The Ten Commandments (Paramount Pictures) (1966)

GROUP SALES .» Amazing Audience Potential The audience potential for “The Ten Commandments” is far greater than for any other motion picture. In addition to appealing to popular taste for visual spectacle, it is reverential and intellectually stimulating. All this is wrapped in a package of super entertainment by the master showman, Cecil B. DeMille. With these ingredients, you can successfully reach for ticket sales to schools, church groups, and almost any group of importance. Contact leaders who, in turn, control the disposition of blocks of tickets. Special group arrangements could be made for blocks of small numbers at regular performances, the entire capacity of the theatre for regular performances, or even special performances set up at a time convenient for the group. The screening held early for opinion-makers and group prospects can establish the word of mouth and will sell tickets to many of the prospects who attend. A greater number of volume customers will have to be reached through ads in newspapers for special group arrangements, direct mail pieces and special letters and cross-plug information about group sales on theatre screens and in lobbies. Students are the largest single group that definitely should be approached on all levels. Shows for classes and groups during school hours have been previously done with the complete sanctioning and cooperation of the schools themselves. Also, after school and weekend specials for students should be put into force. Schools in the past have generally been very enthusiastic about the film and organized student showings. Although this was done a few years ago, “The Ten Commandments” has grown in stature and a whole new generation of children is available to attend. As an additional aid to obtaining school interest, we have made available a student guide which should be offered to teachers for use in connection with a visit to the film. Dear (full name of school principal) SUGG ESTED Cecil B, DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments,” generally acknowledged as the most acclaimed, most popular and most worthwhile motion picture ever made, LETTER will have a “command performance” return engagement at the ........... Theatre on ............ TO ALL Its first appearance since its original record-breaking run will be uncut, infact and at popular prices. In view of the particular moral and educational value it SCHOOLS i has for youth, many schools have been interested in making arrangements for students to see the film conveniently and at reduced prices in groups. In addition to the special arrangements, we can offer for classroom use a short subject in 16mm color and sound, and a study guide based on “The Ten We would suggest that you enclose Commandments.” We would like an opportunity to discuss these with you or with this letter the screening broyour assistant. Please let us know when we may call upon you. chure or some other printed material Very truly yours, which includes the Cecil B. DeMille statement, “Why | made ‘The Ten Commandments’,” and quotes from religious and educational leaders. Group Sales Director Theatre Dear (full name and title of minister, priest, rabbi) As one who has dedicated his life to the spreading of your faith, | know you will be profoundly moved and thrilled by the inspirational message and deep devotion of Cecil B. DeMille’s motion picture production, “The Ten Commandments.” It will begin a “command performance” return engagement at popular prices, intact and uncut, on (date) at the (theatre) (city) “The Ten Commandments” is the most acclaimed, the most successful, the most popular motion picture ever made. People in every walk of life, every age group and of every race and religion have praised it. | sincerely feel that your congregation, adults and children alike, would find CHURCH ES, “The Ten Commandments” an unforgettable experience. Special arrangements RELIGIOU S are possible for groups of adults and children, and | would be pleased to discuss Cc R OU p Ss! this with you or your representative at your convenience. May | have the pleasure of hearing from you. Your truly, Group Sales Director Theatre Dear (President or Head of organization): As a leader in your community, we believe that you will be interested in being among the first to be informed of the “command performance” return of Cecil B. DeMille’s production, “The Ten Commandments,” intact, uncut and at popular prices opening .............. Maar ea... Theatre. SUGGESTED “The Ten Commandments” is the most acclaimed, the most successful, the most popular motion picture ever made. People in every walk of life, every LETTER age group and of every race and religion have praised it. TO ALL Your organization will be interested in fostering this kind of entertainment for the whole family and taking advantage of the special group arrangements OTHER which we are offering in advance of the opening. Blocks of seats from 20 to GROUPS! | j | 2,000 can be purchased through my office for fund-raising, entertainment, or education. If you would like to plan a discussion program about the film, we can supply a study guide. Please call me for further information. Yours truly, Group Sales Director Theatre OPINION-MAKER SCREENING “The Ten Commandments” is one of those very special kinds of motion pictures that transcends time and is considered by most to be a masterpiece, a film classic. Therefore, if it is at all possible, you should arrange a pre-opening screening of the film for the opinion-moulders in your community, or invite them to your first evening performance. Everyone who, from your past experience, can contribute to the success of the run of this great motion picture, should be invited. It is suggested that your guest list include everyone in your community that might be influential in spreading the word that “The Ten Commandments” is still the greatest motion picture of all time. Screening invitations should go out to the following groups of people: 1. The press (publishers, film and drama editors, executive editors, columnists, feature writers, photo editors, music critics, record reviewers, women’s page editors, society editors, religious news editors, etc.—press includes dailies, weeklies, trade and union papers, school papers, shopping center publications and foreign language press.) 2. Radio and TV personnel (program directors and producers, disc jockeys, commentators, interviewers, newscasters, station personalities, station owners, etc.) 3. Dot Records personnel (distributors, dealers, and promotion staff.) 4. Clergy of all faiths. 5. Groups sales prospects (industrial group personnel, hotel operators, and employees, fraternal organizations, veteran groups, service club officers, transportation representatives, social groups, youth groups, union and employee representatives, and professional group officers. 6. Education representatives (officials, chairmen of departments, teachers, P.T.A. officers, student club representatives, etc.) | Additional List Sources—Use Yellow Pages for clubs, churches, unions, and other organizations. The Chamber of Commerce will supply names and addresses of organizations, which is usually kept up to date. The Board of Education can be used for names of schools and appropriate representatives. Mailing houses in larger cities may have lists available for rental. All persons attending the screening should be given a list of people to contact for further information in ticket sales, publicity, sermon material, speakers, etc. CONTACT THE CLERGY The extraordinarily warm reception accorded “The Ten Commandments” by leading clergy of all denominations should be capitalized on to the fullest possible extent because of the strong influence exerted by this highly respected group. In addition to the quotations given here, you will certainly be able to elicit equally great praise from clergymen in your town, following their viewing of the picture. Combine all of the quotations into an impressive throwaway which could be distributed in all local houses of worship as well as in schools and clubs. Also make it a point to suggest to clergymen that you would appreciate and welcome their finding the film a highly desirable subject for a sermon. For your information, in those cities where “The Ten Commandments” has already opened, the clergy was delighted to oblige with sermons lauding the picture and urging their congregations to see it. Quotes From Religious Leaders “| was very much impressed by the picture. | hope that THE TEN COMMANDMENTS will be seen by a great many people and that the picture will have the effect of strengthening our whole concept of freedom and responsibility under God."’ —DR. EUGENE CARSON BLAKE, President, National Councli of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America “It was the unique experience of a lifetime. We are not the same after we have lived through the experience, of following Moses through this picture." —DR. W. A. CRISWELL, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas “The struggle of a people for freedom is eloquently told in this stirring film. | was moved as Moses, conscious that the Law has its source in the one God of all men, conceived of it as the universal law.” —RABBI ABRAHAM J. FELDMAN, President of the Synagogue Council of America “Your contribution to this generation through this picture will be one of the significant ones of our time. One cannot see it without realizing anew that God is the guarantee of our liberties and the ground of all our hope.” —BISHOP GERALD KENNEDY, The Methodist Church, Los Angeles, California “| veritably believe it is the greatest utterance ever made in the medium of film. It is the majestic presentation of mankind's march toward freedom. It has in it all the overtones of slavery and liberty, of justice and injustice, of equality and the lack of equality. If moves one to the very bone and blood.’ —DR. RAYMOND |. LINDQUIST, President of the National Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church “The greatest film production | have ever seen. A sacred story treated masterfully and reverently. The crossing of the Red Sea, the building of the Golden Calf, the depicting of the severity of the bondage of the Israelites, the appearing of Moses with the tablets on which were written with the finger of God the immortal Ten Commandments, marked the highest achievement ever reached in film production.” —DAVID 0. McKAY, President, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints “The vast vistas stretch the mind, and the intimate touches move the heart. It brings the authentic views of the Bible’s landscape te the man living on Main Street. It makes the Bible thrillingly alive.’ —DR. RALPH W. SOCKMAN, Christ Church—Methodist, New York Ba! DeMille’s moving portrayal of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS will spiritually enrich the lives of all who see if.” —FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN, Archbishop of New York 3