City for Conquest (Warner Bros.) (1940)

4 ERC ROVPNITO)) STREET BALLY In the picture, the Old-Timer is an elderly philosopher who knows his New York from the Battery to the Bronx. He plays an important part in the picture; and in the trailer, he introduces the cast of characters. Find a picturesque old fellow, dress him as the OldTimer, and send him around town with a sandwich board reading, ‘“Take the word of an Old-Timer; there’s never been a moving picture as exciting and thrilling as ‘CITY FOR CONQUEST?’ with James Cagney and Ann Sheridan . . . Strand Theatre . . . Now!” SPOT CITY SIGNS YOu ARE ENTERING RoBINSVILLE, INDIANA CL Groening Con, oT 24 : 2: POPULATION : oe a a TS 18 A C17TY OF BUSINESS. OPPORTOMTY .Crry FORCONQYEST ee a ile Get in touch with your local chamber of commerce and sell them on the fact that theirs is a City For Conquest. Put signs on the highways entering town giving the name of the city, population, growth, ending with a statement that this is a City For Conquest. NEW YORK CITY ATMOSPHERE Dress up lobby with New York street signs. For instance, have sign saying GRAND CENTRAL STATION out front near main doors; put one reading BROADWAY & 50TH ST. next to box-office; by stairway to balcony, sign reads IL.R.T. ELEVATED-UPTOWN; at stairway down to rest-rooms put B.M.T. SUBWAY-DOWNTOWN;; at doors to orchestra place signs saying TIMES SQUARE. There are a host of other sites you can use. In this way, you give your lobby a real Manhattan flavor in big town style. LOBBY PANORAMA A realistic panorama of the New York Skyline at night! Set it up in your lobby. Here’s how. Make a blow-up of the book cover and where windows are indicated make small perforations. Then, place a light behind the display coming through the transparent parts to create an effect of lighted windows. The back light works on a flasher for animation. TWO FOR THE STAFF CONQUEST BY PHONE Since the “life-blood” of theatre operation is advertising— internal as well as external— we cannot stress strongly enough that you make it a point to instruct your staff on how to answer questions about “City For Conquest.” Post copies of the following statement where it can be seen by all employees. TO ALL EMPLOYEES When answering inquiries about “City For Conquest,” please give the following information: “City For Conquest’ stars James Cagney and Ann Sheridan in their greatest roles. It’s a turbulent drama of a boy and girl against the mighty city . . . full of action, romance, music and drama. The film is based on Aben Kandel’s best-selling novel. ‘City For Conquest,’ is great entertainment for everyone.”’ When potential ticket buyers call up to ask, “What’s playing tonight?” your staff will be ably prepared to sell the show to your prospective patrons. CONQUEST BY MAIL Dear Sir, In keeping with the Strand Theatre’s policy of informing patrons of excellent forthcoming entertainment features, we have still another hit to add to our impressive list. Beginning Friday the Strand will show “City For Conquest.” This dynamic new film stars James Cagney and Ann Sheridan in their greatest roles, and is the Warner Bros. transcription of the best-selling Aben Kandel novel which many of you have read and enjoyed. Cagney and Sheridan appear together as wild, as reckless, and as pulsing with life as the city they seek to conquer! An excellent supporting cast includes Frank Craven, Donald Crisp, Frank McHugh, George Tobias, and Jerome Cowan. It’s directed by Anatole Litvak, the man who gave you such screen masterpieces as “Confessions of a Nazi Spy” and “All This, And Heaven Too.” | heartily recommend “City For Conquest.” It’s the dramatic thunderbolt of the year! Sincerely yours, The Manager SIX DAILY CONTESTS ON PAGE 18 MUSIC OVER P.A. Cueing on Jazz Symphony composed by James Cagney’s brother in film, set up P.A. system out front and play recordings of modern music. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue,” “‘American In Paris,” Roy Harris’ ““When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” the new “Ballad For Americans” and others are all effective attention-getters. NICKNAMES FOR N.Y. Since New York City is known by many nicknames, spot the following in classified ad section of local newspaper. Passes go to those compiling the longest lists. Nicknames include: Gotham, Baghdad on the Subway, Empire City, Magic Isle, Vertical City, Knickerbocker Town, and City For Conquest. TITLE WORD GAME Award guest tickets to those who complete each of the following lines with adjective that best describes the film. The three words filled in below are merely examples and are not necessarily the most descriptive. Title-selling contest should be planted on reverse side of herald or back of theatre program. Captivating Forceful Courageous | OE ae Oo oh oe Oars res lees Bhs i genre Bes cgte sa i papain ved cpt tas Se eee OS Se res, | BRR eG Droste eT — Ee Y Sarees Fee, Run a photo contest for the picture of your city which best gets across the dramatic idea that it is a City for Conquest. Shots should give the feel of the activity of the city, the restless industry it enfolds, the constant struggle it engenders. Work up choice of entries into lobby display, or present entries in an exhibit with the local camera clubs. Contact newspaper to print prize pictures. Award free tickets to winners. Use town old-timer (see previous stunt) for judge.