Everybody's Hobby (Warner Bros.) (1939)

REVIEW AND EXPLOITATION Typical American Family Lets Loose With Its Hobbies In Enjoyable Film ‘Everybody’s Hobby’ Brings Silent Star Back To Screen 207—30c Scene from “Everybody’s Hobby” which opened today at the Strand. ““Everybody’s Hobby,’’ the Warner Bros. picture with Irene Rich and Henry O’Neill in the chief roles which opened yesterday at the Strand Theatre, is the sort of entertainment that should strike a responsive chord in the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. America and all their offspring past the age of six. For it answers the age-old prayer voiced by Robert Burns when he poetically asked the Divinity, on behalf of the human race, to give us the gift ‘‘to see ourselves as others see us.’’ Nearly every filmgoer is a hobbyist and they can all see themselves as others see them by looking at the various members of ‘‘Everybody’s Hobby.”’ It’s a typical American middleclass family, composed of father, mother, ’teen age son and daugh. er tie-ups. HF 9,10 HF 30, 35 network. (2) em eee ay | HFEF 23. i Dealer Tie-up Angles Every merchant in town who sells anything from matches to automobiles should be willing to tie in with “Everybody’s Hobby” displays on his counters and in his windows. Angle is: “Henry O’Neill’s hobby in ‘Everybody’s Hobby’ What’s yours?” or “The newest in camping equipment at Baker’s,”’ Following scene stills good for deal is cameras. Bare: « photography ee stamp collecting .. Short wave radio HF 48. radio and photography Order these from your local exchange Two Radio Tie-ups (1) Arrange for spot announcement preceding or following regular radio feature such as the “Hobby Lobby” which is aired every Wednesday night on the NBC Blue Local station can put on interesting show by having localites talk about their pet hobbies. Offer guest tickets to imsure plugs for your showing of the picture. eee i Iz . i000 ter, with father’s somewhat shiftless elderly brother as perennial house guest. And each of them has a hobby to which he or she is assiduously devoted. While the film play, based by Kenneth Gamet and William W. Brockway on an original story by the latter, pokes a bit of gentle fun at the excesses of the hobbyists in the pursuit of their avacations, it is really on the side of not only this particular group but of hobbyists in general. The story is excitingly spiced with adventure, which comes when dad and son go into the mountains on a camping trip. A big forest fire breaks out, and the boy’s ‘*‘Ham’”’ radio set becomes a valuable aid to the forest rangers in conquering the blaze, while dad’s camera with its telephoto lens takes a picture of the firebug who started the fire. IRENE RICH But, enough of the story. The production is unusually interesting because it marks the return as a top-featured screen player of Mat 109—15e the too-long absent Irene Rich. She brings all the mature charm and acting skill for which she is famous to the role of the mother. Another particularly satisfying aspect of the production is that itgives a top role to Henry O’Neill, who has won a distinctive niche for himself by the wide range of his character portrayals. As the couple’s children, Jackie Moran and Jean Sharon add a delightful zest to the _ production and two other kid actors, Jackie Morrow and Peggy Stewart, also contribute amusing moments. Others who contribute to the excellence of the acting ensemble include Aldrich Bowker, John Ridgely, Fredric Tozere, Albert Morin and Nat Carr. Credit William McGann for ace direction. eee =i [6] Hobby Occupation Some people turn hobbies into occupations. There ought to be at least one model boat-maker or dollmaker in town who would make exeellent material for a human interest story and picture. Have him as special guest on opening night; introduce him from stage, ete. Radio Exhibit Contact loeal “Ham” society (amateur shortwave radio) for an exhibit in your lobby. They could also rig up a portable station in your lobby to send and receive messages for the patrons. School Work Most schools have one or two hours a week given over to pupils’ hobbies, with instructors acting as guides. Center your school activity (essays, contests) around these clubs, offer prizes. Essay Topics “A hobby — its place in a person’s life,” “Why I have a hobby,” or “My hobby.” Use any of these three topics as the basis of a newspaper contest, school essay contest, or lobby quiz in which patrons jot down their answers. Hobby Clubs There is undoubtedly a Hobby Club in town, or clubs like a Rod and Gun Club, Camera Cluh, Camping or Radio Clubs. Don’t forget to contact presidents of these groups to start promotion for your showing at their meetings. Invite these presidents to be your guests to assure cooperation to reach memberships. If local newspaper carries Hobby Column, you have a perfect tie-in for this show. Spot an ad under the column; Arrange with Hobby Editor to mention the picture. eee eee eG. aa nA ic — eee nn