Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

Showmen of the Round Table Tell How to Sell Bonds [Continued from preceding page] $50 Bond. 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 chance. CHILDREN'S SHOW Charles Zinn at the State theatre in Minneapolis, employed a "Children's Bond Show" to excellent advantage. His goal was to sell extra Bonds to children during the drive and to encourage the completion of Stamp books and the purchase of Bonds in order to attend a special show. In order to obtain a ticket to this show, a child or adult had to purchase a Bond made out in a child's name. Only children were admitted to the premiere itself. The American Legion Women's Auxiliary assisted and the Board of Education and the parochial schools cooperated. Policemen, Boy and Girl Scouts and firemen assisted in handling the crowds on opening day. For further attention, the high school band played on the stage, and various heads of the Bond drive addressed the children. The stage was decorated for the occasion in patriotic fashion with a color guard from Fort Snelling in attendance. LOBBY CHART Two Bond premieres were staged in Valdese, N. C, by G. D. Carpenter, at the Colonial theatre, with each purchaser of a Bond being permitted to "Honor a Serviceman" by inscribing his name on a special chart in the lobby. In addition, Mr. Carpenter staged a "Club Week," personally calling on various organizations and soliciting Bond sales from the memberships. The enterprising theatre man also worked closely with the schools and established a quota for each and then presented a special matinee for the three winning classes. As a final spur to the drive, the support of local merchants and mills was enlisted and nylon and silk hose in addition to four $25 Bonds and other valuable gifts were promoted and placed in a huge bag on the stage. The "grab bag" stunt was engaged in, with purchasers permitted one grab regardless of the amount of their purchase. Mr. Carpenter also held a "Free Movie Week" and obtained the cooperation of all mill employers, who helped sales by subscribing for Bonds and selling them to friends. BUYERS' SERVICE Proving highly successful for Albert M. Pickus at the Stratford theatre, Stratford, Conn., was the rounding up of all students, who were prevailed upon to render special services for every purchaser of a Bond. A $25 War Bond purchase obtained a student volunteer to wash a car, mind the baby, HERE is a booth which imparts dramatic import to possersby. It was used by Dick Feldman, manager of the Paramount theatre in Syracuse, N. Y., during one of the previous War Bond drives. Unauthorised at the time as an issuing agent, Mr. Feldman tied up with a nearby bank, sold War Stamps from this sandbagged booth which the bank provided. DURING the Fifth War Loan Drive, Joe Estes, publicity manager for the Aztec, San Antonio, Texas, promoted day and night deliveries of Bonds with this attractive booth in theatre lobby. clerk in a store, mow the lawn or run errands. The larger the Bond purchase the more service would be forthcoming. With plans already under way for the Seventh War Loan drive, Sol Sorkin at the Keith theatre, Washington, D. C, effected a tieup for the Victory Bowl that he will have in his lobby. Kaplowitz's, a specialty shop for young women, has donated $750 in cash for prizes of a $1,000 War Bond. Mr. Sorkin placed a large bowl in the lobby. Tickets were made up in two sections, one for the bowl and the other for the patron. Anyone who purchased a $25 Bond got one ticket ; $50 Bond, two tickets; up to $1,000 Bond, 40 tickets. The inducement to the firm which contributed the Bond was a trailer and a lobby poster. SOLDIERS' WIVES A. L. Clary at the Ritz theatre in Killeen, Tex., enlisted the support of 250 servicemen's wives, who assisted in the sale of Bonds. The women attended a special rally at the theatre, from which, escorted by the high school band, they paraded through the main business streets urging people to support the drive. An ingenious device was adopted whereby Mr. Clary was appointed Honorary Sheriff and Mayor for one day, conducting his own court and releasing all prisoners who purchased a Bond. A Bond Premiere also was held with talent from a nearby camp and Bonds were sold through the medium of a Bomher_TJay. GEORGE DIBBEL, poster artist for the Ri City theatre, Minneapolis, developed this g display, a reproduction of the 7th War I campaign poster. Located at the head of main stairway, the cutout figures are set e inches in front of the background. The silk is animated by a large, concealed fan. 24 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 28, _ 45