The General (United Artists) (1926)

“LAUGH PANIC” OF THRILLS BALLY-HOOS A LOCOMOTIVE of the type used in “The General” can be constructed over an automobile chassis for use on the street. Dress the driver like Buster. A sure fire stunt. A BICYCLE, high wheeled, such as Buster rides in the picture, is a logical atten- tion attractor. Easy enough to make of buggy wheels and to ride. SANDWICHMEN garbed in the quaint costumes of the Sixties (stovepipe hats, ^ frock coats and strap pantaloons) make an effective ballyhoo. A MORTAR and cannon balls on a float with a figure of Buster clowning about it makes a sensational street attraction. See Still No. 62 or No. 74. YANKS” AND “REBS,” represented by two men in costume might escort a Buster Keaton character about the streets as a prisoner. A “HALF - AND * HALF” General on horseback will draw attention. One half his uniform is gray and the other half is blue, divided in the middle. SPECIAL NIGHTS For Special Nights, cooperation in rail' road circles is appropriate. Likely angles are indicated in the Brotherhood of Loco' motive Engineers, the Trainmen, etc. Where there are General Offices of a railroad in the city, you can make a similar point of interest for the large clerical staffs. Wherever advisable, special G. A. R. or Confederate Veteran performances may be promoted. An American Legion Night or a Boy Scouts Matinee or a Boy Scouts Field Day each has its value. INTEREST WOMEN! Start a newspaper discussion in which the grandmothers defend the crinoline and hoopskirts of the Civil War period. They will assert that the misses of ’62 were just as active as the flappers of today. The modern girls may contend that the dresses of old may have been picturesque but urn inspiring. Another discussion can center around the long hair of ’62 versus modern bob; the bustle versus the boyish form; the plump figure versus the slim; long skirts versus the short. CONTESTS ANDREWS RAID essays could be written by school children. Offer prizes for the best description of this historic inci¬ dent upon which “The General” is built, the data to be obtained from authentic lit¬ erature. Get public library cooperation with a list of reference books. JOKES OF ’62” provide material for a contest. Offer rewards for the best “Yank and Reb” jokes remembered or dug up from the newspaper files of the period. A varia¬ tion of this is to have Vets contribute theii funniest reminiscences of the olden army camps. TRAIN CALLING contests, on the or¬ der of the popular 'hog calling” contests staged in the Middle West theatres, are appropriate as added attractions to “The General.” Get your stentorian railroad brakemen and depot callers to compete, the audiences to decide the most melodious oi loudest callers. “REBEL YELLS” can be made a compe tition similar to the above in Southern sec tions where candidates are likely to be accomplished in the art. BIG RETURNS FROM A MODEL - MAKING CONTEST For sure-enough, worthwhile exploita¬ tion results, nothing can beat a contest that arouses the mechanical ingenuity of our younger public. The contest should culminate with finished models ready to make a big display when your play date comes, and when big cumulative interest has been developd for your show. Tie up with a newspapr with an award for the best wooden models of an old- time railroad engine like "The General.” Let manual training classes and home workshops compete. Offer added prizes for tenders, box cars, etc., for the less skillful. Give everyone time to compete. BK-10 — Two-Column Engine MAT ONLY (Mat 10 cents) (This sketch is designed as. a guide for contestants in preparing models. Use it in newspaper copy in connection with a contest, or distribute it on hand bills and throwaways. The cut can also be printed in your program in order to give the contest added circulation.) Page Three