Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

48 Motion Picture News December 20 , 19 3 0 MANAGE RJ' ROUND TABLE CLUB Spread Holiday Cheer The week between Christmas and New Year's, is one time, in particular, that the manager should decorate his theatre to create an atmosphere in harmony with the spirit of the season. Lobby displays and marquee effects that radiate Xmas cheer are excellent good-will investments. Patrons are conscious of these little amenities and are quick to note an omission. Build up these holiday sentiments. From the decorations inside and out, the theatre personnel and staff, the music, the programs — every detail should be carefully attended to. Make your patrons feel the warmth of your "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's" wish. Arrange to run a good atmospheric Christmas and New Year's Greeting on your screen. Not often during the year have you such golden opportunities to "glad hand" your patronage. It's an investment that will bring you a more complete satisfaction. And from the standpoint of good will, there is probably no better way to make them feel the friendliness of your theatre. The chart which we are Newspaper Check Is reprinting below is forward Showman Duty; Here trough ^e SSp3 Is Creamer's Method John W. Creamer, manager ^^^s^^s of the Fox Palace Theatre in Muscatine, Iowa, who originated the chart for use in conjunction with his local advertising. Creamer is of the opinion that many members of the Club have been looking for something like this. We agree. Do you? Accurate Record of Daily Newspaper Advertising Col. A Col. C Col. AB Col. CB Date Ad Total Inches Cost Free "Journal" Nov. Size Inches Cost to date to date Space Monday 25th 2x10 20 8.00 20 8.00 4 inch Tuesday 26th 3x9 27 10.80 47 18.80 Wednesday . . 27th 2x6 12 4.80 59 23.60 6 inch Thursday ...28th 4x5 20 8.00 79 31.60 3 inch Friday 29th 1x6 6 2.40 85 34.00 Saturday ...,30th 3x10 30 12.00 115 46.00 4 inch The record is made up in blank form and filled in each day after the ad appears and is measured. For example, on Monday, 25th, the ad is 2 column, 10 inches deep, that is marked under "AD SIZE." The total inches 20 is marked the next column. The cost at 40c per inch is $8 and this goes in the next column. The next two columns will be the same for the first ad of the week (but not so thereafter). Now, on Tuesday the ad is, say, 3 columns 9 inches or a total of 27 inches. The 27 is placed under "TOTAL INCHES." The cost figured and placed under cost. Then, under the next column, "INCHES TO DATE," you add the 27 inches to that used previously, making a total of 47 inches. This is marked in column AB. Then in the next column goes the total cost of the two days, etc. You will note in this method you have a double check on inches used and money spent. Add up Col. A, on any date, and it must equal the total inches appearing that day in Col. AB. The same is true of Col. G. Add it up on any day and the sum must equal the entry for that day in Col. CB. Phelan Cashed in on Good-Will by Having Local Team as Guests We told you that some dope would soon be forthcoming on Thomas A. (Tommy) Phelan, manager of the Strand Theatre in Long Branch, N. J. Well, here it is, and we think that " it contains a slant or two that will help you with future showselling, when you want to boost business higher. First, we'll take the Amos 'n' Andy co-operative page that was promoted by Phelan when the colored comics made their screen bow at the Strand in "Check and Double Check." A number of dealers were tied in on it. Each ad contained a notice to the effect that two tickets to the local playhouse would be given to the first 13 purchasers in each store. The gag certainly had them talking. The ad itself was very well made up. It carried scene mats and personality pictures from the film. The heading on the pages stated that "Monday, November 17, is Amos 'n' Andy Day in Long Branch." The merchants reported an increase in business. As a good-will plug with the local schools, Phelan arranged to run a Gala Football Night at which the Long Branch High School players and coaches were guests of honor at the theatre. The team, preceded by the high school band, marched along the main street of the town to the theatre, there stopping while the orchestra rendered a couple of selections for the entertainment of the vast throng that had collected along the line of march. The boys then went inside the lobby and posed for ;? Br ""**■( i 1 pictures, one of which we are showing here. The affair went off very well. The boys and girls in the theatre joined in and sang the school songs and shouted the school cheers to the entreaties of frantic cheer leaders working from the stage. Every one had a fine time, and there was no questions but that the theatre had gained considerable good-will as a result of the stunt. And additional business was found to be another of the results. Incidentally, before closing this story, we'd like you to know that the top photo we are showing is that of Tommy Phelan, himself. Thanks for your activity, Tommy, and remember we want to hear from you again real soon. Give our regards to the many Round Table friends in your district. Notice to Members PLEASE be sure to notify the Chairman of any change of address. -THANK YOU.