Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

56 Motion Picture News November 2 9 , 19 3 0 MANAGE!?!' HOUND TABLE CLUB An Open Letter To Eddie Anson, Interstate Circuit, Boston Listen Eddie: What I want to know is this: what kind of a system do you use in your contacts with the managers of your circuit which prompts them to sing your praises all the time? We've heard bosses panned from one end of the country to the other, but so rarely do we hear of one who stands aces high with the managers that we must marvel and wonder how you do it. Let's in on the secret, but keep it up as it proves our contention that men treated right are generally good managers. Regards to the boys, "Chick" Stafford Jersey Had A 'Harvest Week' At The Plaza Theatre Special weeks are another of the ways that showmen keep their towns' interest in the theatre aroused. A week that went over very well recently was "Harvest Week" engin=^^=^^^=^^^==; eered by Stafford Jersey at the Plaza Theatre in Englewood, New Jersey, just a short time ago. We are showing a couple of photos that will give you some idea of the angles used, among which was included a hay cart as a street ballyhoo, and an atmospheric lobby. The hay cart, drawn by two horses, carried hay, squashes and a giant cutout of a squash, imprinted with copy on the special week. Jersey may be seen standing alongside the ballyhoo. In the lobby of the theatre, a girl distributed cider to patrons requesting it. She was dressed in farmer girl costume, in keeping with the lobby tone. The lobby featured haystacks, corn husks, squashes, pumpkins, etc. A great deal of comment was heard as the patrons entered the theatre and saw the display. It proved to be an excellent attention getter. Perhaps you'd like to run a week of this sort in your town. If you can't run a Harvest Week, you can, at least, make use of the idea. Think it over and if it will fit in your show selling program, give it a chance. Thanks, Stafford, for passing this one along to us. We'd like to hear what else you are going to do along the show-selling line over in your part of the country. Let's have the dope. Heralds Distributed At Football Field Helped Egan to Sell When it comes to getting in plugs for the Capitol Theatre in Regina, Sask., Canada, you can bank on it that Pete Egan, managerial maestro of the house, is going to be right ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^=^^=^ on hand with some sort of news or stunt on the house. One of Pete's recent activities consisted of visiting the local football field while an important game was in progress and having heralds distributed containing the names of the players. The spectators made haste to grab them. The bottom of the heralds carried a notice to the effect that they were donated by the Capitol Theatre. The rest of the herald carried the line-up Radio Tie-Up Helped C. Brewer Plug New Chevalier Picture of players on both teams. Many showmen have taken advantage of this inexpensive stunt and secured a lot of publicity for their houses. Maybe you'd care to use it, too. The heralds need not be printed on expensive paper. Almost any kind of stationery will do. You might even be able to tie up with a sporting goods dealer, give him a credit line, and lessen the cost of printing by half. We want to thank Pete for passing this gag along to us. We are glad to see that he is continuing the same live activity that has characterized his past performances at the Capitol. Keep it up, Pete, and let's hear some more regarding what you and the rest of the showmen in your region are doing. For the first night's showing of "Playboy of Paris," the new cinema opus of Maurice Chevalier, an advantageous tie-up was made by Charles F. Brewer, manager of the Ten==^^^^=^^^^=^^^= nessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tenn. The picture ran the last three days of the week and the radio exhibit in the lobby was on display the entire week. The radio dealers exhibited in the lobby every model made with the $220.00 model especially encased with an artistic background and a sign on top stating that this radio was to be given to the holder of the lucky-numbered coupon. Coupons were given throughout the entire week to every paid admission and the drawing was made on the opening night of "Playboy of Paris." It was also necessary that the winner be in the audience at time of drawing. The dealers also contributed six electric clocks which were given to the holders of the next six lucky numbers. They also ran a special 3-column ad playing up the radio show and the radio to be given away as well as mentioning title of picture playing at the Tennessee. Brewer also had an excellent window display, a duplicate of which was also in the lobby. This display showed a cut-out of Chevalier with tray in hand standing at a table — the table containing cloth, plates and silver as well as two chairs. A card alongside the display played up the title of picture, star, theatre and playdates. These activities completely sold the show for Brewer. When the Amos 'n' Andy picture made its appearance and showmen began to sell it, it was certain that the Fresh Air Taxi Cab used in the picture was going to be plentifully represented on the streets of the town wherein the theatre was located. Where there's a Ford there's a Fresh Air Taxi. Anyway, when the colored gemmuns' film played the Tennessee Brewer used the fliv gag to help put the picture across. An old Model T Ford was obtained from a local auto dealer and this was painted on sides with copy, "Fresh Air Taxicab Co. of America Incorpolated — Tennessee Theatre, 3 days — Thurs., Fri., Sat." The topless flivver carried a sign on the rear reading, "Our kar bought from and serviced by Centra! Motor Company." A man dressed as Amos was the chauffeur and a man togged out as Andy rode in the back seat. On the third day the car was in use it appeared in a parade headed by the High School band of 75 pieces on the way to a football game. Permission was readily secured from the school to join this parade as it added some life to their parade and incidentally good advertising for the picture. Brewer also used a sheet out of a desk calendar pad as a model for the reprint of several hundred. The blank space ordinarily found on these date sheets was filled in with copy about the picture, cast, theatre and playdates. There was also a notation to attach this to "your" calendar pad as a reminder to see the picture. The pads met with plenty of favor from the Knoxians and the stunt might be used a<»a:n on some coming attraction. We want to thank Brewer for passing these and we want to let him know that we hope to hear from him again very soon. How about it, Charles? The Real Club Spirit! "All For One And One For All >>