Drums (United Artists) (1938)

} Femme Letter Contest Sells Romance While selling the color, the spectacle and excitement of “DRUMS” to the hilt, smart showmen will not overlook the important angle of romance. To help clinch the appeal of the show to your feminine trade, here’s a newspaper contest of proven merit for getting wide participation. Based on the extremely appealing proposal scene in the picture, in which Roger Livesey wins Valerie Hobson as his bride, plant a letter contest “For Ladies Only,” offering prizes or ducats for the most interesting answers to the question: “How did your husband or fiance propose?” Run it as a contest over a period of a week or more, with the co-operating newspaper running the best answers received daily. As an alternative to newspaper plant, you can print the contest on broadsides and distribute it through a local chain store tie-up. MAZE PUZZLE A SURE PLANT Get the white prisoner out of the Hindu Khan’s castle! Puzzle fans will hop to this brain-teaser—a labyrinth puzzle that’s neither too hard nor too easy. And it ties right in with your show for a good newspaper plug. The idea, based directly on a situation in “Drums” story, is to trace the way to liberty for the British Major, who is held prisoner in the Khan’s castle, and lead him back to his barracks. Plant it in your newspaper for a sure-fire feature. The puzzle is available on two column Mat No. 50B—30c; Cut—50c. Sample Publicity Story LADIES! WIN PRIZES IN "DRUMS" LETTER CONTEST! Attention, ladies! Here’s a new and amusing game you’re being invited to play! It’s lots of fun, and there are attractive cash prizes to add zest to the competition. The contest is open to every woman and girl who has ever been engaged or married. All you have to do is write a brief answer (not exceeding 100 words) to the question, “How did he propose?” The contest is based on a scene in Alexander Korda’s new Technicolor picture, “Drums,” which opens ______-----------------at the Rivoli Theatre, and in which the leading male character, Major Carruthers, proposes marriage to his sweetheart in a very unusual and amusing way. How did your sweetheart propose? Did he do it stammeringly, boldly, casually, or did he merely sweep you silently off your feet? For the most interesting answers to this question, the Rivoli Theatre and the Star-Herald are offering first, second and third prizes of $20, $15 and $5 respectively, with ten pairs of guest tickets to the runner-ups. “Drums,” which was photographed in natural color in India, against a background of the wild Hindu frontier mountains, is an exciting adventure-romance of an uprising by a native Hindu Prince. It features Sabu, the Hindu boy who scored an unforgettable triumph in “Elephant Boy.” Get into the “How Did He Propose” Contest today! You'll find it amusing, and you may find it profitable. Send your answers to “Drums” Editor, c/o the Star-Herald. All entries must be postmarked not later than___.______-____________---, midnight. Photo Serial Plant the 5,000-Word News Serial Five thousand words of thrilling, absorbing narrative, illustrated with exciting scene cuts, tells the story of this spectacular film play in fiction form. The text includes an interesting preface by an expert on native conditions in India, then goes into the dramatic story with a bang, sustaining the suspense right through to the finish. Available in six chapters, all ready matted for local plant, it’s an ace newspaper feature and a first-rate boost for your show. Order the set of six mats—price complete, $1.00—or free tearsheets if setting is to be done locally. Order from EXPLOITATION DEPT., UNITED ARTISTS CORP., 729——7th Avenue, New York City. PUT INQUIRING FOTOG TO WORK Most inquiring photographers welcome a question with an amusing slant, which will get breezy replies and make an interesting feature. Here’s a question that fills the bill, and it’s a natural for a plug on “Drums.” Suggest to your local inquiring photog that he ask this question around town: Is it polite to point a machine gun at your dinner guests, as Raymond Massey does in Alexander Korda’s “Drums’’? If a question is wanted that’s more on the serious side, here’s one that has the advantage of femme appeal. Would you marry a man if it meant having to live with him in constant danger, as Valerie Hobson does in “Drums”? Both these questions are chockful of human interest. Give them to your local inquirer—he’s looking for good ones. Sells Show There’s plenty of action, drive and absorbing local color in this photo-strip serial on “DRUMS.” The text is rapidfire and unflagging in interest; the illustrations tell a colorful, spectacular tale. It’s an absorbing feature for any newspaper, and you’ll find it an easy plant. Arrange for adequate newspaper promotion of the feature through truck posters, newsstand placards, etc. Complete set of six 8-column mats available at $1.50. Order from EXPLOITATION DEPT., UNITED ARTISTS CORP., 729—7th Avenue, New York.