Ready Willing and Able (Warner Bros.) (1937)

EXPLOITATION CONTESTS & ROYAL TYPEWRITER TIE-UP VARIED CONTEST ANGLES DANCE TEAM CONTEST HONORS TAPPING STARS In honor of Ruby Keeler and Lee Dixon, whose sensational team dancing in film has been cheered by all who have seen the picture, we suggest a search for the best dance team in your community. You can work it just like an amateur night, except that entrants are limited to pairs who consider themselves good dancers. Of course, whole thing is held on your stage, with winners chosen by judges or by audience applause. It shouldn't be a hard job to promote prizes for the winners, possibly a scholarship at local dancing school, among other things. Another idea, that’s worked out pretty well in the past, is to have winners receive a week's engagement (with pay, of course) at local nitery. Or maybe you'd like to hire them yourself to dance on stage during run of film. If you do this, try sending them to hotels and night clubs gratis, where they can do their routine and plug your show. It'll be worth your while, we think, to hire the pair, because there are enough ways of using them for bally purposes to pay you well. Look on page of lobby and street ballys for additional ways of letting them plug your show. GIRLS DANCE You might give the girls a chance to show their stuff by having a contest for the best female hoofer in town. You know how to handle it, but you might get a couple of suggestions by reading the item above on finding best dance team in town — same set-up works for both stunts. IDENTIFY DANCE TEAMS If you need a contest for your lobby or for newspaper, why not let folks identify famous dance teams—including your newest team, Ruby Keeler and Lee Dixon. To make it easy for you, we've gotten up a set of stills showing these five well-known teams: Keeler and Dixon, the de Marcos, Hal Leroy and Mitzi Mayfair, Veloz and Yolandez, and the Preissers. The five stills are on order from the Campaign Plan Editor, 321 West 44th Street, New York City. Price is 50c for the set. ROYAL TYPEWRITER CO. PLUGS IN BIG TIE-UP If you've seen the big typewriter number in this film, you'll realize why the Royal Typewriter Company is giving the show such a swell plug. Our tie-up consists of full page breaks in both Royal house organs, with a combined circulation of over 15,000, and distribution of 2000 window displays for their dealers. In addition to this, they're sending letters to all dealers urging them SEARCH FOR GIRL WITH MOST BEAUTIFUL LEGS With a bow to Ruby Keeler, conduct a search for town’s most beautiful pair of legs. Ruby’s limbs are noted for their shapeliness as well as their dancing ability—which gives you this chance to run an unusual beauty contest that ought to cause plenty of chatter around town. We'd go about it in this way: Blow up still showing Ruby's legs, and set it up in lobby with sign telling about contest and also giving measurements for “perfect’’ legs. Also try to promote prizes, getting window displays in co-operating stores, and possibly mention in store ads. Then try to get a few local celebs to act as judges, and speak to editor about newspaper publicity. On night of contest, seat judges on stage, or in first row. Curtain is lowered until it comes about three feet from the ground. The gals then walk past be. hind the curtain, so that only their legs are visible. Prettiest, of course, nab the prizes. The winners are described as having legs most like Ruby's, which means that all publicity breaks and ads contain plug for your star and show and don't forget to plant still of Ruby's legs next to still of winners’, along with appropriate copy. ACCENT QUIZ In picture, Keeler and Hughes make believe they're English and come out with an English accent that'll knock you cold. Which, of course, suggests giving the natives a chance to imitate the Limeys, with promoted prizes and ducats to the best accents you uncover. Contest goes well over air, too. to co-operate with you. So better get after local dealers immediately—and also see if they'll go for any of these stunts: RUBY’S DOUBLE If you haven't tried it before, plug your show by trying to find double for Ruby Keeler. It's easy to work—folks send in photos, you pick out the best dozen or so, and these come down to stage for final selection. Winner's picture ought to be easy to plant alongside still of Keeler, don't you think? On air, you might run similar contest, but with prize for voice most like Ruby’s. Page Four TYPING CONTEST Co-operative contest, worked in store window or on stage, offers stenogs a chance to compete for title of town’s champion typist. TYPING EXHIBITION Pretty girl in lobby or store window demonstrates the new Royal. Her typing, of course, carries neat little plug for the picture you're playing. PRETTIEST STENOGRAPHER Hold beauty contest for stenographers on your stage. Prettiest girl wins titlhe—and also a beautiful Royal Typewriter. SHORTHAND CONTEST Contest for girl who is speediest at taking shorthand is another angle. Here, again, co-operating Royal dealer can supply the prize. For further information, contact: Royal Typewriter Company New York City NEW SONGS Why not let amateur song writers display their wares from your stage in a big ‘Original Song Contest?” Or, if you prefer, work it in conjunction with local radio station, having amateurs perform either on stage or in the studio, airing their tunes and your plug. We suggest using your stage, so that their friends can buy tickets from you.