The Smiling Ghost (Warner Bros.) (1941)

shot newspaper NEWSPAPER CONTEST “The Smiling Ghost” joins up with other famous ghosts of literature in this oneidentification contest. Tickets to show go to winners. Contest copy below runs without answers: IDENTIFY THESE FAMOUS GHOSTS; WIN TICKETS TO “SMILING GHOST’ How many of these famous ghosts of literature can you name? In what book or story do they appear and what was the author’s name? Send your answers in to the (name of paper) Contest Editor with a 25-word letter on “(Name of Ghost) of Literature That Impressed Me Most.” FREE tickets to see “The Smiling Ghost,” Warner Bros.’ cheery-eerie adventure film at the Strand Theatre, may be yours! Title given to the ghost of a frightened schoolmaster who rode by night. (The Headless Horseman in Washington Irving’s “Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”’ ) What is the name of the old man who came back from the dead to take a little child with him. (Peter Grimm in David Belasco’s play “The Return of Peter Grimm.” ) Ghost who comes back to taunt his brother who married the wife of the dead king. (Ghost of the King of Denmark in Shakespeare’s “‘Hamlet.” ) What is the name of the ghost who arises at a banquet to torment the king and queen for murder. (Ghost of Banquo in Shakespeare’s “‘Macbeth.”’ ) What is the name of the ghost which still sails the Seven Seas captained by a Hollander. (The Flying Dutchman) Old Scrooge’s partner who was ‘“‘dead as a doornail.” (Jacob Marley in “A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens.) JUST A REMINDER Here’s that “blonde blitz” again—Alexis Smith, fresh in the minds of your patrons because of her recent success in “Dive Bomber.” Don’t overlook this angle — she’s on her way to becoming your newest screen star! TIP FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN: Keep the ghost smiling. Follow the advertising—mystery with comedy. Let your campaign be on the light side. We’ve suggested some straight ‘“‘spook’’ stuff, if that’s what you need in your situation, but we think the cheer-eerie idea is the best bet. 2 Ballyhoo Stilis SMILING GHOSTS Here is a still-ful of the smiling ghost figures used in the advertising and posters. The uses of all or any of these figures are many. They’ll make an ’ effective teaser campaign for your showing. Blow them up for lobby or marquee display. The ‘‘ghosts’’ with the sandwich and picket signs suggest themselves for street bally ideas—pick pas AS ar up copy from the ads. Spot them on your theatre program. Put them to work for you throughout your campaign; your show. Order still SG 509 (8” x 10” size) —_10c—from Warner Bros. Campaign Plan Editor, 321 West 44th Street, New York City. let them trademark FEATURE DISPLAY Blow up still of sensational newspaper feature for lobby display. Scene stills and ad copy complete exhibit. No mats available. Order still SG 510 — 10c — from Campaign Editor. SMM ok © = 2 OF ATT (Lead Story) ‘Smiling Ghost’ Laugh Chilier Coming to Strand UUUTTTUQQQQQOQN000UOUUTUUUUQUOQOQOOEOEOOTUUUUOOOQOUAOOOOUEEEOOOOQOOOOOUOEEEEOOOGEOOOQOUEECEOOUOOSGOOEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOONUEEOOOUOO OOOO Laughter and thrills, excitement and chills are in the offering for Strand Theatre patrons next Friday when Warner Bros.’ new mystery film, “The Smiling Ghost” starts its local run. A tale of killings and quips, the Mat 104—15c LOVELY ALEXIS SMITH follows her fine portrayal in ‘“‘Dive Bomber’’. with that of ‘jinx girl’ in Warner Bros.’ ‘‘The Smiling Ghost,”” which will open Friday at the Strand Theatre. film shows what happens when a guy goes out of his way to tangle with a jinx. This particular jinx is none other than a very beautiful and very rich girl played by Alexis Smith. It seems that Alexis has proved to be a jinx to several would-be suitors. All of them, with one exception (and he can’t be considered too fortunate because he reposes in an iron lung) have met violent deaths. Wayne Morris, as a graduate engineer and able to use a little extra cash, is hired by Alexis’ grandmother, played by Helen Westley, to act as her grandchild’s fiance and disprove the jinx. Soon after Wayne comes to Alexis’ house with his valet, portrayed by that fine comedian, Willie Best, strange things start to happen. Secret panels open, eyes gleam from them. And most mysterious of all, a smiling ghost wanders about at night to the especial annoyance of Willie Best. Wayne meets a newspaper-girl portrayed by alluring Brenda Marshall, and they decide to get to the bottom of these very strange happenings. After many weird adventures, they solve the mystery surrounding Alexis, and it turns out to be a very startling solution. “The Smiling Ghost” has a very fine supporting cast consisting of Alan Hale, Lee Patrick and David Bruce. The screen play was written by Kenneth Gamet and Stuart Palmer from Palmer’s original story. Lewis Seiler directed the Strand’s newest comic-mystery. COMIC MYSTERY FILM ON WAY TO STRAND Ghosts, gags and gaiety run rampant in Warner Bros.’ new film, “The Smiling Ghost” which opens this Friday at the Strand Theatre. It is a picture that combines thrilling mystery with light comedy. The picture stars Wayne Morris, Brenda Marshall and Alexis Smith in a triangular setup fraught with T.N.T. Alexis is cast as a girl who is claimed to be a jinx. All of her former suitors have met with violent death. That is all except one and he is the inhabitor of an iron lung. In order to prove that the jinx is all the bunk, Alexis’ grandmother (Helen Westley’s role) hires a young fellow just out of college, played by Wayne Morris, to be her grand-daughter’s suitor. He comes to visit Alexis and brings along his superstitious valet, portrayed by Willie Best, whose pet aversion is anything connected’ with haunted houses or ghosts. Wayne meets a newspaper girl, played by Brenda Marshall and they get along splendidly. They are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Alexis, and after many thrilling escapades they arrive at a startling solution. “The Smiling Ghost” has a fine supporting cast, consisting of Alan Hale, Lee Patrick and David Bruce. The screen play was written by Kenneth Gamet and Stuart Palmer from Palmer’s original story. The film was directed by Lewis Seiler.