Home of the Brave (United Artists) (1949)

IT’S EVERYBODY’S PICTURE! GET THE COOPERATION OF EVERY ^ IMPORTANT PERSONALITY AND ORGANIZATION IN YOUR CITY! , A basic approach to your cam¬ paign is the controlled screening — for the right people! Every city has its quotient of VIP's (Very Im¬ portant Persons) and national organization units. For these Very Top people, whose positions and opinions are extremely influential, a carefully con¬ trolled advance screening is essential. Here is how to set up your own screening campaign: HOW TO CARRY OUT THE CONTROLLED SCREENING: Screen in a projection room, if available, and for a hand-picked list of guests. Set up screening as far in advance of opening as possible and be sure you include a fair proportion of women. Women, bless 'em, generally find the picture tremendously moving — to the point of tears. 2 . Guest lists should be compiled from local editorial writers, columnists and publishers; critics, of course; radio executives, commentators, femme program personalities; heads of all organizations with direct or collateral interest in the theme of the picture (see list elsewhere on these pages); leading figures on the local scene from government, business, sports and the arts. 3 . In discussing the picture with your invited guests, remember the policy outlined on page 3. They will understand the entertainment plus approach — and they will cooperate. 4 . It is recommended that a showing for the Negro press come first in your approach to the Negro community, to be followed by a screening for the prominent leaders of local Negro American organizations and groups. Remember that the follow-up is enormously important. Without action your effort is wasted. All guests should be asked to provide written comments. The editorial writers and columnists should be asked to write about the picture. Organization executives should be asked to distribute leaflets, write letters, make phone calls, hold discussions — do anything which in their opinion will rally their memberships to see "Home of the Brave". There are many aids and suggestions to help you accomplish this described on these pages. 6 . Preliminary briefing of all invited guests can be achieved very effec¬ tively by presenting to them a picture of the enthusiastic and wide¬ spread response to "Home of the Brave" by influential organizations and personalities throughout the land. This nationwide acclamation is presented in brief on page 2 of this pressbook. Use it as a screening room display or make reprints for distribution to the guests before they see the picture. T GET THIS KIND OF PUBLICITY FOLLOW-UP! Editorials! Columns! Woman's Page! * USE THE ENDORSEMENTS'. On the preceding pages you will find letters of commendation from many of the most renowned names in American life. Here are comments from the Secretary of the Navy, Congressmen and Senators, organization and trade union leaders. Circulate these com¬ ments among your own local leaders and organization heads; prepare advance lobby display from the layout as shown; follow through with the local chapters of the organizations represented for complete coverage of their own memberships, as fully outlined in column at extreme right, opposite page. CITYWIDE MOTORCADE! Arrange with the leaders of many of the organizations interested in "Home of the Brave" to provide cars and drivers and signs for a mass motorcade throughout the city saluting the opening of the pic¬ ture. Bands should be spotted on flat trucks and a sound truck placed at a lead-off position in the motor car procession. Signs on sides of cars should carry quotes from the organization leaders, similar to the ones noted on page 2. Wind up in front of theatre for short speeches and awards by local organizations. See Page 8 for a similar parade in town's colored sections. Page Four