Enter Laughing (Columbia Pictures) (1967)

ENTER LAUGHING’ NOVEL AIDS FILM COMEDY enkk Gord Mose RBOR oes : ere ss ine —— pilariaus nove that ig now the Ait motion pie pyomanman deter: the Great White Wa of America’s brightest FOR BEGINNERS! In “Enter Laughing," Reni Santoni plays a youth whose dream of being an actor is more important than anything—and anyone—else in his life. When he finally gets an opportunity to act, he hilariously bungles it. Both these elements of the story can be used by newspaper columnists and other communications media for interesting material that helps plug "Enter Laughing." For example: e Youngsters are newspaper-interviewed on what they hope to make of their lives, what obstacles—financial, educational, etc. —they must overcome and how they plan to overcome them. Radio and television round-table discussions might be held with youngsters and educators, or with persons working in the career fields chosen by the teenagers. e Newspaper columnist might reminisce about his first days on a newspaper, and the "goofs" he made; radio and television reviewers might do the same, in discussing "Enter Laughing." And one or another of these media VIP's might invite letters from others describing their own particular earlyday career tribulations. Or interviews might be staged with local civic, social and educational personalities on their efforts to break into those fields in which they now enjoy their well-earned reputations. Promotion efforts along these lines are not intended to be serious, although the message they carry might be. In "Enter Laughing''—as a novel, as a play and now as a movie—Carl Reiner shows the funny side of what can seem like major tragedy. VIP's participating in this sort of promotion effort can do the same. SOUNDTRACK ALBUM The "Enter Laughing" soundtrack album is being issued by Liberty Records with plans for a comprehensive point-of-sale and trade campaign. Album contains the Quincy Jones music as well as the main title song, sung by Mel Carter, with vocals by Carl Reiner. Go after disc jockey plays and plugs, music store displays, etc. Present the album to communications VIP's, hospitals and local libraries which lend out records. There also is a Mel Carter single of the title tune, for juke-box and disc jockey plays as well as everything else that might be worked! This 45 rpm single also is a release from Liberty Records. BO AFTER THE GIRL-WATCHERS! Reni Santoni, the teen-age hero of ''Enter Laughing," and his close pal Michael J. Pollard, are unabashed girl-watchers in the comedy. Use this angle on a lobby board — "Girl Watchers! You'll Want to See, etc.'' — and in other showmanship approaches. These might include an attractively-clad girl bally with a sign on her back, "If You Can Read This, You're a Girl-Watcher and You'll Enjoy Seeing 'Enter Laughing’, etc." A disc jockey might interview young men around town as to which are the best spots for girl-watching, in their opinion, and he also might ask girls if they mind being girl-watched." Page 4 The Fawcett World Library has published a Gold Medal paperback edition of the novel by Carl Reiner, with cover credits. Work with Fawcett representatives, book jobbers and all book outlets. e Make up a quantity of book marks, using a pressbook ad, with "Read the Book, See the Picture" credits. Place merchant's ad on back and distribute in libraries, insert in books, as package stuffers, in schools, etc. e Promote copies of the book from distributors for contest prizes, as giveaways, etc. e Provide one-sheet posters for special book outlets, with sniped playdate and theatre credits. e Use a copy of the book as center art in a lobby or store display with ribbons leading from pages of the novel to the scenes in the film that they describe. THE STARS The cast of stars in "Enter Laughing" is particularly noteworthy and star appearances in the picture should be publicized extensively. Jose Ferrer and Shelley Winters are both Academy Award winners, Miss Shelley winning Oscars for her portrayals in two films; Elaine May, who received wide recognition as a comedienne in her association with Mike Nichols in their TV, stage and night club appearances, made her movie debut with Jack Lemmon in "Luv''; Jack Gilford, wellknown for his performances in all fields of entertainment, currently stars in the Broadway hit, ''Cabaret;"' Janet Margolin, a highly acclaimed actress, is best remembered for her role in ''David and Lisa,"" and newcomer Reni Santoni, familiar to millions of watchers of the Merv Griffin Show, plays the key role in his first major film appearance. LAUGHING STUNTS ¢ Make up a quantity of door hangers featuring the title in large letters plus your playdate credits. Hang on doors around town: private residences, stores, hotels, etc. ¢ As another promotion for your playdate, work with a cooperative disc jockey on a laughing contest on his show. Entrants can compete by telephoning the studio and demonstrating their laughs or they might appear in person on the program. Guest tickets and promoted merchandise can be given winners in several classes, those with the happiest laugh, the most musical, the funniest, etc. e A deejay can announce that his representative will be walking around town ta awa! guest tickets covers laugt store or bui cooperating e Have a | window str Laughing! ' doors arou! own theatr