Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

D e c e m b e r 13 , 1 9 3 " Motion Picture News S3 MANAGER*' ROUND TABLE CLUB Teaser Postcards Utilized By Finley To Plug Attraction A lot of interest for his film, "Strictly Unconventional," was aroused by O. G. Finley, manager of the Victory Theatre in Tampa, Fla., when he set out to sell the picture to the pub ^-^ • lie by means of teaser copy on postcards. Five hundred cards were signed "Lewis" and another 500 were signed "Catherine." Copy on the cards read: "Dear: Knowing it to be strictly unconventional to call you at your house, will you arrange to meet me Tuesday evening at S o'clock at the northwest corner of Tampa and Zack Streets? Hurriedlv." The cards aroused interest to the extent that about 500 phone calls were received at the theatre on opening night of picture and about 15 people were seen waiting at the designated corner. The street address mentioned in the copy on cards was that of the theatre itself. We have shown many gags of this sort, and have always stressed that it is essential that you know how your town will take the stunt. In some towns it will never click. We are sure that Finley must know his public to use it. Let's hear from you again, "O. G." Burgum Featured A Show To Aid The Unemployed of Town Following right along behind the many other showmen who have been taking every opportunity to do what they can to help relieve the unemployment situation, Dan Burgum, manager of the Paramount Theatre in Greenville, Miss., ran a special Saturday morning benefit show, the purpose of which was to secure food for distribution to the poor and the unemployed. A great many of the towns kiddies were in attendance at the show, the admission price for the youngsters being the donation of some sort of food, no matter the quantity. The photo we are showing will give you an idea of the number of kids that turned out for the performance. "fi Js n Half of the food received was turned over to the Red Cross for distribution through their organization. The other half was divided between the hot lunch department of the public schools and to the Salvation Army. The newspaper got solidly behind the idea, giving it some wonderful breaks in their columns, not neglecting to mention some particularly complimentary stories directed towards Burgum and his house personnel, all who had donated their services towards the worthy cause. The good-will stunt helped to further the good-will stock of the theatre, and this alone was a tremendous result of the benefit. By the way, Dan. we'd like to hear from you more often. And when you send us in your next contribution, include your photo. A Thought For Today Ideas lose themselves as quickly as quail, and one must win? them the minute they rise out of the grass — or they are gone. — Thomas F. Kennedy Like It? ws^my^MSjm^ I'3. I'*. 9?-7?. fa<S£r7 nor* 5HOwino BlMPMINTEB 7rr/C£ /f/o/my -mm Why not ftooK your s&mt in a»van&& ~/r costs ra&/Y07ffm£m<i The Cut we are showing here is a reproduction of the slide used by Wally Baker, of the Palladium Theatre in Stockport, England, as a plug for the early reservations of seats. Look it over, and get the humor in the sign "Now Showing — 'Disappointed'— Twice Nightly." Shades of Dick Kirschbaum! Is this a habit? Schosberg Boosted Kid Business on a Recent Film Show Building up children patronage was the objective of Milton Schosberg of the Hippodrome Theatre, Pottsville, Pa., when he played "The Silent Enemy" at his house recently. Through a tie-up with the city's schools and the leading bus company of Pottsville, he invited 1,500 children to a special morning matinee, the children being admitted upon presentation of a special ticket circulated in all the schools. These tickets, which made no special concession in price, permitted all children showing them to the bus company, to get free transportation to the theatre. Schosberg first sold the school superintendent on the picture's educational value and then sent a special letter to each of the principals advising of this fact, with the result that they recommended the picture to their classes. The kids matinee turnout on the picture is said to have been the biggest the theatre ever had. Another one of Schosberg's activities — and one that helps tremendously — is his "side" job as movie editor of the town's leading paper. He presents a daily comment of interesting and timely movie chatter, and though not permitted to ballyhoo the theatre, he manages to get in a line or two now and then. The newspaper editor is very well pleased with the column, and so are the readers — so much so that Schosberg is kept pretty busy answering inquiries. In order to give information as nearly accurate as possible he secures his information from Motion Picture News' Blue Book of cinemadom, the Publix Manual, and the circuit's house organ "Publix Opinion." This is the first time Mr. Schosberg has appeared on the Club pages and we'd like him to know that if he continues this activity he will more than be eligible for an active membership. When you send us in your next contribution, Milton, include your photo and some of your show history, too, so that we can pass it along and introduce you to the rest of the Club.