St. Louis Blues (Paramount Pictures) (1958)

OFFER PRIZES FOR COPIES OF ORIGINAL SHEET MUSIC The original sheet music of the title song, “St. Louis Blues,” would be an interesting item to display in a music store window or to reproduce in the newspaper in conjunction with either the story-in-pictures suggested in this section or with mat 2C. There could be a copy owned by someone in your town. Advertise for it, offering as a gift in exchange for borrowing it, guest tickets to see the picture and one of the record albums or individual “St. Louis Blues” platters listed in the music section. DISC JOCKEY CONTESTS A cooperative disc jockey might go for either one or both of the following contest suggestions: 1. Invite listeners to send in the names of as many songs written by W. C. Handy as they can remember. The first ten lists received that come closest to being complete should win guest tickets to see “St. Louis Blues” and/or a title song platter featuring one of the stars and promoted from a record store. 2.A couple of days before opening, the jockey might run three or four different platters of the title tune without identifying the singers, and ask listeners to name them, for same prizes suggested above. RADIO SPOTS .. . To be read 50-words: Calling all rhythm fans to the real story of the birth of the blues... told in Paramount's VistaVision musical saga, "St. Louis Blues” starring a stunning lineup of musical entertainers—Nat ‘’King” Cole, Eartha Kitt, Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson! You'll hear blues as they've never been sung before in “St. Louis Blues.” Sbcerts AAG) ccs sebinteycpsines Theatre. 35-words: Hear the blues as they've never been played and sung before in Paramount's VistaVision “St. Louis Blues” . . . starring a sensational lineup of musical entertainers, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Eartha Kitt, Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson! Starts RNY sitive see ceered Theatre. 20-words: Thrill to Paramount's VistaVision story of the birth of the blues, "St. Louis Blues” starring Nat “King” Cole, Eartha Kitt, Pearl Bailey, Starts (day)................. Theatre. “ST. LOUIS BLUES” STORY IN PICTURES The story of “’St. Louis Blues” in pictures should be plantable in your newspaper as a weekend feature. Copy and suggested stills are offered to you here for that purpose. 1. Will Handy (Nat “King” Cole), Memphis youth, is discouraged because his clergyman father has forbidden him to compose the syncopated songs he loves. Though comforted by his understanding Aunt Hagar (Pearl Bailey), Will finally has to decide between his father and his music. He leaves home to be free to compose what his father calls his “Devil’s music,” based on the folk songs of his people. (Stull 11528-33) 2. Will’s fiancee Elizabeth (Ruby Dee) finally sides with his father. Will’s music arouses the interest of singer Gogo Germaine (Eartha Kitt), who talks her man, night club owner, Blade (Cab Calloway), into hiring Will and his blues band. Will composes the first jazz song in history, which, sung by Gogo, becomes a big hit. Will’s father is outraged; Elizabeth breaks their engagement when she assumes Will is romantically interested in Gogo. (Still 11528-21) 3. Meanwhile, Will is encouraged by Gogo who senses that his strange new melodies can make them both famous. Will’s career flourishes and the royalty checks start coming. Elizabeth pleads with Gogo to release Will from her influence, but the singer insists there is nothing between them but music. Gogo lands a New York contract, wants Will to go with her, but he refuses. (Still 11528-63 ) 4. Will tells Elizabeth he is losing his sight. With her encouragement he returns home, reconciles with his father and begins to compose spirituals. He tries to be content, but it is impossible. He writes “St. Louis Blues,”’ which Gogo sing’s all over the coun try with great success. (Still 11528-44) 3. By a seeming miracle, Will’s sight is restored. He finally rebels at teaching piano for a living and leaves home again, dropping out of sight and appearing in cafés as a jazz singer and pianist. Gogo goes to Memphis to find him and tell him that his “St. Louis Blues” is to be played by the New York Symphony. She berates Elizabeth for not understanding Will and tells her to try to get his father to attend the concert in New York. (Stull 11528-69) 6. The Handys and Elizabeth go to New York but cannot get tickets for the concert. However, Gogo arranges for them to witness the performance from the wings. She has also located Will, and she brings the family together. Will and his song receive a tremendous ovation after Gogo and he sing it, accompanied by the symphony orchestra. A happy Will is reconciled with his father and reunited with Elizabeth. (Still, 11528-27) MATTED ART OF THE STARS Special mat 2C which includes heads of the six top stars in “St. Louis Blues’’ lends itself to several practical uses in your campaign for this outstanding attraction. It can be used as a newspaper plant with set-up as shown below or it can be blown up and surrounded with stars for an attractive lobby display. SIX TOP MUSIC-MAKING FAVORITES RHYTHM-ROCK “ST. LOUIS BLUES” Half-a-dozen of the nation’s great singing artists bring to stirring life the music and the story of W. C. Handy, father of the blues, in Paramount’s dramatization of the birth of America’s own rhythms, “St. Louis Blues,” which opens .......... Piel LV skieeer tat cey Oinenar Theatre. Upper row: Pearl Bailey, Nat “King” Cole, Eartha Kitt; lower row: Mahalia Jackson, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald. Above art on Mat 2C PLAY RECORDS OVER P.A. Don’t overlook the effectiveness of playing recordings of W. C. Handy’s great music over your P.A. system, especially the title song, during the run of “St. Louis Blues.” TITLE PEGS COLOR PROMOTION The title is a perfect one for a department store color promotion. Try to sell the most cooperative and promotionminded store in your locale the idea of window displays of clothing for women in various shades of blue, in tribute to the story of America’s own great music, “St. Louis Blues.” TRAILER The National Screen Service trailer is an important part of your campaign for “St. Louis Blues.” Use it to the fullest possible extent; its story-telling, star-andrhythm selling will go a long way toward ensuring the success of your engagement of this entertainmentpacked attraction. Order your print from your NSS Exchange now!