Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1929)

46 Motion Picture News December 28, 1929 MANActrcr rcoiJND table cllo So. Africa Club Activities Produce Some JFine Exploits Information pertaining to the activities of our South African members has always brought a wonderful response from the showmen here in the United States. ^ ~ ~ "~,"— ^^^^ Perhaps that is the reason why we are so anxious to have South African boys keep us posted on their up to date methods of exploiting the pictures and attractions at their theatres Thanks to the marvelous interest and CLUB spirit displayed by Mr. J. H. Stodel, who is the Superintendent of Theatres for the African Theatres, Ltd., in South Africa, we have been receiving man}' interesting items. The last batch which came in recently included among other things mighty interesting exploitation that would be a credit even to the boys in any livewire city in the United States or Canada. As a start off let us show you how Manager. Cecil Thorn of the Grand Theatre in Pretoria, South Africa exploited "Wings" somewhat along the lines of a similar stunt that was shown on our pages not so many months back. You will have to admit that this would be an eye arresting and attractive display for theatres right on Times Square or the Loop, so that when you stop to consider that this is South Africa, it is all the more deserving of comment. This is fine work, Mr. Thorn and we should certainly enjoy hearing more about your activities. Still another interesting display for the front of a theatre was chat worked out for "Seventh Heaven" by Manager Nicholls of the Grand Theatre in Grahamstown, S. A. Manager Nicholls, by the way, is a graduate of the special school for managers which was conducted by Mr. J. H. Stodel with the advice of Harold B. Franklin. This may or may not surprise you fellows to know that Mr. Franklin found time in his other Fred Perry, Says : " .... I am already an enthusiastic reader of the CLUB pages in MOTION PICTURE NEWS, for I find them to be a very effective clearing-house for excellent ideas and helpful suggestions." Manager, Capitol Theatre, Binghamton, N. Y. wise tremendously busy existence to aid showmen in such far off places as South Africa. Chalk up another notch for "H.B." Now we want you to take a look at how Manager Gerald Darrows of the Orpheum Theatre in Johannesburg, S. A., worked out a mighty attractive float in connection with a local celebration and parade. This is not so very much unlike the type of ballyhoo trucks used right here in the United States, and you will even notice that one of the young ladies on the truck is wearing a pair of the Harold Lloyd glasses. Undoubtedly, this stunt attracted widespread attention and helped put the picture over. On the same attraction, but at another theatre, Manager Harold Matthews at the Grand Theatre in Pt. Elizabeth, S. A., worked this mighty attractive ballyhoo parade as shown on this photograph. Take note of the big cutouts which are being carried behind the socalled band and we are sure you will agree with us that this is mighty fine work when it comes to this type of ballyhooing. Thanks a lot for these few contributions, Mr. Stodel, and kindly convey to all the boys in South Africa my kindest regards and appreciation for their continued CLUB activity. We are always glad to hear from them, either through you or direct, and we know that they are interested in what their brother showmen are doing on this side of the Globe by following the activities of the ROUND TABLE CLUB each week in MOTION PICTURE NEWS. Roy H.Brown Used This Street Ballyhoo To Boost The B. O. Manager Roy H. Brown used a rube ballyhoo to exploit Will Rogers in "They Had to See Paris," playing at the State Theatre, Cedar Rapids, la. """"™~™ "■™™"™ ■"""" — """ ~™ A man and w o m a n,. dressed as a pair of rubes and carrying a sign on their backs reading. "We're looking for the State Theatre to see and hear Will Rogers in THEY HAD TO SEE PARIS— Starts Sunday" paraded the streets for three days in advance, making their appear ances from 11:30 to 2:30 and from 4:30 to 7:30. The rubes also accosted people on the streets and asked them to tell where the State Theatre was located or where Will Rogers' picture "They Had to See Paris" was appearing. The rube stunt stirred up an unusual am. >uni li intei es1 in th picture and helped in promoting sal isfacti in 1> >\ i iffii e