The Fighting 69th (Warner Bros.) (1940)

‘69th’ HAS ALL YOU WANT FOR BALLYHOO! WE'RE MEMBERS OF THE GRANDEST REGIMENT OF FIGHTING MEN IN THE WHOLE COCKEYED WORLD “TheFIGHTING G9th | STRAND THEATRE Group of men dressed in soldier uniforms ride through streets in dilapidated car. Supposedly on leave and out for good time, they shout, sing and raise general commotion. Woman Crashes ‘Men Only’ Opening After manner of big New York dinner and preview showing, run “Gentlemen Only” screening for local veterans, Legion heads, etc. As twist to get additional breaks have woman dressed in tuxedo attempt to crash screening. Tip off newspaper in ad vance to get coverage. War, so help me God." Honor Local 69’er Might be able to find an obscure citizen in town, who was a member of the 69th New York. Make stunt sort of modified Lady For A Day gag with ex-69er feted on day of opening. Vets Donate Tree Local Legion chapter might donate \ a tree to city in honor of Joyce Kilmer, author of “Trees” and famous member of the “Fighting 69th” regiment. Plugging Soldiers Oath Use soldiers oath of allegiance on lobby displays or placque. "|, (name), do solemnly swear that | will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America and that | will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies whomsoever and that | will obey the orders of the President of the United States and of the officers appointed over me according to the Rules and Articles of A SWASHBUCKLING TALE OF THE GRANDEST REGIMENT OF FIGHTING MEN INTHE WHOLE COCK EYED WORLD eee USING SPECIAL STAR DRAWINGS Scene mats 102, 103 and 104 shown on page 15, of special drawings of James Cagney, Pat O’Brien and George Brent can be used: 1. For your lobby. Blow up and mount and use for display. 2. For drawing contest. Tie up with drawing classes or school children for best original sketches of stars, using these as models. 3. For lobby stunt. Artist does sketches of each. PAPER BAG IMPRINT Ad mat 402 gives you a swell line for a paper bag imprint: “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and... SMILE!...LAUGH!... HOWL!” Ex-Privates Put On ‘Beer and Skittles’ Fete If you are planning fancy preview party with officers of Legion post, mayor, etc., an additional stunt would be to get all ex-privates of local regiment, good-naturedly snubbed, to put on their own “Beer and Skittles” party at the armory on the same night as your preview. Post Honors Pic Stars Get local Rainbow Division chapter or veteran post to wire Cagney, O’Brien or Brent, or all of them, announcing their appointment as honorary post members. i . Five Reminders ( . ... and not forgetting bugle and I drum corps contest, army drills in ) front of your theatre, signalling demonstrations, papier mache can Usual fanfare—speeches, dedication placque, etc.—attends ceremonies. “Soldier” in misfit uniform tours town on army mule, doing comic routine in saddle. non on marquee and flag raising and lowering exercises at theatre. DIRECT MAIL COPY FOR MILITARY AND WOMEN’S GROUPS Direct mail set up the premiere showing of ‘The Fighting 69th’, letters going out to.Rainbow Division heads, youth leaders, IrishAmerican clubs and American Legion heads. Set up your own showing with letter copy suggested below. (Eliminate paragraph three when writing to non-military groups). Dear Patron: ips ee... Theatre management is happy to announce that 'THE FIGHTING 69TH’, starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien and George Brent, will make its long-awaited local debut on... The film is a rollicking picturization of the adventures of the boys of the 69th New York—both in training camp and overseas. You'll howl at their escapades as a bunch of green rookies and thrill at their exploits as one of Uncle Sam's most daring regiments under fire. To those of you who went overseas in ‘18, to those millions who served and fought in the fighting forces of the United States, ‘THE FIGHTING 69TH’ will serve as a tribute and reminder, and will bring back all the laughs and tears of those trying days. A scrappy gang of soldiers who wouldn't miss a fight for love or money, the characters of 'THE FIGHTING 69TH’, New York's almost all-lrish unit, are played by filmdom's ace actors including James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, George Brent, Jeffrey Lynn, Alan Hale, Frank McHugh, ‘Big Boy’ Williams, Dick Foran and hundreds of others. Roll these riot-raisers all together and you have a real moving picture, full of the action, human interest and adventures that make for tops in screen entertainment. | hope you will avail yourself of the opportunity to see this really great picture. Sincerely yours, Manager, Strand Theatre [9] Following letter copy is suggested for use in selling all women’s groups, general patron lists, and especially for contacting women’s auxiliaries, bridge and literary clubs: Dear Madam: Come see 'THE FIGHTING 69TH' at the Strand Theatre! If ever a movie moved, this is the one! There've been exciting films before—but not this kind of excitement. You've laughed loudly and long in the theatre before, but never louder and longer than this time. And there will be a teardrop too ... but the kind of tears that bring cheers when it's over! Come see 'THE FIGHTING 69TH’ and see grand screen stars like JIMMY CAGNEY and PAT O'BRIEN and GEORGE BRENT give to their parts from their hearts; for of all the roles they've portrayed, of these they'll be the proudest ever! Come see ‘THE FIGHTING 69TH’ because ‘The Fighting 69th’ brings you history's heroes—the story of the glory, which, once seen, no girl can help but cherish! Sincerely yours, Manager, Strand Theatre ON NEXT PAGE ...Seven-column Sunday Feature. [If you can't plant it in local paper. print up as two or fourpage broadside with reverse side imprinted by co-op ad or with your own.