Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

SHOWMEN PERSONALS Star Appearance Sparks Premiere Of "Bel Ami" In New Posts: Jack Simons, manager. Center theatre, Hartford, Conn. Thomas J. McDonough, Park, Rockland, Me. Vaughn O'Neill, Loew's Ohio, Cleveland. George E. Williams, Five Points, Columbia, S-C. Robert Currier, Des Plaines, Des Plaines, 111. Vernon Burns, Roxy and Clinton, Frankfort, Ind. William R. Pilot, Colonial, Southington, Conn. Jimmy Mullens, St. James, Asbury Park, N. J. Johnny Balmer, Strand, Freehold, N. J. David Nolan, Mayfair, Asbury Park, N. J. Duane Peterson, house manager, Shrine Auditorium, Des Moines, la. Murray Alper, district manager for Randforce; will headquarter at Lefferts theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y. John La Barbara, manager, Meserole, Brooklyn. Assistant Manager: Warren Hill, student assistant, Allyn theatre, Hartford, Conn. Wedding Bells: Roy Blumenheim, city manager, Walter Reade circuit, to Helen Sherman, in Long Branch, N. J. Richard Felix, publicity director of the Oriental, Chicago, 111., to Louise Linzer. Junior Showmen: Vance Schwartz, manager of the National theatre, Louisville, Ky., and Mrs. Schwartz are the parents of a baby girl. Mr. and Mrs. John Divney are the parents of a new son. Father is manager of the Maine theatre in Portland, Me. John W. Fletcher, manager of the Cameo theatre in Unalaska, Alaska, and Mrs. Fletcher are celebrating the birth of a baby boy. Birthday Greetings: N. L. Tower, J. Howell Luter, C. Clifford Reed, Birk Binnard, Leonard Workman, George Fishman, Robert L. Lippert, George Sofia, Henry G. Dannenberg, Millard Barnett Goodnough, Pierre Boulogne, Glen Downing, H. Cavanagh. George A. Miller, Art K. Farrell, L. Novy, J. D. Courtney, Jim W. Stokes, E. Samphyra, E. P. Nelson, Fred Montgomery, Hoyt A. Howard, Dan Dandrea, Edward J. Friedwald, Fred H. Fink, E. W. Thomas, John G. McGee, I. J. Segall, Harry A. Salisbury. John M. Divney, A. B. Morrison, Frederick H. Laurans, William M. Snider, Sam J. Wheeler, Henry A. Steibing, Hobson S. Johnson, John W. Kniseley, J. M. Nix, Theodore K. Kraft, Ernest Sanzo, Dave Williams. Sydney J. Gates, Bert Henson. Abraham A. Goldstein, Charles Silvers, Morris Robertson, Johnny .Matis, Walter Tooley, George A. Gookin, Larry J. Carkey, Ross A. Jones, Lome K. Dunham, Frank E. Boga, Edward J. De Cosma, Max R. Griffin, Elmer W. Cupp, Marion B. Shepherd, Mel Jolley, John J. O'Connor, Joseph Weiss, Gerald M. Paulmier. Wilson Uses Word Contest . To Promote "Dagger" A jumbled word contest directed at children gave impetus to the playdate of "Cloak and Dagger" at the Capitol theatre, Chatham, Ontario, Can. The contest was publicized by heralds. Over 450 replies were received. The first 15 boys or girls who submitted correct solutions received free passes. The campaign also included special radio spot announcements. 100 window cards were placed in prominent stores along the main thoroughfares. The campaign was arranged by manager H. F. Wilson. away. Guest tickets were awarded to patrons who hit the "heart" of the man. Each patron was allowed one chance. A 24-sheet flash front also helped to promote the plavdate. Daly Sets Full Page Co-Ops Three full page cooperative newspaper ads were promoted by manager Joe Daly to publicize his engagement of "Temptation" at the Manor theatre, San Mateo, Cal. In addition, Daly effected a tieup with S&W's new apple juice drink called "Temptation." Apple juice was served free in the lobby. Ingenious Lobby Promotion Helps Nye "Dagger" Date A dart display in the lobby proved to be an effective exploitation, for manager Louis Nye's engagement of "Cloak and Dagger" at the Hoosier theatre, Whiting, Ind. The display consisted of a 40x60 board with the figures of a man, picture and playdate copy. Darts were placed on a table a few feet Lobby Promotion Aids "Skies" Bing Crosby "Blue Skies" records were played in the lobby two weeks in advance to exploit the picture at the State theatre, White Plains, N. Y. Five Westchester County newspapers used art on the playdate. A tieup with a quiz program over station WFAS also helped to publicize the playdate. Guest tickets were awarded to winners. The campaign was arranged by manager Michael Stranger.' ARE YOU THE MAN? Motion Picture Herald can use a real showman with trade relations experience, to gather news items, interview exhibitors, secure new and renewal subscriptions. Must have selling ability. Own late model car and be free to travel in designated territory. Good salary plus commission. Car and hotel expenses. Contact CIRCULATION DIRECTOR, MOTION PICTURE HERALD, 1270 Sixth Avenue, New York 20, N. Y. The personal appearance of Angela Lansbury, star of the picture, gave impetus to the campaign arranged for the world premiere of "The Private Affairs of Bel Ami" at the State theatre, Cleveland, Ohio. The campaign was carried out by manager Maurice Druker. Miss Lansbury posed with Admiral Hitt and William Veech, president of the Cleveland baseball club, in the interests of Navy Recruiting and the resultant publicity greatly helped to exploit the premiere. Preceding the opening, a luncheon was tendered the British Consulate, newsmen, trade paper and radio representatives. Theatre newspaper advertising was started eight days in advance. Radio spot announcements were used over WKH, WJW and WGAR six days before opening. Miss Lansbury appeared on several radio programs. A cooperative newspaper ad was arranged with the World Publishing Company and the May Department Store in connection with the popular-priced edition of the De Maupassant book. Miss Lansbury made a personal appearance at the store to autograph books. In addition, a city-wide tieup on the "Bel Ami" novel was effected with Cleveland libraries. Music promotion was carried out through song pluggers, who contacted all bands and music stores to exploit the title song in the picture, "My Bel Ami." Other display tieups were set with the Colonial Furniture Store, Record Mart, and book dealers. SPECIAL! SPECIAL! "LouAna" COCOANUT OIL In Returnable Drums In 38V2 lb. Tins ZW r 331^ per lb. Good Crade POPCORN In Quantities Over 25 Bags. 075 1 to, " ,?oas 075 100 lbs. ° Per 100 lbs POPCORN BOXES, per lOOO,™ F.O.B. Chicago f * Distributors for CRETORS Popcorn Machines POPPERS BOX PRODUCTS CO. 56 East 13th Street, Chicago 5. III. MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE, MARCH 15, 1947 73