Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1956)

about Products . . news and views nf the market and its sonrces of snpply Sales Promotion Kit For Car-Hop System TO ASSIST operators who have installed its “Servus-Fone” electronic refreshment ordering system for car-hop service at drive-in restaurants and theatres to promote the device to the public, Motiograph, Inc., Chicago, has developed a special sales kit containing a large number of advertising ideas and schemes. Use of the suggestions in the kit will not only “permit the operator to make his Servus-Fone installation an immediate money-maker but should result in his recovering his investment in an extremely short time,” according to Fred C. Matthews, of Motiograph. The kit is packed with suggestions which have been tested and found effective, he said. Included are a complete television script on which slides have been made available ; a prepared release for newspapers ; publicity photos ; a decal for the restaurant entrance doors ; five ad mats. Also a cooperative “flowers for the ladies” promotion ; prepared classified ad copy; street stunts; auto bumper stickers; instructions for searchlight use on opening night; an essay contest promotion; an auto license number promotion ; a disc jockey program ; novelty printed promotions, including “brilliant rules for bridge,” funny football rules and a knitting ruler. Also a postcard campaign to switchboard operators ; a mail promotion to secretaries and stenographers; a 1956 style “meal ticket” stunt; novelty pass-out cards; a napkin promotion for selling “take-out” business ; roadside tack cards promotion ; die-cut cards for distribution to cars parked on streets. Also street spanner suggestions ; billboard copy; football schedules; a “mystery tune” stunt ; the use of local vocalists on the Servus-Fone system; civic project promotion ; free photos of customers and a large variety of other ideas. Automatic Coin Changer With 19 Plastic Keys AN AUTOMATIC Coin changer equipped with a “simplified” keyboard has been added to its line of such units by Metal Products Engineering Company, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif. The manufacturer states that although the new model has only 19 keys it will deliver any change combination automatically — even split change — by pressing just two keys. The keys are of plastic and it is pointed out that they are “logically arranged for accuracy and speed.” "Fhere are ten white keys for making change from one through ten cents ; eight aqua keys for making change from 20 through 90 cents; and a red 25-cent key. Each key is marked with a permanent metal foil tab which has large and legible numbers. Called the “Coin-Master,” the unit is made of aluminum with a gray hammertone finish, d'he all-steel parts are rustproof. Four rubber feet are designed to protect counter surfaces from being marred or scratched. The unit will fit under a standard 12-inch counter (it is WYz inches high, 12 wide and 9 deep) and holds up to $100 in change (280 pennies, 132 nickels, 310 dimes, 80 quarters and 60 half-dollars). The changer is available with roll-out or tilt cup hand delivery. These may be placed on the right or left side of the machine so that the cashier can use the unit on either side of the counter. The coin magazine can readily be removed or replaced, it is stated, and can be loaded or unloaded quickly and easily, in or out of the machine. When the last coin in a column is ejected, the unit locks automatically in order that “short change” situations may be avoided. Curtains to Protect Screens at Drive-Ins CURTAINS to protect drivein screens from rain and dust-laden wind, made of plastic material fabricated according to specifications of Vallen, Inc., Akron, Ohio, and designed for use with that company’s track and control equipment, as modified for the purpose, are to be installed in four outdoor operations of the Cine Colombia circuit of Medellin, Colombia, South America. It is stated that the curtains will operate like the screen traveler of an enclosed theatre, opening to any distance under control from the projection room. The curtains are available in several colors. The track used in the Colombian installations is a modification of the Vallen Super-No. 11. All of the equipment was supplied through Vanderbrugh 3: Company, New York. Vallen recently equipped 20 indoor theatres of the Colombian circuit with track and curtain control equipment. Railings Made of Anodized Aluminum PREFABRICATED railings of anodized aluminum designed for both interior and exterior installations have been added to its line of such equipment by Lawrence Metal Products, Inc., Lynbrook, 18 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JANUARY 7. 1956