Hi Nellie (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Exploitation Ideas YOUR STAFF CAN HELP ‘Hi, Nellie’ caught on as a slogan around the New York exchange as soon as the picture was screened. If you’ve seen the picture you know it’s a cinch to catch on in your town when they see the show — but it means most to you if the gag gets going before you play it. In addition to the suggestions outlined in this section on how to get ’em saying ‘Hi Nellie,’ your own staff can be of tremendous help. “HI, NELLIE!” ANSWERS PATRONS’ QUESTIONS Tying in on the love problem angle of ‘‘Hi, Nellie!’’ suggests this curiosity-tickling current lobby stunt. Place a quick-witted member of your staff, preferably a girl, within a beaverboard enclosure in the lobby. Plug a speaking tube through a hole in the board, and placard the display as ‘‘Nellie Nelson, who answers your love-problems, who tells you what to do, when,—and why!”’ The gal inside the booth should be primed to answer all types of questions. No part of the answer should be visible, and her voice should be kept low enough to instill confidence in the questioner. A variation of this may be handled via the house telephone. Placard your lobby phone with another similar to the above. On the office end of the wire, the gal who ‘‘knows all’’ is ready with her answers. Give her plenty of publicity—and let nature take its course! 3-Day Contest Sells Gals A 8-day contest with plenty of reader interest, designed to sell the Muni ‘woman angle’: Hach day the paper runs one scene from a recent Muni hit. Readers are asked to state briefly the answer: What part did the woman in the case play in this picture? ANSWERS: In “Scarface” a woman doomed him to death; in “‘Fugi tive” a blonde turned him back to the chain gang; in “The World Changes” a spoiled wife wrecked his career. Order Mat. No. 17—25e. PULL YOUR CHIN IN, ANN! Post a notice where all your help will see it, — ushers, doormen, cashiers, porters — telling them of your plan to make ‘Hi Nellie’ the town’s slogan. Tell them to greet their friends with it — to say ‘Hi Nellie’ to everyone they know. It’s a catchy phrase and will click like the recent ‘Where’s Elmer’ gag. This means a lot to you — we earnestly advise that you follow it up! That right hand which Paul Muni is throwing her, doesn’t promise too much for the future! But maybe you’d do the same thing if you were in his boots. Do you remember what the gals did to him in “Scarface”? Write your ideas on the subject to the Strand, where Muni is now playing in “Hi, Nellie” and win some of those big prizes which are being offered. AW, DON’T BE DISAGREEABLE! Camera’s Click Collects Coin Via Contest Route The N. Y. Mirror kept thousands of people interested in a photographic contest, with daily awards to the snapshot which was adjudged the best. That idea may be adapted to ‘‘Hi, Nellie!’? in which Paul Muni clears up a murder mystery with a photograph of a missing judge. A few minutes should convince your local camera dealer or film-developer of the advisability of cooperating with you, and of offering a camera as the award for the prize-winners. Announce either in the papers or on a board in your lobby that prizes will be given for the snapshot taken under the most dangerous circumstances, for the best night shot, for the most artistic snap, or for any other category you may select. Plant winning pictures in the paper daily, and award a grand prize for the best photograph in the contest. FOR TACK CARD TWO CONTESTS FOR AMATEUR NEWSIES Here are two ways to interest all the amateur writers, the high school O. Henrys, and the boy Most people wouldn’t mind having Glenda Farrell around their necks. reporters. Offer these two conBut not Paul Muni, no sir! In this scene, taken from his great film, | tests, tying in your publicity “I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang,” he is trying to flee from the : i ur presentation of woman. Why? What part did they ’play in the picture? Get your ee present answers in to the Strand, and win some of those prizes being offered ; in conjunction with the showing of the latest Muni smash, “‘Hi, Nellie!” FIRST, offer prizes to the five ——_—_—____—. persons submitting the best LAST CHANCE AT THOSE PRIZES! written stories about your town’s biggest-news-of-the-week. This will let the front-porch editors show the professionals just how to do it. Limit the stories to 150 words apiece, allow contestants to choose any local topic they wish, and have the entries judged by a committee of editors and writers which you may select. Be sure to specify that you want actual newspaper style, just as if the Let This Record Shout! Six contrasting voices shout the title six different ways, then join in a final “HI, NELLIE!” This record was used in the New York campaign and is equally adaptable to any campaign in any situation. It’s a swell teaser for your front, lobby or sound truck. New York also used it for a filler 2 weeks in advance with Here is a scene from “The World Changes” in which Mary Astor is seen with the great Paul Muni. Do you remember how she affected his life in the picture? Was she a good or bad influence? This is the last day of the contest, you know, which the Strand is sponsoring in conjunction with the showing of Muni’s latest hit, “‘Hi, Nellie!’ So get those answers in, and grab some of those prizes! Page Six contestants were covering the story themselves. SECOND, for the week previous to your opening of ‘‘Hi, Nellie!’’ have your patrons watch the papers for ‘‘The Most Important Story of the Week.’’ At the end of the period, prizes are awarded to the five or ten persons who hand in the best essays telling what they thought was the most important story, and why they chose it. This involves two elements: one of choice, and the other of explanation. In the main, the contest can be run along the same lines as the one suggested previously. the curtain closed. A truly different bally which has just about everything you could want. You'll know what we mean when you hear it! Made in two speeds: 33 1-3 speed on 12” record—$1.50 each; 78 speed on 10” record— $.75 each. All orders shipped C. O. D. BRUNSWICK RECORDING LABORATORIES 799 Seventh Avenue New York City