Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

4 Page 14 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW April 29, 1939 SO many superlatives have been accorded Republic's "Man of Conquest" in the trade press by this time that the exhibitor who hasn't heard about this important historical drama must be out getting a beer or is perhaps away on a vacation. Some of you may have your dates set. Others may be deferring their date-setting either to give the film preferred playing time or because they still may be a little dubious despite reports. If you're awaiting a preferred date, you're wise. "Man of Conquest" deserves it. Don't "throw it away" by setting it in a date ordinarily reserved for your average program pictures. On the other hand, if you're still dubious about its merits, we can only advise you to arrange to have the picture screened in your own theatre, or to attend a screening at your Republic exchange. Following this, it is our opinion that you'll jump at the chance to give it your best playing time. "Man of Conquest" is not only fine entertainment, but a film into which you can sink your exploitation teeth. There's no need to worry about having something big on your hands with no way to sell it. "Man of Conquest" seems to have been designed for those showmen who revel in going out and staging a rousing campaign. It's the kind of picture that builds from word-ofmouth, but if you want that word-of-mouth Spectacular American Epic Designed for Showmanship You Can Duplicate This Here's a section of the crowd that packed the streets in front of the Majestic for the world premiere of "Man of Conquest." By putting on a big campaign, you should be able to practically duplicate this scene. Note pennants, flags, etc. (REG. U. S. PAT. OFF.) to be extensive, you've got to do a selling job that will have crowds milling around your box oflfice on the opening day. Before we go into an analysis of the campaign, we should like to call your attention to the cast and credits box on this page. It is our intention to make this a part of every Showmanalysis so that when we refer to a particular player or the character he or she portrays, you can tell at a glance to whom we have reference. Too, you may not have a press book handy, and if you want to prepare publicity for your program or the newspaper, the essential credits will be at your fingertips. Those exhibitors who print the cast in their programs can conveniently clip the box from this page. There are other ways, we believe, in which you will be able to put the cast and credits box to good use. We should like your reaction to this additional service. Just drop us a line. Timely As Tomorrow's Paper And now to get back to "Man of Conquest." Here's a film that's as timely as tomorrow's newspaper. The stirring story of Sam Houston embodies the spirit of freedom — a freedom that is possible only in a democratic country such as ours. Such catchlines as "America, First, Last and Always" and "Democracy fights Dictatorship as Sam Houston Takes the Reins of An Empire and Cuts the Path for the Future of a Free America" breathe the very spirit of Freedom. There are many others equally as ef¥ective. Use these lines in your teaser campaign. Put them at the bottom of your current ads. Run small teaser ads on different pages of the paper, utilizing a catchline, then the title, and the line, "The Mightiest American Epic Since 'Cimarron'." However, we hardly think we'll have to advise you in this respect, for when you see the ads and catchlines in the press book, you'll have a wealth of ammunition for your teaser and current newspaper advertising campaign. And those ads used for the Houston, Texas, world premiere will, with a little revising on your part to make them suitable for your own situation, dominate the amusement pages. If you can possibly do so, extend your ad budget to include these marvelous layouts. If we were playing "Man of Conquest," we'd make it a point to have an advance premiere. Ordinarily, the opening night is the occasion for celebrities to attend the performance. In this case, for the sake of endorsements, word-of-mouth and cooperation, we'd make this occasion at least a week or two weeks before the film is scheduled to open. Announce that "Man of Conquest" will have its premiere in your city following the early evening presentation of your current program. Announce, too, that educators. Here Are Your Cast and Credits Sam Houston RICHARD DIX Margaret Lea GAIL PATRICK Andrezv Jackson . . . .EDWARD ELLIS £&a Allen JOAN FONTAINE William Travis Victor Jory Davey Crockett Robert Barrat Lannie Ufchurch George Hayes Stephen Austin Ralph Morgan Jim Bozvie Robert Armstrong Santa Ana C. Henry Gordon Mrs. Lea Janet Beecher Oolooteka Pedro de Cordoba "Deaf" Smith Max Terhune Mrs. Allen Kathleen Lockhart Jonas Lea Ferris Taylor John Hoskins Leon Ames A REPUBLIC PICTURE. Associate Producer, SOL C. SIEGEL. Directed by GEORGE NICHOLLS, TR. Mu^ncal Score bv VICTOR YOUNG. Screenplay bv WELLS ROOT, E. E. PARAMORE, JR., JAN FORTUNE. Original Story by HAROLD SHUMATE, WELLS ROOT. Production Manager, AL WILSON.