periods during the I to announce to outside traffic : "Another id has been sold. Honor your boy today." jiurch Help '.obert Ashcroft of the Broadway theatre, |timore, asked the help of the local priest and anized committees to work in the churches, ;iing rallies every night during the drive and j Sunday afternoon. The priest announced ■n his pulpit just what he wanted from the pie in his parish. At the rallies, the comjtees made out the applications, brought the jiey to Mr. Ashcroft, who delivered the !«d the following day. Displays were fea'd on the marquee and an elaborate booth up in the lobby. iwspaper Ads be Borisky of the Independent Theatres, , Chattanooga, Tenn., met with the Bond ers of the city and sought the cooperation :the newspapers in obtaining advertising the merchants to promote the Bond pre som Itie lli&f«fl»| 1^= seen many aciusi COMSAT HISSION^ Bond buyers were permiiied to inspect turret guns of a veteran Flying Fortress exhibited in fite lobby of the Ohio theatre, Cleveland. Manager Gertrude Tracy arranged for the display with the Treasury Department. miere at the theatres. Mr. Borisky had fourby-six hard tickets printed as "souvenir'' tickets, which patrons were permitted to retain. Some 3,500 war workers canvassed for the show, doing their work as a unit. Tickets were placed in the hands of auxiliary police and firemen who canvassed the neighborhood. Stamp Books Concentrating on every child, as well as teachers, in his area, Leo Peterson in Rapid City, S. D., exerted pressure to have every youngster bring in Stamp books which were converted into Bonds. A free ticket was offered to each student bringing in a Bond. The pupil in each grade selling the greatest number of Bonds was awarded a 30-day pass. CONVENTIONS OFFER SALES OPPORTUNITY Conventions held in your city offer an opportunity to sell extra War Bonds to out-of-towners. During the Fifth War Bond drive, Moe Essernnan, manager of the Indiana theatre in Indianapolis, made arrangements with local hotel managers to inform him of scheduled conventions. Mr. Esserman contacted each convention chairman and suggested that the organization through its membership purchase Bonds during the session. The American Women's Bowling Association alone purchased several hundred Bonds, all in small denominations, which were issued by the theatre during recess periods in the convention meeting room. ★ which included admission for one parent. The pupil in each school selling the greatest number of Bonds was presented a $25 Bond. The over-all winner in the county won a $50 Bond ; while the school making the best record was awarded an "E" flag. Radio scripts were presented through leading women's clubs, civic and patriotic organizations and the announcement of the school plan was held up until the start of the campaign to give all an equal opportunity. Bond Rallies Antonio Balducci at the Regent theatre, Syracuse, N. Y., staged a series of Bond rallies utilizing speakers, bands, wounded veterans, entertainment and other attractions to promote more Bond sales. The Regent has two Bond booths, one in its lobby and the other a portable which Mr. Balducci moved from civic gatherings to department stores and other community outlets. Several free movie days were run in addition to a children's Bond show. 'Xommando Raids" Larry Levy, formerly at Loew's Columbia theatre, Washington, D. C, took advantage of the "commando raids" phrase by organizing United Nations girls to stage "Bond Commando Raids" on local night clubs, restaurants and hotels for the express purpose of selling Bonds. The girl who sold the greatest number of Bonds was crowned "War Bond Queen of Washington" and received a flying trip to New York for a weekend with all expenses paid. Night Rally Lou Kusner, manager of the Apollo theatre, Martinsburg, Va., staged a huge rally at night to launch his campaign. The rally was sponsored by the Retail Businessmen's Association of the city and the Chamber of Commerce. iContinued on page 72) HON PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 4, 1944 35