Strange Alibi (Warner Bros.) (1941)

EXPLOITATION A Crime Prevention Week is especially good promotion for this picture. Work it in cooperation with city officials, by proclamation, boy scout groups, and local newspaper. Posters in shops, stores, and schools should be used to promote this special week and your showing. 5 Paste up headlines on crime wave on 40 x 60 in lobby. Copy across display reads, ‘‘See the most amazing man hunt in history! ‘Strange Alibi’ — Friday! — Strand Theatre!”’ 5 Wanted posters always get attention. It’s an inexpensive advertising idea which you can print up locally and tack up in important places around town. Use branch set still of Arthur Kennedy for poster illustration. Copy reads: “Wanted. Reward will be paid for apprehension of the man who offered a Strange Alibi. For full particulars inquire at the Strand Theatre on Friday.” Sd Leading character in this picture is an heroic cop. That’s your cue to honor local policeman who has distinguished himself in line of duty. Patrons vote in lobby week prior to playdate, and hero is presented with a suitable gift opening night. Handled correctly, this can be developed into your lead stunt with big news breaks. e Arthur Kennedy heads cast of your show. This newcomer first attracted attention as Cagney’s kid brother in ‘City For Conquest,’ and has been moving up ever since. Use the tie-up stills (see below) plus stories on publicity page. Dealer Tie-up Stills? You bet! Features Arthur Kennedy and Joan Perry. Order “‘Alibi Tie-Up Stills,” ten for 85c from Campaign Plan Editor. Stills: ARTHUR KENNEDY Nechitie oS i.ccnk sc. tebe. ete. oe AK 5 Blannel:Suite eee. ee ae AK 9 DW Cater gi5.cet otc caste. ain see ISS eee AK 12 JOAN PERRY Coiffune ee acs eae te a ee IPix2 Costime:Jewelry. See res sac ee JERSE. Ay. SUIS ee ie tS ine ee JP 29 Dinner<Gown eee eae woes JRA35 Afternoon: Dress ok ces isncitiesere e's ss ks Ap co rots. Herringbone: Goatss es i JP 56 Spring:Millinerye5 se ee JP 64 3 RADIO SPOTS Radio spot announcements are particularly effective when spotted before and after the detective and gangster dramas. Try these: Every flaming moment brings a new thrill! See “Strange Alibi’ at the Strand Theatre on Friday! See a hunted killer go on the most amazing man hunt of all time! See “Strange Alibi” beginning Friday at the Strand Theatre! If you were innocent of murder, would you kill to prove it? See “Strange Alibi’ at the Strand! For ‘Alibi Ikes.’ Sell your title with an essay contest on ‘‘The Strangest Alibi I Ever Gave.” Run a week in advance of playdate as a newspaper or program feature. Passes go to those who send in the best fifty-word replies. ® Enlist aid of police chief who writes short article for local paper addressed to youth of city admonishing them that ‘‘you can’t alibi your way through life.’”’ Subject can also serve as essay contest in schools. Best ones are published in local high school newspaper. sd There’s action in the six-sheet! For an arresting lobby display cut around crouching figure of Kennedy, mount on compo board, and add scene stills, billing, and playdate. 4 Herald your show with ad mat 202. It’s made to sell thrill fans! Print with co-op ad on reverse side and distribute around town. o Contact local book dealers and arrange displays of popular books about crime, detectives, and the rackets. Surround with branch set scene stills and add playdate. Also, any one-column ad makes a swell bookmark to be distributed by book stores and libraries. ¢ Since your local paper runs cartoon strips catering to action fans of all ages, it would be a good idea to place underliners advertising your show beneath these cartoons. If this can’t be arranged, place directory ad on the same page. OFFICIAL BILLING Warner Bros. 40% Pictures, Inc., Presents 5% “STRANGE ALIBI” 100% with Arthur Kennedy Joan Perry 40% Directed by D. Ross Lederman [5% Screen Play by Kenneth Gamet 3% From a Story by Leslie T. White 2% A Warner Bros.-First National Picture 5%