Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1921)

Elaborate Armistice Day Program Presented by Tillson What might be called " The Unconquerable spirit of showmanship " was demonstrated by Roy Tillson, manager of the Strand theatre, Lansing, Mich., in planning his Armistice Day program. Mr. Tillson, although confined to his bed by threatened pneumonia, planned his campaign in every detail. The theatre was decorated With American flags. As one came into the lobby the first thing to catch their eye was a setting in the center of which was a large oil painting of Morris Harvey Dixon, the first boy in Lansing killed in action, and whom the Lansing Post of the American Legion was named in honor of. A large American flag made the background. The picture of Dixon was draped with flags and underneath a wreath and a card reading " Lest we forget " and either side were stacked guns. The prologue consisted of a stage setting representing the modern spirit of '16. A large black velvet curtain comprised the background, in front of which was an oil painting 6xio, reproducing the modern spirit of '76, with America, France and England portraying the characters of the original picture. A baby spot brought this into relief. On each side was a small easel containing cards, one reading "Lest we forget " and the other " November n, 1918." Up-stage a bit were two stacks of guns. As the curtain rose a soldier and sailor who were in the foreground came to attention and saluted the picture. Taps were sounded from the rear of the balcony by a bugler, and as the last note died out the soldier and sailor on the stage sang the " Star Spangled Banner." Brooklyn Mark Strand Celebrates Armistice Day AN impressive and sincere tribute to the " Unknown Soldier " was paid during the Armistice Week commemorative exercises at the Brooklyn Mark Strand, where at every performance the stage and house lights were dimmed down to darkness at a propitious moment during the show, the music halted and quiet prevailed for five minutes. The testimonial to the departed American soldiers came without announcement and was in good taste. This was the arrangement. During the showing of the Topical Review shots of the " Unknown Soldier " ceremonies at Arlington and Washington were thrown on the screen. When the shot was reached showing the soldiers blowing " taps " over the catafalque, the lights slowly died out all over the house and when the audience had wonderingly subsided into silence the trumpeter in the orchestra gave the " taps " call. Motion Picture N e w\\ Lieber's " One Arabiai Night'* Prologue Highly Effective For the showing of " One Arabia! Night " at the Circle theatre, Indianapoli I Managing Director Ralph Lieber took ful advantage of the exceptional prologue ojl portunities presented. A beautiful stage setting was mad<l showing a picturesque Oriental villa, witl protruding balcony. The backgroun I showed just the sky, with the moon throw I ing rays of light across the setting, wit I the clouds moving dreamily across. • A hunchback appears below the balcon)l singing the "Bedouin Love Song" foil lowed by a beautiful girl, in Oriental cosl tume, who sings " Less Than The Dust, [ finishing as the clouds move slowly across! forming an eclipse of the moon, while thf lights fade out and into the beginning 0 " One Arabian Night." An effective exploitation campaign wa also planned and executed. Newspaper tie-ups were affected an< the Star carried a full-page co-operativ> display. All the papers gave the pictur generous reading notices. In addition to this a half-dozen circula posters, which were made to fit into th< extra wheel on the rear of automobiles were used for advertising " One Arabiai Night." As these machines are on th< street virtually all day long, they un doubtedly proved of considerable value. Several attractive window displays were also secured. Essays on" Woman,sPlace, Excite Boonville's Interesi Manager A. W. Forrest of the Forresl theatre, Boonville, Ind., offered a series oi cash prizes and tickets for the best essaj submitted on the theme " Woman's Place " as exploitation for the picture oi the same name. The result was an avalanche of essayand a wide interest in the playing dates for the picture. Of course plenty of free advertising was forthcoming on the stunt and the names of the prize winners were published in the local papers. Lobby display arranged by Murray Brothers, owners of the Quality theatre, Independence, Kansas, for the showing of " The Man of the Forest."