The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

December 19, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 647 First National Announces Big Exploitation Contest for January ONE of the big features of First National Month, January, 1926, announced by First National Pictures, Inc., is an exploitation contest that promises substantial rewards for exhibitors conducting theatres of all sizes. In addition to the cash prizes totalling $2,000, exhibitors whose work is of conspicuous merit will receive recognition through an Honor Roll on which their names will be inscribed. This honor roll will be given prominence in the national trade publications and every exhibitor who is included will receive a parchment testimonial carrying the name of the manager and his theatre and signed by the contest judges and officials of First National. The contest is open to all. It is designed as .an incentive to effective showmanship and as a means of bringing recognition to those directly responsible for fine achievements in this important department of the motion picture business. It is believed that scattered all over the country are many exhibitors who are carrying out original ideas which should be brought to the attention of their fellow workers in other communities. One essential purpose of the contest is to give credit where credit is due and to reveal the leading showman in the country. Reputation counts for nothing. Accomplishment is all that will be considered. The exhibitor whose name has never been heard beyond the boundaries of his home town has just as good a chance as the managers of the largest theatres in the country. The most famous exhibitors in the United States gained their first experience in small towns. The judges of the contest, editors of the leading national trade papers, are, from long experience and an intimate study of the subject, ideally qualified to select the best of the exhibits submitted. The judges are: William A. Johnston, editor. Motion Picture News; Joseph Dannenberg, editor, Film Daily; Martin J. Quigley, editor. Exhibitors Herald; Willard C. Howe, editor, Exhibitors Trade Review; William T. Reilly, editor. Moving Picture World, and George E. Bradley, editor. Morning Telegraph. In drawing up the rules governing the contest, which are printed in full on this page, the judges determined upon a classification of theatres that would give every exhibitor an equal opportunity. The classifications are based on seating capacity and take into consideration the variety in methods of exploitation needed for large city theatres, neighborhood houses and theatres in small towns. The prizes to be awarded exhibitors in the No. 3 classification (houses seating less than 1,000) are the same as those designated for the No. 1 class (houses seating over 1,500) and the No. 2 class (houses of from 1,000 to 1,499 capacity). All exhibitors are considered of equal importance in the development of the motion picture business. In the distribution of the $2,000 in prizes donated by First National, an effort was made to cover all branches of advertising, publicity and exploitation, the largest prizes in all three classes being awarded for a complete campaign on First National Month and the productions shown during that period. The complete campaign covers newspaper advertising, exploitation stunts, free publicity, lobby displays, everything, in fact, 'that contributes to the arousing of public interest in First National Month. The cumulative value of the campaign covering the weeks of January will be considered in reaching a decision. While the three biggest prizes naturally go to the exhibitors in each class presenting the best complete campaigns, it is realized that some single feature of an exhibitor's exploitation, advertising or publicity may warrant special notice. In view of this, prizes of $50 are offered in each class for the best newspaper advertising, the most original exploitation stunt and the finest lobby display. Also, there is a prize of $50 open to all for the most effective newspaper publicity. The advertising department of First National Pictures has prepared a complete line of special free accessories, including paper, banners, colored heralds, etc., to assist exhibitors in putting over First National Month in a big way. Also, an eight-page press sheet filled with original ideas, has been prepared on the campaign and will be mailed to exhibitors next week. The contest is open throughout January. It is important that exhibits showing in as complete detail as possible just how exhibitors conducted their campaigns, shall be mailed to the Exploitation Contest Committe. First National Pictures, 383 Madison avenue. New York City, as early as possible. In order to be eligible for the contest, all contributions must be received by the committee not later than February 21, 1926. Gotham Announces Staff for Next Release "Speed Limit" Advice received from Hollywood this week states that the entire production unit that recently made "One of the Bravest," will be used intact for the ninth and next Gotham Production which is definitely titled "The Speed Limit." This story is an original by Jas. J. Tynan who also wrote "The Overland Limited" and "One of the Bravest" two very successful Gotham's this season and relates of the exciting time gone through by one young man in trying to put a new auto tire on the market. The big punch comes in an automobile race which is said to be photographed in an entirely new manner. Frank O'Connor will handle the megaphone and his production manager and assistant director will be Glenn Belt. ^iiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiH I Terms Covering Exploitation Contest | 1 ^n^^ contest is open to all exhibitors. Cash prizes totalling $2,000 will be given S B I for the best campaigns conducted on First National Month, January, 1926. M I Theatres will be divided into three classifications: p M 1. Theatres of over 1,500 seating capacity. M I 2. Theatres of from 1,000 to 1.499 seating capacity. . 3. Theatres of less than 1,000 seating capacity. The following cash awards will be made: For the best complete campaign in each classification $250 For the second best " " " " ISO For the third best " " " " 100 For the best newspaper advertisement 50 For the best lobby display 50 For the most original stunt 50 In addition, one prize of $50 will be awarded for the most effective newspaper stunt used by any theatre in any classification 50 TOTAL OF PRIZES $2,000 S Judges are: William A. Johnston, Editor, Motion Picture News; Joseph Dan B 1 nenberg. Editor, Film Daily; Martin J. Quigley, Editor, Exhibitors Herald; Williard 3 1 C. Howe, Editor, Exhibitors Trade Review; William J. Reilly, Editor, Moving J 1 Picture World, and George E. Bradley, Editor, Morning Telegraph. S g All exhibits must be received by the Contest Editor, First National Pictures, Inc., | 1 383 Madison Avenue, New York City, not later than midnight, February 21st, 1926. B g In the event of two or more contributions being deemed of equal merit by the W I judges, the prize tied for will be awarded to each entrant. g g The complete campaigns will be judged on the basis of the best newspaper ad B 1 Tertising, publicity stories, stunts, program matter, lobby displays, ballyhoo*, pre B g sentations and their contribution to the success of First National Month. EfFec g § tiveness of display, originality, attractiveness and ingenuity of design, and the show | § manship revealed in each effort will be the chief considerations in determining the § g best. The judges should receive photos of stunts and other data properly cap g g tioned, together with a complete story of the exhibitor's exploitation efforts through B p out First National Month. g g Announcement of prize-winners will be made in the trade-papers March 12th, g I 1926. 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