Babbitt (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Costless Manner. . HERE’S HOW: HOW TO GET THE IMOST FROM THE BOOK You'll find the “Babbitt” book tieup thorough and comprehensive. Every effort has been made to simplify details and insure its success on your end. WHAT YOU'LL GET: 1. Book-jacket snipes, as_ illustrated, plugging picture and star. These are stripped around standard jacket. By writing address below, you can obtain snipes for window displays, and for use in circulating and _ public libraries. 2. A window card is being prepared which will tie-in bookstore’s display with your presentation of the film. YOUR CONTACT: Mr. E. Edelson Grosset and Dunlap Publishing Co. 1140 Broadway, N. Y. C. On “British Agent’ book shops throughout the city featured the book in their window displays, giving plenty of plugs for the picture, as is evidenced by the window display pictured above. Your book shops should be contacted for a display on the Sinclair Lewis books, featuring “Babbitt.” If anyone missed seeing one of the book shop windows, they couldn't avoid seeing or hearing this float, which toured the streets, playing music through an amplifier. And the book publishers split the cost of the whole thing. Perhaps one of the local book shops will be interested in something of that sort. Try ’em! i AUTHOR! AUTHOR! You can capitalize on Sinclair Lewis’ popularity and reputation by use of some of these stunts: BROADCAST ON LEWIS Officers or prominent members of local civic, literary, or reading societies will probably relish a chance to air their opinions on Sinclair Lewis. They can speak on Lewis’ works, particularly Babbitt, and the benefits they’ve been to American society. If there is a college in town, ask the head of the English Department to give a talk on Lewis, his life and his writings. IN A COLLEGE TOWN? A well-publicized public debate, with possible radio station tie-up, will create interest in the show. Tie-up may be arranged with college debating team—pro and con on the benefits of Sinclair Lewis’ Babbitt to American business men. Prizes can be promoted from local merchants and awarded by popular newspaper which will give you that much extra space. If radio tie-up is arranged, theatre can get spot after debate broadcast. SINCLAIR LEWIS NITE Theatre parties, too! Contact local reading societies, civic organizations to arrange theatre parties on that special Sinclair Lewis Nite. If you contact ’em by mail, stress the effect that the book, “Babbitt,” has had on American life. If you paper their meeting rooms, play up Sinclair Lewis as a Nobel Prize winner and the book, “Babbitt,” as his greatest novel. : TIE-UP WOMEN’S CLUBS Take advantage of the interest women’s clubs and reading societies take in Sinclair Lewis and his works. Try to arrange special meetings dedicated to Lewis, at which critic discusses Lewis. [| BOOK STORE CONTEST Since O. O. MacIntyre called Guy Kibbee the perfect Babbitt, you might be able to tie that thought in with local book shop. Store runs a contest on “Why I think Guy Kibbee makes the perfect Babbitt.” Books to winners. BULLETIN BOARDS A mention of the picture on the library bulletin boards won’t do the picture any harm. No suh! And the book mark stunt has been used plenty, but it’s still good. You can have ’em printed locally. | BOOK PAGE STORIES You might send a couple of publicity stories on. the book angle to the book editors. They might break merely because of the book’s popularity. [| ON THE EDIT PAGE Editorial column of local paper has undoubtedly, at one time or another, run an editorial on the “Babbitt” question. Doesn’t matter much which side they took. Every paper has said something about it. Check on it with ye ed., and if the answer is yes, ask him how’s chances for a reprint. He can run a little note on some particularly dull day, saying that because of showing of the picture, it is particularly opportune to voice the paper’s sentiments on the situation again. Costless, and a swell break if you can manage it. [| ODD PHRASE CONTEST They'll have to think a bit for this one! Tell ’em you're looking for the longest list of words or phrases which modern writers have made popular. As samples, you can toss ’em Babbitt, Orchid to you, along the Rialto and any others you may think of. Ask contestants to submit authors or originators of phrases at same time. The same idea can be carried through with reverse English if you list the words and phrases below and ask entrants to identify them as to author, work, or general date of their use: Micawber—originated by Dickens—a person who is always looking for something to turn up. Orchid to someone—originated by Winchell—meaning congratulations or general adulation. Bagdad on the Subway—originated by O. Henry—synonym for New York. 400 — originated by Ward McAllister — meaning “society.” Main Street—originated by Sinclair Lewis—meaning any small town. Elmer Gantry—originated by Sinclair Lewis—meaning a hypocrite. Fagan—originated by Dickens—meaning a thief. Blessed Event — originated by Winchell — meaning a birth. Middle-aisling — originated by Winchell — meaning a marriage. Along the Rialto—originated by Shakespeare in “Merchant of Wenice”?— meaning now along Broadway or along main street of town. Ritzy—originated by O. O. McIntyre—meaning anything classy, stylish, or richly adorned. Babbitt — originated by Sinclair Lewis— meaning a person whose prosperity compels him to conform to the conventions and materialism of the middle class te which he belongs, hence, any business man or professional man who follows his example. (Funk & Wagnall definition.) [| DEALER TIE-UP STILLS Tie-up stills, probably the most popular of Warner Bros. services, are offered you again on this film. Take your pick! They’re 10c each, on, order from Merchandising Plan Editor. Reducing Machines—BF 1. Cigar Stores—BT-5; GK Pub. C. Camping Goods—BT 28. Buick Auto—BT 36. Chrysler Airflow—BT 45. Pet Shops—GK Pub. J. Hunting Accessories—GK Pub. A 11. [| TIE UP SCHOOLS Most schools have “Babbitt” on the advisory reading list for children. Schools’ English departments can be contacted to make announcements in classes that writers of the best book reviews of “Babbitt” will be awarded ducats to the pix. Teachers act as judges. | MIRROR PEEKING (00K IN THIS MIRROR Mount a number of small mirrors on cardboard with copy reading “Are you a Babbitt? If the mirror turns blue when you look into it, you are a Babbitt.” Plant these on busy street corners, your lobby—-any place you think it will get attention. Page Nine