The Singing Kid (Warner Bros.) (1936)

FINDING TOWN'S SINGING KID CONTACT YOUR EDITOR Before doing anything else, pay a little visit to ye ed to sound him out on proposition. If he sees stunt your way and comes in on it with whole-hearted cooperation, you’re all set. : SELECTING COMMITTEE First contact leaders of boy and girl orgs, such as boy and girl scouts. Pick committee and explain set-up to "em. Youngsters’'ll probably like idea of running the whole show. Another angle, which might help you along with paper, would be to have the newsies act as sponsors — writing stories, contacting stores, etc., with your help, of course. TRYOUTS AT THEATRE Starting week before opening, you can have eliminations on your stage every night, with two or three chosen each night by audience applause to appear in the finals. This’ll give you a chance to send in story to paper every day — and oughta get enough of the youngsters’ friends and relatives to theatre to make it worth your while. PARADE TO THEATRE Gala event can be made of finals with entire town decorated and plumed for occasion. Kids parade to theatre with junior fife and drum corps leading the procession. Promoted autos transport contestants to theatre — and carry banners on show. Photogs snap youngsters as they march in front of house, for possible break in dailies. Here’s a stunt that oughta go over in most towns. Idea is to find town’s most talented youngster, calling him the “Singing Kid.” Set-up below tells how stunt can be worked with local paper, but you might find it better to co-operate with radio station and hold contest via ether. (Ist Day Publicity) Who Is Elmira’s Most Talented “Singing Kid”? Somewhere in Elmira is a youngster—either a boy or girl— perhaps unknown to any one outside of his own immediate family and circle who is to be signally honored in this city next week. Today the’ .....2..c-chetes (newspaper) begins its search for the most talented juvenile entertainer in the city who will not only receive the honors that go with the title of the city’s ‘‘Singing Kid’’ but will be given an opportunity to start a professional career that may lead to fame and fortune. Ons Se ee (date) the famous stage, screen and radio star, Al Jolson, will be seen on the: screen Of “the. <...:.-..i5-+.-ee--2g Theatre in the First National musicomedy ‘‘The Singing Kid.’’ Featured in the production is the six year old child star Sybil Jason, whose talents were so outstanding that news of her achievements traveled all the way from her home in South Africa to London where she was an immediate success, and this in turn, led to stardom in Hollywood. There may be another Sybil Jason right here in Elmira, or there may be a boy fully capable of joining the few outstanding lads who will be the screen stars of the future. The winner on whom the title of ‘‘Singing Kid’’ will be bestowed, will be given an engagement for ........ days at the ............ Ro eee Theatre, will be heard over the radio and in addition to the money paid for his appearances will be the recipient of many prizes offered by co-operating business institutions. He will be received by government and industrial organizations. If you know of a talented youngster who should be entered in the competition for ‘‘Singing Kid’’ honors watch the ..........::::cceeeeee (newspaper) tomorrow for full details. (2nd Day Publicity) Trials To Select “Singing Kid” To Begin Next Week Preliminary elimination tryouts for the title of Elmira’s ‘‘ Singing Kid,’’ and its honors and emoluments will begin next Monday THE AGA UNS eps: Theatre, where the first group of aspirants will be given an opportunity to demonstrate their talents. Since the announcement yesterday ‘that-the 3.5 ita..2..0. (newspaper) had begun a search for the most talented youngster in town, unusual interest has been shown by relatives and friends. All that is necessary to enter a boy or girl in this contest is to send his or her name to the Singing Kid Contest Editor of the ero ee ee (newspaper) stating age, address, and if possible, the telephone number. The child will be notified what evening to appear atsthe insets Theatre for a tryout, and the winners of each evening’s test will appear in a final contest Saturday night, at which time the title of ‘‘Singing Kid’? will be bestowed. The winner will be given an engagement of ............ days at the be ee eeiaeiaie as Theatre for which he Willebes paid Sic sisesse ee , and in addition the following prizes have been donated: (list names of donors and prizes.) Full instructions regarding the contest may be obtained either from the Contest Editor of this newspaper or at the box office of tes cs es Theatre. No one knows to what this start in the entertainment field may lead. Amateurs all over the country are being watched by talent scouts and a public appearance often is the beginning of a real career. Who knows what ‘‘The Singing Kid’? may find in the future? Now send in the name of the most talented youngster you know. He need not be a singer, despite the title. But he must be a real entertainer. Anyway, the audiences GhethG ee Theatre next weék will soon decide. MISCELLANEOUS IDEAS By co-operating with merchants, you can have winner se lected by ballots. Each store receives blank votes, which are handed out with every purchase. Votes are sent in to thea tre, where winner is announced . . . Other angles: Merchants sponsor their favorites, pluggin’ ’em in displays and ads... Entrants send giant postcard to Sybil Jason, telling her about stunt . . . City and school honor winner. FLASH! As we go to press we learn that the New York Strand’s exploitation staff previewed this page and decided to try stunt. They’ve tied up with Station WINS and are holding eliminations and finals over the air. PICKING THE WINNER Finalists perform en stage, of course, and either judges or audience can choose the winner. Do it either way — just so you come out with your town’s “Singing Kid.” NEWSIES YELL STORY When winner is selected, newsboys holler — “Wuxtra — Read All About Elmira’s 3 Singing Kid — Wuxtra.” Newsies could even fix up their news-bags with similar copy, which gives you an extra bally. PARTY FOR WINNER Kids’ll want to give a grand party in honor of winner. Promoted food, a few lobby decorations, and you’re all set. SINGING KID ENDORSES Merchants might like to have Singing Kid appear at their stores endorsing certain products. Of course, they tell about it in ads and displays. SINGS AT LUNCHEONS Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Rotary or any other service luncheon clubs might have the winner down to lunch as special guest or entertainer. These meetings generally get newspaper space and no doubt you'll get your mention when lunchers are told that kid was down by courtesy of your theatre. WINNER SINGS ON AIR Radio station oughta go for the opportunity of having the Singing Kid on the air. And, if you’re sure its okay with the parents your Singing Kid can make a round of the niteries, singing — and plugging film. Page Five