British Intelligence (Warner Bros.) (1940)

STREET STUNTS TO GET ATTENTION AROUND TOWN Use ‘Code’ For Throwaways For a throwaway, use the following code message: "Yrnea gur fgbel bs gur zbfg nz nmvat znauhag gur jbeyq unf rire frra . . . yrnea gur gehr vafvar fgbel bs jul gung obzo qvga'g tb bss ba gvzr. Ragver revibqr erirnyrq va ‘Oevgvtu Vagryyvtrapr'."' Key to code is: ABCDEFGHIJKLM N-OuF GR S.2 VAX YS FCisN. Dis. , Cis Pte ©, bis Rete: Translated, the message reads: “Learn the story of the most amazing man-hunt the world has ever seen... learn the true inside story of why that bomb didn't go off on time. Entire episode revealed in ‘British In telligence’. Bottom of throwaway carries your billing and certifies that first ten solving code message will be admitted to the show free. Hidden Word Puzzle For Classified Section The British Intelligence learned that the German password was "Always Forward — Never Backward." This stunt can be used to create some word-of-mouth for your showing via newspaper contest. Announce that the password will be hidden somewhere in the ads on a particular day, possibly in different ads. The idea is for contestants to find the password and list the ads in which it was found. Post Spy Warnings Contact local police chief to issue statement containing instructions and precautionary measures issued to police force in order to protect local power plants, etc., from sabotage by spies during war-time. Blow up statement and spike around town. Use Ad 301 For Herald You couldn’t want a_ better herald on “‘British Intelligence” than the one you can make with ad mat 301 (see page 2). A wide distribution on this attentiongetter will bring all the excitement-seekers in town into your theatre. Give newspaper reverse side imprint for their ad. Newspaper Breaks Via Carrier Pigeons Here’s a sure-fire ‘“‘pigeon’’ stunt to get you some advance attention. Have pigeons delivered to the offices of all editors and motion picture critics in town. Attached to the pigeons’ legs are cases with this message inserted: “You are cordially invited to attend the opening day performance of ‘British Intelligence’ at the Strand Theatre on Friday.” Invisible Ink Teaser Cards Local novelty house or printer might make you some of those teaser cards which have been chemically ''fixed"' so that one side of the card will carry invisible writing. Have visible side read: "Wet the other side of this card and learn the British war secrets.'' When the ''fixed"’ side is wet, this wording should become visible: ''See ‘British Intelligence’ now playing at the Strand Theatre. See actual spies at work!’ Secret Agent Cartoons Your local newspaper probably runs a cartoon strip dealing with secret service agents. Contact editor and tag underliners tying in ‘'British Intelligence’ with the cartoons. A small ad on same page calling attention to billing and playdate completes job. Run a Gala Spy Hunt Get the town's younger element interested in your showing of "'British Intelligence" by challenging them to enter a spy-hunt some Saturday morning. One of your ushers acts as the spy and lays clues in various places. Each clue, through clever wording, gives the location of the following clue. Final clue leads to the front of your theatre, where the cleverest and quickest entry catches him. Promote prizes from local merchants to award to the winners. Sandwich Sign Using Headlines Most tabloids today carry giant heads about British Intelligence chasing spies, ferreting out plots against the government, plans to bomb London, etc. For a few days prior to your showing, clip everything mentioning the word ''British Intelligence,'' or even just England. Then paste these clippings on both sides of a regular sandwich sign. Your usher parades streets through town with display, illustrated by action scenes from ''British Intelligence.’ (Stills may be obtained at local exchange.) Headline the display with copy reading: “LEARN “THE, METHODS “BE HIND THESE HEADLINES! SEE ‘BRITISH INTELLIGENCE’ AT WORK!" Open Your Show With A Midnight Preview A midnight preview is a good way to set up your run of "'British Intelligence’ as a first class thriller. Announce also via screen slide, newspaper ads, throwaways, theatre programs, etc. Invitation copy for the affair reads: "The Strand Theatre announces the special midnight preview showing of ‘British Intelligence’ on Friday night. Starring Boris Karloff in his most terrifying role, it is the most breathtaking, world-shaking, history-making _ thriller ever screened, Don't fail to be there!" Find the Spy Tie in with local merchants in running a Find the Spy" search. Announce that a man of certain description will be in specitied stores at specified times. People who identify him as the Strand Theatre Spy receive free tickets to your showing of "'British Intelligence." Surprint Over War Headlines By watching your tabloids you can get plenty of extras featuring bombings and spy _ cases relating to British Diplomatic work. Surprint your billing and showdate for “British Intelligence”’ across the face of these papers and with large distribution, get a swell attention-getter. Page Seven