Kiki (United Artists) (1931)

WHAT SamTaylori PRODUCTION K IK I Reginald Denny UNITED ARTISTS PICTURE Mary Pickford in the most amazing role of her career. Here is smart, modern, uproarious en¬ tertainment with the greatest of stars playing a dynamic little madcap bent on winning her man. 6 —One Col. Ad (Mat 05 c; Cut 30c) AMBITIONS In a recent interview, Mary Pickford said if she had it to do all over again she would not choose the movies for a career. She would be a consumer rather than a producer. In other words she’d rather be one of that great audience that goes to the movies rather than a favorite whom they go to see. Use this idea as the basis for an ambition con¬ test. Have people write in 150 words or less what they would like to be or do, or what they would like to have been or done. Put These "Kiki" "ICIICr’DOES TO COMP TION IS A CAUTION! RADIO TALK ESSAY CONTESTS If you arrange for a radio talk have the speaker open his broadcast as follows: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, of the radio audience: It is my privilege to speak to you this evening as the personal representative of one who has long reigned in the hearts of all as America’s Sweetheart—the greatly ad¬ mired and much loved star of talking pictures—Mary Pickford. For the ap¬ plause that I can almost hear, in Miss Pickford’s behalf, I thank you. I am here tonight to give you all a personal message from Our Mary—as she loves to have you call her. It is her earnest wish that I convey to you with deepest sincerity, her gratitude and thanks for your generous reception of her as an artist, and more for the warm and loving expressions of loyalty to her, which you have so many times demonstrated in various ways.” Here have him go into the picture—as a production, as an opportunity for Mary Pickford’s genius, and explain why it is her greatest achievement. Ample material for this talk, and for which there is no space here, will be found among the feature stories in the Publicity (pink) Section of this Campaign Book. POSTER CUT-OUTS The newspapers will go after contests built around the following topics because they bolster up their circulation figures. Get your local editor to work up interest in one or more of the following questions. Have local merchants come in on the stunt by offering prizes for winners and advertising the article donated in cooperative ad spreads. Have contestants limit their writings to 150 words or so. Arrange to have entries published in the paper and displayed on lobby stands. Photographs help strengthen the local angle; use those of winners and runners-up. "Which of Mary Pickford’s past pictures do you like best—and why?’ "Best 300 word biography of Mary Pickford.” "Best slogan for Mary Pickford in 'Kiki’.” "Should a man as tall as Reginald Denny marry a woman a "Is a woman justified in using any means to attract the n Pickford does in ’Kiki’?” "Why Mary Pickford’s popularity has never abated.” OR "Mary Pickford has been an outstanding star in pictures during a period when dozens of others have risen to stardom and dropped out of sight and popu¬ larity. To what do you attribute Mary Pickford’s hold on an ever increasing audience?” "Mary Pickford’s supporting cast in 'Kiki’ includes a number of fine players wh>| are, or have been, stars in their own right. Is it good policy for a star to sur¬ round herself with brilliant players? Many famous stars of stage and screen make a habit of engaging very ordinary "Are you a picture critic? Name five pictures Mary Pickford has starred in, and grade them ac¬ cording to your opinion of their merit—1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. The motion picture editor of this paper and Manager Blank of the Blank Theatre where Mary Pickford’s 'Kiki’ opens next Sunday, will act as judges.” "In 200 words write a tribute to Mary Pickford, telling her qual¬ ities of greatness, of beauty, of charm, and state to what you ascribe her tremendous follow¬ ing of loyal admirers.” MARY I PICKFORD SamTaylorjr kiki Reginald Denny 8 —One Col. Ad Slug (Mat 05 c; Cut 30 c) Every figure of Mary Pickford as "Kiki” shown on the various sizes of posters is good cutout material. Her animated facial expressions, the numerous eye-attracting costumes she wears, the figure of the dainty, feminine star in men’s evening clothes, all are unusually striking super¬ showman material. For Your Marquee-. Use a cutout of the figure of "Kiki” from the 24-sheet poster. Perch it on the edge of the marquee over the sidewalk. Cut out huge wooden letters for title and star’s name and arrange in a frame above and below the cut¬ out. Plant flasher spot lights for night lighting. See the copy under theatre displays. Numerous heads of the star in the various "KIKI" ARTICLES Arrange with various merchants to advertise the articles named below under the name "KIKI.” Supply hand lettered display cards such as a window card writer would prepare for store use. Secure window or other displays of the articles named and use the cards in connection with these. Soda Fountains—"Get a kick out of our 'KIKI’ Sundaes.” Beauty Parlors—"Everybody’s Raving About the Waving Beauty of the 'KIKI’ ^ Bob.” Restaurant Menus—"Appetizer—By special permission—The 'KIKI’ Kocktail —(Tomato Juice).” Women’s Wear Stores—"Smart and Saucy—The 'KIKI’ Beret.” Women’s Shoes—"The Newest Paris Sensation—The 'KIKI’ Strapless Pump.” Think over the stores in your neighborhood—other ideas will suggest them¬ selves. Get the whole town to feeling that there’s "a kick to 'KIKI’ articles and 'KIKI’ herself.” Banners on Display Attract attention to your engagement of "Kiki” by putting these colorful banners on display in your lobby. They also make bright decorations for your marquee. Liven up your canopy with a display of these flashy canvas banners. They are 24 x 30 inches, and come in assorted color com¬ binations: White on blue, on red, or on purple; blue on yellow, on orange or on light red. The banner is trimmed with gold silk fringe. The cost is 90c each. An attractive felt pen¬ nant obtainable in six color combinations: Yellow on heliotrope, on red, or on blue. The pennant is 12 x 30 inches. The cost per dozen is $2.00. Order direct from the manufacturer: MORRIS LIBERMAN 69 0 Eighth Avenue New York City, N. Y. sizes as they appear on the posters can be mounted and cut out and suspended from the edge of the marquee. Hang four of these in a row over the sidewalk on each side of the marquee. Paint the edges in bright colors and the back a light color. Paint a single letter on each in a contrasting color so that from one side you see the four faces, and from the other the letters KIKI. By hanging these on both sides of the marquee both faces and title are seen by all who pass under the marquee. Lobby Exhibits-. Don’t overlook the advantage of cutting out, mounting, and using wherever possible the strong modern lettering of the star’s name and picture title that appear on the posters. They can be glued to lettered presenta¬ tions of various sizes, including window cards or placards. A combination of the heads of the star and the popular Reginald Denny as they appear on the posters offers another cutout opportunity. A cutout of the figure of Kiki in men’s evening clothes can be used on the marquee to advantage. It will attract atten¬ tion too, if arranged with an easel back and planted near the ticket booth. Cut-outs have an animated life¬ like appearance hard to achieve any other way. Make use of them whenever possible. Shadow boxes: Attractive shadow boxes can be made up through the use of the different situations shown in the paper. Use modern¬ istic designs for the frame such as the one shown at the left which sets off the situation pictured in one sheet no. 2. "KIKI" DOLLS "KIKI" PARADE Get a toy dealer or department manager to feature a certain type of blonde haired doll. Have a window display of them arranged with the announcement that they have been named the "Kiki” doll in honor of Mary Pickford’s lat¬ est and greatest picture. Let the store take the glory for originating the idea and for making this graceful gesture to Miss Pickford, reserving for your theatre space for a cutout or window card with appropriate wording. Induce some young women to start the fashion of carrying a "Kiki” doll. Have a "Kiki” doll hung in the rear windows of as many automobiles as you can. Get a story about them in the papers. Arrange for a “Kiki” parade of boys and girls. Make it a costume party, and don’t expect them to spend much money on costumes. Offer free admissions for a certain num¬ ber of those who show the most ingenuity in copying the typical "Kiki” short skirt costume shown on the posters and elsewhere. Offer prizes for the best, the most original, the most comical, the most ridiculous, and the cheapest. Handle the award of prizes in the way you are best accustomed to, and give the kids a matinee if convenient, or profitable. If there is a school or newsboys band in your town, make ar¬ rangements to have it appear in the parade. ^T'^. \ \ \ *1 The Comedy Hit of Hits I Merriest love comedy of them all with "America’s Sweetheart" playing a harum - scarum madcap who gets her man 1 MARY THE GREATEST OF STAR S j IN HER GREATEST ROLE/ 3 —Two Col. Ad (Mat 10 c; Cut 50c) Page Four