Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

28 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW November 4, 1944 Parades Are Potent {Continued from Page 26) the Fifth War Loan Drive and was so successful, the maiiufactprers of war defense articles left the display in for two weeks of the Drive. An eflfort that is practical for nearly every town, large or small, is a civic parade on the opening: of the Bond Drive. This is known to stimulate the citizens in their patriotism and cause them to buy War Bonds. The parade can consist of bands and fraternal organizations, military, where possible, tanks, jeeps, etc. In both large and .small theatres, it is suggested to get local choral organizations to sing in the lobby of the difTerent theatres, featuring Irving Berlin's bond selling tune "Any Bonds Today." Plan a Stunt a Week for Maximum Results {Continued from Page 9) is a station in your town. Sell your bonds for this show through cooperation of merchants, schools, etc. SECOND WEEK— Extra Activities Many communities have been very successful in staging a local fight sponsored by the theatre at an armory, on the stage of the theatre, at an Odd Fellows Hall or some other available place. Bonds are purchased at the theatre where a ticket of admission is given for the event. You might tie in the American Legion or any other worthwhile organization that will work with you, as well as the newspaper and radio. Some theatres have held BLOCK DANCES. The theatre's street is blocked off . . . local band is obtained . . . local talent promoted . . . and bond sales are made from a platform erected by the town. AUCTION NIGHTS in which the theatre promotes merchandise is another good medium. Newspaper cooperation is important on this also. Have an auctioneer on hand so that the auction is conducted in real showmanship manner. The merchandise is auctioned oflf to the highest bond purchase bidder. ORGANIZATION NIGHTS in which the American Legion, Women's Club or other important group sponsor the night. They present a show on the stage of the theatre on a particular night and bonds purchased at the theatre can be a form of admission. SCHOOL BANDS' COMPETITION or an INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL BAND to put on a show in which the school does a job of selling bonds as a form of admission for that night. THIRD WEEK— Free Movie Day This falls on Dec. 7th. The theatre is thrown open for admission by purchasing a bond. This can be made into a civic affair. You might utilize one of the stunts mentioned above which has not been used for another purpose. FOURTH WEEK— Bond Premiere All distributing companies will cooperate on this particular night. They will give you a picture, gratis, to be used for this premiere showing. Be sure to get an outstanding production, one to which your community will respond. Make this the event of events ... a one performance show ... all seats reserved. Work with the banks to give you the leads to whom you can sell bonds. Work with your stores, plants and all other business establishments. Do a salesman's job. Be sure that the bonds are sold by the theatre or with the theatre getting the credit. Your radio, newspaper and screen should play an important part in this show. It is also suggested that, in addition to the above, you have some local war hero talk from your stage to the audience on various nights during the month. You can honor the U. S. Treasury War Bond Officials at some time during this drive. There are many communities which have sprung up throughout the country which have no theatres. There are many plants around your community where a job can be done. To this end, I suggest a BANDWAGON in which you, as salesman, put on a show, promoting local talent, a band, and a treasury official, visit these places during the month the bond drive is on. You will be surprised at the number of bonds you will sell and the credit you can garner. Says Lieut. Gen. Omar N. Bradley: "It's the infantry which must bear the brunt of battle." Exhibitors are the infantry of the 6th War Loan Drive. INDIANAPOLIS. Front Row: I to r— Fester Cauker, MCM, asst. chairman; Claude W. McKean, Warners, chairman; George T. Landis, 20th Century-Fox; Russell Brentlinger, RKO; Ted Liebtag. National Screen. Second row: I to r — Ed Brauer, Republic; L. J. McGinley, Universal; C. R. Frank, United Artists. Third row: I to r — Carl Harthill, Monogram; A. R. Taylor, Paramount; Guy Craig, Columbia; Jos. W. Bohn, PRC. CINCINNATI. First row: I to r— Allan Moritz, Columbia, asst. chairman; Joe Oulahan, Paramount; Bill Onie, Monogram; Ed. Booth, MCM: Harris Dudelson. United Artists, chairman; Second row: I to r — Lev. Bugie, 20th CenturyFox; George Kirby, Republic; Jimmy Ambrose, Warners; Stanley Jacques, RKO; John Bannon, Universal. MEMPHIS. Seated— Doddridge Nichols, West Tennessee State Chairman, Treasury Department, War Bond Drives. Standing I to r — ^^Bob Conway, National Screen; James Prichard, Universal; L. W. McClintock, Paramount; John Rogers, Columbia, chairman; L. C. Ingram, MCM; Ed Williamson, Vitagraph; T. W. Young, 20th CenturyFox; Al Avery, asst. chairman, RKO; L. W. Andrews, Republic. OMAHA. Front row: I to r— Harold B. Johnson, Universal, chairman; Joe Scott, 20th Century-Fox; John Kemptgen, MCM; J. T. McBride, Paramount, asst. chairman; Mike Comer, Monogram; Harry Rogers, PRC. Back row: I to r — D. V. McLucas, United Artists; Frank Hannon, Warners; Harry Lefholtz, Republic; Karl Howe, RKO; Meyer Stern, Capitol; I. Sokolof, National Screen; Joe Jacobs, Columbia. SALT LAKE CITY. Center— Cliff Davison, RKO, chairman. Standing: I to r — ^W. G. Seib, Columbia, assistant chairman; F. H. Smith, Paramount; C. R. Wade, Universal; Charles L. Walker, 20th Century-Fox; H. C. Fuller, Republic; C. S. Trobridge, United Artists; S. J. Gardner, MCM, and William S. Gordon, Warners. MINNEAPOLIS. Seated on davenport: I to r — Jay McFarland, National Screen; Ben Blotcky, Paramount, asst. chairman; W. H. Workman, MCM, chairman; LeRoy J. Miller, Universal; H. J. Chapman, Columbia. Standing: I to r — Norman W. Pyle, Loew's; Thomas A. Burke, Monogram; Jack Cohan, 20th Century-Fox; Abbott Swartz, PRC; A. W. Anderson, Warners; W. M. Grant, Republic; C. J. Dressell, RKO; Ralph Cramblet, United Artists.